The Chic Luxury Gift Guide: The Best in the Color Gray

Sometimes in the midst of a riot of color and sparkle, the best luxury gifts come in shades of gray. You know, one of the many delicious neutral colors that run the gamut from . If you have a gift recipient with a taste for understated luxury, then this gift guide is for you. Our correspondent Julie Chang Murphy has curated a chic luxury gift guide of the best presents for every occasion, for everyone on your list, in the color gray.

why have a luxury gift guide all in one color?

Here at Dandelion Chandelier, we’ve created curated lists of all-of-a-color luxury items and experiences for those who love a particular hue – or whose gift recipients do.

Why? Because for starters, it’s an easier way to shop. Your eye can focus on just one shade in the visual cacophony at retail, or you can more easily search for ideas online.

Second, when the presents are open, everything looks great together! What could be better for your Instagram photos? Color-coding is clearly the way to go if you want to look pulled-together for posterity. 

Finally, it’s just fun for someone who loves color, and shopping, and pulling everything all together. ‘Cause why not?

shades of gray can make for perfect luxury gifts

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who says their favorite color, out of all the kaleidoscope of options, is gray. And if they do, you might reconsider them for a moment- wondering if they’re depressed, boring or emotionless. But to love gray is an inspired choice.

It shows that one appreciates nuance. They’re comfortable with the shades and shadows, existing in the in-between. Lovers of gray savor the dusk- where day and night are separated by a veil of paper thin crepe.

Gray is a graceful, fine mist and a thundering, rolling storm. It’s the moon that sometimes looks like a common craggy rock and then, an incandescent goddess ruling the tides.

the chic luxury gift guide: the best in the color gray

As a color to inspire ideas for a luxury gift, gray is a sophisticated and timeless choice that will be sure to fit seamlessly in your recipient’s wardrobe, lifestyle and home. From apparel to accessories to home decor, gray hues from dark charcoal to light dove communicate dignity and elegance. And yes, it can even be fun as a natural complement to a pop of color. Here are 30 luxury gift ideas in every shade of gray.

1. Apparel

Cement, stone, and graphite all conjure imposing, impenetrable and cold objects. But like an iconic white cable knit pullover, gray is also synonymous with sweater weather. Its cozy heathered effect is a classic choice that one can never have too many of.

Some of our favorites for men are this light ash, retro-inspired Thom Browne cardigan ($780), Todd Snyder’s impeccably color blocked charcoal, navy and tan alpaca crewneck ($228), and Beams Plus’ cashmere sweater ($585) spun from plush mélange yarns and topped with a rollneck for extra warmth.

For ladies, we adore this cheeky Bella Freud cashmere sweater ($540) with ‘Oh You’ embroidery, inspired by David Bowie lyrics. Designed with a loose silhouette in an infinitely wearable light dove color, this Brock Collection cardigan ($1,570) will keep her warm and cozy for years. Pattern lovers will love this folksy Fair Isle Nili Lotan sweater ($695) spun together with harmonious warm and cool grays.

2. Handbags

When it comes to handbags that say refinement and femininity, gray is an unexpected but gorgeous choice.

Check out Prada’s smoky gray leather handbag ($2,490) in a vintage-inspired top handle silhouette, or this moody floral puffer tote from Dries Van Noten ($1,250). Proenza Schouler’s gracefully ruched handbag ($1,295) in an oyster gray leather and suede would look equally stunning paired with a floral dress or jeans.

3. Jewelry

Gray stones bring out the shine and brilliance of precious metals, as well as standing out on their own. Each subtle shade and variation found in gray makes every piece one of a kind.

These creamy and smoky agate earrings from Pippa Small ($1,670) have an earthy and natural beauty to complement any look. This resin bangle from Australia based Dinosaur Designs ($75) is reminiscent of a cloudy, stormy sky. And whoever says gray is dull and without sparkle hasn’t seen Nayla Arida’s magical mother of pearl eye necklace ($1,807).

4. Watches

A graphite dial creates a monotone look with silver stainless steel bracelet that looks oh so sleek. Or, on the other hand, it can frame a contrast color beautifully, making it a true statement piece.

This Bvlgari ladies watch ($6,150) looks modern and edgy with anthracite satiné soleil lacquered dial and diamond indexes. For a more classic and feminine look, the gray alligator leather strap on Cartier’s Santos-Dumont watch ($9,900) emphasizes the pretty 18k pink gold case to great effect.

