Tis the season for ugly holiday sweaters! Despite being known for being unfashionable and– for lack of a better term– ugly, this not-so-pretty piece has become quite the popular item this season, not to mention a frequent party theme leading up to winter break.
But instead of going the traditional route, you can now buy a UMD-themed ugly sweater that will be sure to make you stand out from the crowd.
If you’re curious about where you can get your hands on one of these (I know I was!) below is a list of stores and websites that carry Maryland’s version of this infamous holiday item.
1. The University Bookstore – $54.95
I got really excited when I saw this “ugly sweater” only to realize that it’s not even an ugly sweater. It’s really just a spirit jersey, and not even the thick kind. It fit just as I thought it would– long and loose on my small frame– but it didn’t do any wonders for me. And for a little under $60, I definitely didn’t see the value in investing in it.
2. The University Bookstore – $34.95
I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that our very own bookstore was selling a UMD ugly sweater, or sweatshirt, as it’s called. And after trying it on, I realized that it’s basically a classic pullover with an ugly sweater pattern. On the plus side, I love pullovers, so I found it super comfy and soft on the inside, but compared to the “sweater” that I was picturing, this didn’t really match up. But for under $35, this was one of the better deals I saw.
2. Route One Apparel– $29.99
While this sweater is pretty much a crew sweatshirt with a Christmas design and not an ugly sweater, this option is still a good one if you want to rep your holiday spirit. This is also the first sweater I’ve seen that comes in multiple colors: red and green. I wish I could’ve tried it on– I couldn’t find it in the local retailer store– but it probably fits just like a normal sweatshirt. On the plus side, this is the cheapest sweater/sweatshirt I’ve seen, but it’s not my favorite in terms of design. But if you’re into reindeer, this is the one for you.
3. Fanatics– $69.99, plus $4.99 shipping
This sweater definitely has the typical “ugly holiday sweater” vibe with Christmas trees, snowflakes, the Terps logo and the notorious “M” on the upper chest. Compared to the other Maryland ugly sweaters I found, this was my favorite, appearance-wise. So if you’re looking for the more classic ugly sweater look, this is probably the one for you. But if you’re looking for a more affordable sweater, beware of the $70 price tag that comes with this design.
4. TipsyElves.com– $64.95 plus $4.95 shipping
Despite the slightly odd name, this website’s version of the Maryland ugly sweater is anything but odd. In fact, it’s pretty cute. Unlike all of the other sweaters out there, this site offers a men’s and women’s version, with the women’s sweater featuring a V-neck and a curve-hugging silhouette. For those who feel like they get lost in a big, baggy sweater, this more flattering option could be the right one for you.