I Asked Who What Wear Editors to Spill the Tea on the Gifts They Secretly Want
Gift-giving season is upon us, which means we're happily doling out advice about the best gift ideas we have to share. Whether it's affordable finds that have earned an editor's stamp of approval or epic luxury items we're losing it over, there is no shortage of amazing ideas from our team of Who What Wear editors. That being said, we also have a number of items that have landed on our personal wish lists that we secretly hope we'll be unwrapping in the near future.
With that in mind, I asked our team to share the items they can't stop thinking about right now. With finds ranging from trendy jewelry to cozy outerwear to cult beauty products, I promise you'll be inspired after taking a scroll through the picks. Ahead, see our holiday 2021 gift guide, including every editor-approved find to have on your radar this season.
Shop my picks:
I've already bought these for some friends but would love to own a pair for myself as well.
The Sunset Tower Hotel is one of my favorite places in L.A., and it just did a stunning collab with Sporty & Rich, which I can't wait to get in my closet.
Shop Kat's picks:
"NYE top, done! I love that this subtle swirl top is equal parts dressy, timeless, and understated. I can picture pulling it out every festive season for many years to come."
"Whether your conversation skills are still somewhat rusty (thanks, pandemic) or you're just looking to connect a little deeper with your loved ones this holiday season, this game is pure delight. Some cards will make you laugh or smile and others will make you think. It's great for all ages, and the cherry on the top is the game is created by an amazing female entrepreneur."
"Cozy knit sets are my love language, and the price is just right on this one. Plus chocolate brown is perfectly on-trend."
Shop Sierra's picks:
"I sure hope Santa sees this because this is the designer that has been on my wishlist for quite some time now. Jewelry really makes for the greatest gift, especially because whoever you give it to will think of you with every wear."
"I know I have a series of fancy dinners on my calendar come January, so I'm looking for some tops that I can style in more than one way to bring along with me. I can't think of anyone who wouldn't love this top. It's so easy to wear."
"A trip to Paris would be nice, but this candle would also do in the meantime. A night in for me requires a good fragrance, and anything from Diptyque puts me at ease. This is a limited-time fragrance so you won't regret going all in for it."
"We're in for a cold winter, and I would love to be prepared for when the temperature really drops. The oversize ACNE Studio scarf in bright colorways was a viral fashion moment last year, I predict it to be just as big (no pun intended) this year, so I think this would make for the perfect gift that any fashion girl would appreciate."
Shop Anna's picks:
"I just know that Skims' best-selling boxers would really take my WFH attire to the next level."
"Instead of restocking my bathroom with plain towels, I'm putting these fun-loving checkerboard ones on my wish list."
"I'm pretty sure this shearling jacket was made for NYC winters. My co-workers have ensured me that it's as soft as a cloud and legitimately warm. No more stressing about ruining the outfit with a heavy coat—this jacket is the outfit."
"A staycation at the Edition Hotel would be ideal, but I'll settle for this diffuser that will transform my apartment with the hotel's signature intoxicating scent."
Shop Allyson's picks:
"These are perfect, and I'm convinced they'd look good on anyone."
"I already own this in gray and love it so much that I think I need the new chocolate brown one."
"Completedworks makes the coolest earrings on the planet. This is the pair I currently have my eye on."
"I've been wanting these jeans forever, so hopefully someone will make them mine."
"I'd love a hand full of these rings, but I'll take one for now."
Shop Eliza's picks:
"I've been super obsessed with vests and waistcoats lately, especially when they're paired with matching trousers like this set from Who What Wear Collection. They work for everything, from the rare trip to the IRL office to a night out, so fingers crossed I find one wrapped up under the tree this holiday season."
"Caudalie's Beauty Elixir will forever sit in the number one spot on my list of desert-island products. Sadly, my bottle is running too empty for comfort at the moment, which is why I'm hoping and praying that I receive a refill come gift-exchange time."
"There's nothing I love more than coming home after a cold day in NYC and slipping on a really cozy pair of socks, so to unwrap a cashmere set like these ones from The Elder Statesman this holiday season would be seriously satisfying."
"Okay, so it's not the most original gift request, but this Frasier Fir candle from Thymes has been a favorite of mine for more than a decade. I get one every year when they are released and will never grow tired of burning them down until nothing at all is left at the bottom. It's the best holiday candle by far."
Shop Bobby's picks:
"This Celine hat has been on my wish list for quite some time. The perfect finishing touch to any of my looks."
"I really want this bag. Period. I love the shape and the fact that you can just swing it over your shoulder."
"Night pillows are heavenly. I have one in black but would love a fresh style in another pretty color."
"I'm so into jewelry right now, and this ring I found at Saks Off Fifth is just gorgeous."
Shop Indya's picks:
"Phlemuns has been doing extreme cutouts before everyone else, and this top has sort of a cult following. It's honestly iconic to me."
"Artist lines can be cheesy, but I'm extremely into OVO's new women's collections. These look so comfy, I'm already envisioning weekends on the couch."
"I think throw blankets are a perfect gift for someone you may not know extremely well, but still want to surprise with something. Ultimately, who doesn't get cold and who doesn't love something visually stunning? This particular design from Cold Picnic is limited edition, which adds to the exclusivity."
Shop more editor-approved holiday gift ideas:
This mascara won out as one of the best 10 things we tried this year, so you can bet that it's incredible.
Next, nine "cool girl" brands that are really having a moment.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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