Christmas jumper inspired by David Bowie’s ‘Snowman’ scarf launched

A Christmas jumper inspired by the scarf David Bowie wore in The Snowman intro has been unveiled in time for the festive season.

The now-iconic scarf was first seen in Channel 4’s 1982 adaptation of the Raymond Briggs story, which opened with Bowie introducing viewers to the surreal story of a snowman coming to life. In the clip, he wears a handmade scarf featuring a snowman motif, along with a pastel-coloured Christmas jumper.

For years fans of the beloved Christmas animation have searched for the garment, with Bowie’s own son, Duncan Jones, rediscovering the original scarf in 2022.

Last year, the knitwear brand notjust released their own version of the scarf for fans to buy and now they’ve unveiled a jumper to match.

50% of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, which Briggs was a patron of. It follows the brand donating over £100,000 to other charities from previous Christmas campaigns.

The jumper is priced at £39.99 and features a festive Fair Isle pattern in pastel colours, similar to the one Bowie donned in the film. The scarf will also be available for £19.99, and you can get yours here.

On the launch, notjust’s founder Mike Harding said: “After last year’s incredible response to our David Bowie-inspired scarf, we’re thrilled to unveil a new festive jumper, paying homage to the iconic jumper Bowie wore when he featured in the introduction to the beloved animation. This exclusive piece lets fans complete Bowie’s timeless holiday look, with profits going to charity.”

Now ingrained in pop culture history, the real story of the scarf was revealed two years ago by Brian Harding, who produced Bowie’s introduction for the film. Harding shared the story behind the scarf in an X/Twitter thread upon Jones’ discovery.

“The Scarf was knitted by the lady in the accounts department of TVC, the production company that made the animation. She came onto the set and presented it to David. When filming was over, David asked very politely if he could keep the scarf to give to his son, Zowie,” he wrote.

The story continued: “This was the only fee he charged for the filming and I believe he offered his services for personal reasons. He was charming throughout and totally professional. I am glad that the scarf found its way to the destination he intended: from the dude to another dude.”

Elsewhere in notjust’s festive collection, the brand launched a jumper inspired by the BBC show The Traitors. It features ‘Traitor’ and ‘Faithful’ text motifs and The Traitors’ hooded logo, with ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’ also emblazoned across the back.