Left to right: Georgia Medley wears 16Arlington; Eniola Dare wears Jacquemus; Chloe Street wears Magda Butrym top from Selfridges; Molly Haylor wears With Nothing Underneath; Tona Stell wears The Vampire’s Wife
(Picture: Daniel Hambury/Stella Pictures Ltd)Trawling through new season products in the hope of finding that one piece to spark joy can feel like a job – and for some, it really is.
Whether it is styling shoots, or curating the best shopping pages for the UK’s top glossy magazines and newspapers, it is a fashion editor’s occupation to know what’s in, what’s out, and what’s in stock now. Who then could possibly be better placed to advise on the hottest gifts to give the fashion lover in your life?
In a bid to help all those last minute merchants stocking up on stocking fillers, we gathered the cream of London’s fashion press around a tree to hear what it is they’re hoping to find under the tree this year.
Tona Stell
Style Director, The Telegraph
The Vampire’s Wife, The mini fortune teller dress
I love this label by Susie Cave, and use them a lot in my work but most of their styles are midi’s which don’t work on me. When I saw this Fortune Teller dress with long sleeves in a mini, it was my perfect dress. It’s as festive I would probably go – I don’t like sequins.
£1,150, thevampireswife.com
Adidas, City Series Triest trainers
These have been my go-to trainers pre-the Gucci collaboration with the style. I love all the city series ones and have them in about four colours. They are so comfortable, so I live in them.
£85, selfridges.com
Soho Home, Eloise linen short pyjamas
I’m one of those people who has to have a matching pyjama set – I have some other linen ones that I Iove and are so comfortable. They are a great one to get for Christmas because you never want to buy them yourself, and these short ones in an oatmeal shade are swoon worthy.
£185, sohohome.com
Arket, Cable-knit fitted hood
I’ve been looking for one of these for ages, and prefer a hood style to a balaclava. I think they are a lot more wearable, because it is seriously not easy to nail the balaclava. This one is lovely in a cream shade.
£55, arket.com
COS, Oversized cashmere jumper
COS is the best for basics. I wear a lot of monochrome stuff, but do like to add the odd splash of colour here and there. Green is great for said pop, and goes with all skin tones. This comes with the added bonus of being 100 per cent cashmere.
£190, cos.com
Loewe, Amazona 19 bag
I love a less feminine style handbag, and am really drawn to a boxy style. The Puzzle Bags are a classic and come in some vibrant shades for anyone wanting a pop. But what I really love is their Amazona 19 square bag in black. It has great top handles, and gives lunchbox energy.
£2000, selfridges.com
Shushu Tong, Platform heels
These are a very cute pair. Shoewise, I love a Mary Jane and anything that is chunky. I don’t wear stilettoes or pointy shoes, so styles like this are what I lean into. Very Wednesday Addams vibe.
£541, ssense.com
Alighieri, The Wasteland Choker
I love silver jewellery, and certainly prefer it to gold. And this is such a great go-to label to look for a rough but glamourous feel. I think [designer] Rosh Mahtani has done an amazing job putting the label map – her handcraftsmanship is incredible.
£850, alighieri.com
Georgia Medley
Fashion Editor, Elle UK
16Arlington, The SS23 collection
I love this brand, and I love [Creative Director] Marco Capaldo, everything he has done in celebration of [his late partner] Kikka has been really gorgeous. He mixes fashion forward and party girl, and is someone who pushes boundaries. He commercializes looks really well too, and makes them wearable. Everything from SS23 is on the list.
From £295, 16arlington.co.uk
Loewe, Balloon pumps
I love the brown monochrome version, they super chic, and I also love [Creative Director] Johnathan Anderson and everything he is doing at Loewe. He has the right balance of experimenting with design and keeping it chic and classy.
£825, harrods.com
Michael Kors, Sleeveless cashmere catsuit
I dressed Maya Jama for a GQ lunch last week and I put her in the Michael Kors catsuit with a matching the coat. I love the catsuits – they are easy, super chic, and it’s always a good idea to be monotone.
