In the past 12 years, Save the Children has managed to raise over £37m with their Christmas Jumper Day initiative.
But while it’s undoubtedly for a worthy cause, there’s no denying that festive knits – in all their inherent cheesy glory – can be hard to pull off.
On the one hand, there’s the temptation to go all out like Andy Murray or David Tennant with a garishly festive design to hammer the point home.
Or if you opt for something subtle like Taylor Swift or the Duchess of Edinburgh, you run the risk of looking like a Scrooge.
To mark the return of Christmas Jumper Day today, fashion experts have revealed the common traps people often fall into – from ‘garish’ colours to ‘tacky’ designs.
In other words, here’s how to avoid being one of the 2.5m people who fail to impress with their seasonal knit.
‘Tacky’ jumpers that are an ‘assault on the senses’
By their very nature, Christmas jumpers tend to err on the cheesy side – but fashion expert Rochelle White says it’s easy to go overboard and accidentally commit a fashion cardinal sin.
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon is never one to miss out on the action as she donned a Christmas jumper with pom poms to represent Christmas tree baubles to celebrate Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day in 2017
James Corden with Jamie Redknapp, Andrew Flintoff and Romesh Ranganathan for A League of Their Own Christmas special in 2021
Two-time Wimbledon winner Andy Murray’s Instagram post in which he wore an £18 Primark Christmas jumper featuring a fireplace scene went viral as fans were left in hysterics at his less-than-impressed, slightly alarmed expression
In 2014, Andy Murray set the internet alight when he posted a picture of himself in a £18 gloriously garish Primark jumper – featuring an illustration of a roaring fireplace and stockings.
Three years later, Nicola Sturgeon donned a rather naff festive knit adorned with pom poms to represent Christmas tree baubles as she marked Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day.
According to fashion expert Rochelle White, ‘tacky’ jumpers like these should be avoided at all costs if you’re a person who prides themselves on their personal style.
Using the League of Their Own cast’s 2021 Christmas jumpers – which included Romesh resembling an elf – as a example, the expert said: ‘This has grown to be a look that many people tend to rock on Christmas Jumper Day. Everything [about them] is tacky.’
Meanwhile, fashion writer and style TikToker Lydia Hawken added: ‘Christmas trees, snowmen, stockings have featured on countless festive jumpers over the years – and they never fail to serve as an assault on the senses.
TV and radio presenter Myleene Klass put her own personal touch on her bright red Christmas jumper featuring a snowman which has her name knitted into it (pictured in 2919)
Heartthrob Ryan Reynolds was the butt of the joke when he revealed he had been tricked by Jake Gyllenhaal and Hugh Jackman to wear his best Christmas jumper to a party – only to find no one else was wearing one
‘Granted, some people like to wear them ironically for Christmas Jumper Day – but they’re essentially the “basic” option that lacks any individuality or sense of personal style.’
Although Rochelle White took issue with the ‘garish’ colours, the expert was more fond of Myleene Klass’ cheesy Christmas jumper, which the star was pictured wearing outside the Global Radio studios in 2019.
Describing how it struck the balance between adequately cheesy and not-to-naff, the expert gushed: ‘With her name across the front and a bold image of a snowman, I think it was fun way of making a statement.’
Unlike other gaudy designs, Rochelle says Myleene’s snowman knit was a playful nod to cheesy Christmas jumpers without taking it overboard like her celeb peers.
The ‘playing it safe’ jumper
The Duchess of Edinburgh proved your festive knitwear can be tasteful if you want it to be as she wore a reindeer black-and-white Christmas jumper to attend a charity shop in Hampton in 2020
Pictured: Pop sensation Taylor Swift wearing a navy Fair Isle jumper in New York City in November 2014
Alternatively, some celebs – such as Kelly Brook and Jamie Oliver – like to give a subtle nod to Christmas by wearing Fair Isle jumpers, which are often credited as a timeless wardrobe staple.
For his Channel 4 special Jamie Cooks Christmas, which airs later this month, the father-of-five opted for a grey Fair Isle jumper – decorated with knitted snowflakes and reindeers.
Taylor Swift has long been a fan of the style too, having been pictured wearing a similar navy jumper in New York back in 2014, while the Duchess of Edinburgh modelled one in Hampton in 2020.
However, Lydia argued the Fair Isle jumper is the ‘safe’ option for people too afraid to properly commit to a Christmas jumper today.
The expert said: ‘These jumpers, which originated in Scotland in the 18th Century, are the ultimate example of playing it safe this Christmas Jumper Day.
‘Although they’re undoubtedly chic (even the Princess of Wales is a fan!), Christmas Jumper Day is not the time and place for the humble Fair Isle.
‘Their designs give a nod to the festive season but they’re much too understated for this charity event. Fundamentally, it makes you look like you haven’t bothered at all.’
For his Channel 4 special Jamie Cooks Christmas, which airs later this month, the father-of-five opted for a grey Fair Isle jumper
In December 2022, Kelly Brook paired a red cable-knit jumper with black wet-look leggings on her way out of work
Pictured: Ex-PM David Cameron’s wife Samantha wore a grey crewneck with a festive robin illustration in December 2013
The Saturdays singer Vanessa White was pictured leaving Nobu restaurant wearing a black jumper decorated with festive fairies in December 2013
Despite their inherent naff nature, others have tried desperately to make their Christmas jumpers seem ‘fashionable’ over the past 12 years.
For instance, Samantha Cameron – who is the founder of fashion brand Cefinn – opted for a simple grey crewneck featuring a festive illustration of a robin back in December 2013.
Before making a Christmas jumper purchase, Rochelle White recommended looking to your wardrobe for inspiration first.
