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This year’s Highsnobiety Gift Guide is all about the presents that’ll make a difference in these new and strange times. From gifts that encourage connection with loved ones, to self-love suggestions you entirely deserve at the end of 2020.

A haunting part of the holiday wardrobe that just won’t die — the festive sweater seems to return each year in more awful forms. And when it does, you ask yourself why you haven’t set fire to dad’s abominable snowman knit yet.

But like every part of the seasonal wardrobe, there are more acceptable alternatives. Hey, not just acceptable, but actually-cool alternatives. Nowhere is this more true than in the holiday sweater section.

There are plenty of thick knits, wool pullovers, and chunky sweaters that feel holiday-ready enough to keep the family from calling you grinch. But you’re not going to be embarrassed if you bump into that person you’re trying to impress when popping out for milk in one of these sweaters we’ve picked out at Harvey Nichols.

Scroll for some alternatives to the ugly sweaters of the holiday season.

Stone Island Wool Rollneck

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Stone IslandRoll-Neck Wool Jumper
£275
Buy at Farfetch UK

If you're not a fan of the garish, brightly-colored holiday sweater (you'd be forgiven for falling into that category) then go to the other end of the spectrum with a blacked-out version of Stone Island's iconic rollneck.

Lacoste Knitted Sweater

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LacosteKnitted Cotton Jumper
$115
Buy at Harvey Nichols

Lacoste long-sleeves are among the most iconic pieces of its offering, having changed little in decades. If you're going classic, then the navy and croc logo combo always wins, for me.

Polo Ralph Lauren Cable Knit

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Polo Ralph LaurenCable-Knit Cotton Jumper
£84
Buy at Farfetch UK

Ralph serves up a holiday sweater alternative for the dads. A surefire gift route to his good books.

Off-White™ Intarsia Wool Sweater

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Off-White™Pascal Wet Floor Intarsia Wool-Blend Jumper
£685
Buy at Harvey Nichols

Since you've declared death to the snowman graphic knit, you need something to replace it. How about a wet floor sign? Why not, hey? 2020 can't get any weirder.

Maison Margiela Cashmere Rollneck

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Maison MargielaRoll-Neck Cashmere-Blend Jumper
$770
Buy at Harvey Nichols

Trust Martin Margiela to give us a soothing antidote to the loud holiday jumper with something entirely minimal. Stunning.

Loewe Cotton Sweater

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LoeweLogo-Embroidered Cotton-Blend Jumper
$435
Buy at Selfridges & Co.

Super cute sweater from Loewe, which stretches out a bit of shameless logomania via fringed threads. Just don't go anywhere near your cat in this.

Oliver Spencer Wool Sweater

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Oliver SpencerBlenheim Colour-Blocked Wool Jumper
$250
Buy at Harvey Nichols

Any hint of brightness ends here with this color-blocked wool offering by Oliver Spencer. You've been warned.

Norse Projects Wool Sweater

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Norse ProjectsBirnir Charcoal Wool Jumper
$185
Buy at Harvey Nichols

The grey wool jumper is one of my all-time favorite staples. Looks good with everything — denim, technical gear, slippers. You name it.

Acne Studios Wool-Blend Sweater

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Acne StudiosKael Mélange Wool-Blend Jumper
$540
Buy at Harvey Nichols

In fact, I love them that much, that there are two included here. Little between them, but too good to just pick one.

Saint Laurent Mohair Jumper

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Saint LaurentMonochrome Striped Mohair-Blend Jumper
£610
Buy at Harvey Nichols

Because goths do holiday season, too.

Our designated Selects section features products that we love and want to share with you. Highsnobiety has affiliate marketing partnerships, which means we may receive a commission from your purchase.

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