Step away from the gift cards. When it comes to buying the perfect Christmas present for her, a little thought can go a long way. Chances are, if you pay enough attention, you’ll find she’s already dropped some ‘subtle’ hints about what she’d like to find under the tree this year.
And, if not? Then Luxury London is happy to provide some assistance. From gorgeous handbags and accessories to money-no-object buys, here’s our guide to the best Christmas gifts for wives, girlfriends, mums, sisters and every other woman on your Christmas list.
The best fashion gifts for her
Brunello Cucinelli
Have you always considered choosing clothing for women to be a tad treacherous? The key is to find a crowd-pleasing piece with something for everyone. Take, for example, this brilliant cardigan by Italian ‘king of cashmere’ Brunello Cucinelli. Its oversized cable knit will satisfy fashion-forward sisters and girlfriends, its timeless oatmeal hue will fit in seamlessly with your mum’s wardrobe, and its quality cashmere construction will even give nan plenty to love. You’re welcome.
Brunello Cucinelli cable-knit cashmere sweater, £2,700, net-a-porter.com
The Vampire’s Wife
No Christmas is complete without a little glitter and sparkle. If you happen to know a woman likely to spend the festive season so preoccupied with hosting arrangements and party planning that she forgets to buy herself something fabulous for the big day, she’ll be overjoyed to find this incredible Vampire’s Wife dress under the tree.
Skyrocket sequinned dress, £2,500, matchesfashion.com and thevampireswife.com
Max Mara
‘Tis the season for wrapping up, and few are the women who haven’t coveted one of Max Mara’s signature belted coats. This winter, the Italian brand is offering coats in an array of neutral hues. We’re fans of this universally-flattering tobacco shade, which is sophisticated but won’t become instantly grubby after one trip on the tube.
Max Mara Lilia cashmere coat, £3,390, harrods.com
The best accessories for women
LK Bennett
Everyone needs a great pair of boots in their winter wardrobe and, should you choose a pair to gift wisely, she’ll return to them year after year. For this, there is perhaps no finer brand than LK Bennett. A British institution for more than three decades, the brand is renowned for its luxurious ready-to-wear and accessories – and, happily, this includes a rather covetable line of women’s boots.
If she prefers the leg-lengthening effect of a knee-high boot may we point you in the direction of the Allegra. Perfect for pulling on with jeans or wearing under mid-length dresses and skirts, the ginger-hued croc-effect leather makes for a welcome point of difference from standard brown and makes for easy day-to-night transitioning. Alternatively, the Margret boots are an on-trend Seventies-inspired choice with a stacked heel. Available in smooth cream nappa leather, as well as this fetching sea green croc-effect style, these are boots that will dominate in the boardroom and on the dance floor.
If ankle boots are more her thing, the super-chic Nadina boot is rendered in dark red patent leather with a square toe and horsebit detailing taken from LK Bennett’s best-selling Samantha loafer. We’re pretty sure she won’t have anything else like them in her wardrobe – which will just make your style nous all the more impressive.
Allegra leather boots, £499, lkbennett.com; Margret leather boots, £499, lkbennett.com; Nadina patent leather boots, £359, lkbennett.com
Sophia Webster
A bumper season of festive parties, drinks and dinners left her favourite heels looking a little worse for wear? Gifting a pair of Sophia Webster’s whimsical sandals will put you straight to the top of next year’s good list. First up, the brand’s signature Mariposa sandal is the ideal option for anyone who prefers their glitter a little more understated. Created in a flattering champagne hue, with Webster’s famed butterfly at the ankle, this gorgeous design delicately hugs the heel for a flattering, leg-lengthening effect.
Equally eye-catching is the Flo Flamingo sandal, so-called for the golden flamingo that takes the place of a traditional heel. Unique, fun and a guaranteed conversation starter, they’re a surefire hit for summer weddings and winter formal affairs. Finally, for a true flight of fancy, look to the fluffy and fabulous Chiara sandals. Entirely crystal-embellished and finished with an abundance of Marabou feathers, if her tastes run to the uber-feminine they’re sure to delight. Just don’t expect her to get on the tube in them: these are heels that deserve a black cab.
Mariposa sandals, £530, sophiawebster.com; Flo Flamingo sandals, £450, sophiawebster.com; Chiara sandals, £750, sophiawebster.com
Tom Ford
Everyone looks good in sunglasses – which makes them the ideal gift for particularly fussy fashion fans. The choice, however, can be a little overwhelming, so there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, always opt for a big-name brand you know she loves. Secondly, remember that rounded frames in a versatile shade will suit almost all face shapes. Thirdly, never be so bold as to choose coloured lenses. These tortoiseshell designs by Tom Ford tick all the boxes.
