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

One of last year’s viral hits, Free People’sHit the Slopes Fleece Jacket(which had aheavy presence on TikTokin ads and dupe videos) has made way for the Pippa Packable Puffer, another outerwear option from the brand. Billed as Free People’s “first-ever performance puffer” and boasting quilted insulation to keep the wearer warm, it’s designed to fold into its own pocket and doubles as a travel pillow. But the “inherent feeling of security” of stay-at-home styles from the past couple years “is not something we’ll see a total departure from,” Moylan says. So, in this case, you won’t have to choose between form and function. Plus, this puffer comes in much more unexpected hues (like passionfruit and highlighter) than the standardSuper Puff.

There’s a “pent-up desire for partying,” says Sharon Graubard, founder of online fashion-forecasting serviceMintModa,explaining that it’s driving a lot of statement-making styles. Moylan adds that after two years where “consumers didn’t make much differentiation in their wardrobe as far as what to wear from day to night,” times are a-changing as the pandemic evolves — and that’s probably best illustrated by the return of the going-out top. It’s an easy piece to incorporate, and can be thrown over cargos or peek out from under a jacket, Graubard says. While Moylan jokes that tops withbedazzled butterfliesare probably better left to the Gen-Z crowd, she points to Cult Gaia’s best-selling Joey, with its a skin-baring back and ultrahigh neck, as a sexy style that will fetch the approval of the Y2K revivalists but is elevated enough for older generations too. (You can also get it covered infeathers.)

As a companion to the going-out top, eye-catching earrings are making a comeback, explains Graubard. And Richards notes that “in jewelry now, the most-sought-after silhouettes are outrageously oversized” and “lean into the eccentric.” This pair are one of Graubard’s favorite examples. The upside-down calla lilies are long enough to be considered “shoulder dusters,” plus they speak to a “renewed interest in pearls” (more on that later).

Fuchsia is enjoying a major resurgence because ofValentino’s Pink PP collection(which came on the heels ofMaison Schiaparelli’s shocking pink). The luxury label’s line was a fixture of thered carpetthroughout 2022 (as seen onAnne HathawayandLizzo), and helped kick-start the subsequent interest in all thingsBarbiecore(along with Greta Gerwig’s upcomingstar-studded production). Moylan connects this “major fuchsia moment” to the “dopamine dressing” mentioned above, as the shade is meant to be happy (and has its own “message of empowerment”). And this Zara sweater is a safe bet with an affordable under-$50 price tag that Moylan recommends. “The color alone gives ‘main character’ energy,” she says.

If you’re a regular Strategist reader, you might remember that we included Gigi Hadid’s knitwear labelGuest in Residencein a previousDon’t Dillydally. Hadid serves as creative director of the company, which promises its knits are “future heirlooms.” Patricia Maeda, director of womenswear at Fashion Snoops, mentioned the brand as a chance at more affordable luxury — it’s a competitor to labels like Naadam and J.Crew, with colorful offerings like aski-themed poloand even aunisex button-down. This oversize hoodie even comes in hues of “cherry” and “lime.”

This isn’t so surprising considering thecorsetsandbralettesseen on the streets now. But there’s still something subversive about seeing undergarments (literally) hanging out. And one such example is this boxerpantfrom notedsock-maker Comme Si. Maeda says putting onboxersas shorts really rose in popularity last summer, as seen withthisversionfrom Hommegirls. (Even former Strategist writerChloe Anellohas sported J.Crew’s around.) So, for this fall-winter season, boxers just got longer. Maeda describes these as a “sartorial alternative to thepajamapant” and a more unexpected gift than “season-appropriate flannel.”

“Hear us out” is how Moylan defended her suggestion of gifting undershirts, citing the rise of ribbed tanks this year that’s been attributed toBottega VenetaandPrada. The latter’s logoed $995 top even made it ontothe Lyst Index, a quarterly report of the hottest products during the year, taking the third spot for Q3 behind Miu Miu ballerina flats and Birkenstock’s Boston clogs. Tanks (like these from theHanes’ little boys’ section) aren’t “what we traditionally think of as a fashion item,” but somehow they’re “fresh and modern in the midst of Gen Z’s obsession with all things glimmering Y2K,” Moylan explains. Get yourself a five-pack and add aPrada pinif you’re so inclined. You can also rest assured that Strategist writerDominique Pariso, modelPaloma Elsesser, and singer Maggie Rogers are all well-establishedfans.

