Ugly Christmas sweaters have become a holiday tradition that celebrates the art of being wonderfully tacky. These festive garments feature bold colors, outrageous patterns, and decorations that would make any fashion designer cringe. What started as genuinely unfashionable knitwear has turned into a beloved way to show holiday spirit and get people laughing.
Best Ugly Christmas Sweaters
We tracked down the most gloriously hideous Christmas sweaters—perfect for stealing the spotlight at any holiday party. They’re so tacky, you’ll have people grinning and asking where you found them. (And maybe a few folks will question your judgment, but hey, that’s the point.)
Tipsy Elves Women’s Christmas Tree Sweater
Festive and comfy, with a few quirks—budget for batteries and maybe keep a needle handy.
Pros
- Soft fabric—feels way pricier than it is
- Nice thickness for layering, not too bulky
- Designs are actually fun and get compliments
Cons
- Batteries sometimes arrive dead (so annoying)
- Some decorations might need a little extra stitching
- Sizing runs small—definitely size up
We were surprised by how cozy this sweater felt. It’s just the right weight—warm but not suffocating. After a few wears (and a couple of wine spills), it still looked good.
The light-up feature is a hit at parties. We had to buy new batteries immediately, which was a pain, but once replaced, the lights were bright and lasted all night. The fit is snug, so if you’re between sizes, go up. Also, the decorative bow didn’t survive more than a couple wears without some emergency sewing, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to show it off more than once.
Colorful House Ugly Christmas Sweater
If you want to win an ugly sweater contest without spending much, this one’s a solid pick—just don’t expect warmth.
Pros
- Designs are bold and actually get noticed
- Soft polyester—doesn’t feel scratchy
- Colors stay bright after washing
Cons
- Much thinner than a real sweater
- Feels more like a shirt than knitwear
- Not made for cold weather
This sweater got a ton of attention at our office party. The print is vibrant and stands out in a crowd. Someone we know even placed at a local ugly sweater contest with this exact one.
The fabric is comfy, but let’s be real—it’s basically a thin shirt with a Christmas print. Not warm at all. If your holiday party is indoors, it’s fine, but don’t count on it for outdoor events. Think of it as festive costume wear more than an actual sweater.
ZXCTKA Christmas Tree Sweater
This purple-pink pullover is comfy and festive, but be careful with sizing.
Pros
- Fabric is soft and stretchy, not cheap-feeling
- Christmas tree pattern is cute and gets plenty of smiles
- Comes in sizes up to 5XL, so most folks can find a fit
Cons
- Runs big—consider sizing down
- Colors can look a bit different than the photos
- Washing instructions are fussy (hand wash, cold water only)
We wore this to a few holiday parties. The knit is cozy and didn’t itch, which is a win. The fit was much roomier than expected—even the medium was oversized. Works well for layering, but if you want something more fitted, size down.
Washing is a bit high-maintenance. We stuck to cold water hand washing, and it held up fine, but if you toss it in with regular laundry, who knows. The colors were a little off from the pictures, but not so much that it ruined the look.
IFFEI Women’s Ugly Christmas Sweater
This festive sweater brings plenty of comfort and holiday cheer, but you’ll probably want to size up for a better fit.
Pros
- Soft fabric that won’t scratch or bother your skin, even after hours of wear
- Fun, bold designs—plus little bells that actually jingle as you move
- Machine washable and keeps its shape after a wash
Cons
- Shorter cut makes it awkward with leggings
- Runs snug, especially across the chest—sizing up is safer
- Material feels more like acrylic than the listed polyester
We wore this to an office holiday party and got a flood of compliments. The colors are super bright, and the Christmas tree design is just playful enough. Those bells? Honestly, they made us feel like a walking ornament, but in a good way.
The fabric’s surprisingly soft, which is rare for novelty sweaters. Even our friends with sensitive skin didn’t complain about itching. After a quick wash, the colors stayed bright and the fit didn’t get weird.
