Festive jumpers prove a woolie big craze
They are the craze of Christmas 2013 - the festive jumpers you wouldn't be seen dead in at any other time of year.
In a world of ever increasing technology, the boom in Christmas jumpers also harks back to a simpler age.
Whatever the reason for the upturn in woollies, people in Shropshire can't get enough.
And now they have become a staple at office parties across the county.
Staff at accountants Turner Peachey were among those insisting their staff dress up for their get together.
Workers from the firm's Welshpool office were adorned with snowman, reindeer, robins and Santa tops.
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The same was true atmotor dealer Greenhous in Shrewsbury, where the outfits included a giant Christmas pud.
It might just be a bit of fun, but it is also big business for jumper manufacturers who can't quite believe their luck.
Sales of the Christmas jumpers are even helping to secure the future of Leicestershire knitwear brand the Sweater Shop
The business was once a household name and had shops all around the UK, but it folded in the 1990s after being sold for £150 million.
The original owner, now in his 80s, has relaunched the business and put his grandson in charge – and now it can't produce the jumpers quick enough.
Asda says it expects to sell 10 million jumpers in the run-up to Christmas.
It says the craze is thanks to stars including heart-throb Justin Bieber, boyband Union J and The Saturdays pin-up Rochelle Humes who have all been pictured in garish tops.
The supermarket chain says armloads of novelty jumpers with reindeer, Santa and penguin motifs were flying off shelves and will make up a third of clothing sales this month.
Sales are already up 200 per cent year-on-year, with £3 million splashed out on the woolies in one week alone.
Helen Low, the chain's head of design, said: "Customers are loving reindeer this year."
She said last year's fashion hit the onesie is also here to stay, with three million snapped up by Christmas – three times more than last year.
