What Are the Best Luxury Items to Shop For in December?

The Dandelion Chandelier Luxury Shopping List is our monthly overview of the essential items to have on your acquisition radar right now – what they are, and where to get them. We’ve done the scouting so you don’t have to.  

Discount or full price? Bikini or Birkin? Self-gifting or selflessness? The joy of luxury shopping in December is that you don’t have to choose. It’s all out there, and you just need to get focused. We know how hard it can be to juggle the demands of a month like this. Many people are simultaneously trying to shop for others, suss out a few things for themselves, pack for a trip at the year-end break, and maintain a sense of perspective and a budget in the midst of endless glittering temptations. Fear not. We feel you, and we’ve got some insider tips from our cosmopolitan team of far-flung correspondents about what’s really worth having on your list this month. We’ve scoured the web, the mall, and the avenue, and we’ve pared it all down to a manageable number of priorities. Here’s the report from our various reconnaissance missions to ID the necessary items you might want to have on your list, and the great places to find them in December 2017.

Designer resort collections are fully delivered. Even though bits and pieces of the various resort (or “cruise”) collections have been available for the past couple of weeks, in December they’re fully delivered. We’ve already shared our 2018 resort round-up and we think there are some stunning and sensible investment pieces that you might want to check out. Our favorites? We’re loving Valentino, Prada and FENDI. Also Aquazzura and Gianvito Rossi for shoes, and Chanel for bags and fun jewelry. But nearly all of the resort deliveries are bright and joyful, and they’ll lift your spirits even if you’re just window-shopping. Check out mytheresa for a really good edit of this year’s resort collections.

Everything remaining from the fall-winter 2017-18 designer collections is now on sale. Those with strong relationships with their salespeople at luxury retail stores have surely already gotten the emails and phone calls alerting them that everything remaining from fall-winter has gone to at least 40% off. We were in a mall on the West Coast last week, and half of the items at the boutique of a leading designer shoe brand were on sale at 50% off. (We passed on the shoes, but we snagged a choice pair of earrings for 40% off at the store next door). If you’ve been “stalking” something that was out of your price range earlier this fall, definitely swoop in and grab it now. Just be sure you really want it – we thought we waiting for a particular designer dress to go on sale – it did, and we tried it on, but somehow the moment was past. Word to the wise: just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean it’s free. If you don’t love it, don’t buy it. BTW, everything will go to 60% off in another week or so – but by then, your object of desire might be gone. Your call. Depends on your risk tolerance. And don’t believe people who tell you that Chanel never goes on sale. It does. It’s just done with a great deal of discretion.

Holiday limited-editions, capsule collections and pop-ups are here! These are always great fun, and sometimes there are gorgeous items that are worth the hustle that it takes to get them. We’ve already shared a list of some of our favorite pop-up stores this holiday. On our list of holiday capsule collection highlights?

• We’re mad for the Lady Dior limited-editions available only at Dior boutiques in the US that are designed by 10 leading contemporary artists; these are gorgeous and they didn’t make many; if you’ve got the scratch, we’d definitely advise blowing some of it on one of these ($5,700-$12,000). If you’re more interested in creating your own look, Dior has also just launched My Lady Dior, their entry into the customizable designer handbag arena.
• Victoria Beckham has dropped a swanky and elegant “Tuxedo” capsule collection, featuring perfect holiday party pieces: a bright red cami dress ($2,735), gold knit jumper ($1,165), sequined sleeveless midi dress ($2,950) and an ivory blouse with a ruffle neckline ($1,150). There’s also a sleek tuxedo suit (black jacket for $2,125 and slim trousers for $925), as well as sparkly shoes and handbags.
• Stella McCartney has launched an exclusive holiday capsule to be sold only on Net-a-porter; the 10-piece collection includes outerwear; a belted double satin jumpsuit with high leg slits; a black-and-gold fil coupé floor-sweeping dress; a satin mini dress; a crop top with bow details; a silk-draped midi skirt; and silk wide-leg trousers. There is also a fur-free cropped jacket (in line with her focus on the environment, the lineup has been created with sustainable viscose and organic cotton).
• Luxury Italian footwear brand Tod’s has teamed up with stylist and Vogue Japan editor Anna Dello Russo for Tod’s Circus – a holiday capsule collection with whimsical clown faces.
• The romantic contemporary line Rebecca Taylor has launched an eight-piece holiday capsule collection available exclusively at its boutiques and website. You’ll find tulle skirts with crystal embellishment, a white blouse with Victorian eyelet detailing, a taffeta evening dress, a quilted bomber jacket, leather pants and more. Prices range from $195 for jeans to $1,295 for the leather pants.
• If street is more your style, people are buzzing about Beyoncé’s new holiday capsule that emphasizes the importance of having a “thicc” holiday season; it includes tees, sweatshirts, crop tops, iPhone cases (we love the “Slay Bells” one), wrapping paper, and ornaments.
• NARS Cosmetics has a Man Ray-inspired holiday beauty capsule in chic black and white containers features golden lips and glass tears.
• Barneys New York has teamed up with the Haas Brothers for an exclusive holiday capsule for men, women and kids that includes apparel, skateboards and even lollipops.

Cute winter apparel and accessories are still available. But they won’t be for long. All of these items will be on sale by the end of the month, and if you think you’re going to want them in January or February, buy now because they won’t be there by then. Knit hats with pom-poms, furry boots, finger-less gloves – we’ve been impressed with the whimsy and fun of many of the winter accessories this year. Check out the offerings at Neiman Marcus, and you’ll get the picture.

Home goods. If you’re collecting Christmas ornaments and holiday décor, now’s the time to act. Bergdorf’s has some of the most stunning luxury holiday decorations we’ve ever seen.

Gifts, gifts, and more gifts. Every luxury brand, department store, newspaper, magazine and blog on the planet seems to have a holiday gift guide. And we’re no exception. We’ve got more ideas on the way, but we’ve already shared some targeted gift guides: customized handbags; bespoke gifts and experiences; gifts that are likely to sell out quickly; gifts for kids; for those who love to travel; and for sports fans. These are big fun to write, and we love reading gift guides, the more over-the-top the better – we just think they’re crazy fun. Check out these ideas from Gucci, Harrods, and Town & Country.

Whatever you decide to shop for this month, and in whatever way you decide to do it, just remember to have fun! Retail stores will never be more magical than they are right now. There will be “VIP” and special shopping events, a few more new holiday capsule collections still to be unveiled, and even some restorative glasses of champagne on offer. And don’t forget – you’ll need something to read. Welcome to December. Game on.

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