Microsoft’s Ugly Sweaters Are Back: Clippy, Xbox, and Zune
▼ Summary
– Microsoft is resuming its holiday ugly sweater tradition after a break in 2024, releasing new designs for the season.
– The new collection includes an “Artifact” sweater featuring retro icons like Clippy, MSN, and Minesweeper, a brown “Zune” sweater, and a green Xbox version.
– The Artifact and Zune sweaters are priced at $79.95 each, while the Xbox sweater is available for pre-order at $59.95.
– Microsoft began this tradition by sending sweaters to fans in 2018 and started selling them publicly in 2020.
– The sweaters can be purchased through Microsoft’s online company store, its physical store in Redmond, Washington, and its New York City experience center.
Microsoft has revived its popular line of holiday sweaters for the festive season, featuring nostalgic designs that celebrate the company’s history. After skipping a release in 2024, the tech giant is offering three distinct styles: an “Artifact” design packed with retro icons, a brown sweater inspired by the Zune media player, and a green version themed around Xbox. These limited-edition items blend playful nostalgia with holiday spirit, creating unique collectibles for fans and tech enthusiasts.
The Artifact sweater serves as a vibrant tribute to Microsoft’s legacy, placing the beloved Clippy assistant at its center. Surrounding the animated paperclip are classic symbols like the MSN butterfly, Minesweeper game tiles, the Internet Explorer logo, MS-DOS prompts, and various iterations of the Windows logo. This design echoes the company’s 2022 sweater, which also prominently featured Clippy. Meanwhile, the Zune brown holiday sweater pays homage to the ambitious media player, complete with a prominent play button detail that many hope incorporates a light-up feature. Both the Artifact and Zune models are priced at $79.95 and are available for immediate purchase.
For gaming fans, the Xbox sweater offers a different aesthetic. This green garment is currently available for pre-order at a lower price point of $59.95. Each design allows wearers to showcase their affinity for different eras of Microsoft’s expansive product lineup, turning holiday attire into a statement of tech loyalty.
This tradition began in 2018 when Microsoft started distributing ugly sweaters to its most dedicated Windows fans. The initiative expanded to public sales in 2020, quickly becoming an anticipated annual release. The absence of a new design last year made this year’s return particularly noteworthy for collectors. Customers can acquire these sweaters through Microsoft’s official online company store or by visiting the physical company store located in Redmond, Washington. Additionally, the sweaters will be stocked at the Microsoft Experience Center in New York City, providing an in-person shopping opportunity for those in the area.
These holiday sweaters do more than just keep you warm; they act as wearable memorabilia. They tap into a sense of shared history for those who grew up with these now-retro products, transforming what could be a simple garment into a conversation piece. Whether it’s the cheerful awkwardness of Clippy, the bold ambition of the Zune, or the enduring appeal of Xbox, each sweater tells a part of Microsoft’s ongoing story.
(Source: The Verge)
