How to wear festive clothing without looking frightful.

It’s hard to write about festive sweaters without mentioning the C word. I’m not talking about the holiday observed by Christians on the 25th December, I’m talking about Colin. Mr Colin Firth’s infamous appearance in a reindeer sweater in the 2001 film Bridget Jones’s Diary represents the nadir of festive fashion. It also reminds us that in the past hip was regarded as a binary quality – a garment either was or was not cool. These days we’re more sophisticated in our understanding that things can be enjoyable while simultaneously raising a smile. Consider this to be the sartorial equivalent of Starbuck’s red cups. For anyone wavering we propose three things be borne in mind: firstly, that the holidays are a happy time when the usual rules of cool can be relaxed, secondly, that for lots of us in the Northern hemisphere it’s likely to be cold and so a substantial sweater is a real asset, and thirdly that the appeal of these jumpers is built upon solid foundations in the history of men’s style (and one likeable celluloid layabout).

Made from a cosy mix of sheep’s wool and alpaca wool Faherty’s zip-up cardigan is inspired by the hand knits traditionally produced by Vancouver’s Cowichan people. These sweaters were originally created to keep out the fierce Canadian winter and Faherty’s contemporary take on the form brings to mind an idealised existence in a country cabin well stocked with dry firewood, fine single malts and good books. It doesn’t hurt that the most immediate cinematic reference for this form of knitwear is The Dude, Mr Jeff Bridges’ immortal character in 1998’s The Big Lebowski. To prioritise comfort and to emphasise the cardigan’s vintage vibe layer it over a textured Henley.

This season Joseph has given the storied Fair Isle sweater a contemporary re-boot that cleverly retains the essence of the original. This sweater has a clean, small-scale pattern that owes as much to pixelated computer graphics as it does to the fishing communities that first produced Fair Isle sweaters. The warm oatmeal colour means the sweater has something of a rural feel even as the elongated back represents a minor break with tradition. The blue panel on the back means the sweater marries up well with jeans, such as this washed pair made in Japan by Kapital. We picture ourselves wearing it to a festive get-together in a nice country pub, where you’ll find us by the fire with a hot toddy in hand.

Scottish Fair Isle sweaters have many admirable qualities, but until now the softness of their wool has not been chief among them. It’s a tough existence on the Shetland Islands, where the sweaters were traditionally produced, and cashmere was an unnecessary luxury. However, as contemporary life is pretty much defined by our appetite for unnecessary luxuries, it’s timely that William Lockie, Scotland’s preeminent knitwear producer, has decided that there’s no reason why a man should have to choose between the softness of cashmere and the classic appeal of the Fair Isle pattern. With its up-to-date fit, this sweater, which is made in the Scottish border town of Hawick, would give a luxurious touch to any casual outfit worn over the holidays, but would sit particularly well above a pair of soft and warm moleskin trousers.