With so many fast fashion brands cashing in on the festive fun – from light up nose reindeers to sequinned ribbons, snowmen, snowflakes and penguins galore – the Christmas jumper has sky rocketed in the style stakes and is no longer a novelty knit… more a ho, ho, ho holiday must have.
But spare a thought for the shelves of jumpers that get tossed aside, worn but once a year, and end up going into landfill.
According to environmental charity, Hubbub, Christmas jumpers are ‘particularly problematic as so many contain plastic,’ and are made from a high proportion of acrylic.
A study by Plymouth University found that acrylic was responsible for releasing nearly 730,000 microfibres per wash – five times more than polyester-cotton blend fabric, and nearly 1.5 times as many as pure polyester.
Here’s how to up your jumper game and be stylish, sustainably...
Don’t feel like you can’t wear the same one twice
Designer or high street, remember the love you felt first time round and wear the same sweater with pride. You can always update it by sewing ribbons on the sleeves or cutting out circulars from an old white t-shirt and adding a snow scene.
Visit your local charity shops
Thriftify is an online charity shop site with thousands of options available for you to pursue, just like you were on a charity shop crawl. They have men's and women's Christmas jumpers available in all kinds of unique designs.
Also putting the planet first, Oxfam Shop have a selection online but there’s nothing like rummaging through the rails to find one that really catches your eye.
Additionally, you should keep an eye out on the Useless Project's virtual flea markets for sustainably-led shopping.
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Try vintage chain Beyond Retro
One of the great things about shopping for a second hand Christmas jumper is discovering leading vintage retailers such as the UK's Beyond Retro – and joy of joys, how you can create a capsule, sustainable wardrobe year round with their well edited vintage collections.
With a dizzying selection to choose from, it's a one stop shop for all-singing, all-dancing knitwear.
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Check out online marketplace Depop
As well as finding all your favourite fashion brands, jewellery, beauty and more, Depop has a brilliant selection of second hand Christmas jumpers. With page after page to scroll through, Santa's little helpers are at the ready.
Swap with family and friends
Chances are your best mate or sister has a woolly they won't mind letting you borrow and you can always hand it back at the end of the day.
Get creative
If you're handy with a needle and thread, why not transform an old jumper into a sparkly new Christmas one? If you're not so handy, why not hire someone else to do it for you? Rag Order is an online tailoring, alterations and upcycling service, and we bet they'd have some fun, festive ideas for your Christmas jumper.
