But, luxe doesn't have to mean expensive. In fact, many of the picks on this list are under $100. Instead of price, it's about opulent-feeling (cozy, plush, soft) fabrics, thoughtful gifts (read: personalized), elevated versions of wardrobe essentials that your giftee will never get for themselves, and, most importantly, pampering presents that will help them indulge in some self-care to start 2023 in a more relaxed state.
With that in mind, ahead, the best luxury gifts for the most deserving people on your list.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Skims Soft Lounge Shimmer Long Sleeve Dress, $, available at Skims
Studs Martini Charm Huggie
This martini earring — which comes as a single charm huggie or a pair — is the perfect (and inexpensive) gift for your work spouse to remind them of your post-work happy hour hangouts.
Studs Martini Huggie, $, available at Studs— PAID CONTENT —
Sandro Small Kasbah Tote in Smooth Leather
A versatile, goes-with-everything tote is always a smart gift, and this year, we’re eyeing this buttery-soft version from Sandro for our favorites on our list (…and, let’s be honest, ourselves). Surprisingly roomy despite its smaller size, this sleek little number also includes a detachable crossbody strap for easy hands-free wear.
Sandro Small Kasbah Tote in Smooth Leather, $, available at Sandro
Birkenstock Tweed Arizona Sandals
Year after year, the Arizona slide remains everyone’s favorite “ugly shoe.” Help the forever Birkenstock fan in your life upgrade their go-to pair with the brand's new holiday version in tweed.
Birkenstock Arizona Sandals In Tweed, $, available at Birkenstock
Hommegirls Ribbed Socks
For those who like to wear their sandals with tube socks. These ones are from Thakoon Panichgul’s brand Hommegirls, which also includes a covetable range of button-down shirts, underwear, and a magazine.
Hommegirls 3-Pack White Original Tube Socks, $, available at SSENSE
Ssense Beauty Bag
While at $190, this beauty set isn't the cheapest option in this roundup, it is the ultimate pick for the luxury beauty lover. Featuring 26 products, it includes cult favorites like Necessaire's Body Wash, Dr. Barbara Sturm's Good C Serum, and La Mer's Crème De La Mer Moisturizer. What's more, it comes housed in a tote designed by one of New York's coolest brands Collina Strada.
Ssense Holiday Beauty Bag, $, available at SSENSE— PAID CONTENT —
Sandro Nylon Hat
A chic nylon bucket hat — like this style from Sandro — makes for a thoughtful (and practical!) gift for anyone on your list. Plus, it’s arguably more exciting to unwrap than the average beanie.
“Luxuriously soft,” this robe comes courtesy of our favorite sustainable (and size-inclusive) athleisure brand, Girlfriend Collective, and is available in a range of colors.
Girlfriend Canopy Dream Robe, $, available at Girlfriend
Nails Of LA Press-Ons
Give the gift of at-home pampering with these easy-to-apply (and remove!) press-on nails from celebrity manicurist Brittney Boyce. This abstract set is named after Refinery29’s very own Beauty Director, Sara Tan.
Nails of LA The Sara Tan Press-Ons, $, available at Nails of LA
Warby Parker x Chloë Sevigny Sunglasses
Chloë Sevigny gave Warby Parker her cool girl stamp of approval with a collaboration that includes fresh colorways of the brand's Tate sunglass silhouette.
Warby Parker x Chloe Sevigny Tate Sunglasses In Nutmeg Crystal with Polished Gold, $, available at Warby Parker
Super Smalls Jewelry Set
This decadent jewelry is for the youngest luxe-loving giftee on your list — unless you want to borrow it, that is.
Super Smalls Kids' Black Tie Mega Jewelry Set, $, available at Nordstrom— PAID CONTENT —
Sandro Checked Scarf
Who says winter has to be gloomy? This oh-so-soft Sandro scarf comes in a cheery pastel plaid print that infuses just the right amount of color into any drab winter look — making for the perfect gift for your most winter-loathing friends.
Lele Sadoughi's statement headbands now come in options for every star sign in jewel-hued colors that are perfect for the holidays. For those who are hair accessory-resistant, the brand also released zodiac-inspired tennis necklaces as part of the astrology drop.
Lele Sadoughi Zodiac Headband, $, available at Lele Sadoughi
A Visible Man by Edward Enninful
Go inside the world of high fashion with a memoir from Edward Enninful. A Visible Man follows the creative's life from his working-class refugee beginnings to becoming the first Black editor-in-chief at British Vogue, all while championing for inclusivity and change in the notoriously exclusive industry.