Tom Ford Jameson sunglasses, £270, farfetch.com
The best handbags for women
Burberry
As long as your steer clear of anything garishly coloured, vastly oversized or miniscule (Jacquemus, we’re looking at you), gifting a designer handbag is hard to get wrong. If you’re buying for someone who already has quite the collection, opt for a classic shape that has been given a new-season twist. Burberry’s timeless Elizabeth bag finished with an autumnal check is a case in point.
Small Elizabeth handbag, £1,690, burberry.com
Aspinal of London
What is Christmas about if not the excuse to give your sparkliest, most eye-catching bag an outing or two? With this in mind, you may want to gift Aspinal of London’s shimmering Lottie clutch bag a few weeks ahead of the big day. Yes, it’s versatile enough to wear year-round but this piece really comes into its own during Christmas party season.
Crafted from full-grain leather with a practical yet chic letterbox design, it’s roomy enough to carry all her party essentials (yes, including a smartphone) while remaining slimline and chic. It also comes complete with a coordinating gold chain for hands-free dance floor action. As for the colour? Champagne, naturally.
Lottie clutch bag, £495, aspinaloflondon.com
Saint Laurent
Alternatively, if you’re buying for a younger friend or family member who has yet to amass their own collection, get them started with a piece they’ll treasure forever. Finished with the iconic YSL Art Deco logo, chain strap and quilted leather outer, Saint Laurent’s mid-size College bag promises never to go out of style.
Saint Laurent College medium quilted bag, £1,750, matchesfashion.com
Bottega Veneta
Before he moved to Burberry, Daniel Lee’s revitalisation of Bottega Veneta saw the brand’s bags become some of the most covetable (and valuable) on the market. A surefire way to impress a woman who knows a thing or two about fashion, then. Featuring an oversized version of the brand’s signature Intrecciato weave, the Casette bag comes in both black and rust, but it’s this forest green version that gets our vote.
Bottega Veneta Chain Casette bag, £3,480, harveynichols.com
Home Comforts
Sleeper
If, like us, you are of the opinion that the days between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve are best spent wearing loungewear and working your way through your most decadent festive hamper, you’ll also agree that sophisticated pyjamas make excellent presents. For this, turn to Sleeper, whose ostrich feather-trimmed set is as suitable for a cocktail party as it is for curling up on the sofa.
Sleeper gingham feather pyjamas, £220, brownsfashion.com
Jo Malone London
Beauty gift sets tend to get a bad rap as Christmas presents. We’ve all, at one time or another, received the dregs of the Boots gifting aisle from a relative who left their shopping to the last minute. Select said gift set from a brand as chic as Jo Malone, however, and you needn’t worry. This greatest hits selection features best sellers from scent collections including English Pear & Freesia, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Peony & Blush Suede, and Wood Sage and Sea Salt.
House of Jo Malone London gift set, £140, jomalone.co.uk
Thames & Hudson and Assouline
The greatest presents are those that recipients love but wouldn’t necessarily think to buy themselves – and coffee table books tend to fall squarely within this category. A trio of luxurious tomes delving deep into the history of Pop Art, the fantastical couture creations of Karl Lagerfeld and the art of expert Tuscan hospitality make for fascinating reading – and they look great to boot.
A House Party in Tuscany by Amber Guinness, £29.99, thamesandhudson.com; Pop Art Style by Julie Belcove, £83, assouline.com; Karl Lagerfeld: A Life in Fashion by Akfons Kaiser, £25, thamesandhudson.com
Showstopping Christmas gifts for her
The Row
Some brands just exude the kind of quiet luxury that lets you know they’re expensive without the need for a flashy logo or monogram print. The Row is one of them. There’s an art to creating this kind of subtle appeal and it tends to lie in meticulous design, fine materials and quality craftsmanship – none of which come cheap. If money is no object, The Row’s Margaux bag is a sublime gift that may well prove to be a savvy investment if current auction trends are anything to go by. Think of it as a modern-day Hermès Birkin.
The Row Margaux alligator tote, £37,275, net-a-porter.com
Bulgari
Watches and jewellery make perennially excellent Christmas gifts and if you can combine the two, then so much the better. Crafted in 18 karat rose gold and set with round-cut diamonds on the case and bracelet, this elegant watch from Bulgari’s signature Serpenti line is a family heirloom in the making.
Serpenti Seduttori watch, £37,600, bulgari.com
Kiki McDonough
Looking for something as unique as she is? Allow us to point you in the direction of Kiki McDonough’s one-off jewels. Tapping into current trends for coloured jewellery, the London-based designer has created a range of unique pieces spanning a rainbow of shades, with this pastel-hued tourmaline and diamond ring being a particular showstopper. Just don’t forget the matching earrings to complete the set.
Kiki Unique tourmaline and diamond earrings, £6,900, kiki.co.uk; Kiki Unique tourmaline and diamond ring, £5,900, kiki.co.uk
Read more: The best Christmas hampers for 2022
The post All wrapped up: Stunning Christmas gifts for her appeared first on Luxury London.