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FYI
We’ve reviewed all the information in this guide to ensure it remains up-to-date, and after careful evaluation, we found that no updates were necessary. The details on styling, quality, and sustainability of men’s Christmas jumpers are still as relevant as ever, so you can confidently rely on these insights for your holiday wardrobe.
October 2024
Call Scrooge if you want to but we’re not big fans of tacky men’s Christmas jumpers. You can be festive – hell, even jolly – without wearing twinkly, captioned Christmas jumpers for men that says, “Tickle My Baubles”. Unfortunately, this is a message lost on a nation where there’s at least one Banter Claus lurking in every office.
In one year alone, the US bought an estimated six million on novelty men’s Christmas jumpers in the run-up to the 25th. And perhaps even more alarmingly, for every four garments purchased, one went in the bin shortly after. That’s not just bad news for good style, it’s beyond the naughty list as far as the environment goes.
Sustainability might be the latest buzzword in fashion, but unlike ‘dadcore’ and ‘man bun’ it’s one that actually carries some weight. In 2020, fashion’s throwaway culture emitted 92 million tonnes of waste. For perspective, that dwarfs the amount produced by international flights and global shipping combined. The answer: buy less and buy better, focusing on best men’s Christmas sweaters rather than novelty pieces. To which the time-honored tradition of the novelty festive jumper is the very antithesis.
So forget heading to the high street the day before your office Christmas party and picking up something even Noddy Holder would squirm at. Instead, invest in best men’s Christmas sweaters that are tastefully wintery, well-made, that can be worn right through to spring, this year and beyond.
We’re calling it the everlasting mens Christmas jumper. Here are our favorites.
Fair Isle Jumper
Nobody does knitwear quite like the Scots. And here’s the proof. Fair Isle is a tiny wee island within the Shetland archipelago. Not much happens there, which might be why the locals traditionally keep themselves busy by making knitwear. And not just any knitwear, because Fair Isle is also the name of a local technique that allows intricate patterns to be spun into garments. It’s colorful, timeless and pretty festive looking too.
Fair Isle designs tend to be eye-catching, so they’re best used as the focal point of an outfit. That means keeping everything else simple and subtle – think less statement jacket, more simple overshirt and plain trousers in neutral colors.
In spite of its sometimes striking appearance, Fair Isle knitwear is a timeless classic as handy for a trip to the slopes in January as it is for carol singing in December. You’ll be able to reach for it winter after winter, rather than just throwing it in the bin.
Cable Knit Jumper
More wintery than Ned Stark drinking mulled wine in an igloo, a cable knit jumper is the perfect cold-weather layer. Ideal for strolling around a Christmas market or blowing off the cobwebs with a Boxing Day walk, these intricately woven seasonal staples are designed to make you feel warm and fuzzy, which makes them a viable alternative to tacky mens Christmas jumpers.
Cable knits tend to be thicker and heavier than other types of knitwear, much like Christmas jumpers for men, and need to be worn with similarly robust garments. Team one up with raw denim and some commando-sole Chelsea boots, for example, finishing it off with a thick wool overcoat.
Because of their thick construction, these woolen warmers are built to last. If you look after it well a cable-knit jumper can be for life, not just for Christmas.
Chunky Roll Neck
This Bond-approved style is a sort of scarf and jumper in one that just so happens to look great with winter clothing. A roll neck can be as jazzy or as low-key as you like, but it’ll never not be festive. And as for keeping you warm on the way to and from your Christmas party, there’s no garment better suited to the job.
The knitted classic was built for layering. It looks great worn under a thick winter coat, just like festive jumpers for men, and when the time comes to shed your outerwear it comes into its own as a top layer. Given the chunkiness of the knit it’s best to avoid anything too textured. Instead, keep the rest of your outfit plain and simple, and let this new mens Christmas jumper do the talking.
Shawl Collar Cardigan
The shawl collar cardigan gets a bad rap. Okay, your dad has one. Cliff Richard almost certainly has one, but styled right, there’s no reason this preppy festive favourite can’t be the perfect replacement for the mens Christmas jumper and make you look good at the same time.
This often-overlooked piece of knitwear is favored by America’s collegiate elite, which means wearing it as part of an Ivy League-style look is your best course of action. Try layering with an Oxford shirt, then top it off with chinos and loafers to elevate your men’s Xmas jumper style. For something more casual, ditch the shirt for a Breton tee.
Statement Designer Jumpers
The ongoing trend in high fashion for big logos, loud motifs and all-over prints has resulted in some luxury garments that double up as pretty effective festive attire. They’re kitsch and colorful, best exemplified by Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bear. These premium options sit right at the opposite end of the spectrum to your traditional mens Christmas jumpers. They’re a hell of a lot pricier for one thing, much like best men’s Christmas sweaters, meaning you’re not likely to chuck them in the bin come January.
About as minimalist as a shiny red nose, this statement knitwear is exactly that. Allow them to do the talking and don’t make them fight for attention with your novelty antlers and red chinos. Keep everything else subtle and understated. A pair of black jeans and white leather trainers are ideal.
Why Trust FashionBeans
At FashionBeans, we take pride in bringing you practical, stylish solutions for every occasion, and when it comes to men’s Christmas jumpers, we know what works. Our team of style experts spends countless hours researching, comparing, and vetting the products we feature. We don’t just recommend what’s trendy; we focus on pieces that combine quality, craftsmanship, and timeless appeal—so you don’t end up with something you’ll toss after one season.
We know how overwhelming it can be to find a jumper that strikes the right balance between festive and stylish. That’s why we’ve handpicked every product in this guide with careful consideration, taking into account not only design and fit but also sustainability and long-term wearability. Whether you’re after a Fair Isle classic or a modern cable knit, you can trust that we’ve sifted through the gimmicks to find only the best for your wardrobe.
Our goal is simple: to help you look sharp and feel confident throughout the holidays. With years of experience in product selection and men’s style, we stand by every recommendation and ensure you’ll get the most out of your Christmas jumper, season after season.
