Holiday Shopping From A To Z — Racing Through U, V, and W
We’re ready to crack open the coquito, spike the eggnog, saunter underneath the mistletoe with the yummiest man in the room, and get a little nice while being a bit naughty but, before doing so, we have to check off all the items on our list — and, of course, that includes bringing you the final two installments of our A To Z Holiday Gift Guide.
In today’s alphabet soup, you’ll find the letters U, V, and W. As you know by now, we’ve designated themes for each letter of the alphabet so, in this case, U stands for Urban, V for Velvety, and W for Western. Find out what gift ideas we unearthed for each of thee categories below!
U IS FOR URBAN
Nissa Triple Star Earrings, $28. Available at NissaJewelry.com
These triple star earrings resemble those embroidered onto the shoulder boards of Navy jackets, making them worthy of a salute.
LeSportsac Joyrich Candy Camo Heart Pouch, $68. Available at Shopbop.com
Nothing quite says city chic like a fun camouflage print, as seen in this heart-shaped, cross-body purse from the LeSportsac x Joyrich collection. Sure, the bright colors in this pattern— tangerine orange, deep magenta, vivid turquoise, cobalt blue, black, and white — won’t serve the official purpose of camo prints (helping you blend in with the environment) but, then, who wants to be just another face in the crowd? The purse’s dainty size (it measures 6.5″ in height and 7″ in length), heart shape, and chic interwoven sateen-and-gold strap give us more reasons to love it.
Bicycle Glasses, $75 for Set of 8. Available at UncommonGoods.com
Rather than celebrating gas-guzzling SUVs and pollution-aggravating vehicles, toast the wonders of bicycling with these quaint glasses, which measure 3.25″ in height and 3.25″ diameter, holding an estimated 10.5 oz. of liquid.
Laruicci Tigerlily Necklace, $110. Available at Laruicci.com
This Tigerlily is anything but a wallflower. Featuring a round, faceted hot pink glass stone set in a gunmetal pendant with oversize prong-style claws and a hefty gunmetal-plated, 8k gold box chain, this necklace is way more fascinating than Iron Man’s repulsor blast (and considerably safer!).
Kate Spade New York Keyboard 13″ Laptop Sleeve, $60. Available at LordandTaylor.com
This neoprene laptop sleeve, designed to ensconce a 13″ laptop, features a whimsical keyboard design, with the space bar an the letters E, T, P, A, S ,D, K whitened out. What do they spell? Why “Kate Spade,” of course!
Sauce Kanye West Tweet Tee, $68. Available at FarFetch.com
When Kanye West first joined Twitter in 2010, he quickly became one of the social networking site’s funniest users, with his timeline populated by messages like: “Dating models I had to learn to like small dogs and cigarettes” and “I’m bout to hop on this #BABYMAMAJET the jets Billionaires give to they baby mamas or they 1st, 2nd or 3rd wife.” Paying homage to the rapper’s spontaneous thoughts, this modal shirt features a bobble-head style image of Yeezy with a thought bubble above his head and the word “Tweet” inside it. How sweet the tweet is!
Linea Pelle Wide Multi Stranded Leather Cuff, $60. Available at LineaPelle.com
As one of the trendiest leather goods manufacturers in the biz, Linea Pelle has been at the forefront of the leather cuff bracelet fad. One of its latest offerings takes a more structured approach to the sliced leather bracelet — rather than loose strands wrapping around the wrist, this cuff features perfectly symmetrical cut-outs, a slimmer fit, and a taller height, while chunky metal chains add a hint of rock ‘n’ roll chaos.
Jeffrey Campbell Tanya Wedge Sandals, $114.95. Available at Solestruck.com
What urban style maven doesn’t rely on Jeffrey Campbell to keep her feet looking ultra fly? These new wedge sandals are as fun to wear as they are to gaze upon, with black-and-white woven raffia uppers and neon-colored 5″ wedge heels and a 2″ platform.
Maison Scotch Gloves, $98. Available at RevolveClothing.com
These driving gloves just scream, “I’m a boss!” Show off your trendsetting technique with these black genuine leather driving gloves, which feature a buckled closure and an arched cut-out decorated with black metal studs resembling gothic flowers.
Pamela Love Spectrum Triangle Spike Earrings, $250. Available at Barneys.com
Part of Gaga’s Workshop at Barneys NY, these triangle-shaped bronze earrings feature an iridescent, rainbow-like finish and spiked accents along the two triangle cut-out shapes at the top of the larger triangle frame.
