Ugly Christmas sweaters all the rage for gatherings, street style

Crack open the drawers and dust off the dust bunnies; it's time for the ugly sweaters to see fresh air. Re-glue the pom-poms, add some new tassels, spritz them up with a few jingle bells and voila, the sweater is as good as new.

The "ugly sweater phenomenon" seems to be growing more noticeable each holiday season as people jump on the "ugly sweater" bandwagon.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln freshman Libby Evans, an undeclared major, is the proud owner of three "ugly" Christmas sweaters.

"I love that they are cheesy and overdramatic," she said. "Plus Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love spreading the holiday cheer."

Students often peruse Lincoln thrift stores to find discounted and vintage "ugly" sweaters. However, some will stray from the thrift store route and venture toward the free sweater collecting dust in Mom's closet.

For many students, this is a gift that keeps on giving.

Audie Aguilar, a sophomore psychology major, received her one-and-only sweater as a present, but she's still in search of others to add to her collection.

"I look in my mom's closet for sweaters, but that hasn't really worked for me yet," Aguilar said. "However, I would also look at Goodwill, because people always seem to be giving theirs away."

Lincoln Goodwill locations seem to be the consensus best place to start looking for festive sweaters. The sweaters will start at about $3.99 and though people donate these sweaters year round, Goodwill doesn't put them out until winter time, when they are a necessity to fight off the cold.

And though people may scoff at the aesthetics of sweaters that would suit elderly kindergarten teachers, people seem to be wearing them everywhere either as an ironic fashion statement or holiday enthusiasm. Either way, it's a look that's in demand this time of year.

"The greatest thing someone ever said about my sweater was, ‘That's cute! Where did you get it?'" Evans said. "My sweater is a fashion statement."

Even though these holiday sweaters are a "time and a place" clothing item, proponents of the adorned pullovers are just happy to see them increase in popularity and acceptability.

"I like that it is acceptable to wear these sweaters in today's society," Aguilar said. "I like that my sweater has jingle bells and that I jingle everywhere I go."

sarahlambert@dailynebraskan.com