20 times celebrities rocked ugly holiday sweaters

Max KalnitzDec 1, 2020, 20:55 IST

LeBron James, Logic, and Jane Lynch looking festive.Ray Tamarra, Taylor Hill, Noam Galai/Getty Images

Ugly holiday sweaters have come a long way since their first appearance in the 1950s, now often featuring LED lights, ornaments, and pop culture references, among other designs.
Whether it's for a silly picture, an ugly holiday sweater party, or because you genuinely like the thing, ugly knitted garments have become a mainstay of yuletide fashion.
Yet, as these photos show, celebrities such as LeBron James and Beyonce can make even the ugliest of holiday sweaters fashionable.

Most of us probably own an ugly holiday sweater or two, but they weren't always so ubiquitous.

According to CNN, a Christmas-themed garment deemed the "Jingle Bell Sweater" was released to the public in the 1950s. Consumers were slow to adopt the tacky sweaters as a real holiday tradition, but after sitcom and movie stars like Chevy Chase in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" started wearing them, the sweater's popularity started gaining momentum.

It wasn't until 2002, however, when the first ugly holiday sweater party took place in Vancouver, British Columbia, that they really took off. Ever since, ugly holiday sweaters have become a staple of yuletide celebrations and have become even uglier, featuring wacky lights, designs, and even ornaments.

Yet, the average citizen isn't the only demographic interested in this beautiful piece of anti-fashion — celebrities have worn some of the most impressive ugly sweaters to date, from LeBron James to Beyonce.

In the spirit of the holiday season kicking off, we rounded up 20 times that celebs showed off their best ugly holiday knits.

Whoopi Goldberg has a famously good ugly holiday sweater game. It's so good, in fact, that she started making her own.

Whoopi Goldberg in 2017 on "Late Night With Seth Meyers." NBC/Getty Images

In addition to all of the other things that make Whoopi a national treasure, she began designing her own line of sweaters in 2016. Many of her sweaters feature inspirational imagery promoting representation of various ethnicities and religions, among other topics.

Cat lovers rejoice, for Jane Lynch sported this absolutely purrrfect ugly holiday sweater.

Jane Lynch in 2015 at Febreze's "The #12Stinks of Christmas" video debut. Noam Galai/Getty Images

Lynch wore the sweater in 2015 for "The #12Stinks of Christmas" in partnership with Febreze.

Lynch wore the sweater in 2015 for The #12Stinks of Christmas in partnership with Febreze.

Demi Lovato wore a festive cropped holiday sweater on stage in 2015

Demi Lovato at the 2015 Y100 Jingle Ball at BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Manny Hernandez/Getty Images

The sweater's illuminating lights and Lovato's matching choker really tied the outfit together.

Matt Damon's holiday sweater was, err, eccentric to say the least.

Matt Damon on "Today" in 2011. NBC NewsWire/Getty Images

You have to give Matt Damon credit, this is one atrocious sweater (and the shaved head wasn't doing him any favors either) but somehow he pulls it off and owns the colorful look.

Logic threw it back to the heyday of '90s cartoons with this "Hey Arnold!" holiday sweater.

Logic at the 2017 Y100 Jingle Ball at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Taylor Hill/Getty Images

Arnold and Gerald probably would have dug the Grammy-nominated rapper's tunes.

Music lovers will enjoy comedian Steve Rannazzisi's holiday sweater.

Comedian Steve Rannazzisi performing in 2018. Michael S. Schwartz/Getty Images

Rannazzisi's sweater pokes fun at the Divinyls' classic one-hit wonder "I Touch Myself."

Pharrell Williams might be the most successful celeb to pull off an ugly holiday sweater. But is anyone really surprised?

Pharrell Williams performing at "A Very GRAMMY Christmas" in 2014. Lester Cohen/Getty Images

Paired with a crisp beige hat, a Chanel chain, and some neon pink kicks (not pictured), Pharrell gave the world a lesson in throwing together a classy ugly holiday sweater outfit.

Beyonce elevated the ugliness of her holiday cardigan with a garland, ornaments, and a stocking.

Beyonce in 2015. Robert Kamau/Getty Images

Queen Bey even added a Santa hat and holiday glasses for a head-to-toe festive outfit.

Hillary Clinton looks a bit unenthused but she absolutely rocked this cozy holiday cardigan.

Hillary Clinton in 1998. Georges De Keerle/Getty Images

Hillary Clinton wore the festive sweater during a reading of "A Night Before Christmas'' to children at the White House in 1998.