Edward Enninful A Visible Man: A Memoir, $, available at Amazon
Personalized Hunter Rain Boots
Customize Hunter's signature — and beloved — rubber rain boots thanks to its new text personalization service. With sizes that come in women's, men's, and kids, this is a foolproof group option for the whole family.
Hunter Original Tall Rain Boots, $, available at Hunter— PAID CONTENT —
Sandro Long Straight-Cut Coat
For the hard-to-buy-for, luxury-loving folks on your list, consider this tailored, double-breasted Sandro coat. A timeless silhouette in an ultra-wearable shade of gray, it’ll fit effortlessly into anyone’s wardrobe.
Sandro Long Straight-Cut Coat, $, available at Sandro
Boy Smells x Grace Jones Candle
Following Boy Smells' collaboration with Kacey Musgraves, the fragrance brand has more recently partnered up with Grace Jones. The result is a candle inspired by the model-singer-actor's home country of Jamaica, boasting notes of bergamot, black pepper, freesia blossom, and waterlily.
Boy Smells x Grace Jones Grace Scented Candle, $, available at Nordstrom
Skeem Designs Glass Match Cloche Bottle
If you’ve gifted way too many candles over the years or are looking to supplement a candle gift like the one in the previous slide, these oversized matches, that come cased in a cloche, double as a home decor piece.
Skeem Designs Skeem Design Glass Match Cloche Bottle, $, available at Amazon
Everlane Washable Silk Shirt
Washable silk has been rising in popularity. And for a good reason; who wants to wait to get their clothing back from the dry cleaner
(or spend money) when you can wash it at home? This one is a must-have for those who consider silk shirts a staple of their wardrobe.
Everlane The Washable Silk Relaxed Shirt, $, available at Everlane
Cuyana Leather AirPod Case
Nothing says luxe like a monogrammed gift. This zip-around, pebbled-leather AirPod case comes with a detachable strap that you can attach to any handbag.
Cuyana Leather Airpod Case, $, available at Cuyana— PAID CONTENT —
Sandro Wide Neck Knit Cardigan
For the friend that doesn’t believe in sacrificing style for warmth, this frilly cardigan from Sandro is as cute as it is cozy. Plus, the padded floral collar and daisy buttons deem this style wearable well into spring.
Sandro Wide Neck Knit Cardigan, $, available at Sandro
Ugg Slippers
While people are waiting for the re-stock of the Ugg Ultra Mini Platforms — made popular by celebrities like Bella and Gigi Hadid, Elsa Hosk, and Keke Palmer — don't sleep on the brand's slipper which landed in fourth place on search engine Lyst's quarterly report on fashion's hottest products.
The perfect cup of morning coffee is here thanks to a collaboration between Cometeer, a specialty coffee company; pottery brand East Fork; and chef David Chang. Featuring the limited revival of East Fork’s Peachy Keen glaze — inspired by the Momofuku restaurants and first launched in 2021 — the Mug arrives alongside Chang's favorite Cometeer coffee flavors, which come frozen in capsules for maximum freshness, and holiday recipes.
Cometeer x East Fork x David Chang Holiday Collection, $, available at Cometeer
Cuup Holiday Brief Pack
Upgrade your recipient's stocking stuffer this year with a luxe underwear bundle — featuring sparkly colorways — from Cuup, a direct-to-consumer lingerie brand that offers bra cup sizes from A to H.
Cuup Lurex Brief Pack of 3, $, available at Cuup— PAID CONTENT —
Sandro Leather Chelsea Boots With Notched Sole
Upgrade your shoe-obsessed friend’s winter boot collection with this luxe pick from Sandro. Crafted in a gorgeous forest green suede with metallic hardware accents, it’s far from your basic Chelsea boot.
Sandro Leather Chelsea Boots with Notched Sole, $, available at Sandro
Vitruvi x Mejuri Diffuser
Popular jewelry brand Mejuri has teamed up with the creators behind the most stylish essential oil diffuser range, Vitruvi, to create a gold version of its cordless style. Consider it jewelry for the house.
Vitruvi x Mejuri Move Cordless Essential Oil Diffuser, $, available at Mejuri
Sheertex Argyle Tights
Made from "rip-resist" fiber, Sheertex's tights — that, as the name suggests, can withstand any pulling and tugging — come in several style options, including this argyle print.
