To me, there’s nothing warmer than a ’90s Christmas. I’m not great at psychoanalysis, but even I know this because it was the Christmas era of my childhood, and there was nothing cuter than my mom decorating the tree, baking us cookies, and being tucked into bed with us at night. This wish book is hidden under our pillows.
But that time also brought with it some specific fashion choices, and I know that’s why I’m so obsessed with all the tacky Christmas accessories. Christmas vests, gorgeous Christmas earrings, wreath pins, I want them all. Some of them have made a comeback thanks to ugly Christmas sweater parties and tacky vibes, but unfortunately one ’90s holiday fashion icon is missing — it’s time to bring the holiday turtleneck back.
you know Christmas with the Krankswhen Jamie Lee Curtis’ character discovers that her daughter is coming home early from the Peace Corps to celebrate Christmas with her family? Instead of telling her daughter that they’d actually booked a cruise, she just got in line — insisting on keeping all the Christmas decorations they’d been having and wanting to rush straight to the grocery store for pecan honey smoked ham (“Blair’s favorite!” she yelled Tao), even sending her husband out at the last minute to buy caramel cream pie (also Blair’s favorite).
But before she could do that, she needed a tank top and turtleneck combo. she needs to feel all Festive things. She needs to get ready to be the best Christmas mom possible.
This seasonal look can be found in almost all of your favorite ’90s sitcom Christmas episodes— Full house, step by step, Home decoration – I’m sure this is a big reason why I find them so nostalgic and endearing. One mom is preparing to give her kids the happiest Christmas ever, and that calls for a seasonal turtleneck. Why don’t we put on an outfit and harness that same energy throughout December?
There are so many great Christmas looks to choose from. I know turtlenecks seem to be going out of style. I know you already have your cute sweaters, cardigans, and viral bow shoes. But look – Christmas takes a lot of work. This work comes from moms. So, a nice Christmas dress, or a sweater with sleeves that keep falling off when you hang the decorations and roll out the sugar cookie dough? This didn’t happen. But here’s another thing ’90s moms got right — they were adorable and Practical. They didn’t plan the perfect little Christmas moment for their TikTok pOV video. They won’t make GRWM costumes for my kids’ Christmas pageant. They don’t have a LTK page full of great Christmas looks that you can wear to a company party for two hours and then never wear again.
They have turtlenecks. If we had them too, I think we’d complain less about school spirit days and Christmas choir concerts, and make sure to get three dozen cookies for the class party. We will be ready.
Add a bonus? The compression properties of a turtleneck also mean you can wear it under a loose sweater or tank top. It keeps you warm without overheating you. It’s festive enough to get you in the Christmas spirit.
It really makes you feel like the ultimate ’90s holiday mom. In a world where we’re all constantly looking for a hit of dopamine in the form of cozy nostalgia—and finding a way to make motherhood be what we’ve always imagined it to be—isn’t that the ultimate win?
Holiday brooches, fun earrings, and those adorable sequined Christmas hats? All great options. But nothing makes me want to bake cookies with my kids and watch the 1999 game Mickey’s Christmas Fairy Tale Classic like a vacation turtleneck. You can dress it up, dress it down, pair it with leggings, jeans or a skirt. When people see you in that, they’re going to think, “Now there’s a woman, and I bet she wrote her own favorite sugar cookie recipe somewhere on the card. That woman has a copy of Christmas 1992 Recipes, dusted on them, that she still uses today? She is the personification of Christmas comfort.
You don’t even get it from Instagram influencers’ swipe-up links.