The expert said of the former PM’s wife’s knit: ‘This look suits Samantha and her style. It has a classic chicness to it.’
That same month, The Saturdays singer Vanessa White was also pictured leaving Nobu restaurant wearing a black jumper decorated with festive fairies – a design that was also true to her personal style.
‘Try-Hard’ Celebrity Merch
Festive: Gemma Collins has launched a Christmas-themed clothing line with In The Style, which is based on her most-recognised phrases
It’s Christmas! The former TOWIE diva in 2020 got into the Christmas spirit with her hoodies, jumpers and t-shirts, which don phrases including ‘I’m claustrophobic Boris’
Tori Spelling carried a couple of large shopping bags as she arrived at her Malibu home after some retail therapy
In 2017, David Beckham famously donned a sweatshirt with Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow on the front
Pictured: Director Sofia Coppola wearing a Bill Murray novelty Christmas jumper in December 2015
In recent years, novelty Christmas jumpers featuring a celebrity’s face has proven to be a huge trend.
In 2017, David Beckham famously donned a sweatshirt with Game of Thrones’ Jon Snow on the front.
As well as placing a Santa hat on the fantasy hero, the jumper read: ‘Let it Snow!’
Back in 2020, Gemma Collins also brought out her own range of Christmas jumpers with In the Style – featuring some of her highlights from her Celebrity Big Brother stint.
Meanwhile, director Sofia Coppola wore a Bill Murray Christmas jumper in December 2015 – while Tori Spelling also jumped on the trend in 2019 with one that read: ‘Santa works hard, but Kris Jenner works harder.’
Although wearers might hope that these designs make them look like they’re across the pop culture zeitgeist, fashion expert Lydia claims they come across a bit ‘try-hard’.
She explained: ‘Sometimes it feels like internet culture moves faster than the speed of light.
‘So while buying a festive jumper featuring a popular meme or celeb may seem like a good idea in the moment, it’ll almost certainly be out-of-date by the time it comes round to wearing it.
‘If you’re attracted to these designs for the sole purpose of coming across like someone in the loop, it’s almost certainly going to have the opposite effect.’
Leaning too far into the ‘ugly’ Christmas jumper joke
In 2011, Matt Damon made a festive appearance on NBC News’s Today show wearing a patchwork Father Christmas cardigan with a beaded collar and cuffs and different-looking Santas
Paramore singer Hayley Williams donned a festive knitted vest featuring beaded gingerbread men and candy canes during a Jingle Ball performance in California in 2010
David Tennant ensured all eyes were on him in this multicoloured reindeer jumper while attending an event at Harry Potter Studios in Watford in 2017
When it comes to Christmas jumpers, some people take the approach of ‘go big or go home’.
In 2011, Matt Damon certainly fell into the former category when he donned a multicoloured Santa knit complete with various 3D beards on The Today Show, which Rochelle labelled ‘garish and too much’.
The expert said: ‘Matt looks like Nan made him [the kind of] “special jumper” that you need to make sure you wear when you go and see her.’
The year before, Paramore’s Hayley Williams took to the Jingle Ball stage in California in a similarly garish green crochet vest with gingerbread men and candy canes, which she paired with tartan trousers.
What’s more, David Tennant took the Fair Isle trend to all new extremes when he donned a neon jumper with clashing reindeer patterns to an event at the Harry Potter studios in Watford in 2017.
However, the experts said it’s important to strike a balance if you want to don’t want to sacrifice all semblance of style this Christmas.
The expert continued: ‘Generally speaking, a Christmas jumper is one of the naffest things you can add to your wardrobe.
‘So it’s only natural that some decide to just lean into some of the gaudier designs – complete with all the bells and whistles (sometimes literally).
‘But there’s such a thing as leaning too far into the “ugly” Christmas jumper trend, as Matt, David and Hayley experienced firsthand.
‘In premise, their jumpers aren’t all bad designs – they’ve just gone overboard with one too many festive elements. Instead, I’d pick a jumper that has selected one theme and done it well.’
Avoid ‘clout-chasing’ charity jumpers
Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley has launched a range of festive knitted jumpers for responsible drinking initiative ‘Don’t Drink and Dive’
Considering Christmas Jumper Day is all about raising money for Save the Children, it’s hardly surprising that some people opt to buy a charity knit too.
This year, Olympic diver Tom Daley has partnered up with the Royal Life Saving Society to release a ‘Don’t Drink and Dive’ jumper as part of their campaign of the same name.
What’s more, Guide Dogs, Cats Protection and Marine Conservation are just another handful of charities who have released a festive knit for 2024.
The expert said of these: ‘Buying a charity Christmas jumper is a win-win.
‘Not only does it allow people to donate to a worthy cause, it’s also a way to publicly showing your support too.
‘That said, it does run the risk of looking like you’re just buying into a cause because it’s trendy – so it’s worth doing your research on charities close to your heart first.’
Gen Z favourite Lidl
Last year, Lidl teamed up with sustainable fashion app By Rotation to let customers rent their Christmas jumper
The Lidl x By Rotation collection offered three festive jumpers inspired by Christmas pop icons Mariah Carey , Leona Lewis and Elton John (pictured)
Last year, Lidl brought out three Christmas jumpers inspired by pop icons Mariah Carey, Leona Lewis and Elton John.
And the designs proved so popular that the budget-friendly supermarket has brought them out again for 2024.
Rochelle White said: ‘I’m so here for the Lidl branded Christmas jumpers.
‘I feel that them and other brands have really tapped into something that is actually a little bit of a ‘must have’ for Gen Z consumers.
‘Oddly these consumers want to be seen in supermarket chic garments and get that social love and comments.
‘Even though these look loud and a little bold, they really work.’