The Best Gifts to Buy Before They Sell Out, According to Trend Forecasters

As our sister site the Cut puts it, the phrase du jour is “put a bow on it” (there even appears to be a “bow tax” afoot, as items with bows are often priced higher than similar items without).

Charlotte Delumpa-Alexander, an accessories analyst at Fashion Snoops, suspects that all the beribboned adornments are linked to a “desire to embrace the feminine spirit in a time of increasingly limited female autonomy.”

Simone Rocha’s wares might be the girliest of the bunch, she says, with all sorts of sequined tulle skirts and ribboned earrings on offer. Sharon Graubard, founder of trend service SG Files, pointed to this pair of pearl-encrusted socks from the fashion house as an on-trend gift option. Instead of the “ubiquitous black opaque tights of seasons past,” they have bows surrounding the logo.

The bow bags from Sandy Liang ‘s collaboration with Baggu are sold out at the moment (there’s a restock happening in November for those unwilling to go the reseller route). But these Stelo stockings from the “downtown darling” — another recommendation from Graubard — are equally charming, and cheap for the brand at $48.

Or, before it’s gone for good, snag a Sandy Liang hair bow with a coquette-ish, “corsage-like rosette” that Delumpa-Alexander recommends.

Patricia Maeda, director of womenswear at Fashion Snoops, says that in intimates-slash-lingerie, the independent label to know is Cou Cou, which has been called the “Glossier of underwear.” The brand is currently selling a slip that checks every box on the “feminine frills” bingo card — made from a delicate pointelle knit, it’s patterned with English roses and has bow-bedecked straps. Maeda thinks it would be a more surprising gift to receive than the standard set of pajamas.

As explained by Delumpa-Alexander, Maison Margiela’s Tabis exude an air of “if you know, you know” — wearing a pair “signifies a depth of fashion knowledge” to those who pay attention to such things. (Cue the saga of the Tinder date turned Tabi thief.) Jessica Richards, founder of trend-forecasting firm JMR Trend + Creative, agrees, pointing out that the lack of an obvious logo gives “just a wink to where it comes from.”

And while Maison Margiela is the most famous Tabi maker, the split-toe style (which hails from Japan) is springing up more and more as brands scramble to launch their own cloven-hoof look. Anush Mirbegian, director of accessories at Fashion Snoops, has seen skyrocketing interest in the “Tabi’ed toe” — which has appeared on limited-edition Nike Air Rifts and sandals from Tabi (a company in its own right). The most convincing of the ones she mentioned, for that close-to-the-MM-original high-shine finish, might be these Mary-Janes from Italian shoemaker Drogheria Crivellini.

The mesh flat is having a moment, speaking to the au courant superfeminine aesthetic, according to Delumpa-Alexander. The “transparent construction” is a twist on a traditional silhouette — one that can be light and airy for the summer and worn with socks when it’s colder out. The biggest name in the game here is Khaite, which makes a much-coveted rhinestoned version. It might be tough to get your feet into the shoes, as they’re often sold out (or only available for preorder; right now the expected shipping is “late November”). But Delumpa-Alexander also likes these Ballas from Dear Frances as a “streamlined alternative.”

Tôteme’s twofer — a scarf and sweater jacket in one — notably landed a place on our list of unusually special gifts in 2022. (Look at those embroidered edges!) Although it was out-of-stock for a while, it has returned at last to the Swedish label’s site (and remains just as coveted). The jacket embodies the “lowkey luxury” that consumers have taken to, explains Ana Correa, a footwear and accessories strategist at WGSN. The coat has competition now: Cos showed a pinstriped version as part of its A/W collection, and & Other Stories has one with a dramatic drape around the neck. But Lindsey Smecker, CEO at ESP Trendlab, introduced us to the Cashmino, from cashmere maker Naadam, as an especially worthwhile Tôteme twin.

Ever since seeing a furred Paco Rabanne jumper in a lookbook, Melissa Moylan, vice president of womenswear at Fashion Snoops, has followed fuzz in the sweaterscape, pointing to this one from & Other Stories, a cropped cardigan from Free People, and a brushed V-neck from Madewell, to name just a few. It’s a parallel trend to the traditional teddy texture that Moylan has been tracking in outerwear. If you’re looking for a sweater to gift, Everlane’s Alpaca Crew epitomizes the coziness concept. It’s even a favorite of Strategist writer Arielle Avila, who likes to layer turtlenecks underneath it. Plus “it’s not annoyingly bulky for wearing under a puffer,” Avila promises.

The texture trend comes through in menswear too. Michael Leahy, a menswear analyst at Fashion Snoops, says that “whether it’s a knitted polo, a cardigan, or even a pullover, textured knits have been all over.” He called out the Bode Branch Yoke Sweater, which is inspired by the iconic Icelandic Lopapeysa. A wool polo from Ami is another example. Both options are “a play on that stealth wealth that will be a big part of men’s holiday styles this year,” adds Jason Kress, the senior men’s strategist at Fashion Snoops. He suggests a knit from Cos to get the effect for a lot less, because “Who doesn’t love a new sweater for the holidays?”

