The Best Gifts to Buy Before They Sell Out, According to Trend Forecasters

The Fashion Snoops team has been following coordinated-top-and-bottom sets for several seasons now, says the firm’s vice-president of womenswear, Melissa Moylan. Consumers are still looking for comfort-oriented styles, and knitwear is an evolution of that, she adds. The Skims version, which mixes and matches a range of silhouettes, is one of the team’s favorites. “The bouclé yarn gives it a textured wintry look that sets it apart from popular rib-knit styles,” Moylan says. But Lindsey Smecker, ESP Trendlab’s trend and marketing director, thinks that most ribbed knits will still be especially popular.

“By far, the most splurge-worthy pajama set of 2021 is from Olivia von Halle,” Moylan says. We’ve heard about the company from stylish stylists before — one lingerie expert even told us that it’s well known for “larger-than-life, chic motifs.” Moylan mentioned that her team can’t get enough of the sphynx-cat print in particular. A set of pajama top and pants with the print even sold out during Net-a-Porter’s most recent sale. Fortunately, this shorts set is still in stock (but going fast). “The silk crêpe de Chine fabric and details like contrast piping and mother-of-pearl buttons merit the price tag,” Moylan adds.

This year, gift fancy eye-catching or feather-trimmed pajamas instead of flannel. They “meet the almost impossible to achieve style oxymoron of comfort and glamour,” says Sharon Graubard, founder and creative director of online fashion forecasting service MintModa. Sleeper’s sets are a pandemic success story — worn out by the fashionable just as much as they’re worn in. Graubard points out that the black feather-trimmed version is being snatched up right now, but we’re particularly partial to this merry mint set.

Speaking of Skims, Moylan tells us that if there’s one collab to covet this season, it’s Fendi’s partnership with the brand — “If you can get your hands on it.” Graubard agrees that the collection is sure to sell out, as bodywear is also “an outgrowth of comfort-dressing that took hold during lockdown.” Graubard adds that bodywear itself has gone through its own metamorphosis — much less fitness-y and more dressed up enough to take a midday yoga break and still hop on a Zoom call while wearing the same piece. Moylan mentions that “the lilac-clad teaser campaign has us excited about monograms again, [with] bodycon and sporty silhouettes designed for every body.” The capsule collection, which launched on November 9, features sculpting bras and bodysuits along with logo’d coord sets. The sets are almost completely sold out, so your best chance to score the highly anticipated pieces probably lies with the shapewear.

“The sweater-vest was one item we didn’t think we’d see back as a trend for a long time, but since last spring, it’s slowly reemerged in a much more spirited way than the humdrum basic of the ’90s and early ’00s,” explains Jason Kress, men’s senior strategist at Fashion Snoops. Kress adds, “Now, with the growing acceptance of wearing what used to be a middle-age basic in a beyond-ironic way, it has become an important part of fall, nicely merging retro with modern.” And these aren’t like the “business bro” sweater-vests of the Financial District, either. Instead, they’re a nod to dadcore in a way that “subverts the traditional white-collared golf-club-member associations attached to it.” Today’s sweater-vests are more slender and, when styled right — like with washed-out jeans, sneakers, and sans shirt — look much cooler, Kress tells us. This Acne Studios sweater-vest he tipped us off to is already selling out quickly.

Blanket scarves aren’t new, but there’s something about this Acne Studios version that has resonated. TikTokers are walking around with it wrapped around their necks, down to their knees. Always in this orange, blue, and green checkered pattern (although it does come in other colors). Several shades of this scarf were on sale early on during SSENSE’s private sale — but notably not this one — and sold out right away. If you type the brand into Google, the recommended word that follows is scarf (and dupes for it). Correa mentioned Acne Studios as one of the brands behind the double-as-actual-blankets scarves boom happening right now.

As more of us embrace a fewer-but-better approach when it comes to our closets, brands are getting craftier — with making fewer pieces and upcycling used items becoming the norm, Graubard says. She tipped us off to Stan, which features vintage textiles in its one-of-a-kind pieces. Its most recent collection was even inspired by Californian quilters.