Sheertex Argyle Semi-Opaque Tights, $, available at Sheertex
Tom's Granola Tin
For the first time, fashion's favorite granola (no, really, the goodie bag from Lela Rose's runway show included a pack from the Instagram-famous brand) comes in a tin featuring four of its most popular flavors: Flaming Chocolate, Mangonada, Black and White Matcha, and Golden Apple Cider.
Tom’s Perfect 10 Holiday Granola Tin, $, available at Tom’s Perfect 10
Rachel Antonoff Seafood Tower Turtleneck
Seafood tower-loving foodies will appreciate this whimsy turtleneck from the fun-loving
(and size-inclusive) fashion brand Rachel Antonoff. Meanwhile, TV buffs will love the line's Sopranos- and Gilmore Girls-inspired collections. Don't wait long to snap these up as they tend to sell out.
Rachel Antonoff Lillian Turtleneck, $, available at Rachel Antonoff
Maie x Chillhouse Pack
This kit will inspire a luxe night in, with three single-serving, individual-sized bottles of California-made wine, paired with a face oil from New York's favorite spa and beauty brand Chillhouse.
Maie x Chillhouse Chill Pack, $, available at Maie
Bala Bars
For the fashion-forward fitness enthusiast who thinks that ankle weights are soooo last year.
Following his debut book — Tom Ford, the 2004 title detailing the designer's time at Gucci — comes the second volume, Tom Food 002, that follows Ford’s successful post-Gucci career which includes an eponymous brand and two feature films.
Rizzoli 'Tom Ford 002' Book, $, available at Amazon
For those who like to wear their sandals with tube socks. These ones are from Thakoon Panichgul’s new brand, Hommegirls, which also includes a quarterly magazine (this season, done in collaboration with Chanel).
Hommegirls Intarsia Ribbed Stretch Cotton-Blend Socks, $, available at Net-A-Porter
Hermès Lipstick
While $70 is a lot to pay for a single lipstick, a gift from Hermès beauty collection is the ultimate pick for the luxury beauty lover. It's also a lot more affordable than any of the accessory offerings from the heritage house.
Print-forward brand PatBo, known for its cutout dresses worn by celebrities everywhere, has launched its first collection of athletic apparel this month. Among its luxe offerings — made from recycled fabrics with moisture-wicking technology — are on-trend items like bike shorts, skorts, and, of course, cutout tops.
PatBo Rio Print Biker Short, $, available at PatBO
Birkenstock Plaid Arizona Shearling-Lined Sandals
Year after year, the Arizona slide remains everyone’s favorite “ugly shoe.” Help the Birkenstock fan in your life upgrade their go-to with a shearling-lined pair in a seasonal pattern.
Birkenstock Plaid Arizona Shearling-Lined Sandals, $, available at Anthropologie
Apparis Faux Fur Scarf
If Apparis’ incredibly soft faux fur coat is outside of your holiday price budget, opt for the scarf version of the plush style that likewise comes in a variety of colors.
Apparis Bambi Faux-Fur Scarf, $, available at Farfetch
Acqua Di Parma x Emilio Pucci Candle
The most luxe candle of the season is the result of a collaboration between luxury fragrance house Acqua Di Parma and print-forward Italian fashion house Emilio Pucci.
Acqua Di Parma x Emilio Pucci Notte di Stelle Candle, $, available at Nordstrom
Heron Preston x Calvin Klein Loungewear Set
Part of the second collaboration between Heron Preston and Calvin Klein, this uber-soft set looks pulled from Cher Horowitz’s athleisure closet.
Heron Preston for Calvin Klein Women's Recycled Polyester Alpaca Tank Bra, $, available at Calvin Klein
Heron Preston for Calvin Klein Women's Recycled Polyester Alpaca Bike Shorts, $, available at Calvin Klein
As some of us continue to work from home, this gift — a pair of teddy slippers made from recycled materials — will actually be put to use in 2022.
Everlane The ReNew Teddy Slipper, $, available at Everlane
Collina Strada Embellished Water Bottle
For those who have returned to their cubicles, this embellished water bottle, from sustainably minded NYFW designer Collina Strada, will serve as a great conversation-starter at the water fountain.
Collina Strada Check Crystal Embellished Water Bottle, $, available at Nordstrom
Ceremonia The Frida Headband, $, available at Ceremonia
Super Smalls Emerald Set
This one is for the youngest luxe-loving giftee on your list.