Since we first started reporting on thetrendiest gifts, Kim Kardashian’sSkimshas come up again and again — specifically for itsloungewear. But this year, the brand’sdressesare a hot-ticket item, according to Maeda. Each of Skims’ launches is highly anticipated, and itsviralSoft Lounge Dress(which is sold out in many of its limited-edition colors)has been rereleasedin different versions, including the one shown here withlong sleevesand another with a dramaticracerback. “They satisfy the urge to get out of ‘pandemic-dressing mode’” while still being comfortable, Maeda says.

Three experts referenced the current UGG renaissance: Ana Correa, footwear and accessories editor atWGSN;Marian Park, a trend forecaster and strategist; and Lindsey Smecker, CEO atESP Trendlab. “UGG has been successfully creating ‘It’ factor footwear for a while now,” according to Park, adding that itsFluff Yeah slipperhas been a recent hit. The company’s Ultra Mini is another success story, withKylie Jennersporting the (hard-to-find)platformed edition, andBella Hadidseen snacking on aslice of pizzawhile wearing them. “It’s almost as if the very sloppiness or undressiness of UGGs that we associate the brand with is trending itself,” Park explains. And you can’t count out the sentimentality of the style: The younger crowd is obsessed with “Juicy Couture–esque outfitting,” says Park,and the playful platform fits right in. As an alternative, this un-platformed pair is still available in most sizes, and comes in hues like carnation and emerald. Smecker also suggestsMou Glaciersfor a similar look.

“Geriatric-millennial clogs,” as we called them when they made this list last year, are still going strong.But if there’s one style that tops them all in 2022, it’s the Birkenstock Bostons. An entireresalemarkethas emerged for the Bostons, which are regularly out of stock, says Amelia Ansink, senior strategist of accessories at Fashion Snoops. These are at their peak of virality now, but Strategist senior writerLiza Corsillo(who happens to be a formerGQstaffer) says that “previously, the low-profile slip-ons had mostly been seen on the type of menswear enthusiasts who listen to Throwing Fits and endlessly debate the nuances of Dickies versus Stan Ray painter pants.” You might think it’s all hype, but the Bostons also have the approval of the Cut’s senior fashion writerEmilia Petrarca: “Iwouldwear them to bed if I could,” she writes. This “oiled leather” version is still in stock, or you could go for Corsillo’spreferred alternative, the Birkenstock Tokios, as seen onThe Bear’sCarmyandSydney.

Anush Mirbegian, director of accessories at Fashion Snoops, has spied lots of voluptuousness happening in accessories at the moment — withrecent runway showsshowing “an overtop amount” of exaggeration. That extends to shoes, where she’s taken particular notice of a trendingcollaboration between indie labelCollina Stradaand shoe brandMelissa. These dramatic jelly sandals, which look almost as if they’re melting, are designed to be completely recyclable. Mirbegian describes them as “strange and strangely practical,” with a “comforting tubular volume.”

In thebag-scape, the likes of Gucci and Dior have taken a back seat toL.L.Bean. Smecker and Correa name-checked the brand’sBoat and Tote, which has become more witty than WASP-y since its debut in 1944, as theNew YorkTimesand theCut both chronicledback in August. Smecker thinks the publicity is — in part — because of the shift away from microbags (likeJacquemus). And Correa highlights the power of the Instagram account@ironicboatandtote— run by 26-year-old New YorkerGracie Wiener— which helped the bag earn the distinction of being a “hot girl” item on social media. L.L.Bean even collaborated with Wiener on alimited-edition collectionthat promptly sold out (arobeandpajama setare still sort of in stock). Though you really can’t go wrong with a classic customizedzip-toporopen-top, Correa echoes Richards’s earlier sentiments and says more irreverent options are “more in tune to someone’s personality and humor than just their name.”

