Ryan Reynolds Ugly Sweater
Some celebrities get photographed leaving the gym looking flawless. Ryan Reynolds got photographed looking like a Christmas present that lost a fight with a craft store, and the internet has never let him forget it. If you landed on this page, you already know the photo, and you want the sweater. Good news: we tracked down the exact one, it comes in men’s and women’s sizes, and everything you need to know before buying is right here.
The Prank That Launched a Thousand Sweaters
December 2019. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal invite Ryan Reynolds to a Christmas party and tell him the dress code is ugly sweaters. Reynolds, a man who commits to a bit, shows up in a navy blue knit wrapped in an enormous gift bow, strung with garland and dangling ornaments, looking like an elf’s craft project gone rogue.
Here is the thing. There was no ugly sweater theme. Jackman arrived in a tasteful sweater. Gyllenhaal wore a normal shirt. The two of them flanked a visibly betrayed Reynolds for a photo, both grinning like men who had just pulled off the heist of the holiday season, and the picture went everywhere within hours. It remains one of the greatest celebrity pranks of the modern era, and it turned one specific sweater into a legend.
The story has a wholesome second act. Instead of burning the sweater in a ceremonial fire, Reynolds brought it back the following December, wearing it again to raise money and awareness for the SickKids Foundation in Toronto. The most famous ugly sweater in Hollywood became a charity icon. Not bad for a knit with a giant bow stitched to the chest.
The Exact Sweater Ryan Reynolds Wore
We did the digging so you can do the wearing. The sweater from the photo is a Tipsy Elves design, the gift-wrapped style with the oversized bow, and it is available in both men’s and women’s cuts. There are only two picks on this list for a simple reason: these are the real deal, and we are not going to pad the page with lookalikes that will disappoint you at the party.
You can browse the current lineup straight from Tipsy Elves, or grab the classic versions below.
1. So Ugly, So Beautiful
The men’s version of the gift-wrapped classic. The bow is huge, the garland is loud, and the whole thing photographs beautifully, which matters, because you are absolutely recreating that picture. We cannot supply a Hugh Jackman or a Jake Gyllenhaal, so you will need to source two smug friends yourself. Madame Tussauds remains an option if your social circle lets you down.
2. Again, Very Ugly yet Very Beautiful
Who says only men get to dress like a betrayed movie star? No one. This is the same gift-wrapped design in women’s sizes, so you can channel your favorite Canadian any time the mood strikes. It is so ugly that it loops all the way back around to iconic, and our Chief Festivity Officer rates it a 9 out of 10 on the cringe-o-meter, which around here is a rave review.
How to Pull Off the Full Ryan Reynolds
Owning the sweater is step one. Committing to the bit is where the magic happens.
- Keep everything else plain. Reynolds wore simple dark trousers and let the sweater scream on his behalf. Follow his lead. Jeans or dark chinos, nothing else festive.
- Master the face. The photo works because of his expression: pure, dignified defeat. Practice in a mirror. You are a man who trusted his friends and paid the price.
- Recruit two accomplices. One in a classy sweater, one in a regular shirt, both smirking. Position yourself in the middle. Post it with no caption. Let the group chat do the rest.
- Pick the right venue. This is a headline sweater, so wear it somewhere it can steal the spotlight. If you are hosting, our guide on How to Throw the Best Ugly Sweater Party Ever covers everything from awards categories to playlist crimes.
Sizing, Fit, and What to Check Before You Buy
A few practical notes before you add to cart, because nothing ruins a prank recreation like a sweater that fits wrong.
Fit and sizing
Tipsy Elves knits generally run true to size with a classic, slightly relaxed cut. If you plan to layer a shirt underneath for an all-night party, or you sit between sizes, go one size up. The women’s version is cut closer through the body, so check the size chart rather than guessing off your usual t-shirt size.
Material and care
Like most ugly sweaters, this one is an acrylic knit. That keeps it warm, affordable, and durable through years of December abuse. Wash it cold, lay it flat to dry, and the bow will survive many holiday seasons. Do not tumble dry unless you want a gift-wrapped crop top.