Super Smalls Emerald Ball Mega Set, $, available at Saks Fifth Avenue
Christian Cowan x Maxbone Jumper
And this dog jumper is for the furriest, created in collaboration with high-fashion designer Christian Cowan.
Christian Cowan x Maxbone Jumper, $, available at maxbone
The Last Line Heart Earring Charm
This fashion girl-beloved brand turned the fine jewelry space on its head with diamond-adorned BFF necklaces and luxe charms. The prices are on the higher side, so this one is for your closest childhood friend.
The Last Line Turquoise Enamel Heart Hoop Earring Charm, $, available at The Last Line
Brooklinen Silk Pillowcase
Created to protect the sleeper's skin and hair from friction damage, a silk pillow is a luxe gift that some may hesitate to get themselves. Which is why you should get it for them.
Brooklinen Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, $, available at Brooklinen
Custom Jewelry Piece
Is there anything more thoughtful than a custom-made piece? Gemist makes the process a breeze, with materials ranging from diamonds and gemstones to Swarovski ceramic stones, and jewelry options in every price point.
Gemist Petite Luster Delicate Ring, $, available at Gemist
Tanya Taylor Napkin Set
Tanya Taylor is the latest fashion designer to delve into home goods with a collection of printed napkins, placemats, and pillows that also come in matching apparel options. I just bought a table runner from the brand for the upcoming holiday season and have my eye on the matching placemats next.
Tanya Taylor Napkin Set, $, available at Tanya Taylor
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Deal alert:Get 30% off sitewide at Monica Vinader from November 18-29.
For a long time, it seemed as though many folks busted out fine jewelry exclusively for fancy occasions or special nights out. But what’s the fun of only wearing pretty things sporadically? Everyday jewelry, on the other hand, instantly elevates whatever you’re wearing, and it’s so easy. Personally speaking, as a jewelry advocate, it’s a damn joy to live in an era where piling on gold and silver has become as casual as putting on a T-shirt and jeans. Now, the question is this: Where do you find reasonably priced, high-quality pieces that are worthy of daily wear? While there are plenty of flashy brands on the market, the one that recently caught our eyes is the U.K.-based sustainable jewelry line Monica Vinader, which makes a wide assortment of rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings perfect for layering and stacking. Monica Vinader, it should be noted, is also a low-key fave of stylish celebs like Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, and Kendall Jenner.
Ready to treat yourself to some new, stack-ready jewelry? You can now shop the brand’s early Black Friday sale, where everything on the site is 30% off from November 18-29.
To dig a little more on the sustainability front: All metals are made from 100% recycled gold vermeil or 100% recycled sterling silver, and all of its diamonds, gemstones, and precious stones are ethically sourced. Pieces come in 100% recycled and/or reusable packaging, and the brand is certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council. And, if you have any old jewelry to unload (even if it’s not from Monica Vinader!), you can send those well-worn pieces via a pre-paid label to the company to ensure that anything salvageable will get upcycled responsibly. And as a thank you for doing your part in being sustainably stylish, you’ll receive a discount on your next Monica Vinader purchase.
But wait, there’s more! Since it’s likely that you’ll wear Monica Vinader pieces almost every day, you can rest assured that everything comes with a five-year warranty, and you’ll receive lifetime repairs on anything that breaks. Free (and carbon-neutral) shipping is offered both ways, and you get 100 days to try out Monica Vinader pieces — and, if one doesn’t speak to you, you can just return it, no questions asked.
My absolute favorite tidbit about Monica Vinader is the brand’s in-house piercing services. That’s right — you can get pierced at its brick-and-mortar locations — and, at the time of writing, there are plenty of immediate openings available on their website (unlike, say, the always-booked Studs or other boutique piercing studios). At Monica Vinader, you can get up to three ear piercings per appointment, anywhere on the lobe or helix, and each piercing is only $25, plus the cost of the earring you get pierced with.
The brand sells pendants and charms separately so that you can slide them onto any hoop earring or chain. While the droopy pearl is a can’t-go-wrong classic, Monica Vinader also offers alphabet charms, diamond and gemstone pendants, and engravable options.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy or click on something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
I must admit, I’ve always been attracted to corporate fashion. There’s something about crisp shirts, tailored khaki pants and classic blazers that enthuse optimism in my brain, even if corporate offices and boardrooms are not the most alluring places to be in. It might have to do with growing up with a mother who never let her dull, accounting job erase her love of fashion. It was quite the opposite, actually. Every morning, I’d see her tying a pussy-bow blouse, pairing it with perfectly fitted pants and classic pumps. On occasion it was a suit she’d made herself, accessorized with a classic tote bag from Marshalls.