Our main gripe is the length—it hits right at the hip, which is a weird spot with fitted pants. Medium was snug on us, so next time we’ll definitely go up a size for a little more comfort and versatility.
Essential Cocoon Reindeer Alcohol Christmas Sweatshirt
Honestly, we’d skip this one. The scratchy polyester and weird sizing are more hassle than they’re worth, even if the design is clever.
Pros
- Funny reindeer-alcohol pun gets a few laughs
- Lightweight for easy layering
- Some folks found the fit true-to-size
Cons
- Fabric is rough and uncomfortable
- Strong chemical smell out of the package
- Fabric description doesn’t match what you get
We wanted to love this for the funny reindeer names, but the fabric is a letdown. It’s scratchy—not at all the soft cotton blend we expected. The chemical smell was intense, too, and took a couple washes to fade.
Sizing’s inconsistent. Some of us thought it fit fine, others found the sleeves short and the body tight. There’s no stretch, so if you’re between sizes, it’s a gamble.
For parties, we had to wear something underneath just to tolerate it. The print looks cute from far away, but up close it’s pretty basic. At this price, we expected better quality.
Beopjesk Women’s Christmas Tree Cardigan
This cardigan is cozy and festive, but if you’re on the shorter side, it might eat you alive.
Pros
- Thick, warm material for chilly days
- Soft rayon feels gentle on skin
- Festive patterns bring instant holiday mood
Cons
- Very long—can overwhelm petites
- Sleeves are a bit short for taller folks
- Colors are brighter in person than online
This cardigan surprised us with how thick and sturdy it feels. The rayon is smooth and stretchy, not flimsy. After a few minutes, we were already toasty.
The holiday patterns are fun and line up nicely on the sleeves. It works with jeans or over a dress—pretty versatile for a novelty piece.
But sizing is tricky. It runs long, so it looks great on tall people but swallows up anyone under average height. The sleeves are just okay for most, but taller folks will probably wish they were longer. The colors are way more vibrant in person—could be a plus or a shock, depending on your taste. And yeah, hand washing is a pain, but it keeps the sweater looking good.
Sukabala LED Christmas Tree Sweater
If you want to actually light up the room, this sweater’s a blast—but it’s dry clean only, so plan ahead.
Pros
- LED bulbs work and make you the star of any party
- Thick enough to keep you warm
- Fits well if you follow the size chart (and size up for a looser fit)
Cons
- No machine washing—dry clean or spot clean only
- Battery pack can disconnect and be fiddly
- Runs small, so sizing up is smart
We tried this at an office party and instantly grabbed everyone’s attention. The lights are bright and blink all night—people kept asking where it was from.
The sweater’s thicker than most, so you won’t freeze, but the acrylic isn’t super soft. Still, it’s fine for an evening. Sizing is definitely on the small side. We had to exchange for a bigger size to get the right fit, and it’s cut slim, not baggy.
The worst part? Laundry. If you wash it in the machine, the lights are toast. Dry cleaning adds up fast if you wear it more than once or twice.
Goodstoworld Hilarious Cat Unicorn Christmas Sweatshirt
If you’re aiming to win an ugly sweater contest, this gloriously weird cat-unicorn-pizza-in-space sweatshirt is a top contender.
Pros
- Colors stay bright after washing (in cold water)
- Gets tons of laughs and attention
- Runs large—plenty of room for holiday snacks
Cons
- Shiny polyester, not the cozy sweater feel you might expect
- Sizing chart is confusing, and it’s bigger than you’d think
- Colors are a bit less vibrant in person
We wore this ridiculous masterpiece to a Christmas party and became instant conversation starters. The design—cat, unicorn, pizza, space—is as bonkers as it sounds.
The fabric is slick and silky, not your usual sweater knit. It’s warm, maybe even too warm indoors. We washed it in cold water and the colors held up well.
Ordering is tricky since the sizing is huge. We swam in our usual size, so definitely size down. The unisex fit works on everyone, but expect an oversized look.