London-based fashion futurist Geraldine Wharry cites independent British knitwear label Hades as part of that “no longer about stuff for the sake of stuff” movement too. The handcrafted sweaters and scarves feature fun graphics and last for years and are made by ethical manufacturers in Scotland and Spain, Wharry says. Wharry’s particularly fond of this cardigan from the brand that reminds her of a sweater her grandmother knitted. “So right there, it has a lot of emotional value even before the purchase, and it echoes my beliefs that [it’ll] be a sweet spot in gifting for many people this year,” she adds. Wharry describes the cardigan as joy-inducing, with “buttons that look like video-game icons” in the shape of a conch shell, female form, and hand. Add it to your cart fast — there’s only size small left in stock. (But there are other versions of the cardigan with equally eye-catching buttons.)

The “reminiscent of your childhood friendship bracelet” jewelry, as Smecker describes, is reappearing this year. Hallie Spradlin, director of accessories at Fashion Snoops, traces the reappearance to the DIY qualities of quarantine — just think of all those crocheted catastrophes on Instagram.

Brands like Sunnei, Éliou, and Notte are in on it, offering rubberized hoops and beaded necklaces “with mood-boosting motifs” Spradlin says. It’s hard not to smile at this happy-face signet ring from Notte. You’ll see more playful designs even on demi-fine and fine jewelry nowadays — a sign that what started off as somewhat niche has become ubiquitous. A “Fun Flirt” pearl necklace that Smecker told us about is even an Etsy’s Pick, hand-selected by the company’s trend and style editors.

Smecker points us to landscape-patterned sweaters. One scroll through your “For You” page shows just how the maximalist aesthetic of today’s teens is a stark contrast to millennial minimalism. Lisa Says Gah recently released its own fall collection that includes this scenic sweater. Drops from the site usually sell out fast, so we wouldn’t wait. For a more muted version, this & Other Stories cardigan features pastels and embroidered flowers.

Two of our forecasters specifically brought up this Free People fleece jacket. Moylan mentions that it checks off a couple of the top trends: a cozy texture that’s reminiscent of a traditional teddy coat, a pop of color (offered in hues like “pineapple punch” and “ginger spice”), and its everyday-wear and activewear hybrid. It’s a do-it-all jacket that is a far cry from the just-warm outerwear of 2020. As more proof of its popularity, several sizes in some shades are already sold out.

An update to the seasonal beanie, balaclavas started appearing on runways in more recent seasons from designers like Marine Serre and Miu Miu, according to Spradlin. But instead of the plain black balaclavas you’ve probably seen on ski slopes, these are less serious-looking. Case in point: Marine Serre’s is printed with her signature crescent-moon pattern, and Miu Miu’s crochet helmet comes in a mango shade that’s sure to stand out in a crowd of black puffers. But if your recipient might be wary of looking like a cartoonish bank robber, one of her suggestions is this cheaper color-blocked knit from Verloop. “Balaclavas are having a moment because of their more streamlined, cocooned look,” Spradlin says. But it’s about changing attitudes, too: The balaclava “relates to wanting primal comfort, as consumer needs shift to value both protection and comfort in a post-pandemic world,” she adds.

Remember the smartphone pinkie panic? Well, as we grew more attached to our phones, their cases “have become a personality extension and a way to express your ever-changing mood,” Spradlin says. Today’s trendiest phone cases hearken back to when the iPhone first debuted. She points to Gen-Z favorite Wildflower as having phone cases plastered with things like “airbrushed fonts, psychedelic florals, [and] throwback monograms.”

Now, for a more grown-up version of those trippy cases, Spradlin mentions bespoke brand Memor, which makes mosaic-inspired phone protection. You can personalize these with gold coins and ceramic shards and can even send the company specific objects you want incorporated into a custom case.

Correa points to Staud’s personalized pet-portrait collection as the new version of carrying around baby photos in your wallet. She also mentions that matching pet and owner outfits fit into an “aesthetic is life” trend that WGSN has been watching. Maxbone and Kule’s vests and Lirika Matoshi’s strawberry-dress version for pets are two of the examples she cites.