The festive season is approaching and you know what that means… Time to dig out your Christmas jumper. At Crystal Parade, we have decided to bling our own jumpers this year. We all went out and chose the jumpers and then… the crystallising began!
To crystalise my jumper I used:
- My Primark Christmas jumper – I chose this one because it seemed quite traditional and almost old fashioned.
- Gem Tac glue
- A syringe with Purple tip
- Triangle trays
- Zodiac Light Siam SS16 and SS20
- Zodiac Orange Mixed Sizes x200
- Zodiac Neon White SS16
- Zodiac Jet SS20
- Zodiac Light Colorado Topaz SS20
- Zodiac Resin Rhinestones in Candy AB SS20
- Preciosa Hyacinth in SS5
- Preciosa Light Colorado Topaz SS5
While I was blinging my jumper, I came to the realisation that I actually had no idea where the idea of a Christmas jumper came from, or why we wear them. So, I took to Google to find some information.
Here is what I found from my research…
1950s:
While researching, I found that in the UK the first Christmas themed jumpers were worn in the 1950s. Christmas and the whole festive season became a lot more commercial at this point, I think this could be due to the economic boom at this time. People were just beginning to splash out on the celebrations, including some people deciding to wear a themed jumper. Although, they were called “Jingle Bell Sweaters” and they were not as popular as they are now. Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman looking fabulous in her Christmas jumper in 1945 (Credit: Getty Images)
1960s:
In the 60’s there became a new cosy clothing option for Christmas gifts. Many families chose to gift woolly hats, socks, scarves and jumpers. Before this many people had worn less weather appropriate gear in the winter, such as women wearing dresses, which of course, weren’t keeping them warm!
1970s:
In the 1970s, the festive jumpers’ popularity seemed to grow even more. I noticed that this is when more celebrities began to wear them, encouraging the public to purchase and make their own. After becoming trendier, more models were wearing them and it started to become a tradition that people would dig out their festive knitwear each December.
1980s - 1990s:
The 1980s saw the Christmas jumpers popularity grow more and more. The festive clothing started to feature in popular TV shows. It was usually the silly character that would sport them. I think this is when people started to see the garment in a new, lovable, charming way. I personally believe that pop icons such as Wham! in their Last Christmas music video embraced the festive fashion!
By the 90s, they were back out of fashion again. People saw them as something that your older relative might wear or even gift you! At this point, they were never considered “cool” by the younger generation, they were just something that people would wear on Christmas day. However, this is where they started to look a little more like our jumpers today, with this rise of bright 80s/90s colours and geometric patterns. George Michael in a festive themed jumper! (Credit: Rex Features)
2000s:
When the 2000s rolled around, the jumpers were considered a fashion disaster! Although, strangely, this increased their popularity. I noticed a lot of people saying that at this time, they were wearing them ironically. They became a festive staple in everyone’s wardrobe. More and more big fashion brands started mass producing them making them much more accessible than before… and they became trendy all over again.
2010s:
In 2012, the first Christmas Jumper Day was held, many celebrities took part using the slogan “make the world better with a sweater”. The day is a great excuse to wear a festive jumper but it also helps a very important charity. The day supports Save the Children – a charity that helps to provide food, shelter and education for children in the UK and around the world. All proceeds from Christmas Jumper Day go to the charity. This year, the Government has promised to match any donations given to Save the Children for the occasion.