topic Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters" in Fashion

What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

yoli1 — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 21:43:12 GMT

It seems as though since the "ugly sweater" craze has taken off. I don't see the Quacker Factory Christmas sweaters that use to have tons of embellishments. When did this happen.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Q4u — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 21:52:47 GMT

Don't know.... but many of us out "there" think they're cute.

A funny thing happened to me years ago at a Stein Mart. They were selling off their Christmas sweaters and I found one with Santa Claus on the front and thought it was festive and cute, good price and my size so I took it and went to stand in line to pay for it.

The girl ahead of me (about 25) was holding the same sweater, turned to me with a huge happy grin and said "I know, huh? Isn't this the greatest ugly sweater ever? Are you going to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party too??"

I answered, "Uh, yeah sure am.... and we'll probably win with this one...." and we laughed together, but I sure didn't think it was ugly.....

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

violann — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:02:09 GMT

Such a fascinating and informative first post!

Welcome to the boards!

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

ValuSkr — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 22:56:43 GMT

I think you're right - Quacker is perfectly positioned to market ugly Christmas sweaters. I hope they're listening.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

itsmagic — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 23:23:30 GMT

@Q4u That Santa sweater sounds cute. I think a Christmas sweater is fun to wear during the holidays.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Q4u — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 23:36:52 GMT

Thanks @itsmagic, I think they are fun to wear during the holidays. I also wore my QF sweatshirts from Halloween onward. I know I'm not a fashion plate but what I wear is happy and comfortable, and I get nice comments and compliments on them, and the children especially like them.....

I also resent sellers telling me something is "ugly". Ebay sellers do this but what it does IMHO is to cut out a segment of the buying public that actually likes this kind of thing. I'll make up my own mind about it.... and won't buy from sellers who tell me it's one way or the other. Just the facts, Ma'am...

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

sharlee — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 23:49:29 GMT

Personally, the whole "ugly sweater" craze irritates me no end.

For decades, ladies happily wore their festive holiday sweaters (and sweatshirts) during the season. OK, some were probably prettier than others, but I honestly can't remember seeing any I considered actually ugly.

Then, sometime during the last 10 years or so, the so-called fashionistas decided that holiday sweaters were "ugly". And sheeplike, most of the world went along with that notion. No good reason for any of it!

Personally, I blame that supercilious pair from "What Not To Wear". (The US version; I never saw the British one.) I remember them sneering at holiday sweaters and throwing them out during the makeovers, and I remember thinking "What on earth is wrong with a Halloween sweater? Or a Christmas one?"

But, then, I've never aspired to be a trendy-poo.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

SunValley — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 02:03:43 GMT

Overall, I think Quacker Factory has done a good job of balancing their designs to be creative but not tawdry. Their worst misstep in my opinion was that Christmas sweater with the battery pack they had as a TSV while Ms Bice was still with us. I don't want my chest or stomach blinking colorful lights like an advertisement.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

italia8140 — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 02:29:20 GMT

@violann wrote:
Such a fascinating and informative first post!

Welcome to the boards!

Just like your response.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Pearlee — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 02:44:27 GMT

@sharlee wrote:
Personally, the whole "ugly sweater" craze irritates me no end.

For decades, ladies happily wore their festive holiday sweaters (and sweatshirts) during the season. OK, some were probably prettier than others, but I honestly can't remember seeing any I considered actually ugly.

Then, sometime during the last 10 years or so, the so-called fashionistas decided that holiday sweaters were "ugly". And sheeplike, most of the world went along with that notion. No good reason for any of it!

Personally, I blame that supercilious pair from "What Not To Wear". (The US version; I never saw the British one.) I remember them sneering at holiday sweaters and throwing them out during the makeovers, and I remember thinking "What on earth is wrong with a Halloween sweater? Or a Christmas one?"

But, then, I've never aspired to be a trendy-poo.

@sharlee I think it started when a QF novelty sweater was blasted on that show What Not To Wear. That started the "ugly sweater" craze. I also think they are festive, although some I do think are over-the-top gaudy. But I enjoy them. And funny thing is, after being considered "ugly" sweaters for several years, one high-end dept. store started carrying Berek (who manufactured some of the QF sweaters according to Jeanne Bice herself) novely sweaters again last Christmas and this Christmas and they sold out like gangbusters - to regular customers who were going to legiimately wear them, not make fun of them. And they were well over $100. Berek made excellent Halloween and Christmas sweaters for QF. I like them and love when people get in the holiday spirit and look festive wearing them.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Kachina624 — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 02:56:02 GMT

I dont even watch their shows anymore. I wear petite size pants which they stubbornly refuse to make. "Short" pants don't fit a petite woman. I don't need anymore $40-50 tee shirts with a few sequins and doodads tacked on. I want plain shirts in pretty colors in long or short sleeves, no 3/4 sleeves. So I shop other brands.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Nonametoday — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 03:00:06 GMT

@sharlee wrote:
Personally, the whole "ugly sweater" craze irritates me no end.

