Every December, ambitious Upper St. Clair students take part in a festivity known as “Sweater Month” or “Sweater December.” The eventual goal is to wear a sweater every day in the last month of the year. Sweater December is a great way to express one’s inner fashionista while keeping warm in the winter. Made in the 2008-2009 school year as a way to express the holiday cheer through knitted clothing, the month has now become a cult sensation in Upper St. Clair.
Junior Matt Snyder explained, “[The event] was created by former students Matt Myron, Dan Frac, and Mike McCurrie.”
Regarding the allure of sweaters, junior Willem Aloe said, “They warm your heart in a blanket of Christmas fun.”
Colorful opportunities exist for people hoping to wear the craze. The edgy yet sophisticated argyle sweaters “provide a comfortable fit and a terrific look for a combination you can’t resist” (www.oldnavy.com).
Furthermore, cardigans and sport quarter-zips have attracted many fans. Cardigans are “made from cotton, wool, a combination of synthetic and natural or cashmere material and have zippers or buttons on the front” (www.sweaters.com). These interesting alternatives to sweaters keep the wearer warm while being fun. Furthermore, these types of sweaters are not as stuffy as many other kinds.
Overall, the occasion is very multifaceted. Many students believe that true followers of Sweater December should wear a different sweater every day. Others contend that sweatshirts and hoodies don’t count as sweaters, and that true, knit sweaters are the only ones that count. However, the one thing that universally allures people to the tradition is the warmth and comfort of sweaters.
Because heat increases the burning of calories, Nick Chesko said, “I think [Sweater Month] is a great way to stay in shape.”
Sweater December has also brought about a healthy competitive spirit. Two of the most legendary sweater-wearers are Troy Schoeppner and John Bonessi. John Bonessi reflected on why he decided to join the movement: “Sweaters are super warm and cool.”
On the other hand, fans have become notorious wearers of great sweaters. Hardcore Schoeppner fan Alex Garwig wrote about the relationship between the sweater choices of the two: “When it comes to sweater December, there are two types of people. There are the ‘Troy Schoeppner’s,’ who own hundreds of sweaters, and wear them consistently, and there are the ‘John Bonessi’s,’ who wear the ‘Troy Schoeppner’s’ leftover sweaters.”