The best Christmas jumpers for adults to shop this season

We’re all about making our jumpers last throughout the years here at IndyBest, and we think Glenmuir’s option will see you through this season and beyond. We adore the classic Fair Isle design with the twist of a snowy scene, meaning it could easily be worn both in the lead-up to Christmas and after. There’s also a few flecks of silver thread throughout, which give it a nice sparkle and mean you could dress it up or down. Most importantly, though, as it’s made from 50 per cent merino wool, it’s both breathable and helps to regulate heat, meaning we were kept cosy without overheating. You can wash it at 30C and it has the brand’s signature anti-pill finish, which should keep it looking pristine for longer.

One thing we’ve noticed about men’s jumpers is they tend to fall into two categories – classic and novelty – but FatFace’s Glencoe reindeer jumper is definitely at home in the former. A versatile crew neck, this knit would work just as well for a work Christmas Jumper day as it would at the pub with friends. While the colours don’t initially seem all that Christmassy – navy and beige with red accents – the overall effect feels very classic and smart. Plus, with a relaxed fit and soft wool blend, you’ll feel warm all through winter. And while, yes, the galloping reindeers are the key feature here, we don’t see why you couldn’t wear this throughout the winter months.

Of all the jumpers we tested, this was the only one that gave us a V-neck design. We found this to be very flattering and we actually received quite a few compliments about it. That’s probably also partly down to the Rudolph sequin design, which is just so stunning and feels really fun and festive without being too overwhelming. Of course, it will be one you pull out only for Christmas Jumper day but it’s a great option to have in your wardrobe. Our only issue is that the washing instructions are a bit more particular – for example, you’ll need to wash it inside out or, ideally, in a mesh bag to protect the design. It’ll also need to be reshaped while damp, which might not be ideal if you have lots of Christmas socials to attend.

We hate to use this word so close to Christmas, but one of our testers can be a bit of a… Grinch! That is to say, he’s not a fan of really “loud” Christmas jumpers. Instead, he prefers a much more subtle touch, which this M&S jumper nails perfectly. In a bright blue and black colourway, and featuring a Santa’s sleigh silhouette, it’s just the right amount of festive without being too overpowering. It fits true to size, feels incredibly soft and high-quality – though we weren’t surprised as it is from M&S – and best of all can be washed at 40C and tumble-dried.

We’ll start by saying this jumper is on the pricier end of the spectrum. Stay with us, though, because you really do get what you pay for here. Made with 20 per cent cashmere, this jumper is super soft to the touch (honestly, we kept telling people to stroke our arm because we couldn’t get over how soft it was). But, more than that, it’s also made with 30 per cent banana peel, yes, you read that right.

The design is distinctively festive with penguins and gingerbread men wrapping all the way round, but we think you could get away with wearing it throughout December. It is a woman’s jumper and comes in “one size”, however, we would say the design could make it a unisex option. For a “one size” jumper it does also come up quite snug, but we were willing to forgive this for just how soft it was.

If you’ve been practically glued to your TV since the first whistle of the World Cup blew, do we have the jumper for you. While footie fans would usually be rushing to get a Three Lions tee, this year, they might be after something warmer. And what better way to commemorate the 2022 tournament – and, with any luck, an England win (we can hope, right?) – than with this semi-festive football knit?

It features some great references to the sport, including a captain’s band with the lyrics to Sweet Caroline and the words “it’s coming home” and the number 22 on the back, but that’s not all. There are also some nice festive touches – such as Christmas trees lining the hem – but they’re not overpowering, so this could be a souvenir to treasure. Our tester loved how it looked on, said it was soft, comfortable and a great fit. He’s so besotted with it, in fact, he plans to wear it to the pub to watch the Quarter Final. Here’s hoping he’s just as happy when the 90th minute is up.

For just over a tenner, we think this is a pretty fun and festive jumper. It is a tad on the thin side but it still feels like good quality and is soft on skin. While you may have to snuggle up to that open fire (not too close, mind) to make up for the lack of warmth, there’s no denying this elf design was a hit. It’s really simple but looks amazingly effective. If we had one gripe it would be that the red from the elf’s collar doesn’t stretch all the way up, which somewhat breaks the illusion, but we really are being nitpicky here. If you’re on a budget but still want to get in on the glad tidings, it’s a good choice.

