Who What Wear co-founder Hilary Kerr shares holiday gift recommendations

We are officially in the middle of the holiday season and all the planning and preparations are in full swing. The most important things about your upcoming festive soiree are the look, the menu, the cocktails, the party soundtrack, and most importantly, the gifts. For over a decade, my go-to shopping inspiration for the chicest and most coveted items, from fashion to home decor, has been the one and only Hilary Kerr. is.

This is not surprising, as Mr. Kerr is one of the most popular players in the industry, having been involved in launching a number of impressive ventures and winning countless accolades. This includes co-founding Who What Wear, creating and hosting the wildly popular Second Life podcast, documenting all of our shopping recommendations and advice in our popular newsletter HiEveryone, and many more including Who What Wear. This includes serving as an SVP overseeing major publications. Marie Claire etc. As I said earlier, her opinion is valuable.

For these reasons and many more, I was overjoyed to hear Mr. Kerr’s firsthand thoughts on this year’s holiday gifts. Whether it’s her keen eye for standout gifts that fashion insiders around the world fall in love with, or her thoughtful approach to gift-giving (I’ll definitely be adopting her templating tricks) ), you don’t want to miss this guide. Keep scrolling to check out all of Kerr’s incredibly chic pieces and helpful gifting strategies.

1. Personalized gifts
“There are so many great personalized options out there, but I’m a big fan of Paravel’s personalized suitcases and packing cubes. This brand makes some of the chicest suitcases made from sustainable resources. (the bag is carbon neutral) and also has an airline compatibility guide so you can check if your carry-on size will fit on the airlines you frequently travel with.

“Even better, there are four ways to personalize your piece, and the results are really lovely. The Aviator Carry-On Plus in Sandstone Black or Safari Green are two chic choices ( (I own the former!) Or, if that’s what you’re into too, you can customize a great set of packing cubes if you’re really particular about it.

2. Future Heirloom Gifts
“When thinking about future heirloom gifts, it’s best to look for timeless pieces with universal appeal. For me, that’s the Tiffany T1 Wide Diamond Hinged Bangle. Elegant, universally appealing, and a great choice for anyone It would look amazing in any type of personal style I can imagine.”

3. A gift that won’t be returned
“My most appreciated gift is a whipped long sleeve shirt from Negative. The shirt is so soft you won’t want to take it off. It’s amazing for sleeping, but it’s also versatile. You can wear it as a super thin layer under your favorite sweater or short-sleeved dress. It can be worn like a body suit. But it’s not sheer enough, so you can wear it tucked into a leather skirt or high-waisted pants, making it perfect for cocktails with friends, and truly day-to-night comfortable in every way. , sophisticated, sexy and comfortable.”

4. An unexpected gift
“I always check out Cuyana to buy presents, and this year the brand has created delicious little bags that are perfect for small gifts. There’s a very tasty pear pouch and a very sweet cherry pouch. Plus, Cuyana is a brand founded by a very thoughtful woman, and the products are of very high quality, so whatever you buy, you’re going to be happy with it.”

5. Gifts you’ll be happy to receive
“This isn’t talking about me, but I’ve been thinking about the Tiffany Hardware Graduated Link Necklace for a few years now. This is a great sign. It’s so elegant and strong that I love it. I’m totally obsessed with it. This is my piece.” A really great piece that I’ll wear for decades, love styling with everything in my wardrobe, and eventually share with my daughter. And it will elevate whatever you wear. ”

6. Practical gifts
“If you have a baker in your life, I highly recommend gifting them the amazing All-Clad Odd Size Measuring Cups and Spoons. They are incredibly well made and all substandard. Because of its size, it serves a very useful purpose.”Otherwise, you will typically need to use multiple cups or spoons, such as three-quarters of a cup or one and a half tablespoons. Is that a little strange? Yes. ”

7. Stylish kids gifts
“My daughter is very interested in dresses, and if you’re shopping for someone like her, the luxury options at La Coqueta are tremendous. We love the brand’s velvet Mary Jane slippers. You can’t go wrong with Petite Plume’s personalized pajamas! We love the green striped set, which has the child’s name embroidered on the pocket, and is always a big hit. is. ”

8. A luxurious gift with value
“Throughout my life and career, I have been fortunate to wear a lot of incredibly outstanding fine jewelry, and Tiffany rock bangles are at the top of that list. Despite its claims, this bracelet is certainly a great gift.

9. Great gift of reading
“I love a good coffee table book as much as I love fashion, but my go-to book gift is to buy a vintage cult classic instead. AbeBooks has amazing collections from around the world. They have a great selection and you can get really expensive stuff – I love buying quality vintage books at affordable prices, and I love buying books like Scruples by my fashion friend Judith Krantz, Rona Jaffe’s 『The Best of Everything” or Jacqueline Susann’s “Valley of the Dolls.” I would love to have the Hollywood original version of Eve Babitz’s “You Are Rich and Love Me.” It can be applied to almost any category or person under the sun. Find an author they admire and choose a deep one among them. Keep trying and you’ll be golden! ”

10. Snacks and Spirits Gifts
“I’m obsessed with all things gear, especially this brand of Le Fizz that never fails to satisfy even the most discerning of friends. The bottle is just so chic. It’s delicious, non-alcoholic, and contains no added sugar or artificial flavors. And the brand’s founder, Melanie Masalin, is your favorite cool girl’s favorite cool girl, so #IYKYK!

1. Carefully template your gift.
“Overall, my best gift strategy is to find great custom gifts for some people in my life and do it for everyone. For example, all of my best friends are celebrity makeup artists. I’m having a session with Joey Malouf of The Great. And this templating scheme can also be used for non-holiday gifts. This year I’m giving away squishmallows for birthdays, but next year that may or may not be the case. Maybe not. What I’m saying is, I think it’s great to have classic gifts for different people, especially if it’s something like that. It’s impactful, hassle-free, and great. What do you not like about it?”

2. Upgrade your everyday essentials.
“As a Virgo, I’m very gift-loving and take pride in giving great presents. My favorite trick is to upgrade someone’s everyday essentials and add staples they already love. A more luxurious version is to feature important items that they love. — giving an elevated version of, say, a well-worn white T-shirt or a low-quality cashmere crewneck sweater (for the record, I love Leset’s T-shirts) I love it). I’m not mad about it.

“The best part about this strategy is that you can upgrade and curate options for any part of the recipient’s home or life. For example, one year I bought everything in my parents’ bathroom, I upgraded with products I know and love, including shampoo and conditioner from Roz, body wash from Necessaire, lotion from Kiehl’s, skin care from Dr. Idriss, towels from Matouk, and sunscreen from Supergoop.

3. Spoil them with small splurges.
“Giving someone an over-the-top version of a really practical product is one of my gifting tips.One year I gave some friends a very fancy lip balm from Hermès. , the response was overwhelming. It’s like, “It’s something that I might not have bought myself, but would be really fun to give as a gift.” ”

4. Create a list of ideas for the year.
“My real secret to giving the best gift ever? I have notes on my phone for all my favorite people, and every time they mention something, whether it’s something they like or an issue they’re facing. No matter what, I add it to my notes so when shopping for their birthday, anniversary, or holiday, I always have a list of ideas so I don’t have to panic at the last moment. You no longer have to go shopping.”

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