The Top 5 Ugly Christmas Sweaters

It's never too early to snag one while you can and even wear year round. We've scoured the market for the best (ugliest) sweaters that money can buy. Admittedly, this was no easy task, since beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Nonetheless, most folks will agree that we selected some pretty hideous winners. Here, we review our top five favorites, from the best for kids to the best adult-sized options.

Blizzard Bay Girls Ugly Christmas Sweater

So bad it's good

With a wide selection of designs, colors, and sizes, Blizzard Bay easily wins top spot on the list.
Best Overall

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Blizzard Bay has ugly sweater design down to a science. With a wide selection of different styles and sizes, this company prides itself on de-beautifying people’s wardrobes. Actually, we’re still not sure whether or not Blizzard Bay is aware of just how successfully ugly their sweaters are. Nonetheless, each design is more comical than the last and the selection is replete with pom-poms and cute festive animals. Best of all, Blizzard Bay sweaters are surprisingly comfortable and well-fitted. This option only comes in kids’ sizes, but many smaller-framed adults can easily fit into the Kid’s XL. And if you’re too big for these, don’t worry. Blizzard Bay also won our top pick for Best Large Adult Sizes, so read on.

Pros

  • Machine washable
  • Uniquely ugly designs
  • Wide selection

Cons

  • Sizes run small

Cold Crush Girls’ Ugly Christmas Sweater

The ugliest of bargains

Made out of a cotton-polyester blend, these sweaters from Cold Crush are affordable and well-made.
Best Value

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Cold Crush crushes it in the ugly sweater game. Their sweaters feature high craftsmanship and super high-quality materials. Made from a 60-40 blend of cotton and polyester, this pick is machine-washable and durable enough to last many seasons. Another option that comes in kids’ sizes, they’re perfect for youngsters with a sense of humor. Indeed, many of the designs feature corny puns like, “Say it ain’t snow” and, “Don’t get your tinsel in a tangle”. Hilarious, well-made, and shockingly affordable, Cold Crush sweaters are a stone-cold steal of a deal.

Pros

  • Nine different styles
  • Cotton/polyester blend
  • Cute, corny designs
  • Great value for the price

Cons

  • Sizing runs small, even for kids

Blizzard Bay Men’s Ugly Christmas Sweater Santa

For the sophisticated party animal

This selection of adult-sized ugly sweaters from Blizzard Bay come in many sizes and feature the best tongue-in-cheek designs.
Best for Adults

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Is it any wonder that Blizzard Bay made it onto our list twice? This time, we chose the adult-sized selection of Santa-adorned sweaters. They come in men’s sizes, but really these sweaters are unisex in fit. And with Blizzard Bay, the joke can’t be missed. Each sweater sports a hilarious, (and sometimes risqué) design. But don’t mistake crudeness for poor craftsmanship. These sweaters sport expert craftsmanship and smooth stitching. They even feature 100% cotton materials. Thus, although they must be hand-washed, they’re free of that scratchy, itchy feeling that so many of us associate with holiday sweaters. In regards to cost, pricing varies considerably based on size and style. However, even the inexpensive options are consistently well-made, warm, and gut-bustingly hilarious.

Pros

  • Wide range of sizes and designs
  • 100% Cotton is comfortable
  • Renowned, trusted company

Cons

  • Hand wash only

Shineflow Unisex Children Kids Rudolph Reindeer Red Nose Ugly Christmas Sweater Jumper

Let your kids Shine

This option from Shineflow comes in little kid sizes, so your youngsters can enjoy the hilarity of the the ugly sweater season too.
Best for Little Kids

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Although most of the other options are also available in kids’ sizes, this one from Shineflow takes the cake as the cutest and most adorable. The designs are certainly ugly, but they’re the kind of ugly that’s cute enough to hang on your fridge. Based on age, the sizing ranges from 1- to 6-years-old. Perfect for getting youngsters a spot in the ugly sweater competition, Shineflow’s selection feature warm, comfy pull-overs that are as practical as they are funny. We particularly love the “Reindeer Red Nose” design, which looks like a half-melted fudgesicle with antlers and a big red nose.

Pros

  • Lightweight, soft, comfortable
  • Inexpensive
  • Cute designs

Cons

  • Sizing based on age

SSLR Big Boys’ Reindeer Snowflake Pullover Crewneck Ugly Christmas Sweater

Although these still fall into the category of "Ugly", we're pinning the prize for Best Style onto SSLR's hilarious sweaters thanks to their surprisingly fashionable look.
Best Style

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Those that don the ugly sweater tread a precarious line between success and failure. For example, you might accidentally pair the sweater with matching slacks and a complimentary pair of loafers, effectively rendering the quest for ugliness ruined. So for those looking to turn ugly into beautiful, we suggest SSLR. This company has a line of “ugly” sweaters that are actually quite stylin’ (in an ironic way). Better yet, this option is super soft and itch-free, thanks to the tightly-woven polyester construction. The sizing doesn’t go high enough for wide-set folks, but most adults should have no problem finding an appropriately-sized pick. Funny and cute, SSLR sweaters help turn the fashion world upside-down.

Pros

  • Humorous and stylish
  • Vibrant colors
  • Warm and itch-free

Cons

  • Not machine-washable
  • No plus-sized options

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make sure I get the correct size?

Ordering clothes online can be tough, especially when different products use different sizing standards. We suggest checking the product description or reviews to determine if your sweater-of-choice runs small or large. You can also use online size conversion charts to convert between child and adult sizes. Many of the kid-sized sweaters come in XL and XXL sizes which are often large enough for an adult.

How should I wash my sweater?

Even for the machine-washable options on our list, we recommend washing sweaters by hand. Many of these have embroidered designs and decorations that won’t survive a washing machine. If you must clean your garment via a machine, we recommend using the lightest tumble-wash possible and then letting it air-dry.

To wash a sweater by hand, all you need is a sink and some detergent. Fill the sink with warm water and mix in a small amount of detergent. Then, work the garment with your hands, making sure to not tug on any seams or threads. Finally, rinse off the soap in cold water and hang the sweater to air-dry.