Ho-Ho-Holiday Sweaters

Time to break out your embroidered Rudolph and wear it proudly.

What does your holiday sweater say about you?Lauren Wilson pairs her favorite holiday sweater with a red turtleneck. Photograph by Tom Nutter

If you’re Action News Delaware correspondent Lauren Wilson, it says you are a classic and understated dresser who can throw one heck of a party.

Wilson’s favorite holiday sweater is black and button-down, with dramatic gold beading around gold and red ornaments. She usually pairs it with a red turtleneck for added drama.

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But she never actually owned a holiday sweater until her oldest daughter, Alexis, was born on Christmas Eve in 1993. “I purchased it after I realized my house was always full of people who wanted to see my new and very best Christmas present,” she says.

Alexis is almost 15 now, but Wilson still wears the sweater when she hosts a holiday brunch or breakfast.

Men and women—but mostly women—love to wear classic holiday sweaters, says Kitty Wilson, co-owner of Claire’s Fashions (1312 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, 798-1312). Kitty, no relation to Lauren, reports that brands selling well at her shop include Windridge and Alberto Makali.

Makali’s popular sweaters boast pearl collar embellishments. A soft gray lamb’s wool top with a faux fur collar shimmers with silver threads. And a few over-the-hip numbers are more festive thanks to rabbit fur collars.

There isn’t much demand for novelty sweaters these days, though funsters do show up sporting embroidered Rudolphs from time to time. “People usually wear those holiday sweaters after sporty occasions,” Kitty says, “like after skiing.”

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But being the classic woman, Lauren Wilson prefers classic holiday tops. “I hate the goofy ones,” she says, though she still can’t avoid comments from her peanut gallery.

“Alexis and my son, Richard, think my sweater is dorky,” she says. “To which I say, ‘Ho ho ho.’” –Maria Hess

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