You might have found yourself wiggling into a latex bra or some leather boots (or only just these) for the holiday party. Or maybe the holiday that has passed has left you as exhausted as the ones coming (very soon). But let’s not forget “National Ugly Sweater Day” (Dec.17th), and why we are all ‘treated’ to these Godawful holiday-themed jumpers, not to mention, celebrate the most expensive ‘ugly’ sweater you are likely to find this season.
In this recent NY Times’ Ask Vanessa column, we get a rundown on the whys, wherefores, and how of this holiday tradition. Although always with us, with Chevy Chase’s “Clark Griswold” arguably sporting one of the most outrageous sweaters of cultural significance, from the movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation movie, the tradition grew leaps and bounds in the ’80s. Things rose to even more unbelievable bad sweater heights a mere few years into the 21st century when two Vancouver men threw the first-ever ugly holiday sweater party to raise money for a friend’s cancer treatment. The party was a hit, and similar events sprung up as the parties continued, often to raise money for charities.
A decade or so forward, “National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day” is now celebrated on the third Friday of every December. Keeping with the tradition of raising money, the national event is linked to “Save the Children” as a fundraising event.
Could you think of a better reason to wear an ugly sweater?
As any fashionista would expect, there eventually has to come a high-end haute couture version of such a popular cultural fashion touchstone. This year, Londoner Aidan Liban rendered a Christmas sweater of 24-carat gold thread, diamonds, and about 2,000 Swarovski crystals. Liban priced his holiday accessory at $39,654.00. And in ugly holiday sweater tradition, he plans to donate some of the money he makes from any sale to Britain’s National Health Service.
If you wear a sweater or are horrified by them, whichever holiday you celebrate (or not), as always Dawnamatrix wishes you the best at this end of year time and a health and happy New Year to come.
