None of us want Christmas to creep into November but practicality has to step in and we realise that we have to at least think about gifts otherwise we turn into that cliché of someone who has to do it in one hour the Saturday before (which is literally the nightmare before Christmas). Buying presents is, on paper, a lovely thing but often becomes stressful, what with (for most of us) monetary limits and availability issues.
Our advice is to plan ahead and not shy away from the classics but instead get an elevated version. We all need scarves, hats, bags and other wardrobe staples (yes, even pyjamas and socks) so to be gifted to something really special in that field can be a treat that will actually be used. Here are a few accessories that we would be happy to find at the bottom of the tree later this year.
Missoni scarf
Scarves are a way to add a bit of colour or pattern to a classic outfit (it’s a cliché but it’s true). Missoni, who have basically owned zig zags for half a century, are the go-to for something that is chic yet has some life too and this scarf, in shades of blue and green, is a great example.
Bally card holder
With the advent of Apple Pay, it would seem maybe that wallets and cardholders have had their day but actually, a small one like this from Bally is useful on those evenings when you would rather not take your phone or if you need to take anything like your driving licence or ID with you. Nick-named by some as a ‘disco wallet’, it’s something slimline that can be slipped into a pocket for a bit of old-school style on a night out.
J. Lindeberg gloves
If you live, as we do, in a cycling city, you can never have too many gloves – there should be a pair in every coat pocket you own. Personally, we love gloves with seams on the inside as they are much more elegant and wearable than big chunky ones. These are soft but durable and the colour will darken nicely with use. Buy them a size smaller than you need as they will loosen up after the first couple of wears.
Gucci sunglasses
Just because Christmas lies in the middle of winter doesn’t mean that all your gifts have to be cold weather-related. A pair of sunglasses like these classics from Gucci are always useful and if you really want to wear them straight away, then book a ski holiday and wear them for lunch on a sunny mountain.
Ron Dorff cap
Whether it is to protect your head from the cold or to pull down over your eyes for anonymity, a baseball cap is the stylish go-to for winter but it’s sometimes hard to find one without a logo. This minimalist version from Ron Dorff has an urban yet sporty vibe that suits all ages.
Sunnei tote bag
Like with gloves and scarves, you can’t have too many bags. This one from Sunnei in bold stripes will make you wish for summer when it can be used for the beach but until that happens, it’s totally reversible so can be used plain-side-out for work and shopping until your vacation.
in partnership with zalando.dk
