The Luxury Gift Guide: the Best in Chic Shades of White

Love the color of snow and vanilla ice cream? Thinking about luxury gifts in those shades? The this luxury gift guide in the color white is for you. Our correspondent Julie Change Murphy has curated a luxury gift guide of the best presents for every occasion, for everyone on your list, in chic shades of white.

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?

chic shades of white can make for excellent luxury gifts

As we composed our luxury gift guide of gifts in the color white, we were reminded that there are lots of moods that can be conveyed by the various chic shades of white. Consider these.

Childhood innocence

The excitement of waking up and seeing the ground blanketed with fresh white snow. The irrepressible delight of eating the first vanilla ice cream cone (with rainbow sprinkles) of the summer. White is ingrained in many of our memories as a color of youthful innocence, simplicity and possibilities.

Relaxation and Ease

Amidst the cacophony of color and flashing lights competing by the minute for our attention, some shades of white can be calming and even refreshing — a palette cleanser after immersion in a rich bouquet of other colors of the rainbow. Think about the towels and the robe that greet you at the entrance of a luxury spa. Their hue instantly cues your brain to slow down, and your body to relax.

Sassy and spirited

White may be associated by some with purity – but a closer examination shows that chic shades of white can be sassy, fresh, spirited and unexpected.

Starting Fresh

Our favorite association with white, though? It’s the idea of a blank slate – of starting over, starting fresh, beginning a new adventure. When you don’t know what to wear when you’re starting something new, what could be better than a crisp white shirt?

Your luxury gift in the color white can inspire that feeling of wild abandon, confidence and optimism in your recipient.

a luxury gift in white can come in many shades

Because we all know that white is never truly white (as anyone who has ever tried to choose a pure white paint can tell you). It’s said that white is a combination of all the colors; it can actually have the lightest hint of  blue, yellow, pink and green. White that doesn’t have to feel like a cold, sterile doctor’s office. It can be warm, sweet, sassy, or serious.

Best of all, when considering a chic shade of white for a luxury gift, you can be assured that white can be a timeless and refined choice that works for all seasons. From cozy and soft wares to crisp to sharply detailed items, chic shades of the color white can showcase high-end craftsmanship and convey a sense of modernity.

Are you in? If so, dear reader, here are some of our top picks for luxury gifts in a wide range of chic shades of the color white.

the best luxury gifts in chic shades of white

1. Crisp and Classic White Dresses and Jackets

Miu Miu’s crystal-embellished corded cotton-blend lace midi dress, £2,410, available at Net-a-porter.com. Khaite Madison puff sleeve dress, £965, available at Farfetch.com. Chloe Cotton midi dress, £1,395, available at Mytheresa.com.

Blå Konst white denim jacket from Acne Studio ($370) is a perfect wardrobe staple and a fresh take on the classic denim jacket. The collaboration between Stella McCartney and Adidas Sport has yielded environmentally-sound and stylish pieces like this snow-white track jacket for men ($120). Or go for broke with Givenchy’s pristine white men’s track jacket with chic black trim ($1,560).

2. Coats and Sweaters in Cozy Winter White 

If you’re shopping for a non-conformist, then a white jacket or coat can serve as a sharp modern contrast to a sea of color.

Moncler’s Hudson coat ($2,525) is a dream for the most discerning snow bunny, made with quilted down in nylon laqué and fox fur trimmed hood. True romantics might opt for Simone Rocha’s second collaboration with Moncler Genius, which focuses on the theme of gardening. This winter white puffer jacket  ($1,980) features ruffles inspired by flower petals; its embellished with faux pearls and has a removable hood. Loro Piana’s convertible cashmere turtleneck cape ($5,400) is the epitome of a cozy winter wrap.

For men, this wool blend shearling bomber jacket from Saint Laurent ($1,674) has a vintage athletic appeal.

Loro Piana’s cream herringbone cashmere scarf ($850) is made from carefully selected yarns from its laboratory in Outer Mongolia. Appropriate for any gender and season, it’s a piece meant to be used forever.

No matter your recipient’s skin tone, a white sweater naturally flatters and illuminates the face. We love this slouchy lambswool cable knit jumper from Helmut Lang ($520). The Row’s milky white cocoon in the form of a cashmere cape ($1,550) already has us looking forward to cooler weather. And Zimmerman’s “Espionage” tie-front wool-blend sweater is a spy-girl’s best friend ($595).