Tarte Cosmetics Puttin’ On The Glitz Limited-Edition Color Collection & Clutch, $48. Available at TarteCosmetics.com
Every holiday season, Tarte ups the ante with its affordable, versatile, and ingenious gift sets. Among this year’s highlights is the multi-faceted On the Glitz set, which has a silver-toned, snake print, faux leather clutch as its center piece. The metallic closure has a gold tone zipper that extends all the way from one side to the next, with purple nylon lining along the inside, and a gold metal chain shoulder strap. Once open, you’ll find three credit card slots, a built-in mirror, a cash sleeve, an elastic loop for lip gloss (or a pen), and two metal snaps onto which you can attach one of the three interchangeable palettes included in the set. See how genius the concept is? For a brunch date, you can snap the Nine-to-Five palette into place, slide your credit cards and Iid into the slots, and tuck some cash into the designated sleeve, then before heading out in the evening, you can remove the Nine-to-Five palette and attach the Girls Night Out palette in its place.
Each of the three palettes features six eyeshadow shades and an Amazonian Clay blush, powder or bronzer. The Nine-To-Five palette features bronze, coppery gold, sandy nude, mauve-ish pink, light taupe, and eggplant purple tones, along with a pink Amazonian Clay blush (click here for swatches of the eye shadow hues). The Walk in the Park palette features all the colors you’d associate with an enchanted forest — from a deep emerald green with an enigmatic shimmer to a matte, muddy brown, a bronze-touched chocolate brown, a dusky fawn color, a light yellow gold, and a chalky ecru — along with an Amazonian Clay bronzer (check out swatches here). Lastly, the Girls’ Night Out palette includes an Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder in a champagne gold hue, along with dramatic eye shadow hues worthy of Anjelica Houston in the 1970s — a deep, sooty black; a metallic lilac, a rich Merlot-tinged purple; a blackened green with tons of light green and silver glitter; a gunmetal shade saturated with opalescent glitter; and an illuminating, pearly pink hue (for swatches of the eye shadow colors, click here).
Jil Sander Hooded Knit Dress, $419. Available at MyTheresa.com
From Salt-n-Pepa to Grace Jones, Amber Rose, and Rihanna, many of the trailblazers in urban fashion have worked a hooded jacket, coat, or dress with grace and attitude. Sophisticated, ultra confident, and slick, this snug wool-and-rayon Jil Sander dress features a V-shaped neckline, a drawstring hood lined in royal blue, and a silver-toned toggle closure.
Kipling Adara Print Tote, $98. Available at Kipling-USA.com
Like the harried brush strokes of a Pollock painting, Kipling’s Adara print (shown here on a roomy nylon tote measuring 19″ in width, 13″ in height, and 7″ in depth) captures a dynamic explosion of color that feels visceral and intense.
Kimberly Baker Lysa Ring, $215. Available at KimberlyBaker.com
Designer Kimberly Baker creates a sense of drama via asymmetry and size differences with this open-ended, adjustable ring, which features two three-dimensional triangle shapes with cobalt blue interiors on each end. The larger of the two triangles spans one inch in length, grazing the knuckle, while the smaller triangle is barely taller than the band itself, making the juxtaposition between the two shapes all the more impactful.
All Saints Pilgrim Parka, $295. Available at AllSaints.com
This military-inspired, 100% cotton parka has the type of distressed, grunge look that’s been resuscitated this season. Design details include large cargo pockets, drawstring closures, a double layer funnel collar with lace-like drawstrings, ruched sleeves, chipped metal snaps, and a spray-dye finish.
V IS FOR VELVETY
House of Harlow 1960 Neena Bootie in Black Velvet, $295. Available at Piperlime.com and RevolveClothing.com
Standing 5 1/4″ tall, this ankle bootie has the extraordinary poise and composure of a disciplined and highly decorated soldier, with two rows of golden buttons on either side that mimic those on a US Navy full dress uniform. The golden buttons follow the curves of the undulating leather piping along the side of the shaft, adding a bit of femininity to the military motif, while the velvet uppers create a sense of luxury.
Korres Pomegranate Balancing Cream-Gel Moisturizer, $32. Available at KorresUSA.com
This all-natural moisturizer has such a light consistency that it almost feels like a gel, and yet it hydrates skin as efficiently as any cream moisturizer. The main ingredient in the formula is pomegranate extract, an antioxidant rich substance that tones skin, controls oil production, tightens pores, and prevents visible aging signs from surfacing. Pro-vitamin B5 and Carob tree polysaccharides, meanwhile, help the skin retain its optimum moisture balance so that even those with oily skin can feel comfortable applying it to their complexions.