When to buy
This design sells out nearly every December, because the photo resurfaces every December. If you are reading this in October or November, buy now. If you are reading this on December 20th, check both links, cross your fingers, and have a backup plan from our Cheap Ugly Sweaters roundup just in case.
More Celebrity-Grade Ugly Sweater Energy
Quick note on how this works: Ryan Reynolds does not sell his own line of ugly sweaters, and nothing here is celebrity merchandise. The sweater above is the same retail design he wore, which anyone can buy. That distinction matters, and it also means you are free to build a whole celebrity-inspired rotation.
If famous-people festive chaos is your genre, we have you covered. Our Conor McGregor Ugly Sweaters guide brings the swagger, and the Steve Harvey Ugly Sweaters roundup delivers mustache-grade holiday cheer. For broader hunting, browse our picks for the Best Men’s Ugly Christmas Sweaters and the loudest Women’s Ugly Christmas Sweaters of the season.
From the Ugly Sweaters Shop
Want the Reynolds energy without the exact replica? These picks from our own shop bring the same commitment to maximum festive chaos.
Same brand that made the famous gift-wrapped sweater, cranked to eleven. Santa. Unicorn. Space. If Reynolds ever gets pranked again, we hope it involves this one.
For your two accomplices. Put your whole photo squad in matching Festive Crew sweatshirts and let the victim in the gift-wrapped knit stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ugly sweater did Ryan Reynolds wear?
He wore a navy blue Tipsy Elves knit designed to look like a wrapped Christmas present, with a giant bow across the chest, garland trim, and hanging ornaments. Both links in this article go to that same retail design in men’s and women’s sizes.
Was it really not an ugly sweater party?
Correct. Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal told him it was themed, and it was a completely normal Christmas party. He was the only person in an ugly sweater, which is exactly why the photo became legendary.
Did Ryan Reynolds ever wear the sweater again?
Yes. In December 2020 he put it back on to support the SickKids Foundation in Toronto, turning the prank into a fundraiser. The sweater got a redemption arc, which is more than most knitwear can say.
Is this official Ryan Reynolds merchandise?
No, and no such merchandise exists. This article covers the story and points you to the same off-the-shelf sweater he happened to wear. No celebrity endorsement is implied, just excellent taste in terrible knitwear.
What if the exact sweater is sold out?
It happens most Decembers. Check Tipsy Elves directly for restocks, and keep a backup ready. Our Best Men’s Ugly Christmas Sweaters guide has plenty of picks with the same photograph-me energy.
Where can I buy the Ryan Reynolds gift-wrapped Christmas sweater?
It is a Tipsy Elves knit, sold on Amazon as the men’s “So Ugly, So Beautiful” and the women’s “Again, Very Ugly yet Very Beautiful.” Check Tipsy Elves directly too, since Amazon stock on the exact design thins out most Decembers. There is no official Ryan Reynolds version, so the off-the-shelf sweater he wore is the real thing.
Does the Tipsy Elves gift-wrapped sweater run true to size?
It runs close to standard, but check the listing’s size chart before you order, since acrylic knits vary between runs. Size up one if you want to layer a collared shirt underneath, which suits the bow-and-garland design nicely. A little room reads as intentional in party photos.
How do I care for the acrylic knit gift-wrapped sweater?
Cold wash on a gentle cycle and lay it flat to dry. Acrylic knits keep their shape best away from the dryer, and the garland trim and hanging ornaments hold up better with low-agitation washing. Check the label first, and reshape the sweater while damp so the giant bow sits right.
The Festive Folks’ Verdict
The Ryan Reynolds ugly sweater is the rare piece of knitwear with its own origin story, a charity redemption arc, and a permanent place in prank history. Buy the real design, keep the rest of your outfit quiet, perfect your look of dignified betrayal, and bring two smug friends. The uglier, the better. The louder the laughter, the bigger the win. And if the paparazzi mistake you for a certain Canadian outside your office party, well, that is a holiday to remember.
