Essentials: Get festive with “ugly” Christmas sweaters

We’ve all seen them -- sitting across the table, spotted over the ham at a holiday dinner or hiding in the corner at an office Christmas party behind a cup of egg nog. The ugly Christmas sweater never fails to make an appearance during the holidays, but this year, it’s on purpose.

Gaudy prints on oversized knits are not only on trend, they showed up months before December. Some may appear garish, frumpy and simply out of place in the absence of a Santa hat or a mullet hairstyle, but the right ugly Christmas sweater can really make a fashion statement. Here are some styles to help you stand out this holiday season.

--Jenn Harris