Christmas jumpers - sophisticated or kitsch?

The Christmas jumper has a grim reputation, often justified (see the images below). Despite this, as I went to press with this post, I heard that Debenhams sales of 'novelty festive jumpers' are up more than 200% on last year. They claim that more than a third of men (35%) and three in ten women (31%) admitting to owning one. They suggest that, 'Once the uncontested preserve of the uncool dad, Christmas sweaters have become a festive must have'.

Christmas jumpers from the presumably ironically-named Funny Christmas Jumpers

Debenhams jumpers are less kitsch than many (see below), but you may prefer something a little more sophisticated. Help is at hand and I've tracked down some tasteful Christmas knitwear, at varying prices, for the discerning readers of this blog. I was looking for bright colour, Nordic influences, fisherman's knits, Fair Isle, Aran, Argyle or cable/patterned looks. Traditional knitwear is the way to go. The links to buy, or for more information, appear under each image.

Kitsch featuring flashing lights & more traditional, both Red Herring from Debenhams

A favourite of mine, this Inis Meáin Aran jumper is from Private White VC. Other colours and patterns available

Drake's 

Jacamo - Williams & Brown Shetland wool jumper and Southbay Sherpa lined cardigan

Howlin' Neish Crew from End Clothing

Cashmere 8-ply Aran - Johnstons of Elgin

Lyle & Scott

The Cave Embroidery - I love the designs hand-embroidered in London

Marks & Spencer Blue Harbour

APC Pull Yeti Snow from Oi Polloi

Dale of Norway Anniversary sweater

Historical knitwear inspiration - the Norwegian jumper

Continuing this month's chunky knitwear theme, here's some historical inspiration. We've already seen this Antarctic explorer, George Rayner's, 1920s Fair Isle socks (here). We see him here at sea, wearing his seaboots and a wonderful Norwegian jumper. There's another shot of him at the bottom of this post.

Below are some ways you can recreate this rugged Nordic sweater look. I found a vintage one recently, soft, thick and warm. I've worn it on the coldest days here in London, layered with tweed or wind-proof cotton. This combination breathes well, keeping me more comfortable (and hopefully stylish) than shapeless fleeces and sweaty waterproofs. 

Modern outdoor clothes have their place on the mountain top or Arctic tundra. I certainly wouldn't wear a thick jumper and tweeds on a British winter mountain (although climbers did so before the 1950s). But if you're not facing such extremes, comfort and style should come first. Try a thick jumper and tweeds instead.

Photo Museum Victoria

And you can recreate the look today from these suppliers (or, for vintage, keep an eye on eBay) -

Peregrine

Tails and the Unexpected

North Sea Clothing

Devold

Vintage Norwegian sweater - Grey Fox collection. Heavy and beautifully warm.

And here he is again, photographed on the Antarctic ice on Christmas Eve 1934, wearing what looks like the same trusty jumper.