Ugly is in style
Senior Caitlyn Kerbow wearing her favorite ugly sweater.
The sweaters can range anywhere from simple to outrageous, decorated with buttons or bells, displaying Old Saint Nick himself or Frosty the Snowman. A simple holiday pattern is a safer option, while a light-up sweater with bells and tassels might jingle you all the way to everyone’s last nerve. If you check out vintage or thrift stores such as Goodwill or Buffalo Exchange around the holidays, you’ll find whole racks dedicated to the bright, festively-knit eye catchers. But this new craze can come with a hefty price tag. As their popularity increases, high-end stores charge more, ranging from $35 to $50. Even famous pop star Justin Bieber reportedly wore a $1,650 red-and-white Christmas sweater during one of his live performances. Because of these outrageous prices, shopping at a thrift store can save you plenty, even buying multiple sweaters from a thrift store can add up to a smaller bill than one expensive sweater.
With all this craze, you may start to wonder how this tradition came about. But another thought might arise, “Why are these sweaters actually starting to look good?” It’s crazy, but true. People now manage to wear these abominations with style. They are paired with boots and leggings, scarves and socks, presenting a surprisingly fashionable look. They are also worn as a joke to make fun of their ridiculousness. Proven to be conversation pieces, everyone can get a good laugh out of the most ornate and daring sweater.
While it may still be a questionable fashion choice, the ugly Christmas sweater is undeniably fuzzy and warm, great for snuggling up by the fire with hot chocolate, under the glow of the Christmas tree. And besides, there’s no better way to get in the holiday spirit than having a 3D Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer hanging off the front of your chest.
![Festival goers gather on the Zilker Park lawn for a day of kite flying, entertainment, and food at the ABC KiteFest Sunday, April 14. “It was super fun to watch people flying their kites and also fly my own,” Tucker said. “[KiteFest] is always a highlight of my year and I plan to return every year moving forward.”](https://westlakefeatherduster.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/kite-600x450.jpeg)
![The Wind Ensemble, conducted by director Kerry Taylor, plays in the Performing Arts Center Wednesday, Mar 27. “Some challenges we face with our music are always solved through our weekly sectionals,” Qadan said. “They are helpful because it gives each section the chance to work with one another on their weakest part of the music and fix everything that needs to be [fixed].”](https://westlakefeatherduster.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/band-1-600x450.jpeg)