For decades, ladies happily wore their festive holiday sweaters (and sweatshirts) during the season. OK, some were probably prettier than others, but I honestly can't remember seeing any I considered actually ugly.

Then, sometime during the last 10 years or so, the so-called fashionistas decided that holiday sweaters were "ugly". And sheeplike, most of the world went along with that notion. No good reason for any of it!

Personally, I blame that supercilious pair from "What Not To Wear". (The US version; I never saw the British one.) I remember them sneering at holiday sweaters and throwing them out during the makeovers, and I remember thinking "What on earth is wrong with a Halloween sweater? Or a Christmas one?"

But, then, I've never aspired to be a trendy-poo.

If they do not refer to them as ugly Christmas sweates, then they have to admit to saying "Merry Christmas" and all the unhappy ivory towers cannot admit there is a merry day in the world nor that the reason for the season ever existed. Elementary, my dear, elementary. They want to take the Joy out of life.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

SHIRAZ — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 03:04:34 GMT

I enjoy a nice holiday sweater or sweatshirt. I don't want a whole wardrobe of them, but it's nice to have a little fun during the season. Some people just take things way too seriously!

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Pearlee — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 03:34:13 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
I dont even watch their shows anymore. I wear petite size pants which they stubbornly refuse to make. "Short" pants don't fit a petite woman. I don't need anymore $40-50 tee shirts with a few sequins and doodads tacked on. I want plain shirts in pretty colors in long or short sleeves, no 3/4 sleeves. So I shop other brands.

From your post, it sounds as if this is exactly what you should be doing.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

violann — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 13:17:51 GMT

Dearest italia, I just KNEW you'd be here with a hearty and beautifully formed

riposte/non sequitur!

Joyful best wishes for your upcoming festivities- may they be as bright and full of light as you yourself!

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Trix — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 14:10:41 GMT

This isn't a statement about whether the look is appealing or not, but rather a marketing perspective for making money. You would think with the trend of the "ugly Christmas sweater" (let's use that name just because that's the present retail term for them), the buyers and bean counters at QVC would plead with Quacker to bring some in for the Christmas season. The Quacker brand was built on embellished sweaters, and under any name QVC wants to promote them as being, I think the Quacker team would do a great job with the designs and the sweaters would sell very well.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

wilma — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 16:05:22 GMT

I used to wear QF when I taught little kids. I actually thought some of them were cute. I gravitated toward the more subtle designs. I ended up giving away all of my themed tops because I got tired of them. I was actually missing a Christmas top last week and wishing I had it to wear.

I don't like the idea of ugly sweater parties, because it makes fun of what some people actually like. I was invited to a Christmas party with ages from 25 - 65. As people replied to the email from the older host saying they were coming, the younger ones decided to tell us we all had to wear an ugly top or sweater to the party. I did not like being told what to wear and I had no desire to go buy an "ugly" top. It was not their place to hijack the party and turn it into their ugly party. I sent my regrets.

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

italia8140 — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 01:38:57 GMT

@violann wrote:
Dearest italia, I just KNEW you'd be here with a hearty and beautifully formed
riposte/non sequitur!

Joyful best wishes for your upcoming festivities- may they be as bright and full of light as you yourself!

Your favorite response!!!

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Nonametoday — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 02:17:40 GMT

@wilma wrote:
I used to wear QF when I taught little kids. I actually thought some of them were cute. I gravitated toward the more subtle designs. I ended up giving away all of my themed tops because I got tired of them. I was actually missing a Christmas top last week and wishing I had it to wear.

I don't like the idea of ugly sweater parties, because it makes fun of what some people actually like. I was invited to a Christmas party with ages from 25 - 65. As people replied to the email from the older host saying they were coming, the younger ones decided to tell us we all had to wear an ugly top or sweater to the party. I did not like being told what to wear and I had no desire to go buy an "ugly" top. It was not their place to hijack the party and turn it into their ugly party. I sent my regrets.

Big Thumbs Up!

Re: What happened to the Quacker Factory "ugly sweaters"

Nataliesgramma — Wed, 30 Dec 2015 10:46:28 GMT

@SHIRAZ wrote:
I enjoy a nice holiday sweater or sweatshirt. I don't want a whole wardrobe of them, but it's nice to have a little fun during the season. Some people just take things way too seriously!

I like the embroidered Holiday tops from QF. I wear them during the week of Christmas.