Best Christmas jumpers

By Jen Barton Packer on 4/12/2018

Love 'em or hate 'em, Christmas jumpers aren't going away anytime soon. They've become obligatory office-party wear. They're practically our Christmas Day uniform. Even the kiddos are getting involved by wearing them to school on Christmas Jumper Day (December 14th, in case you've forgotten), which has become a fundraising charity day for Save the Children. So really, wearing a festive Christmas jumper is about more than a good photo; it's helping a good cause. Here are some different ways to rock the look – from tame to tinsel-tastic.

The sequinned Christmas jumper

'Tis the season to be sparkling. And there's no better way to elevate your Christmas jumper look than with a sprinkling of sequins (like this reindeer version from Oasis, £40). Or abandon any pretense of festive dressing and don an all-sequinned number, which still ticks the box but shows you don't bow to national holiday pressure. For the kiddos, bonus points if you can find a reversible sequinned version – children love nothing more than stroking the sequins back and forth.

The coordinated Christmas jumper set

One of our favourite ways to embrace the Christmas jumper look is to make it a family affair. The key to making mini-me dressing cute and not creepy is to keep it simple and playful. This Santa Stop Here sweatshirt (£45 for one adult, one child) from Not on the High Street works just as well for adults as for kids – and features a special, personalised touch: your postcode. Super cute (unless you're an ultra-paranoid parent).

The Christmas jumper suit

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em, and go all-out Christmas extravaganza with a Christmas suit from OppoSuits – they're fabulous for really getting into the Christmas spirit. They come in sizes for kids and adults so you can get coordinated, or keep it more low-key and throw the blazer on over a plain tee and jeans.

The rebellious high-fashion version of a Christmas jumper

Now, a true fashionista doesn't do Christmas jumpers the way mere mortals would. No, they look to an avant-garde label (see Play Comme des Garçons at Dover Street Market), pick out stylish tees for the whole family that can be worn year-round and make Christmas Day dressing fun, relaxed and directional at once. You're welcome.

The comic-inspired Christmas jumper

From Star Wars Christmas jumpers at George to Marvel Christmas jumpers at Amazon, any time of year is the right time to showcase your obsession with superheroes and Sith lords.

The slogan Christmas jumper

A stylish and increasingly popular way to rock the Christmas jumper look is to find a slogan jumper – instead of wearing something that makes you look like an elf, wear something that says 'Elf,' so you can still look good and like you're participating. Dorothy Perkins' 'All the Jingle Ladies' sweatshirt (now £17.60) ticks the box – and we think it's funny enough to wear year-round.

The funny Christmas jumper

You can do funny without the OTT novelty factor; M&S has hit the right notes with Christmas sweaters festooned with flamingos, llamas, skiing Santas and dancing Brussels sprouts. Perfect for getting a laugh at the office party.

The Fair Isle knit Christmas jumper

A Fair Isle knit absolutely counts as a Christmas jumper; it just happens to be one you want to wear the rest of the cold-weather months, too. Feel free to invest in a gorgeously crafted one, like Caramel Kids' pure alpaca polar bear Fair Isle jumper (£140).

The cute animal Christmas jumper

We don't think you can go wrong with a cute animal Christmas jumper (this robin design from Boden starts at £32). It also makes a good value-for-money investment, as it can be worn throughout the winter months.