7 celebrities who rocked (not so) ugly Christmas sweaters, from Victoria and David Beckham, to Ryan Reynolds, and Reese Witherspoon and her daughter Ava Philippe – so who wore it best?

Dec 15 , 2023

David Beckham, Ryan Reynolds and Reese Witherspoon have all donned “ugly” Christmas sweaters over the years. Photos: @davidbeckham, @vancityreynolds, @reesewitherspoon/Instagram

Today is National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day in the US! For those who don’t already have one stashed away in their closet, the cosy outerwear is a holiday-themed sweater that is considered tacky and overly showy. Why? It features a clash of colours and over-the-top graphics referencing the season. Some even have embellishments such as ribbons, tinsel and pom-poms.

As far as holiday traditions are concerned, the good ol’ pullover has become a wardrobe staple for this time of year, and with good reason. It’s outrageously fun (and funny) to wear. In celebrity circles, everyone from David Beckham to Reese Witherspoon has worn their own version of the festive garment.

Scroll down to see some of our favourite celebs rocking their best ugly (and not-so-ugly) Christmas sweaters.

1 & 2. David and Victoria Beckham

What’s better than an ugly Christmas sweater? An ugly Christmas sweater that shows support for – or pokes fun at – your wife’s iconic 90s movie, like David Beckham shows off here, while posing next to Victoria Beckham. Photo: @davidbeckham/Instagram

In December 2021, David Beckham posed alongside his pop star-turned-designer wife, Victoria in a Christmassy sweater emblazoned with a massive snowflake motif and the Spice Girls’ Spice World logo. (He gets extra points here for paying tribute to his other half’s former band.) The football legend looked effortlessly polished by wearing the sweater over a classic shirt and tie.

3 & 4. Reese Witherspoon and Ava Philippe

Ava Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon twin their looks (again) – this time with not-so-ugly Christmas sweaters. Photo: @reesewitherspoon/Instagram

Reese Witherspoon and her mini-me, Ava Phillippe, looked more like sisters than mother and daughter when they wore matching red lipstick and coordinating festive pullovers in December 2020. The stylish duo accessorised their holiday get-up with gold jewellery and warm drinks, of course.

5 & 6. Simu Liu and Allison Hsu

Simu Liu and Allison Hsu show how not to take yourself too seriously at a fancy movie premiere. Photo: @simuliu/Instagram

Canadian actor Simu Liu posted this adorable festive snap with his girlfriend, Allison Hsu, when they attended the Violent Night premiere in Los Angeles in November 2022. For the occasion, the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star donned a pastel-coloured sweater featuring martini glass and yin-yang motifs. He wore it with a chunky timepiece and white jeans.

7. Ryan Reynolds

Having been pranked into wearing probably the world’s ugliest Christmas sweater to a gathering that was not in fact a sweater party, Ryan Reynolds repeated the trick – this time for a good cause. Photo: @vancityreynolds/Instagram

In January 2022, jokester Ryan Reynolds re-wore his famous ugly Christmas sweater for a campaign that helped raise over US$850,000 for the Sick Kids Foundation. Reynolds was first photographed wearing the eye-catching (to say the least) garment back in 2018, when Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal pulled a prank on him at a party.

Christmas

How better to celebrate National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day – apart from by wearing one yourself – than by checking out what fashion abominations celebrities have donned over the years?
From David and Victoria Beckham to Ryan Reynolds, Reese Witherspoon and Simu Liu, these influencers demonstrate how showing your playful side can augment the festive season