15 Ugly Sweater Party Outfit Ideas That Are Cute, Cozy and Fun
These ugly sweater party outfit ideas are for anyone who wants to join the fun without looking frumpy. The sweater can be as silly as you like. The trick is what you wear with it.
Every look below pairs a festive sweater with one or two pieces you already own, like a plaid skirt, faux leather pants or good jeans. This season, plaid skirts, bows, burgundy and chocolate brown are everywhere on Pinterest, so we used them a lot.
Quick Rules for Ugly Sweater Party Outfits
Keep these simple rules in mind for any of the ugly sweater party outfit ideas below.
- Let the sweater be the star. Keep everything else simple and in one or two plain colors.
- Balance the shape. A big, chunky sweater looks best with something slim (leggings, leather pants, a mini skirt). A fitted sweater works with wide jeans or a full skirt.
- Pick colors from the sweater. Red, green, cream, black or brown from the pattern make the easiest bottoms.
- Add one cute detail. A hair bow, a velvet headband, small gold earrings or a red lip makes it look planned.
- Think about the venue. An office party, a house party and a bar crawl each need a slightly different level of dressy.
15 Ugly Sweater Party Outfit Ideas for Women
Here are our favorite ugly sweater party outfit ideas, from cozy and casual to a little bit dressy.
1. Ugly Sweater and Plaid Mini Skirt
Plaid skirts are one of the big searches this season. Tuck a red reindeer sweater into a plaid mini skirt and add black tights and loafers or boots.
2. Ugly Sweater and Faux Leather Pants
One of the easiest ugly sweater party outfit ideas, and it makes a silly sweater look cool. A chunky holiday sweater with black faux leather pants and ankle boots works for almost any party.
3. Ugly Sweater and Flared Jeans
Wear a fitted festive sweater with dark flared jeans and heeled boots. It is relaxed, but the long leg line looks polished.
4. Ugly Sweater and Satin Midi Skirt
Mix cozy and shiny. A green or cream holiday sweater with a satin midi skirt and ankle boots is fun and pretty for an office party.
5. Oversized Ugly Sweater as a Dress
If your sweater is long and roomy, wear it as a mini dress with thick tights and knee-high boots. Add a thin belt if you like more shape.
6. Ugly Sweater, Leggings and Cozy Boots
For a casual house party or a movie night, pair a big sweater with black leggings, cozy boots and fuzzy socks peeking out.
7. Ugly Cardigan Over a Slip Dress
A festive cardigan over a simple slip dress with tights is softer and a bit dressier than a pullover. Button it halfway.
8. Ugly Sweater and Corduroy Pants
Corduroy feels very winter. A cream snowflake sweater with chocolate brown corduroy pants and loafers looks warm and put together.
9. Matching Ugly Sweater and Red Lip
Going with friends or a partner? Pick matching or similar sweaters, then keep the rest simple: dark jeans, white sneakers and a red lip.
10. Ugly Sweater and Pleated Skirt with a Bow
A cropped festive sweater with a pleated midi skirt, sheer tights, Mary Jane flats and a big hair bow is sweet and on-trend.
11. Shirt Collar Under the Sweater
Layer a white button-down shirt under your holiday sweater so the collar and cuffs show. Add straight trousers for an office party.
12. Sequin Skirt and Ugly Sweater
Want more sparkle? A sequin mini or midi skirt with a chunky holiday sweater mixes cozy and party in one look.
13. All Black with a Festive Sweater
Let a bright sweater pop against black jeans, black boots and a black coat. Simple, sleek and great in photos.
14. Fair Isle Sweater and Wide-Leg Trousers
Not into jokes? A classic Fair Isle sweater with cream or camel wide-leg trousers is festive but grown-up.
15. Ugly Sweater, Denim Skirt and Tall Boots
A dark denim mini or midi skirt with a holiday sweater, tights and tall boots is cute, warm and easy to dance in.
Tips for the Best Ugly Sweater Party Look
These small tricks make all of these ugly sweater party outfit ideas look even better.
- Check the length. Tuck a long sweater into high-waisted bottoms, or half-tuck it at the front.
- Wear a thin layer underneath. Party rooms get hot. A thin tank or cami lets you stay comfortable.
- Choose shoes you can stand in. Ankle boots, loafers and clean sneakers all work and keep the look relaxed.
- Go easy on accessories. The sweater is already busy, so pick small earrings or one hair accessory.
- Thrift it. Thrift stores and your family’s closets are full of real vintage holiday sweaters. They often look the best.
- See what is trending. Check Pinterest Trends to see which ugly sweater party outfit ideas people are saving right now.
Ugly Sweater Party Outfit FAQ
What do you wear to an ugly sweater party if you don’t want to look frumpy?
Pair the sweater with something slim or sleek, like faux leather pants, leggings, a plaid mini skirt or a satin skirt. Tuck or half-tuck the sweater and add one cute detail like a hair bow or red lip.
Can you wear a skirt to an ugly sweater party?
Yes. Plaid mini skirts, satin midi skirts, pleated skirts, denim skirts and sequin skirts all look great with a holiday sweater. Add tights and boots to stay warm.
What should I wear to an ugly sweater party at work?
Choose a festive sweater that is fun but not rude, and wear it with straight trousers, a midi skirt or dark jeans plus loafers or ankle boots. A collared shirt underneath keeps it office-friendly.
More Outfit Ideas You’ll Love
Loved these ugly sweater party outfit ideas? Here are more holiday looks to try.
