My thrift store trip turned into a group therapy session over ugly sweaters

I was digging through the sweater rack and let out a loud groan at this truly hideous holiday knit. A lady next to me nodded in sympathy and said her husband buys similar ones on purpose. Before I knew it, three other people had gathered to share their own bad sweater stories. We stood there for ten minutes laughing and ranking the worst finds. I didn't even buy the sweater, but I got a whole new friend group.

4 comments

4 Comments

bailey.iris8h ago

Totally get that. I once pulled out a sweater with cats wearing Santa hats that were clearly drawn by a child, maybe the store owner's kid. A guy across the rack saw my face and said "that's an assault on the eyes." We ended up having a whole debate with two other shoppers about whether bad kid art or corporate attempts at being quirky are worse. Left without buying anything but it made my whole trip better.

anthony_brown397h ago

Disagree on which is worse. That sweater with kid-drawn cats sounds kinda sweet to me, like someone's real holiday spirit. Corporate quirky stuff feels forced, like when a big brand slaps dinosaurs in Santa hats on everything. That fake cheer just makes me roll my eyes. At least the kid's art has heart, even if it's messy. So I'd argue the corporate attempts are way more of an eyesore.

the_quinn9h ago

Oh man, that reminds me of my friend Cassie. She found a sweater with a truly messed-up pattern of reindeer wearing sunglasses last year. A few people stopped to point and laugh with her, and it turned into a whole thing... she ended up with a small crowd giving hot takes on the ugliest stuff in the store. She still texts one of the ladies she met that day.

the_brooke8h ago

Actually, @the_quinn, I read a piece about how ugly holiday sweaters can break the ice between strangers. It said shared laughter over silly stuff makes people connect fast. Your friend Cassie's story is a perfect example of that. Those random moments in stores can turn into real chats, even friendships. I love that she still talks to someone from that day. It shows how small things can bring people together in a big way.