Gift Guides 2010: Young & Edgy
Whether you’re trying to buy a gift for someone that’s young in age or just young at heart, picking the perfect present for a woman who’s on the cutting edge of fashion and trends can be a bit of a task. The style world moves quickly, and if you’re not paying attention to this particular sector all year long, dipping in for a few Christmas gifts might seem impossible. If you find yourself in need of some expert suggestions, we present the latest installment in our Gift Guides 2010 series, with options ranging from a mere $25 to over a grand.
As always, we have to start with a handbag. The Alexander Wang Isis Frame Clutch has charms so obvious that they shouldn’t need explicating, but I’ll do so anyway: the intricate quilting is light years more interesting than that of your average Chanel bag, the size is perfect to go from day to night, and the ultra-industrial closure gives the bag a hard edge that works perfectly against the florid design of the bag’s stitching. Plus, you don’t get much cooler than Alexander Wang. Buy through ShopBop for $1050.
The Yves Saint Laurent Leopard Wool-Cashmere Blend Scarf hits all the right notes. Not only are scarves an essential accessory, but leopard print is here to stay and neon and chartreuse are both big trends for spring. This piece blends all of those elements seamlessly, and of all of the things I’ve written about in the past few weeks, I can think of nothing that I want more. I defy you to find a better way to brighten up a black winter ensemble. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $995.
The Juicy Couture Fingerless Mini Gloves are the kind of accessory that I think would confuse my mom, and perhaps rightly so. I don’t know why these seem so cool, but they do. Maybe it’s because they remind me of retro driving gloves, but slightly more modern? Or maybe I just appreciate that I’d be able to text without taking them off, I’m not sure. Either way, I think I’d wear them inside as well as out. Buy through ShopBop for $75.
If you’re looking for more of a stocking stuffer or a small gift for an acquaintance, something like the Deborah Lippmann Layer Cake Nail Polish Trio is the way to go. Lippmann’s sparkly polishes are on everyone’s fingers right now, and this set lets you try three very current colors in slightly smaller versions for a significant discount – her regular-size polishes go for $20 apiece! Personally, I’m lusting after the dark one on the right. Buy through Nordstrom for $25.
I didn’t purposely include two things named “Isis” in this guide, but I think that the same girl who would love that Alexander Wang clutch would also be all over the J.Crew Isis Bangle. The combination of toughness and glamour is popular all over fashion right now, and sometimes you just need some not-too-expensive bling to boost your mood on a midwinter day. Buy through J.Crew for $78.
Rubber watches are having a moment right now, and the material renders stark color so well that I can’t resist the retro-modern lines of the Nixon Oversized Rubber Watch. Nixon’s designs tend to be minimal and sleek, so even if this specific piece doesn’t tickle your fancy – err, the fancy of the recipient, because we’re shopping for others, remember? – check out the brand’s other designs. They’re reasonably priced and incredibly chic, across the board. Buy through ShopBop for $150.
Juicy Couture Bags & Bubbly Wrap Up
Last night the Juicy Couture Bags & Bubbly event I hosted took place at the Juicy Couture 5th Ave store. Let me start by telling you how different the Juicy handbag line is from what I usually expected from the brand. And let me also tell you how incredibly nice the Juicy Couture team was!
We arrived at the Juicy Couture flagship store on 5th Ave 15 minutes before the event started. The store itself is the ultimate Juicy Couture destination, filled with chairs fit for royalty and the playful decorations (including a spray-painted elk that Vlad could not stop talking about). The store occupies the corner of 52nd Street and 5th Ave and takes up two floors. We were set up on the second floor and guests were welcomed by a sweet, colorful macaroon display, champagne being served and of course heaps of BAGS! While many of the bags were readily available to buy, we were also simultaneously hosting a trunk show for the upcoming Holiday collection.
Juicy may still grace us with their classic terry/velor and logo handbags, but they now offer so much more. Gone are the days of what you used to expect from Juicy and in are new designs. As I said in my previous posts, the new collections stay true to the fun and young nature of Juicy Couture but also add a mature touch. There is nothing wrong with the bags they tend to be known for, but many of us find some of those designs better suited for a younger crowd. Much like Coach has an expanded line that can meet the wants and needs of many different groups of people, Juicy Couture does as well.
My absolute favorite bag from the holiday collection is their Bow Bag. Three members of the handbag design team (pictured above) were at the event to meet those who stopped by and they all carried different renditions of the new bow clutches. I joked with them that they looked like a rock band, but don’t they? A rock band that just so happen to be a walking advertisement for Juicy Couture. Furthermore, the design team was amazingly awesome. The rock band trio is turning the image of the brand’s handbags around one bag at a time.
We had the pleasure of meeting PurseBlog readers, PurseForum members, and a bunch of other Juicy Couture fans! The event was both successful and fun. Make sure to check out the pictures and look for the Holiday collection to hit stores around November 1st.
Gallery: A Peek at Juicy Couture Holiday Bags…
As I said, Juicy Couture is working their way into the contemporary handbag market quite nicely. Their bags remain fun and playful while having a more mature finish. The Holiday collection infuses large bows, ombre sequins, fake fur, and chiffon ruffles. My favorite (and many other bloggers agreed at the soiree) were the oversized bow bags. There were long shoulder straps paired with super-sized bows. It had the slightest hint of Valentino while staying true to the brands aesthetic and line.
Here is a peek at the Juicy Couture Holiday Handbags. If you are in NYC, make sure to stop by the Bags & Bubbly event I am hosting tomorrow. You can see the bags in person and receive 20% off all full-priced handbags.
Join me Thursday at Juicy Couture for Bags & Bubbly (and 20% off)
Juicy Couture, once known only for its track suits and largely logo’d bags, is changing its handbag line in such a positive way that you’d be wrong to assume the brand can’t compete in the contemporary handbag market. After previewing Juicy’s holiday collection, I can honestly say that I adore the line.
If you are in or around NYC, join me and some designers from the Juicy Couture team for a Bags & Bubbly event and handbag trunk show. We will be at Juicy Couture on 5th Avenue and 52nd Street in NYC from 5-7 PM this Thursday, October 7th. Come browse the new handbag collection and drink champagne and eat sweets. Better yet, you can receive 20% off a full priced handbag purchase during this event. You don’t want to miss a great deal on an amazing line of handbags. We hope to see you there!