In the month of December, or even the day after Thanksgiving for some, orange fuzzy sweaters with black cats and jack-o-lanterns are replaced with red sparkles, jingling silver bells, light-up red noses and pine trees. The time has come, ladies and gentlemen, for tacky holiday sweaters.
Tacky sweaters were once something people dreaded when Grandma gave you that familiar clothing box with a light up, Frosty the snowman, or bell ringing sweater box. Now, however, they have creeped back from the depths of closet floors, bringing with them warmth and a sense of sentimentality.
“I love sweaters in general because I feel like they look nice no matter what,” junior Ashley Tate said. “I don’t have to try to look good, and I get them from my mom’s closet, actually.”
For those who have gotten rid of those sweaters long ago, or perhaps never had the joy of receiving one, there are simple ways to fix this: make one yourself, browse the local clothing shops, or check your mom’s closet for that retro flare. Believe it or not, classic sweaters can be found in vintage or thrift stores. This does not mean the sweaters will be musty smelling or torn; rather, they will be full of character and depending on where you go, cheaper.
Making a sweater is easy work for some, but if you lack creativity, your best option might be in those thrift stores. In order to make one, all you need is a sweater of your choice (those athletic separates from Walmart will work), glue for cloth, and anything you will want on your sweater. Be sure to allow time for it to dry. So if you have a sweater party to go to, do not start the process the day of the party, or you might have a wardrobe malfunction.
If, on the other hand, you decide to thrift your way to the perfect sweater, Buffalo Exchange might be the place for you. The prices there are higher than other thrift stores, ranging from $20-40, but you might find your pick there. On the lower end of the price line, just at $5, Goodwill is a good place to start. The sweaters there are not usually the cloth ones, rather, knit yarn and other fabrics. So if you want fleece sweaters with pictures on it, the prices range from $18-30. Blue Velvet Vintage, on North Loop Boulevard in Austin is full of men’s and women’s sweaters. Frock On Vintage, on Guadalupe Street, is also full of sweaters for that perfect occasion.
“My favorite kind are the most grotesque sweaters no one wants,” senior Becca Mills said. “Half of my sweaters are from the men’s section at department stores, (otherwise) I go to Goodwill, and those are about $10.”
Lastly, if you do not have the money to spend on new old sweaters, try taking a trip to your mom’s closet. She may have been through the tacky sweater ages, and might have saved them for the future. Sometimes, it is perfectly okay to wear your mom’s clothes, especially if they can be kept in the family with memories attached to them.
So whether it takes a trip to the local Walmart, Goodwill, Downtown Austin, or down the hall to your mom’s closet, keep with the times and find your perfect holiday sweater that will make you smile.