For men, Montblanc’s heritage timepiece ($8,000) with gray alligator strap will look smart with any shirt or jacket cuff. And we love the look of this sporty yellow and gray Victorinox watch ($650) that also happens to be certified for diving.

5. Accessories

Who says neutral gray accessories can’t make a statement? We found a few items that would elevate an ordinary outfit into an Instagram worthy one.

Check out this jaunty Frasconi rabbit felt fedora with fluffy gray pom pom ($298) for some added whimsy to her look. Bloomingdale’s exclusive camo scarf ($218) in greige and beige will pair well with any color winter coat in her closet. And surely, she has a little black dress that is in need of this stunning Alaia studded laser cut corset belt ($2,200)? 

6. Home

Chances are your friend has lots of gray in her home. It’s been a decade long trend now and we found some unique and special decor items that would make perfect hostess, housewarming, wedding shower or “just because” gifts that will find an instant place in their home.

Entirely made in France, these colorful orchid print placemats ($35 each) are an elegant touch to any dining table. This superb set of six porcelain dinner plates ($590)will be treasured by those with modern and classic decors, featuring a vintage print of a shipwreck and stylized geometric border. In the living room or bedroom, consider these irresistible knot pillows ($115) from Design Within Reach designed by Swedish designer, Ragnheiður Ösp Sigurðardóttir.

7. Candle

A single flame burning on top of a smoky gray candle certainly sets the mood for introspection and quiet reflection. Here are our top picks.

Diptyque’s Feu de Bois scented candle ($325) will bring the aroma of a true open fire into the home and the handmade earthenware can function as a beautiful planter after the candle has burned out. Perfume H likens the Smoke candle ($150) to the smell of the air after burning wood, fused with the earthy notes of Cade, Patchouli and Wild Herbs. The mouth-blown glass vase in a suitably smoky shade burns for up to 80 hours. And finally, Fornasetti’s candle ($400) is designed with the iconic image of the founder’s muse, Italian opera singer Lina Cavalieri in graphic grays. With notes of Pink Pepper, Cypress, Labdanum, Laurel and Incense on a deep base of Cedarwood, Sandalwood and Musk.

8. Books

We can think of nothing more suitable to display the beauty of gray than these gorgeous and acclaimed art books.

What color is more associated with the city of London than the color gray? For Anglophiles, check out The Light of London ($75) which showcases a new collection of evocative black-and-white images by Jean-Michel Berts. Sculpture also captures the many dimensions of gray and this Picasso Sculpture publication ($85) is a sweeping survey of the artist’s innovative and influential work. And for art and space lovers alike, Apollo’s Muse: The Moon in the Age of Photography ($45) celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing with this  volume of photography, prints, drawings and paintings.

9. Bath and Body

Earthy gray, from clays full of minerals and nutrients, inspired these choices in this category. And they also lend a dramatic touch to a vanity or beauty shelf.

We love Fresh for their nature inspired products and this Umbrian Clay Mask ($58) works wonders for all facial skin types. For the body, this Palermo Detox Body Scrub ($48) polishes the skin and deep cleanses with Dead Sea salt and pumice stone. Put in a spa inspired gift basket and you’re good to go. Ditch the pastel perfume bottles and go for this moody gray ombre for a cool, downtown friend. Oribe has crafted this Côte d’Azur Eau de Parfum ($105) with scent of lemon, plum, blackcurrant, bergamot and orange top notes. Middle notes reflect the scents of tuberose, cyclamen and jasmine, with drydown notes of sandalwood, vetiver and amber.

10. Travel

For the worldly, urbane traveler, no extra stimuli is needed. In this case, gray is the best color to soothe, comfort and pacify.

This handsome gray Globe Trotter x Todd Snyder luggage with tan leather accents ($1,940) is beautifully and carefully handcrafted at their factory in Hertfordshire from vulcan fibre and is perfect for a sojourn in town or country. Featuring up to 19 hours of playtime, Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H4 wireless headphones ($300) are second to none in sound quality, comfort and good looks. For long flights, this coordinating travel set in heathered slate ($395) from Sophia Cashmere is crafted from pure cashmere and includes a classic cable knit blanket, eye mask, and zippered storage case designed with the ability to also be used as a pillow. Genius.

the best chic luxury gifts in the color gray

Things are not always black and white. That gray area, as these luxury gift ideas show, can be beautiful. Happy Shopping!

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, fitness and even investigating police misconduct. Julie lives in NYC where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women. Also kickboxing and spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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