The Who What Wear Holiday Shopping List—48 Buys Our Editors Are Ordering This Season

With the holidays upon us, we’re in gift-shopping mode. Fresh trends from the runways are already setting the tone for what the fashion set will be wearing in the months ahead—including the rise of boho, a focus on outfit-making accessories, and the continued influence of sophisticated elegance, which has heavily impacted style in the first half of the year. We also had an early look at the just-dropped trends and fall arrivals on the street style scene as fashion month kicked off.

Since I was interested in getting a preview of the exact pieces Who What Wear fashion editors will be gifting this season, I asked our team to share the items they are planning to wrap up for their family members and friends and even themselves. Their picks include everything from suede and leopard pieces to elevated staples, investment-worthy bags, and outerwear. The overall theme, however, is a focus on smart, versatile buys that have longevity over fleeting trends. Ahead is the Who What Wear holiday shopping list, including the top finds from our editors.

Great gift-giving often comes down to good listening, so I have a running list in my Notes app when my family members and friends mention something that could align with a fun gift idea. I also like to wrap up unexpected finds and some of my favorite shopping finds that I know the recipient might not purchase for themselves. For the host? Topstitched leather coasters from Ralph Lauren or Spanish potato chips that come in a metal tin to give alongside caviar. For the car enthusiast? An Acqua di Parma car diffuser. For the fashion person? The latest issue of French magazine L’Étiquette, a card holder from Cartier, or a gorgeous pair of slingbacks from Chanel.

“I put a lot of thought into the holiday gifts that I give, as I want to give things they’ll actually use and that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves. It’s easier said than done. I also think about what I would want to receive when shopping for a gift for someone else, as I’m pretty picky. This holiday season, I plan to shop for chic accessories, home décor, jewelry, food and beverages, and beautiful candles. I’m not opposed to stereotypical holiday gifts because they’re popular for a reason, but I try to find special versions of them so there’s still an element of surprise. Personalized gifts are always appreciated too. Jennifer Behr, the holy-grail hair-bow brand, is making monogrammed bows now, and I want to give them to all of my friends. As for my own wish list, I’d love to receive the chocolate-brown Prada bag that I think about daily but will mostly be asking for things I actually need, such as a Parachute robe and burgundy Lululemon leggings.”

“Every fashion editor I know takes gift-giving very seriously, and I’m no exception. Regardless of price, my goal is always to give something the recipient will genuinely enjoy—something that becomes part of their daily life and might even be worth a repurchase. As a fragrance collector, I often choose a signature scent for friends, but for an extra-special touch, I also love gifting sculptural jewelry or home décor. Recently, I discovered The Laundress’s Beauty Sleep collection, an aromatherapeutic addition that has elevated my nighttime routine. When it comes to fashion, a cashmere sweater or a luxe handbag is always a safe bet, and I gravitate toward those classic pieces that promise style, longevity, and joy for the recipient.”

“My approach to holiday gifting is really centered on understanding what each receiver will want and actually use and then finding something that fits that description at a good price. I’ve gone overboard in the past with gifting, and honestly, it causes too much stress, something that’s already in abundance during the holiday season. I like to buy gifts that people I know already love but hate to buy themselves, like a skincare product or cashmere items. I always gift cashmere, be it a cape, sweater, or pair of socks. Really, anything that brings comfort to someone makes for a perfect gift, in my opinion.