With Christmas upon us, there is hardly a better time to gather family and friends to watch classic holiday films — many of which set an extraordinarily high bar for merry attire. The world of holiday fashion is infinitely diverse and filled with relentless red and green sparkles that can overwhelm many. With holiday parties to attend and shopping to be done, however, a piece of tasteful — or occasionally obnoxious — knitwear is a foolproof outfit choice for any festive event.
‘Tis the season for funky outerwear — and where better to look for fashion inspiration than the vast selection of Yuletide films? Ranging from elegant to wonderfully tacky, here’s a list of some of the most iconic holiday sweaters in film to refer to this winter when you’re not quite sure what to wear.
Judge Reinhold’s patterned pullover, “The Santa Clause”
Dr. Neil Miller, the unspirited stepfather-turned-Santa-believer of “The Santa Clause” played by Judge Reinhold, is devoted to the art of the ugly Christmas sweater. Although he is seen sporting many a chaotic knit throughout the “The Santa Clause” trilogy, this 90s-inspired piece from the original is top-notch.
Dr. Miller faces continuous quips directed towards his eclectic wardrobe choices, particularly from Tim Allen’s Scott Calvin — who had recently become Santa Claus. Despite comments such as “Where are you going to get more sweaters when the circus pulls out of town?” he remains confident in his questionable holiday fashion choices.
He often pairs these rather loud pullovers with a simple button down and a nice pair of khakis or corduroys. This way, Dr. Miller tones down the intense patterns into a more professional look for a child psychologist co-parenting with his wife’s ex-husband, who happens to become Santa Claus. He shows that it's possible to dress up a bold print with more subdued supporting garments, proving that an ugly sweater can be a suitable holiday choice when done right.
Andrew Lincoln’s striped turtleneck, “Love Actually”
After accidentally revealing to his newly-married best friend’s wife that he may be in love with her, Mark, played by Andrew Lincoln, takes an angsty stroll through the streets of London to wallow in regret of the last hour.
Mark had some steam to blow off following years of unrequited love. Luckily, he also had an awesome striped zip-up turtleneck to keep him warm throughout his journey, where he spun around multiple times, dramatically zipped and unzipped his sweater and put his head in his hands as he aimlessly walked into the town. Coffee brown with thick, asymmetrical cool-toned stripes, this turtleneck doubles as a quarter-zip — allowing it to handily adapt to the winter season’s varying climate.
In the true spirit of holiday films, “Love Actually” is full of other excellent sweaters, including Colin Firth’s character Jamie’s green cable knit and the fabulous blue jumper in Claudia Schiffer’s cameo appearance. Mark’s turtleneck is perhaps the most iconic, as the scene it graces leads to the hatching of his plot to later truly confess his love to Keira Knightley’s character, Juliet — a confident move supported by an equally confident choice of outfit.
Colin Firth’s rudolph mockneck, “Bridget Jones’s Diary”
“Bridget Jones’s Diary,” starring Renée Zellweger as the titular character, encompasses the chaotic side of the holiday season, beginning with an awkward family Christmas party. When Bridget’s mother first introduces her to Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth, the two do not start off on the right foot due to Mark’s rude demeanor, Bridget’s incessant smoking and an unfortunate needlepoint reindeer jumper.
A dark green mockneck boasting Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’s face and unmistakable red nose may have been out of character for the human rights barrister, but is a perfect selection for the mandatory family parties that are dreaded all season.
Despite the awkward first encounter, Darcy and Jones manage to overcome their seemingly never-ending miscommunications and personality differences in time for a snowy romantic miracle. The two are able to love each other just as they are — ridiculous sweaters and all. Their story proves that a real romantic connection supersedes a questionable outfit choice, assuring audiences that an excessive sweater will not ruin their love lives.
Rupert Grint’s monogrammed sweater, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”
A list of iconic sweaters would not be complete without the legendary Weasley jumpers featured in the “Harry Potter” franchise, carefully handmade each Christmas by Mrs. Molly Weasley, played by Julie Walters. These jumpers make frequent appearances during the winter chapters of the “Harry Potter” series, a staple that young Harry Potter, played by Daniel Radcliffe, was especially appreciative of given his abusive upbringing.
Ron Weasley, played by Rupert Grint, on the other hand, often lamented the maroon color of his sweater. While the small redhead found it unflattering, a dark maroon is well-suited to make a statement at any holiday event. In addition, the monogrammed letters elevate the plain sweater to imbue confidence in one’s identity. Plus, homemade attire consistently makes for a meaningful outfit choice.
From custom pullovers to striped turtlenecks and patterned festivewear, there is no shortage of inspiration for comfortable holiday attire in cinema across all genres. These films can be dutifully studied for fashion inspiration or merely enjoyed alongside milk and cookies. Whether you’re living out your romantic comedy dreams or joining forces with your wife’s ex-husband to save Christmas, a stylish sweater is a proper festive fit for any winter occasion.
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