Finally, there’s no reason that a white sweater can’t express some attitude. Bella Freud’s “Love Sick” intarsia wool sweater ($370) might be just the statement sweater your gift recipient needs right now.

3. Crisp and Classic White T-shirts and Tops

The white t-shirt is an effortless wardrobe staple. They can be styled in infinite ways but you can leave that to your stylish friend. Here are some inspired choices to set them up. This oversized Christopher Kane tee ($375) is embellished with rhinestone chains, available at one of our new favorite boutiques, Forty Five Ten, at Hudson Yards.

Off-White, not surprisingly, has a pristine crisp white ribbed printed stretch-cotton tee ($245). We love this snow-white Unravel Project “distressed” cashmere sweater ($920). For something more feminine, have a look at this Chloe ruffled silk organza-trimmed sweater ($795). 

Gucci’s archival logo tees have been a cult item every season. This one with roaring tigers ($620) is one of our favorites to date. Comme des Garçons signature heart and eyes graphic make this white tee irreverent and playful ($125).

Burberry’s fresh logo designed by graphic artist Peter Saville is emblazoned on this classic crewneck ($350). For a more grunge look, try Yohji Yamamoto’s distressed white tee ($750) with red and black Japanese characters. Virgil Abloh’s OFF-WHITE t-shirt ($390) mines The Simpsons for inspiration in this small release collection of Bart Simpson inspired fashion.

4. Luxury Handbags in Chic Shades of the Color White

When gifting a handbag, white is admittedly not the most practical but who cares? She probably already has her preferred black tote or brown leather hobo. Your job is to surprise her with something whimsical and stunning. Something perfect for hot sunny days and breezy tropical nights.

Louis Vuitton’s Marignan ($2,680) is made with Monogram Empreinte leather and can be worn three ways: handheld, cross-body and over-the-shoulder. We are big fans of the newish Amsterdam-based label, Wandler’s handbags. The Hortensia ($755) has a graceful, unique shape and the classic combo of creamy canvas and brown leather.

For true whimsy, Italian brand Gatti’s Pompadour feather bucket bag ($700) is the epitome of fun and glamour. Chloe’s shiny white crocodile stamped bag ($2,090) adds polish to any outfit.

5. Fine Jewelry in the Color White

Diamonds may get all the attention when it comes to white gemstones, but the quieter choices of pearls and opals are no less luxurious and elegant.

Andrea Fohrman’s white enamel rainbow necklace ($5,600) features shimmering diamonds that will be compliment her closet of little black dresses. Van Cleef & Arpels iconic Alhambra pattern bracelet ($3,700) has been imitated but there’s nothing like the real thing. We love Jennifer Behr’s delightful handpainted white floral hoops ($495) that are light and easy to wear.

For a milestone October birthday, consider this Nina Runsdorf signature ‘flip ring’ ($5,400) featuring a pearl-cut white opal framed with pave diamonds. Instead of a traditional diamond engagement ring, what about this one-of-a-kind 18mm South Sea pearl ring ($59,000) flanked by 1.58 carats of marquise cut diamonds?

6. White Boots

No luxury gift guide with ideas in the color white would be complete without the mention of white boots. Prada makes solutions dressing a high-fashion affair with these white snow boots ($1,100). We love Balenciaga’s latest fierce white ankle boots ($1,490). And for the guys, there’s a pair of white leather Chelsea boots from AMI that are getting lots of notice for fall-winter 2019. Could be that this season, white is the new black.

7. Luxury Tech in Chic Shades of White

Apple has practically made the color white synonymous with round edged, ergodynamic- looking tech products. For something that has that clean, modern look, you won’t have to look far. Our luxury gift guide has lots of consumer tech and gadgets in the color white.

Glo’s teeth home teeth whitening device ($199) uses heat and blue LED light to brighten your loved one’s pearly whites. Each application is 8-minutes long and contains whitening gel for up to 40 uses.

For workout fiends, nothing is more important than music to keep them going. Garmin’s Forerunner 245 Music smartwatch ($349.99) syncs with music streaming services such as Spotify and stores up to 500 of their favorite jams. It also gives advanced performance analytics and connectivity via text, email and social media once it is set up with your smartphone.

