No more naff knits: 16 of the best high-street Christmas jumpers for every festive style
Fair Isle, embellished or novelty, these sweaters deliver festive spirit
It has suddenly got cold and gloomy very fast, and as we put autumn outfits away and head into winter, one thing that gives me solace is that the festive season is a little closer. Meaning Christmas jumpers, Fair Isle knits and lashings of embellishment are firmly on the shopping list.
The Christmas countdown starts now, and even though the 10th of December is earmarked as Christmas jumper day, my November and December wardrobe demands an added dose of festive cheer. With some seriously lovely knits, and regardless of your aesthetic, I promise there is a woolly wonder to match.
Think about how you plan to wear your jumper. With leggings or skinny jeans, you can afford to go a little more oversized; if you're looking to team it with skirts or wide-legged trousers, you probably want a more waisted hemline and a more fitted shape to balance out your silhouette.
My favourite Christmas jumpers of 2026
I can see this one being quite the sell-out. Classic enough to wear casually, but festive enough to bring sophisticated cheer, I love the high-end, muted colour palette that makes it oh-so-easy to style, and at £34 it's a bargain.
Combining multiple trends in one, this embellished jumper doesn't shout Christmas, but obviously, the twinkly pattern makes it suitable for all festive activities. In a harlequin pattern, it's nailing heritage aesthetic too.
Novelty with elegance, British clothing brand Boden have a great selection of knitwear for the months ahead, but this very sweet, pale blue sweater caught my eye immediately. Decorated in iconic Christmas graphics, it still feels smart and elevated.
'Christmas light', this sweater offers a gentle nod to the season, but could definitely be worn into January's ski season, long after the tree has come down. With a trending funnel neck and timely alpine-inspired print, this is a classy way to do winter graphic prints.
Fair Isle Christmas jumper 2026
John Lewis make some of the best cashmere sweaters, but if you're looking to keep spending under £100, this cosy wool and alpaca blend jumper is a great option. I love the modern take on Fair Isle that really elevates this style.
If you struggle with overheating and big chunky knits, then a short-sleeved silhouette is the answer to your Christmas style spirit this season. In trending chocolate brown, this neutral design will work with trousers, jeans or skirts.
A very elegant choice, this wool mix design is a gentle nod to festive fair isle's but still feels very elegant. I love the ribbed cuffs, coupled with a slightly fuller sleeve, creating a really thoughtful design. The almost necklace like effect of the pattern adds a chic finish.
A preppy take on festive fashion, I love the collared polo style design with the Fair Isle running across the whole sweater. The cotton-blend adds breathability, while the sporty, slimline silhouette makes it the perfect partner to denim.
Embellished Christmas jumpers 2026
A festive wardrobe classic, a giant gold bow is always a good thing, and this twinkly embellishment on a flattering, fitted jumper is ideal for adding sparkle to wardrobe staples.
This luxurious mohair cardigan has a showstopping embellishment that I can't quite believe is from a high street retailer. This is a gorgeous purchase for those that want elevated seasonal cheer.
Christmas music is integral to getting into the mood and this nod to one of the season's best songs with low-key embellishment feels like a very elevated way to recognise the big day, without being OTT.
Green and gold offers a very Christmassy colour palette, with the ribbed hem and cuffs adding a slimline fit that will work well with skirts as well as trousers. The scattered sequin design adds elegance, making this an AM to PM wear.
Novelty Christmas jumpers 2026
A complete style steal, Fair Isle meets Reindeer in this appropriate red and white coloured knit. This sweet sweater is one of my favourites, and it's worthwhile remembering that supermarkets will do cost effective Christmas styles.
What's Christmas without the festive food, and this sweatshirt says it like it is. It is giving Boxing Day, or friends Christmas lunch energy, and what's better than supporting smaller creators at this time of year too.
River Island has a surprisingly good selection of Christmas knits, with classic slogans such as 'Let it snow', 'Jingle Bells' and even a tinsel-fronted design. In modern, bold colouring and cocktail prints, it's my novelty knitwear hero right now.
I think novelty Christmas jumpers get a bad rap, but if you can embrace your inner child for just a couple of weeks of the year, the festive season is the perfect time to have a bit more fun with your wardrobe.
While I save my cashmere jumpers for best, when it comes to something a little more festive, there is a designated time period in which they are most appropriate, so affordability is certainly a factor. This often means defaulting to the best wool jumpers, or blends, where you can benefit from the breathability of natural fibres, alongside the cost-effective use of synthetic materials.
Although I am firmly in camp embellishment, I love any excuse to wear sequins, yes, even in the day. I do love the timelessness of a Fair Isle pattern, and if your Fair Isle of choice is devoid of Christmas graphics, these tap well into the autumn/winter fashion trends for 2026. Heritage patterns, such as Fair Isle, never truly go out of fashion, so if you're looking for an investment, a neutral design in this classic style is a great option.
And if you're one for a novelty knit? Well, this is your time to shine. Slogan sweaters, covering everything from 'Jingle Bells' to 'Merry and Bright' and more, are readily available on the high street, and there is no better time to embrace a little frivolity.
