The reasons for the popularity of ugly New Year’s clothes with bells have been revealed

How the iconic Christmas sweaters came to be

Over the past decade, the ugly Christmas sweater has become a part of yuletide culture. This type of clothing is a wool pullover, usually in different shades of red, white and green, often made of poor quality material, and with at least one Christmas motif – a snowman, tinsel, reindeer or candy canes. Additional elements in the form of pompoms or bells will only be a plus.

Clothing quickly became a part of the holidays, like garlands and gift wrapping.

Christmas-themed pullovers began appearing in the 1950s. Originally called “bell sweaters”, they were not as flashy as today’s versions and were not very popular with consumers, although some television personalities – notably crooners Val Dunican and Andy Williams – really appreciated the formal wear and wore her.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that the garment became a hit. This shift came about through pop culture and comedy, as characters turned the holiday sweater into an ugly but endearing expression of joy. Sweaters decorated with snowflakes weren’t considered cool, but they were a symbol of happy holidays and were worn at office parties and at Christmas.

In the 1990s, the popularity of the Christmas sweater waned. But in the 2000s, according to the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party Book, Christmas sweater parties started happening around that time.

“It’s hard to say what caused the change in perspective, but I think the moment someone put on these clothes in a humorous way, people started to see the comic side of them and think, ‘That thing in the back of the closet could be funny.’ and not something terrible that no one needs,” said the book’s author, Brian Miller.

The popularity of the ugly sweater has snowballed. Over the next decade, knitted sweaters with reindeer-bell-wreaths became a new holiday tradition, according to Miller. “This has become the mistletoe of our generation,” he added, “which is quite remarkable when you think about it.”

2012 marked a turning point when British charity Save the Children launched Christmas Jumper Day, a fundraising event encouraging people to wear their most uncomfortable jumpers. British newspaper The Telegraph called it a “must-have item for everyone this season,” while the New York Times reported that ugly Christmas sweaters were selling out at all specialty online stores. Celebrities from Taylor Swift to Kanye West have also embraced the fashion trend.

“When I attended my first ugly sweater party in the early 2000s, I never would have thought the clothing would become so popular,” said Brian Miller. The book’s author added that “it’s easy to see why: Ugly jerseys can be worn by anyone – from my daughter at her school’s ugly sweater competition to office workers at her end-of-year party.” They are democratic. And they are a lot of fun. Christmas can be quite stressful – wearing something ridiculous can help relieve it.”