£686, neimanmarcus.com
Gucci, Herbarium scented candle
I love candles. Before I moved into my flat I was never bothered, now I’m in my own space it makes me feel at peace. I like collecting the designer candles because I’m interested in all their scents – you can get more of a sense of a brand when they put out a smell.
£315, farfetch.com
Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum
I know this is quite common, but it lasts forever and I am completely obsessed with the scent. You smell expensive when you wear it. The funny thing with it is I can’t smell it when it’s on, but everyone else can smell it on me.
£120, johnlewis.com
Zara, Cascading rhinestone earrings
They do great statement jewellery, especially at this time of year when you want to jazz up your outfit. You might not want to spend loads of money on diamonds, but they have great pieces you can then keep in your wardrobe and pull out for any celebrations.
£17.99, zara.com
Molly Haylor
Style Director, Grazia
L’Agence, Marty Velvet Jean
For my height and my shape everyone asks me what my go-to brand is for jeans, and it’s this American brand called L’Agence. They are the type of the brand once you know your size in them, you are that size no matter the shape or style. I love a flared velvet jean at Christmas – festive but still on brand for me.
£238, lagence.com
Neous, Petra heels
They do a great heel which isn’t uncomfortable. I like wearing heels even though I’m 6ft, and the taller you get the harder it is to walk in them. They’ve nailed a black, simple shoe here. A real classic.
£435, neous.co.uk
With Nothing Underneath, The Boyfriend silk shirt
A shirt is always a really great investment, and WNU has nailed that They are just shirts, so when you go in there you know what you’re getting. They are sustainable, and Pip the creator has really worked on the materials. I get really self-conscious sometimes about shirts clinging to me, which silk can sometimes do but it’s just so luxury and the colour is gemlike.
£220, withnothingunderneath.com
Completedworks, Chasing Shadows earrings
They have such a good price point for what they are offering. You can wear the same jewellery every single day if you find the perfect pair, there is no shame in that so they’re a smart investment piece. Completedworks do great spins of classics, diamonds but in interesting shapes. And they do a great combination of pearls and diamonds.
£235, completedworks.com
Aspinal of London, Backgammon set
I learnt to play with my boyfriend during Covid, and now I love to play when I’m not working. This is a beautiful, Aspinal coffee table case style. It will always be out, and people can just play. You can do a bit of a drinking game with it. Because you’re always doing things with your hands, it also keeps you focussed. I’m always the first one to reply to an email when we are playing cards.
£487.50, aspinaloflondon.com
Uniqlo, Marni collaboration heattech turtleneck
I really love Uniqlo. They do denim really well, and their collaborations are really smart. Their most recent with Marni was so colourful, and centred around what Marni is so about but brought it back to Uniqlo’s heattech technology. There’s one amazing, high neck thermal with orange swirls. Because I usually wear black I’d put it under a jumper and it’s that hit of colour I sometimes need.
£19.90, uniqlo.com
Anna + Nina, Tumbler glasses
These are at an extremely good price point. They are so beautiful. And I don’t like drinking champagne out of a coupe, I prefer a tumbler, and because these are colourful it adds a hit of colour to the tablescape.
£10 each, selfridges.com
Eniola Dare
Associate Fashion Editor, British Vogue
16Arlington, Kikka bag
I’ve had this on the wishlist for a while. I love what Marco is doing there at the moment and this is the modern girl bag. I’m not very girly, so I like it has a bit of an edge to it. I double leather flaps are great, but the diamante element makes it sparkle. It’s quite hard, which I love.
£299, farfetch.com
Saint Laurent, Cat-eye sunglasses
I am quite classic when it comes to my style, and I love that these are just simple black shades. The silhouette is just well done, too. It’s very Ray Ban vibe – but chicer!
£275, selfridges.com
The Frankie Shop, Maesa Cross Vest
I like this because of the subtle twist with the buttons and asymmetric front. It’s not just your average waistcoat. I really recommended Frankie Shop as well, it’s a young brand that is taking over – their socials are great too. Their black blazer is my day-to-day staple.
£195, thefrankieshop.com
Sacai, Leather trimmed wool cardigan
I love this so much. I’m about to pull it for a shoot right now. It’s winter, it’s cold, and again my style is quite classic so I thought it would be nice to pair with jeans, even in Spring with a dress. I love it’s simple but with a twist.
