June 4, 2023

Despite enjoying fashion’s proclivity for being flamboyant, I’m usually the sort of person who dodges wearing anything remotely festive. Halloween costumes are a strictly no-go area, Valentine’s Day isn’t worth celebrating (sorry), so then, of course, Christmas jumpers are completely out of the question. Don’t get me wrong—Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, but when I start seeing the two words “novelty” and “knitwear” together, I want to run a mile. I dislike it all—from pull-overs festooned with stick-out reindeer antlers to cable-knits with look-at-me tinsel embellishments.

Christmas Jumpers: @camillecharriere wears an embellished jumper

Call me Ebenezer, but that doesn’t mean I’m completely averse to a bit of festive-style clothing. And this year just so happens to be the year when the Christmas jumper can finally meet the word subtle. This season’s knitwear, while being a little sparklier than your usual autumnal jumper, is ideal for wearing right now until the end of winter in 2022. Spotted on the runways at Valentino, Molly Goddard, and Ralph Lauren, knitwear was taken up a notch. Some pieces were bejewelled, some had sequin details, and others had fringed beading. But all are ideal for party season—especially if you’re planning to keep yours low-key. 

Below, I’ve hunted down the ideal knitwear to wear right now and then all the way through winter. Come Christmas Day, however, it’ll still feel festive enough for a celebration. 

SHOP STYLISH CHRISTMAS JUMPERS

Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini Green Ruffle-Trimmed Wool Jumper
Philosophy Di Lorenzo Serafini
Green Ruffle-Trimmed Wool Jumper
£480

There’s just something about this true green shade and ruffle combination that feels so festive. 

Valentino Gold Cable-Knit Wool Jumper
Valentino
Gold Cable-Knit Wool Jumper
£1790

This knit brings the gold, but you’ll need to provide your own frankincense and myrrh. 

& Other Stories Pearl Bead Knit Jumper
& Other Stories
Pearl Bead Knit Jumper
£120

Pearls make for a stylish alternative to sequins. 

Red Valentino Pink Bow-Embellished Knitted Jumper
Red Valentino
Pink Bow-Embellished Knitted Jumper
£350

Because bows are too pretty to be relegated to parcels. 

Ralph Lauren Sequined Silk Cardigan Jumper
Ralph Lauren
Sequined Silk Cardigan Jumper
£1610

Just when we thought cable-knits couldn’t be improved upon, Ralph Lauren gives us this spectacular card. 

Mango Striped Knit Sweater
Mango
Striped Knit Sweater
£50

Red and ready to feel festive. 

River Island Pom Pom Cardigan
River Island
Pom Pom Cardigan
£45

The pom-poms give this knit an après-ski aesthetic. 

Marks and Spencer Fair Isle Cable Knit Cardigan
Marks and Spencer
Fair Isle Cable Knit Cardigan
£35

Fair Isle features heavily in Christmas jumpers, but it’s a motif you can wear throughout winter. 

Bella Freud Fairytale of New York Jumper
Bella Freud
Fairytale of New York Jumper
£310

Ideal if this is your favourite Christmas song. 

Free People Imagine Pullover
Free People
Imagine Pullover
£198

Perhaps it’s the bright colour palette or the chevrons, but doesn’t this jumper look like a Christmas party? 

Self-Portrait Ivory Cotton-Blend Metallic Knit Cardigan
Self-Portrait
Ivory Cotton-Blend Metallic Knit Cardigan
£350

For those of you who like your festive fashion polished. 

Mango Textured Checked Sweater
Mango
Textured Checked Sweater
£50

Just think how cute this would look styled with an oversized-collar blouse. 

Prada Feather and Bead-Embellished Cashmere Cardigan
Prada
Feather and Bead-Embellished Cashmere Cardigan
£3350

Feathers tick the fancy box. 

LoveShackFancy Honeypie Boyfriend Pink Cotton-Blend Cardigan
LoveShackFancy
Honeypie Boyfriend Pink Cotton-Blend Cardigan
£525

Forget sugarplums. Visions of this knit are dancing around in our heads. 

Sézane Trudy Jumper
Sézane
Trudy Jumper
£105

The shiny gold buttons give this knit festive flair. 

Balmain Navy Bouclé Tweed Cardigan
Balmain
Navy Bouclé Tweed Cardigan
£2150

Just add a contrasting roll-neck and statement earrings. 

Mango Crystal Detail Sweatshirt
Mango
Crystal Detail Sweatshirt
£60

For the magpies amongst us. 

Frame Half-Zip Knitted Sweater
Frame
Half-Zip Knitted Sweater
£475

A very stylish take on traditional red Christmas jumpers. 

Reiss Amy Fair Isle Knit Jumper
Reiss
Amy Fair Isle Knit Jumper
£158

Reiss’s Fair Isle knit is high on our winter wish lists. 

Cecilie Bahnsen Geneva Blue Jumper with Bow
Cecilie Bahnsen
Geneva Blue Jumper with Bow
£600

Again, we’re here for the bow. 

Warehouse Button Detail Tinsel Knitted Jumper
Warehouse
Button Detail Tinsel Knitted Jumper
£52

The closest thing you can get to wearing tinsel (whilst still looking chic).

Marks and Spencer Fair Isle Funnel Neck Jumper With Wool
Marks and Spencer
Fair Isle Funnel Neck Jumper With Wool
£30

The colours really pop against the navy backdrop. 

Christopher Kane Grey Crystal-Embellished Wool Jumper
Christopher Kane
Grey Crystal-Embellished Wool Jumper
£1045

Crystal rhinestones? That’s our kind of trimming. 

Molly Goddard Stefania Cable Knit Wool Sweater
Molly Goddard
Stefania Cable Knit Wool Sweater
£640

There’s a bit of a bow theme going on in this edit.

Zara Sequin Sweater Limited Edition
Zara
Sequin Sweater Limited Edition
£60

Such a great party knit. 

H&M+ Jacquard Jumper
H&M+
Jacquard Jumper
£35

Classicists will love this H&M number. 

Miu Miu Sequined Mohair-Blend Cardigan
Miu Miu
Sequined Mohair-Blend Cardigan
£820

Wear this sans top and with leather trousers. 

Next up, the biggest autumn/winter 2021 fashion trends to know. 

This piece was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.