How To Wear a Christmas Sweater Like a Man
The Gentleman's Guide to Wearing a Christmas Sweater
Holiday Men’s Style Guide
Introduction:
As the holiday merriment sweeps over us like a warm, cozy, embrace: it’s easy to get swept up in the novelty of fast fashion items like holiday sweaters. Not only are novelty Christmas sweaters style mistakes for a gentleman of style, but they’re also bad for the environment. In fact, here are some facts that might surprise you about the waste and pollution caused by cheap holiday sweaters:
According to research done by the charity Hubbub, the UK alone spends around £220 million on Christmas jumpers each year in the UK and a quarter of those will end up in landfill or are only used once.
The charity estimates that customers in the UK will buy 12 million Christmas sweaters this festive season – despite already owning 65 million – and that two in five of these garments will be worn just once over the holiday period.
A 2016 study by Plymouth University in the UK revealed that acrylic releases almost 730,000 microfibers in every wash, far more than polyester or polyester-cotton blends accounting for the material in 95% of all holiday sweaters made today.
So while this blog post will delve into the secrets of donning a Christmas sweater like a true gentleman - we also want to make a quick note on the importance of dressing well and dressing responsibly.
Important Style Tips for Men Wearing Holiday Sweaters:
Done correctly: a holiday sweater is a style statement that transcends the realm of kitsch and embraces a cultured, tasteful manifestation of Christmas spirit. Pairing holiday sweaters with classic trousers, luxurious accessories, and our signature J.L. Rocha leather jackets or a finely tailored blazer can add a welcoming tone to your wardrobe while remaining timeless. Important pillars to mind when shopping for Christmas sweaters are:
Don’t buy a Christmas sweater that is overtly seasonal. Nordic sweaters, shawl collar sweaters, and flair isle sweaters, inspired by the Lusekofte are born from heritage and tradition.
Do buy a Christmas sweater made from fine materials that are long lasting. Don’t think of it as a holiday specific item, rather a seasonal feature that can be utilized throughout any month during the cold season.
Careful when it comes to bright colors and unique patters, choosing something that is understated or universal in imagery can help bridge the gap through the holiday season and beyond.
Now that we’ve covered the important basics. Here are some outfits to inspire your seasonal shopping, outfits, and provide proper pairings for a holiday sweater worn by a dapper gentleman.
The Office Party
Starting off with something functionally subtle, wearing this Fair Isle design harkens to a resilient knitwear crafted on the shores of the UK. The original knitting pattern consists of four distinct colors, but keeping things subtle with a simple color scheme will help maintain elegance and invitation without an overpowering presence.
We paired the warm tones of this wine colored Brunello Cucinelli with the ruggedness of the Icon Jacket and Grasso Ankle Boots in order to provide all you need to get from the office party to the after party while walking the streets without a shiver.
Complete the look:
The Ski Chalet
While it's argued that the pattern draws inspiration from South American, Turkish and Swedish designs. Norwegian variants of the Nordic Sweater Winter date as far back as the 1500s and contribute to some of the most popular designs for the holidays to date. A pattern that incorporates nature can be used for any occasion without being too specific.
We maintained the essence of Nordic functionality with stylish modernism of the minimalist gentleman. Paying homage to the natural displays of winter fauna, this look can cover you from a winter cabin near a ski chalet to an icy walk on the countryside.
Complete the look:
The X-Mas Morning
The beauty of the shawl collar sweater is its’ versatility. It does not fall under the category of traditional holiday sweaters, but can be worn throughout autumn and winter while embodying a jovial nonchalance that encapsulates a luxury lifestyle.
During exceptionally cold winter mornings, layering a shawl collar sweater in a neutral color in a complementary style can embolden the look with a masculine energy than traditionally accompanies it. If you’re staying in with an air of sophisticated relaxation, wearing a lightweight suede layering piece and a white dress shirt will exude a style that is a gift unto itself.
Complete the look:
Closing Notes:
This holiday season, while you’re deciding what to add to your wardrobe, make sure you stick to your principles. The defining element of the season is kindness, love, and rejuvenation: so be sure to carry those around. We hope this blog post has been informative related to the history of some of your favorite holiday knitwear patters, while also inspiring you to enhance your stylish efforts. Did we miss any defining elements to the season? And do you have any additional tips for men trying to dress for the holidays? We are always open to your ideas, and are happy to share more. Above all, we wish you a cheerful holiday season, and many memories with those you love.
Thank you/Gracias