Balletflatsare back —whether you want them to be or not. Ansink says the style was long overdue for a comeback, with Sandy Liang’s now practically sold-outMary Janesand Miu Miu’sballerinasmaking the rounds on social media. But Maison Margiela’s version “subverts the traditional aspects of the feminine shoe,” according to Ansink. Tabi-style shoes, which originated in Japan, are much-talked-about onTikTok, especially due to their contentious cloven-hoof toe. And as a bonus, a number of the French fashion house’s Tabis are on sale atSSENSEright now.

“If weird-colored socks aren’t at the top of lists, they should be,” Mirbegian says. She’s been tracking a greater interest in legwear lately, and a “strange-hued sock is something we expect to see more of.” Like Mirbegian, Park recommends Comme Si as a destination for hosiery. “I’ve got my eye on luxury cashmere knee-high socks that I feel could work like a leg-warmer on top of everyday leggings,” she says. These ones come in noteworthyshades beyond just cream and black, like powder blue and rust. And Park mentions that they are a way to dip your toe into balletcore, without “being too on the nose.”

It wasn’t so long ago thatVivienne Westwood’s chokerwas thejewelry du jour. But three trend forecasters mention that more unusually shaped pearls are now all the rage. Ansink says they often make pieces feel more special and modernthan the traditional white spheres seen in many a family heirloom. She likes this strand from New York–based labelBeepy Bellaornamented with pearls in hues of pink. Mirbegian adds that the style has been able to transcend different tastes, “upping the femme edge, or taking on a punk anarchist vibe with the addition of heavy-duty chains.” Graubard notesMikimoto’s collaboration with Comme des Garçons(complete with spikes) as an example of the latter.

Or consider Gohar World’srecently restockedchicken-feet pearlson a silk cord, which Strategist contributor Allison Rodman has been eyeing. “These pearls’ closeness to the actual shape of chicken feet makes me wonder if there was some evolutionary joke played on both oysters and chickens in which chickens really got the short end of the stick,” Rodman writes.

Last year was about “face-firming self-care” with ancientlymph-drainagetechniques, getting the most attention. This year,exfoliationis a focus; Mallory Huron, senior strategist of beauty and wellness at Fashion Snoops, told us about this Body Plane Set from Esker (a beauty brand approved by Golde co-founderTrinity Mouzon Wofford, actressHalle Berry, and Strategist senior editorSimone Kitchens) that includes an exfoliating tool, body oil, and reusable cloth. It takes inspiration from Greco-Roman rituals, where smooth scraping rocks were used for mild exfoliation and a bit of a massage, Huron explains.

A beauty advent calendar is sure to please when it comes to gifting a skin-care-obsessive — and every year there are many that sell out (or even cause a little controversy, if you remember a certainChanelscandale). In our guide to thebest beauty advent calendars, Emma Chiu, the global director of the trend-forecasting companyWunderman Thompson Intelligence, called outSephora’s advent calendars in particular as “always reliable, offering a full range of beauty products at an affordable price.” But this one is particularly notable. “This is the firstafteradvent calendar I’ve seen, and I wonder if this might kick off a new trend,” Huron says. It includes two daily “surprises” (from charcoal wipes to watermelon eye masks) for the six days in between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

[Editor’s note: This calendar constantly sells out, so act fast — you can also sign up to receive a notification when it’s back in stock.]

On the fitness front, “it’s not enough to have a functional product; consumers want it to look good,” says Park, who has noticed a movement toward “aesthetic athletic gear.” Think back to how Bala Bangles becamethebreakout star of quarantine workouts. Since then, the brand hasexpanded its selection. And Park “guarantee[s] Bala’s at-home gym kit is at the top of the wish list for stylish at-home gym aficionados.” It’s a definite splurge — though you could just pick and choose what equipment to buy separately.

Park also describes the Stakt mat — which is foldable and comes in pastels like “seafoam” and “rosewater” — as the “ultimate gift for everyyogiyou know.”

The next great American pastime just might bepickleball, as our sister site Intelligencer declared back in January, and love for the sport has increased exponentially since then. Jaye Anna Mize, vice-president of home and lifestyle at Fashion Snoops, notes that the “country-club aesthetic feels way less stuffy in 2022.” If you’ve got a beginner pickleballer on your list, she recommendsRecess’s paddles, particularly the ones from itsartist collaborationssuch as this one designed by Austin-based abstract painter Codie O’Connor. The “highly stylized paddles,” she adds, are funkier thanclassic sporty ones.