More "ugly sweater" etiquette

Mellllls

Similar to staysfit, I also have a work-related "ugly sweater" dilemma. Our work holiday party is a luncheon party tomorrow and I have just learned that there will be an "ugly sweater" contest at the party. The party is at a somewhat casual restaurant. The party is "voluntary" and many people do not attend but I am a first year manager....I think my attendance is mandatory

I interpret "ugly sweater" to mean "ugly holiday sweater". I think the idea is to wear an old holiday sweater that you have had for ages. Am I off base? I do not have any holiday sweaters and I am obviously not going to acquire one by tomorrow. I suppose I could wear a non-holiday "ugly sweater" but I don't know if I even have it...I don't tend to buy sweaters I consider ugly and I am not sure what would qualify.

What do you suggest I wear to the party? I had planned to wear a sparkly sweater and pencil skirt.

11 years ago

Dressing

9 replies

Latest reply was from Firecracker (Sharan)

retailgirl

Veteran

What you planned to wear sounds just right. "Ugly sweater" does mean "ugly holiday sweater", so if you don't have one, don't worry.

11 years ago

Liz

Veteran

Ugly sweater in this case refers to one of those highly-decorated Christmas sweaters. Just be a bit careful with your sparkly sweater -- you want to make sure it doesn't get mistaken as your idea of a holiday sweater for the contest. : )

11 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Just say no to the ugly sweaters. The outfit you have planned sounds lovely!

11 years ago

Anonymous

I think your outfit sounds perfect too. I'd definitely think something like that at work is supposed to be for ugly holiday sweaters that people already own.

11 years ago

Mellllls

Veteran

thanks all. if anything, i was wondering if the sparkly sweater would be too dressy in light of the ugly sweater contest. generally we a "business casual" (i.e. no jeans) office.

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

People, help me here. WHAT IS WITH THIS UGLY SWEATER NONSENSE????

Phew. I mean, really!! As if we don't have enough to get stressed out about on the holidays. Cleaning, decorating, baking, cooking, shopping, visiting, entertaining, sending greetings, attending parties....and now we have to go thrifting for "ugly" sweaters, too????

Sorry for that rant.

I would be tempted to wear your planned outfit PLUS a protest sign. DOWN with ugly sweaters. Down with holiday irony. Let's just eat cookies.

11 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

Oh Suz, too funny! I hate those ugly holiday sweaters too. I actually have one though that my son gave me when he was about 3. I try to put it on for a couple short hours every year just for him.

If you need a cheap one thrift stores seem to have tons of them at this time of year.

11 years ago

Anonymous

Before I thrifted a couple of really obnoxious Christmas sweaters I would wear a sparkly sweater with some sort of holiday costume jewelry and that seemed to appease everyone. Cheap jingle bells strung on a chain or piece of ribbon work well. Or just tie a ribbon on somewhere or a package bow pinned on your outfit. One year I grouped three cheap holiday brooches on a red vest.

11 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

If it's a contest, I'm sure you can abstain. Your planned outfit sounds just perfect to me!
I would have said what Mary and Suz did if I were that clever.

You know what--I think I'll be spared the "ugly sweater" trend, because I think a lot of the people in my business (home sewing) would be wearing those sweaters un-ironically. That is, they will wear them with a genuine sense of fun and good cheer. I would not call them "ugly," even if I don't personally aspire to the look.

And another thought, along the lines of Suz's comment: holidays are stressful. If it makes one happy to put on a sweater with a holiday motif, why not just do it!

11 years ago

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