LeBron James has an unrivaled sense of style, even when it comes to ugly holiday sweaters.

LeBron James and teammate JaVale McGee at McGee's second Annual Juglife Ugly Sweater Holiday Party in 2019. Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

Ugly sweater party? No probllama. King James absolutely rocked this llama-centric holiday sweater for Lakers teammate JaVale McGee's annual ugly sweater holiday party.

Lakers star Anthony Davis also joined his teammates at the ugly sweater party.

Anthony Davis at the second Annual Juglife Ugly Sweater Holiday Party at Levi's Haus in 2019. Ray Tamarra/Getty Images

Normally, Anthony Davis makes his defender's ankles fragile. But for teammate JaVale McGee's Ugly Sweater Holiday Party, Davis sported this "A Christmas Story"-themed sweater featuring its iconic "fra-gil-e" lamp — it must be Italian!

Normally, Anthony Davis makes his defender's ankles fragile. But for teammate JaVale McGee's Ugly Sweater Holiday Party, Davis sported this A Christmas Story-themed sweater featuring its iconic fra-gil-e lamp — it must be Italian!

Elijah Wood opted for a classic winter sweater for his appearance on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien."

Elijah Wood on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" in 2009. NBC/Getty Images

A giant moose head is a bold statement, but "The Lord of the Rings" star pulled it off well.

Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer looked extra cozy in this two-person ugly holiday sweater in 2018.

Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer in 2018. NBC/Getty Images

Not the best for social distancing, though.

Jimmy Fallon, The Roots, and One Direction all rocked out to a stripped-down version of "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" clad in ugly holiday sweaters.

1 D with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots in 2014. NBC/Getty

There's so much ugly sweater energy it's tough to pick a place to start. We especially love Harry Styles' Christmas tree sweater fit with fluffy pompoms and the duck, or Santa, or whatever it is emblazoned on Liam Payne's goofy knit.

Anna Kendrick wore this holiday sweater dress with style.

Anna Kendrick at a special screening of "Into The Woods" in 2014. David M. Benett/Getty Images

Perhaps not the ugliest of holiday sweaters, Anna Kendrick's dress and its accompanying foxes scream holiday cheer and style.

John Legend ditched the ugly sweater concept and went for a sexy holiday sweater vest instead.

John Legend performing on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in 2019. NBC/Getty Images

OK, this is more of an elf costume but we'll count it. John Legend wins extra points here for the dedication to his "Sexiest Elf Alive" performance.

OK, this is more of an elf costume but we'll count it. John Legend wins extra points here for the dedication to his Sexiest Elf Alive performance.

"Bachelor" couple Catherine Lowe and Sean Lowe donned some fantastic holiday knits, each with their own unique style.

Catherine Lowe and Sean Lowe at the Night 'Under the Mistletoe' event at Sleep Number in 2018. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

While Catherine opted for more of a grandma sweatshirt featuring some stitched bears and presents, Sean picked out an eye-popping sweater featuring some green and white snowflakes and an owl dressed in a Santa hat and scarf.

Conan O'Brien and friends look adorable in these matching holiday sweaters.

From left to right, Snuggles the dog, Andy Richter, Mike Tyson, Conan O'Brien, and Bruce Springsteen drummer Max Weinberg in 2009. NBC/Getty Images

What do you get when you put two comedians, a puppy, a rock drummer, and a heavyweight boxing champion in the same room? Apparently one adorable holiday photo. From Andy Richter's beaming smile to Max Weinberg's Rudolph getup, these five look like they're having a blast in their matching holiday jumpers.

When in doubt, rock an ugly holiday sweater of yourself like Marshmello.

Marshmello at the 2018 Y100 Jingle Ball at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida. Taylor Hill/Getty Images

OK, not all of us have that kind of luxury but how cool is this sweater? Featuring the DJ's iconic helmet decked out with some colorful lights and adorned with festive gaming controllers, this sweater is festival-ready.

Actor David Tennant looks cozy in his neon-colored holiday sweater.

David Tennant in 2017. David M. Benett/Getty Images

The "Doctor Who" actor is dressed in a vintage-style ski sweater colored with some flamboyant tropical flare, perfect for warming up on a cold winter day.

The Doctor Who actor is dressed in a vintage-style ski sweater colored with some flamboyant tropical flare, perfect for warming up on a cold winter day.

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