Another Garmin product we love is the Garmin Index Smart Scale ($129.99) which measures the stats that count: weight, BMI, body fat and water percentage, and skeletal muscle mass and bone mass. Apple’s own AirPods are some of the best wireless headphones on the market and they just upped their game with the wireless charging case. Just pull them out and they’re ready to go.

For your desk job friends or allergy-prone relatives, check out Dyson’s Pure Cool Me ($349.99), a personal air purifying fan. Its sealed filter combines an activated carbon and glass HEPA, capture gases and ultrafine particles from the air. It then uses Dyson Core Flow™ technology to project purified air.

8. Luxury Tabletop and Home Decor Gifts in the Color White

White can bring serenity and peace into the place where people need it most- their inner sanctuary, their home. We love these luxury nature-inspired objects and home accessories in the color white.

Tory Burch Home’s Lettuce Ware Teapot ($248) captures the elegance and whimsy of 1960s Palm Beach. This Oyster dinnerware ($85 for bowls to $105 for dinner plates) from ABC Home is inspired by the sea and coast and has a luminescent pearly finish that makes each piece unique.

For a slice of heaven, ANNA’s Kiva crystal platter ($480) which features a genuine crystal slab edged in pure silver, will be much admired by someone who loves hosting parties. This sweet Lladro Winter Lee porcelain candle ($185) with a scent of “Sweet Memories” could be a charming gift for a winter birthday. From Apparatus, this Neo Lantern ($960) conjures ancient and ceremonial rites with its simple geometric sculpture and stones. It’s neutral and captivating at the same time.

9. Fragrance and Scented Candles

There are some great luxury scented candles in the color white that would be lovely gifts. Candle-maker Joya and Snarkitecture’s ‘Secret Souvenir’ collaboration is a celebration of New York; their candle is perfumed with an light floral fragrance comprised of scents found in the city’s parks, like fresh Lilies and an arrangement of Blonde Woods. As the wax burns away, a hidden metal replica of one of NYC’s most notable monuments – either the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building or the Statue of Liberty – is unearthed – $120.

Or you could opt for a pristine minimalist white Ultra Rose candle from Ex Nihilio Paris that smells of lychee, oak moss and musk – $75. Yves Saint Laurent Beaute’s Le Vestiaire Des Parfums Saharienne Candle has a light and fresh fragrance featuring notes of neroli petals, white musk, and wild grass- $72. And luxury candle-maker Cire Trudon has partnered with designer Giambattista Valli on a white candle meant to evoke the fragrance of Positano ($105).

10. Art and Coffee Table Books

Coffee-table and art books are almost always welcome gifts, so we’ve added a couple in to our luxury gift guide in the color white. There are lots of them from which to choose.

For instance, take a trip back to the turbulent 1960’s and 70’s to better understand the current day with the gift of The White Album by Joan Didion. Or look to the future with Phaidon’s monograph on the cool, cutting-edge New York design firm Snarkitecture ($59.95). This book presents more than 70 of their projects, including the new Forty-Five Ten store at Hudson Yards in New York.

Fashionistas should love The Art of the White Shirt as style inspiration. The monograph that accompanied the Met’s 2018 Costume Institute exhibit, Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination is bound in ethereal white. And on Houzz, you can find sets of “decorative white books” in quantities from 11 to 75 ($99-649).

11. Just for Fun

You may have heard that luxury gourmet marshmallows are now a Thing. They’re gorgeous to look at and delicious to eat – win-win! You could also opt for these pearly Belgian hazelnut chocolate hearts from Harrods ($23). Charbonnel & Walker are chocolatiers to the Royal Family, and we doubt anyone would say no to their Milk Chocolate Sea Salt Caramel Truffles ($104). Polish it all off with a fresh pot of white tea.

our guide to the best luxury gifts in chic shades of white

Our guide to luxury gifts in every color fittingly culminates with white, the color that contains all of the rainbow. Which one have you been most drawn to? If you’re like me, maybe it changes daily depending on your mood, the weather or the season. Whatever you’re feeling, there’s a color for it.

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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, kickboxing and spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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