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Goodbye Christmas jumpers – hello Christmas suits? The must-have self-purchase for 2014 revealed. Maybe
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a novelty outfit of some sort.
The Christmas jumper has been a long-time favourite but, as with the Shoreditch beard that has grown in popularity over a similar period, it's safe to say we've now reached peak-jumper. Last year every retailer from Tesco to John Lewis jumped on the kitsch bandwagon, with record-breaking results.
Before that there was the onesie, which also broke records of its own, with Debenhams, Asda and Primark selling out before we even got to Christmas Eve.
This year there's a new contender for the novelty Christmas crown – and while it has a certain appeal we're not sure it's likely to catch on in every office.
Introducing, the 100 per cent polyester Christmas sweater suit – or as the US purveyor Shinesty.com describes them, Ugly Christmas Sweater Suits.
The UK brand and manufacturer Opposuits is a bit more complimentary, noting that "the high quality fabric similar to proper ‘boring’ suits enables you to wear your OppoSuit over and over again, so please don’t think it’s some sort of a disposable fancy dress costume".
Here are the festive offerings:
"The Christmaster"
The "Rudolph"
The "Treemendous" suit
But a novelty suit need not only be for Christmas.
Wishing you had a way to capitalise on the re-emergence of the leopard print trend? Look no further than the “highly seductive Chrismas leopard suit”. Got a big night planned for New Year's Eve? How about this “holiday dapper” number? Or are you a fan of the Star-Spangled Banner? In that case why not try out the “American flag business suit”.
What do fashionistas make of them?
Emily Norval, senior fashion writer at industry bible Drapers, told City A.M: “It's the Christmas party season so everyone needs a suit – and I suppose you're guaranteed to stand out if you're wearing one of these.”
Norval agreed it was time to move on from the novelty jumpers. “Fashion is always moving on and this is the next stage,” she added. "Though they aren't the most sartorial suits I've ever seen."
Coming in at £64.95 they might be slightly outside the price range for a Secret Santa – but why not splurge on a self-gift. You know you want to.