Winter Kate Jade Silk-Blend Velvet Jacket, $186. Available at TheOutnet.com
Nicole Richie incorporated plenty of velvet into her Winter Kate Winter 2011 pieces — among them this cropped, open-front, silk-blend jacket, which features bell sleeves and rippling seams.
Reiss Farrah 1971 High-Waisted Slim Leg Jean, $230. Available at ReissOnline.com
This high-waisted jean follows the yellow brick road with its velvety gold color and sheen-rich waistband.
Carol’s Daughter Vanilla Truffle Body Duo, $25. Available at CarolsDaughter.com
Make your skin velvety soft with Carol’s Daughter Vanilla Truffle Body Duo, which includes an 8 oz. bottle of the Vanilla Truffle Body Cleansing Cream and an 8 fl. oz. bottle of the Vanilla Truffle Body Creme. Both products feature a lovely scent reminiscent of vanilla custard inside puff pastries. We’re particularly smitten with the body lotion, a lightweight cream that features hydrating and softening shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, and rice bran oil.
Topshop Navy Velvet Heart Back Dress, $110. Available at US.Topshop.com
This flirtatious frock features a sweetheart neckline, a heart-shaped cut-out along the back, a cinched waist, and a pleated accordion skirt.
Loeffler Randall Natane Lace-Up Stiletto, $595. Available at Endless.com
Conquer the night with these midnight blue sandals, which feature covered heels measuring 4.25″ in height and a lace-up construction that leads all the way to the ankle.
Votre Vu Winter WonderHands! Set, $69. Available at VotreVu.com
There’s no excuse for rugged hands when you’ve go the Votre Vu Winter WonderHands! Set at your disposal, a six-piece assortment featuring three Bebe Duette duos. Each travel-ready Bebe Duette Luxe Lips and Hand Creme tube features an almond-scented lotion tube and, hidden inside its hefty cap, a creamy lip balm with a handy mirror concealed inside the lid. Each duo, meanwhile features one Bebe Duette in the aforementioned style, along with the newer Bebe Duette Framboise edition, which features a sheer, raspberry-tinted lip balm in place of the color-less original. With the Winter WonderHands Set, then, you’ll have three tubes of the original Bebe Duette and three of the Bebe Duette Framboise.
Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Devoré Velvet Star Top, $405. Available at Net-a-Porter.com
Sonia Rykiel channels her love of astronomy into her work through pieces like this short-sleeved navy blue, velvet top, with its oversize star shape pattern.
Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Velvet Maxi Skirt, $295. Available at IntermixOnline.com
Make your entrances as dramatic as curtain drops at the theater with this floor-length skirt, which hugs the waist and the hips, then flares at the knees ever so demurely, with an asymmetrical biased seam along the back adding to the fluid look of the piece.
House of Harlow 1960 Rey Bag, $148. Available at HouseofHarlow1960.com
This vintage-looking velvet pouch measures 8″ in height and 7″ in depth, and it features an antiqued silver meal frame with etched details, a kiss lock closure, and a silver chain shoulder strap.
W IS FOR WESTERN
Frye Billy Hammered Stud Boots, $368. Available at TheFryeCompany.com
Walk hard with these leather cowboy boots, which feature an 11.5″-tall hammered leather shaft with crushed brass studs arranged in wing-like formations.
Ralph Lauren Blanket Patchwork Hobo, $1169. Available at RalphLauren.com
Inspired by the handwoven blankets crafted by Native American artisans, this Ralph Lauren hobo bag features a blanket-style cotton weave design, a studded leather shoulder strap, and a leather tassel with shearling ornaments resembling rabbit’s feet, along with brass “R” and “L” pendants and a D-ring.
Ariat Corazon Boots in Shattered Tan and Shattered Marble, $329 each. Available at Ariat.com
Give those cowboy boots a Mexican flair with embroidered floral details worthy of a Frida Kahlo painting.
Proenza Schouler Shirt Dress with Ikat Print, $1029. Available at MyTheresa.com
This 100% cotton shirt dress features Western-style stripes but updates the look with modern color combinations and visual tricks like using slimmer vertical lines along the waist and hips for a slimming silhouette or infusing a modern tribal flair via ikat print details.
L.A.M.B. Cheyenne Tote, $235. Available at LastCall.com
This elegant satchel measures 16″ in height and 17″ in width and features printed canvas panels with geometric shapes meant to reference Southwestern textile patterns and a color scheme that pays homage to sunset in the desert.