£1080, mytheresa.com
Jacquemus, Black knitted dress
Jacquemus’ fit is really beautiful for different types of bodies, which is great The shapes he does are nice, and when you see them you always know they’re his clothes. That’s when you know someone is quite talented. This one is your usual knitted dress, but I love the cut outs on the shoulders.
£500, flannels.com
Louis Vuitton, Patti Wedge half boots
If I had to die, this is what I would die for. They are wedge boots, but it’s a reinvention of a wedge boot. Vuitton has so much heritage behind it which is amazing, and I think these will be timeless.
£1,520, louisvuitton.com
MAC, Ruby Woo lipstick
This is always the go to. I love that everybody can wear Ruby Woo, but it looks different on every person. I don’t know how to do my makeup, so when I’ve put lipstick on it looks like I’ve made an effort. Winner!
£17.50, selfridges.com
Chloe Street
Fashion Editor, Evening Standard
Magda Butrym, Flower-embellished top
After seeing corsages and floral embellishment all over the SS23 runways, I’m desperate to add some flower power to my wardrobe, and this gorgeous top from Polish label Magda Butrym, stocked at Selfridges, is the perfect non-prissy way to do it. I’ll wear with black vinyl leather trousers and black boots for a fresh approach to festive dressing. H&M also stocks a similarly excellent one-shouldered floral appliqué beauty in red for a more wallet-friendly £19.99.
£620, selfridges.com
Acne Studios, Shearling jacket
An oversized shearling jacket is top of my Wishlist this Christmas — and this Acne one is the best of the bunch. They look great over funnel neck knits (see the Cos one I want below) and jeans, or with kilts poking out as they were styled at the Miu Miu show.
£2300, acnestudios.com
Abercrombie, Flannel shirt
Ever since Kate Moss hit the runway in the Bottega Veneta spring/summer 2023 show wearing a plaid shirt (that was actually made from leather) and jeans, I’ve found myself lusting after a lumberjack shirt like the ones I used to live in in the mid-2000s. This one from Abercrombie will look great over a white tank and mid blue denim — and I’ll probably add some diamante jewellery to give it polish.
£33.15, abercrombie.com
Prada, Slingback pumps
I’ve had my eye on a pair of Prada slingbacks for a while now, and this new season style with silver toe cap is super sleek. At £900 they’re a pretty hefty investment but I think they will really sharpen a multitude of outfits in my wardrobe — from jeans and a blazer to an LBD and sheer black tights.
£900, farfetch.com
Déhanche, Black leather belt
Second to washing your hair, a smart belt is an easy way to give a simple jeans, shirt and boots look (my uniform) polish. This lovely black leather number from new belt label Déhanche (launching on Browns and Farfetch soon) will instantly make me feel more put together, and will also go with my ever-expanding silvery jewellery collection.
£183.98, dehanche.com
Reselfridges, handbag
On Selfridges’ ground floor, amongst plenty of shiny new products, there’s a corner dedicated to second-hand treasures. The pre-loved collection is a must-visit for anyone wanting timeless items (think: Chanel 2.55’s and Fendi baguettes) that are less harmful to the planet. I found a sequinned, Lady Dior top handle bag and can’t imagine a more fitting style for Christmas Day.
From £230, selfridges.com
Perfect Moment, Ski suit
I’m off skiing over Christmas and there is nothing I’d like to hit the slopes wearing more than a Perfect Moment onesie. They are fun, flattering and surprisingly warm, and look great layered under coordinating puffer jackets on colder days. An investment certainly, but the plain-coloured retro-inflected designs are timeless and so well constructed they will last decades.
£790, perfectmoment.com
Dora Larsen, Underwear set
For a long time I thought having bigger boobs meant I was restricted to black or nude bras with thicker straps, or spending an eye watering fortune in Rigby & Peller. Then I discovered London label Dora Larsen, which makes candy cute lingerie in an impressive array of sizes. The fit is amazing and the colour palettes are as mood boosting as the reasonable prices.
£65 for the bra, doralarsen.com