Somehow, even when I got some of the best corporate style lessons from my mother, I still can’t nail down the concept of getting dressed for work. This has been one of the main challenges of going back to an office after two years away. While I only go to the office one or two days a week, every day I do go fills my morning routine with anxiety over what to wear. If I put on heels, I look too overdressed. But if I wear sneakers, I might be too casual, the voice of my mother in my head, saying, “Sneakers have no place in an office.” And when I put on a blazer and walk into my overly modern office, packed full of creatives and where a casual dress code reigns, I’m paranoid to look like a parody of corporate life.
Thankfully, I’m not the only one that has gone through this conundrum before. TikTok-famous stylist Neelam Ahooja, who has gathered a cult following for her vast collection of The Row, had to nail down her corporate-ready uniform early on in her previous career as an accountant. “I wore a lot of suits, carried a lot of briefcases,” she says. “It’s no wonder that appeals to me still.”
Battling weeks of stressed mornings getting dressed for work, I enlisted Ahooja to help me figure out a workwear uniform that is not only functional (and appropriate) but fashion-forward. Here’s how it went.
Wear what’s comfortable to you
When I asked Ahooja her rules for workwear fashion, she replied: “I don’t have a lot of rules because I think you should wear what’s comfortable to you.” So that meant going to the base of my closet: all-black outfits.
While I’ve worn mostly black for nearly a decade, I’ve stayed away from wearing it head-to-toe for some time now, trying to step outside my comfort zone; if not for myself, then for the sake of being an adventurous fashion journalist. But leaning on old friends — a black turtleneck, trousers and coat — instantly eased my anxieties in the morning. The simplistic canvas felt elevated and comfortable, but boring. Thankfully, I’ve now added other colors to my closet — similarly muted shades such as navy, grey, brown, and white — so with this in mind I grabbed a pair of white ankle boots that gave the outfit an understated twist.
Throughout the day, the outfit felt functional and presentable without trying too hard. And even if I was wearing all-black, the white boots hinted my style isn’t as boring as the top of the outfit might have suggested.
Rethink shirting
An essential piece of workwear is the basic white shirt. With its vast history and multiple variations, it’s easy to think there is no way to revamp this basic item. But Ahooja made me reconsider this narrative.
She recommended looking to her favorite brand The Row, known for its impeccable tailoring, for inspiration. As I sorted through some of the brand’s most recent collections, two details stood out: casually-cuffed shirts and asymmetrical styling. So, I promptly applied these tips to my own look.
Pairing a white shirt with a pair of pinstripe tailored pants, first, I styled the top with rolled sleeves, crossing one side over the other to create a wrap-around silhouette. While white button-down shirts are often defined as menswear-inspired, this styling gave this piece a more feminine look, cinching its laid-back, baggy silhouette. So far, my experiment was already opening up the workwear wardrobe possibilities.
For a different take on asymmetrical styling, I was inspired by a pre-fall 2022 look by The Row that showed a model wearing a blazer backwards. It wasn’t easy and it required a ton of flexibility (and a helper) to button up the back of the shirt. But once I was able to do it (after much stretching and sore arms), the shirt looked remarkably cool, now resembling a blouse instead of a plain white button-down, and giving this basic item a whole new vibe.
Neelam was onto something.
Dressed down blazers
Then, it was on to suits. It’s hard for me to explain how much I love a good blazer, but the reality is that they get a bit boring after a while, not to mention that they look out of place when worn in an office that has a casual dress code. So Ahooja proposed two styling tricks: tying the blazer around my waist, or wearing it as a one-shoulder top. The latter seemed simple enough, while the former brought back flashbacks of Tibi’s spring 2023 collection, which included a slew of models wearing blazers with just one arm, letting the other sleeve hang on their backs.
Challenge accepted.
I opted for a basic, black double-breasted blazer with a white sweater and blue jeans, sporting the outerwear as directed: just one arm in. At first glance, it seemed odd, but the more I looked in the mirror, the more I liked the unexpected twist. From the back, though, it was a different story: one sleeve hung awkwardly with no real aesthetic value. It was just another reminder that on-the-runway styling is not always as practical in real life.
Still, I learned some valuable lessons from this workwear challenge, especially when it comes to approaching these basic pieces with a fresh perspective. After all, who says you have to wear them like the briefcase-carrying executives do?
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