For something much more understated, FatFace’s Fair Isle jumper is a great option for the whole of winter. The red is bright enough to feel festive, but isn’t so Santa-ish that you’d be limited to just wearing it in December. More importantly, our tester immediately noticed how soft and smooth the fabric felt on their skin. They dressed it up with a skirt and boots but also with jeans and trainers for Christmas shopping – it’s a jumper that does it all and keeps you warm while doing it. You will need to wash it at 30C to protect the colour and we’d recommend air drying for best results too.

If you liked the look of FatFace’s jumper but the price tag put you off, may we present to you BonPrix’s Christmas elk knit. For almost half the price, it looks just as stylish and smart. The navy and white colours look really clean and feel wintery without necessarily feeling festive. It is slightly on the thin side but still kept our tester nice and warm while out and about, and the knit feels like good quality too.

If you’re looking for a festive jumper that is understated but still gives you a bit of sparkle, look no further than Monsoon. There’s some subtle silver thread throughout, which really shines when it catches the light – it’s festive without being in your face. But, thanks to its snowflake pattern, it’s not just one for Christmas, we think you could easily wear it throughout December, January and maybe even February. Basically, it’s a classic winter option.

The slightly high and ruffled neckline give it an extra fun touch and it feels cozy when on. We tend to like our jumpers a bit baggier, whereas this is more fitted, but, for dressing up without the effort, you can’t go wrong. Plus, it washes easily at 40C – just make sure to air dry it rather than tumble dry.

Earlier, we mentioned how good it would be to have a jumper that commemorates the World Cup. And while Not Just Clothing’s design does just that, it’s not overwhelmingly festive. Enter Classic Football Shirts’ much more festive design. From the three reindeer on the shirt to the “it’s coming home” pattern down the side, there are lots of fun, festive and football-themed touches to this sweatshirt. They are subtle, though – the more you look at the jumper, the more you’ll notice. You could definitely don it while England plays in the Quarter Finals, but we see no reason why you couldn’t wear it every festive season hereafter. If nothing else, the red feels particularly festive.

If we asked you to think of a classic Christmas film, there’s probably a whole bunch that would make the top 10. But The Snowman is undoubtedly a British classic and now it’s been immortalised in jumper form, thanks to Not Just Clothing. As soon as we opened the package, we felt all warm and fuzzy inside – and yes, we may have made a beeline to watch the film too. Not only does this jumper evoke a childlike sense of excitement, it is super soft and warming. Plus, it strikes the perfect balance between stylish and cutesy, which is not an easy thing to do. For fans of the film, this has got to be top of your list.

If you’re looking to really embody the festive season this Christmas, there really is no better sweater for you than Matalan’s jolly jumper. On the surface, this looks like another super sparkly design, but with a flick of the switch (there’s a hidden battery pack tucked in a pocket along the hemline), this jumper will literally light up a room. The multicoloured LEDs flash and shine as bright as those on your Christmas tree – basically, if you’re looking for an understated festive knit, you should move along. The jumper itself is soft, and, for £21, we think it’s pretty good value and quality. It is, however, so niche that you’ll probably only dig this out of your wardrobe for one event, which isn’t ideal if you’re looking for one you can wear all season. And, of course, you’ll need to make sure to remove the battery pack before you hand wash. But it certainly has the wow factor.

This party number has gone quickly and, at the moment, all sizes are out of stock, but you can sign up using your email address to find out when it’s back.

Our Star Wars-obsessed tester was immediately smitten with this Yoda Christmas jumper. There are, of course, festive details that make it a great Christmas Jumper, from snowflakes and Christmas trees, to that unmistakable merry red and green colourway. But it’s the attention to the finer details of the franchise that make us love it even more. From the oversized Rebel Alliance logos on the sleeves to the classic switcheroo of that Christmas saying to sound more Yoda-like, it’s something true fans will really appreciate. It’s also a thick and warm jumper that would be ideal for visiting the planet Hoth (for those not in the know, that’s the frozen planet from The Empire Strikes Back). If you’re not a fan of Star Wars, Merchoid also stocks Christmas knits across various fandoms from Harry Potter to Marvel and Disney to The Lord of the Rings – there’s something for all kinds of film and TV fanatics.