There’s been a shift in menswear from a grab bag of microtrends (anything that ends with -core) to what Kress calls “anti-core,” with a focus on “building a wardrobe of elevated, well-executed clothes.” But that doesn’t mean going for boring basics — Kress shouted out Nanushka’s leather-esque puffer and a slightly padded overshirt from Jacquemus as foundational pieces that feature “much-needed newness.” He also called out these cords from Saturdays — the customary workwear pants come in unexpected shades of emerald and plum.

Leahy added that “quality garments that rely on their construction, materials, and details, in a minimalist package” are on the upswing. He namechecked J.Crew’s comeback under the creative direction of Brendon Babenzien for staples like this Sherpa shacket and a denim chore coat.

iLiberty gets credit for jumpstarting the big business of beauty advent calendars back in 2014. There’s always a passionate audience for the company’s annual release — and Mallory Huron, senior strategist of beauty and wellness at Fashion Snoops, expects this year’s version to be no exception. It has a “balanced selection of products from the beauty department,” she says, from Augustine Bader’s “rich-person skin” cream to a drag-queen-approved oil from Sunday Riley (brands like Dr. Barbara Sturm and Paula’s Choice make appearances as well). Its packaging, which resembles the centuries-old department store on Carnaby Street, is part of the charm — it’s like going on a “shopping trip” whenever you open the box. Other impressive options include Rituals’ sculptural Christmas tree calendar, complete with string lights, and Dior’s $750 stunner, which is modeled after the house’s Parisian headquarters on 30 Avenue Montaigne.

Sephora’s advent calendars are “always reliable, offering a full range of beauty products at an affordable price,” according to Emma Chiu, global director of the trend-forecasting company Wunderman Thompson Intelligence. They sell out every year, Huron adds. In 2022, Sephora introduced an “after advent” calendar, marking the first time Huron saw an advent calendar designed to be unboxed during the days between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. It’s back for 2023 and sure to be sought-after, she says, with seven boxes containing full-size beauty “surprises” from pomegranate eye masks to cherry-red nail polish. If you act quick, you can get the calendar on sale as part of the Sephora Savings Event that runs through November 6.

[Editor’s note: This advent calendar is currently out of stock, but you can sign up for restock notifications on the product page.]

The skin-care device-scape is ever-evolving, but the “glow-boosting” Age-R Booster-H, from K-beauty brand Medicube, is among the most-wanted items, thanks to its presence in Hailey Bieber’s prep routine. “You can’t scroll through your For You Page without seeing it pop up,” Huron says. The tool uses “painless electrical pulses” to help whatever products you’re slathering on absorb into your skin and promises to minimize pores, reduce redness, and help you achieve an impossibly dewy-looking face.

Huron guesses the DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro — an LED mask beloved by beauty writer Kirbie Johnson and dermatologist Dendy Engelman — will continue to sell as well as in years past. Light-therapy treatments are popular for at-home use, and the SpectraLite mask from Dr. Dennis Gross “was one of the first options and remains one of the best,” Huron explains. Plus, while it’s certainly not cheap, it’s less expensive than its contemporaries on the market. “Consider it an excuse to carve out three minutes every day for self-care,” she suggests.

These pods are a little low-tech compared to the devices above — perhaps refreshingly so. The “cryo-toning treatments” are similar to those familiar ice-globe wands in that they are designed to reduce inflammation and increase circulation: First you freeze them, then you use a cotton pad to massage the icy disc of cooling toner into your skin. Backed by aesthetician Sofie Pavitt, whose facials are famous with the beauty-obsessed set, the pods are part of her eponymous skin-care line that launched back in March. Richards (who counts Pavitt as a friend) considers them a “little indulgence,” pointing out that they’re suitable for sensitive skin types along with those who are pimple-prone.

Moonjian also suggested gifting a bath mat from design house Dorai. It’s another unusual but functional piece for the marathon showerers out there. Utibe Mbagwu, social-media strategist and content producer at Instagram, is the proud owner of one, and Strategist writer Erin Schwartz is a convert to these sorts of quick-drying stone slabs, which are made from mildew-preventing, moisture-wicking diatomaceous earth.

This is “the year of glassware,” with styles made in unusual shapes, interesting textures, and every color under the rainbow, according to Moonjian. She namechecked designs from Sophie Lou Jacobson that feature waves and ripples, as well as scalloped flutes from Anthropologie, as great gift ideas. But if you’re looking for something more unexpected, look to Venus et Fleur (which made its mark in the floral industry with boxed bouquets and “forever flowers”). Now, the brand has debuted Champagne glasses — part of its Perennial Collection — that have a blooming flower as a base.