Can I go to an ugly Christmas Sweater Party and not wear one? - YouLookFab Forum

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Can I go to an ugly Christmas Sweater Party and not wear one?

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

So, I have sort of made an agreement with myself to never feel obligated to go out and buy something new to wear to an event. I should be able to shop my closet. But then, the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party invite came along. It's local, smallish, will be VERY casual, and not related to work or social pressures. Just some people we know and the owner of the little restaurant/bar that is hosting it. I don't have and did not intend on buying 'said' sweater because I think it's silly to waste time/money on a "costume" for a few hours. I do have a silly battery operated light up Christmas mini bulb necklace which I intend to wear with an ivory tee that is "winter design" in nature and my red plaid flannel shirt over in case it's cool.

What would you do? Do you think it's fine to just wear what you have and don't worry about the "theme" of the party in it's exact sense?

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21 replies

Latest reply was from SandyG

crutcher

Veteran

What you have is spot on...Classy and fun...I wouldn't worry about having a designated Christmas ugly...I would be the chic one in the group with a bit different take...Have fun...

viva

Veteran

Personally, I would probably wear something just like you have suggested -- I do not own an ugly Christmas sweater and I would never want to spend the money on one. If I couldn't borrow one from someone I knew, then I would simply wear what you've indicated and then be prepared to endure some cries of "Scrooge" when I arrived at the party, and I wouldn't get annoyed if people gave me a hard time.

DD, who is both thrifty AND crafty, would probably try to ratchet things up a notch by creating something a bit more heinous with things we have around the house, so if you are crafty and want to play along, you could do that. But I don't think you should feel obligated to go out and spend money.

Astrid

Veteran

I wouldn't buy anything for the party either. When it was Halloween I was invited to a costume party. It's not traditional here and I didn't want to spend ANY money on a costume. I just went with something I had and dressed as dark as possible. I was the only one not in costume and I was fine.

Anonymous

I saw a great ugly sweater in the consignment store yesterday for $10 and almost bought it preemptively. But like you, I have a real issue with buying things just for themed events. Then, last night at Bible study, one of my friends said, "Let's have an Ugly Christmas Sweater party." Ugh.

I've decided I'll just cut some designs out of felt, decorate them and then hand-baste them onto one of my existing sweaters. Then I can easily cut the stitches after the party.

Thistle

Veteran

For our ugly Christmas sweater work event, our intern last year decorated a basic cardi she already had with tinsel and battery operated Christmas lights she already had. It was a hoot. And everything was already hers, so it didn't cost her anything.

Deb

Veteran

Definitely don't buy anything. Either wear what you've suggested or get arty and decorate something you already own. Easily done.

unfrumped

Veteran

I think the spirit's the thing, so some kind of hokey-tacky accessorized outfit but without stressing. A little effort but no $$.
I think it's best not to try to do the complete opposite, such as show up in your best chic outfit. That's me, though.
I do think there's lots of leeway such as, if you really didn't have a sweater or anything you could drape around your neck but had reindeer headband....then you could do the mea culpa but you would be in the same spirit as the group.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Thanks ladies - I was feeling the same way, wear what I have, "dress" it up with the lighted necklace and maybe something else if I feel the need. I'd much rather be comfortable and not have some extra item to shop for or to have hanging around afterwards.

Claire - you have felt and decorations on hand? Don't buy that ugly sweater, just don't do it.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Your plan sounds perfect to me. That's what I would do.

abc

Veteran

I would hit the local second-hand shops like Goodwill, etc. I am sure you will find one there and it probably won't cost more than $5. Or go the route of DIY like others mentioned.

Sal

Veteran

I think your plan is good.....I would either adapt something I had or thrift something. I think the key is to be corny or cheesy rather than chic!

Sarah Catherine

Member

I would go with what you're planning to wear; it sounds great and expresses who you are and how you celebrate! However, if you feel like you may not be getting into the spirit of the party enough, take an old sweater or cardigan, cut out some trees and/or snowmen from felt and attach them to the sweater with a couple of stitches so that they are easy to remove later. If you have some plastic ornaments lying around you could attach those to the sweater as well. You don't need to be a sewing expert to do this and it would certainly be a fun outfit.
Either way, do what you feel comfortable with and enjoy!

Anonymous

Last year I noticed that the Goodwill employees were DIYing sweatshirts and sweaters (with glue, feathers, constructions paper, etc.) to sell because they were running out of real ugly sweaters because of the ugly sweater party craze. I think this has gone too far! Then I noticed retailers (can't remember which) selling "ironic" Christmas sweaters. Really? I'm sort of over it.

My DD18 has lots of craft supplies, but now that I think of it, I'd really rather not DIY my own sweater, even temporarily. I'm not sure why I get so feisty when I'm pressured to wear something that I'd rather not wear!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Claire, I will admit I did look at *one* second hand store but they had nothing and then I realized I was breaking my own agreement to self. And I'm certainly not going to DIY anything during one of my busiest months of the year. But I know what you mean about the popularity of the trend. There are sites dedicated to it!

SO, I'm going to proudly wear my snow top tee with my cheesy lighted necklace and my "chic" red plaid shirt and be fine with it. I'll bet no one else will be wearing stylish jeans or booties either but that's not going to change my choice. Heck, knowing the crowd, some of the people there will be wearing sweaters they actually bought to wear for the real holidays anyway.

I guess if they don't like what I wear, they can skip the invite next year.

abc

Veteran

Wow, I had no idea secondhand stores might run out. I thought there was a never-ending supply of these ugly sweaters. LOL

I think you're doing what is right for you, and that's what matters. You are making effort which is the point of the party, right? A cheesy necklace and clothes that hark to the theme of the holidays will be perfectly fine. Enjoy the party.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I would go all out to dress to the theme of the bash and buy something for the occasion if I needed to. That would almost be more fun than the event itself, so that's my motivation.

That said Tex, I respect how you feel about the situation and my thumbs are up for your solution. I hope we see the hectic necklace and how you wore it. Have a great time. xo

Jeanie

Veteran

The same thing happened to me last year. I just wore a nice red sweater. I like your solution to add the light up necklace because that still makes your outfit a little zany. I would also consider what Claire suggested and use what I had around the house to make my own ugly sweater. Maybe a cotton ball snowman! Have fun.

Beth Ann

Veteran

You are honoring your host's intention by dressing in what you have. Go and enjoy the company -- and save your time and money.

christieanne

Veteran

We have a few ugly sweater days on our "spirit" calendar at work (and yes, we are selling the ironic sweaters faster than a bullet train and many to non-ironic wearers). On our ugly sweater day I wore a scarf decorated with a bunch of glitzy pins (some Chistmas, some not) and I could take it on and off as needed. A few others wore festive accessories that they had (tinsel garland is easy for this) with red and green. Looked perfect and fun. JUst right for the season. Have a good time!

elpgal

Veteran

It would depend on my relationship with the host. I would DIY something or consignment camp if it was a close friend in order not to offend or not go at all. If it was a store type event, I would not bother too much. Your solution of wearing a LED necklace is a good one.

SandyG

Veteran

Hey, join in ...you'll have fun in the shared lightheartedness Costumes are great ice-breakers and these parties are meant to be 'cheap fun'. Enjoy