Fashion Tip Sheet: Hottest Holiday Gifts

Dec. 14, 2007 — -- You have style, flair, a certain "je ne sais quoi" and you're shopping for people with the same.

What you don't have is time. That's why we talked to some of the most fabulous fashion editors around and asked them to pick a favorite holiday stocking stuffer and a favorite fashion splurge.

So, we've made our list, we've checked it twice and we don't care whether you're naughty or nice. This gift list works for everybody.

Kathryn Finney, blogger, thebudgetfashionista.com

The Steal:

The Budget Fashionista won't be shopping at Hermes this season. But Kathryn Finney weighed in with a few of her own savvy — and frugal — fashion picks for the holidays. Try a Scoop green and gorgeous 100 percent canvas shopping bag. They're just $28 at HSN.com. Finney also recommends the Holly Golightly sleep mask found at FredFlare.com for just $14.

The Splurge:

And for a splurge, Finney recommends marrying fashion with function and buying a laptop for the loved one on your list. Sony VAIOs offer models in pink, red and blue ($1,500).

Evyan Metzner, fashion director, Self magazine

The Steal:

Self's Evyan Metzner advises all would-be Santas to wrap up some faux-fur trimmed gloves from the Gap ($20). She thinks they make perfect stocking stuffers.

The Splurge:

Metzner recommended buying the fashion fan on your list the most-talked-about sweater of the season — the Chanel Penguin sweater ($1365.). And in keeping with the PETA-approved animal theme, Metzner also liked an oversized Stella McCartney "polar bear" sweater ($2595). For something a little less-cabin-in-the-woodsy, try the perfect sequined shift party dress by Mint Jodi Arnold ($572).

Suze Yalof Schwartz, executive fashion editor, Glamour magazine

The Steal:

Suze Yalof Schwartz of Glamour gave us a host of fun fashion gift ideas that have little to do with clothing but everything to do with style. At PersonalWine.com, you can order a vintage with a personalized label (from $120/case). Send in a family photo with a favorite saying or design your own label right on the Web site. You can order one bottle or a whole case.

Schwartz also recommends checking out PinkMonogram.com because "monogramming is hot" this season. You can get your initials on everything from headbands to puff bracelets to belts. Not to mention the fun you'll have channeling your inner preppie.

One of Schwartz's all-time favs for fun fashion finds is FredFlare.com. The Web site offers dozens of "retro-tastic" gift items like a talking Japanese watch that comes in bright colors for about $20, or a pop-art color camera that prints pictures in four colors so you can be your own Andy Warhol ($16, FredFlare.com).

And even fashion types are talking tech this year. So the Flip Video camera is an ideal gift. These little video machines take about an hour's worth of video and get plugged directly into your computer so downloading video is a snap. Available in several fun fashion colors ($119. www.theflip.com).

The Splurge:

As for the splurge item, Schwartz also recommends a holiday handbag. Her favorite find is the Prada satin tophandle clutch, which retails for about $995, or consider cashmere. White+Warren offers a pair of cashmere ballet flats, an eye mask and a cashmere throw for the traveler on your list. All of the items bundle up into one small package — the perfect size to toss into a carry on bag ($495.).

Katrina Szish, national correspondent, InStyle magazine

The Steal:

Looking for something cheap and unique? Katrina Szish of InStyle has the solution: custom-made Van. Go to Vans.com, pick your style, pick your size, pick your color, pick your design and voila a fashion couture sneaker for about $50.

The Splurge:

On the splurge side, Szish is all about warmth this season. She picked the Moncler Marmalade coat ($1,300). "It's warm and functional with a fur-trimmed hood and a cinched waist. It's very flattering. You definitely won't look like the Michelin man in this one," said Szish.

Adam Glassman, creative director, O, the Oprah Magazine

The Steal:

Why do some of the most fashionable people in the world still carry around a plain, black, bought-on-the-street umbrella? Good question. Perhaps that's why the Totes Jingle 'brella ($20) caught the eye of Adam Glassman of O, the Oprah Magazine. It comes in stripes, animal prints and at least 10 fashion colors.

The Splurge:

Glassman's splurge pick also involves color. At Colorwarepc.com, you can get virtually any tech product — from iPods to laptops to television sets to gaming systems — colorized. You can buy the products online or send in ones you already own. Don't ask us how it's done, we simply don't know but we do know dozens of different colors are offered and Glassman has a recommendation for that too. This season's "it" shade is purple so go with "mystique."

Theresa DiMasi, editor in chief, Brides.com

The Steal:

Is there a bride-to-be on your shopping list? Perhaps there will be, because the week between Christmas and New Year's is the most popular time to get engaged, according to Theresa DiMasi at Brides.com. DiMasi had a few ideas for all the people you know who are about to become "smug marrieds." For stocking stuffers, try a signature scent. One of her favorites is Missoni's Eau de Parfum (60$).

The Splurge:

And for a splurge, get the bride-to-be a Pilates session — or 10, depending on your budget (about $100/per session). Come to think of it, that's a great idea for anyone on your list.

Gloria Baume, fashion market director, Teen Vogue magazine

The Steal:

Over at"Teen Vogue", Gloria Baume loves the classics. Her stocking stuffer pick is an LL Bean tote bag (from $17). "They're inexpensive, classic and beautiful and during this season you can pick a lot of fun colors," said Baume. Just a hint, buy the open top. No one on Nantucket would be caught dead with the zip top.

The Splurge:

As for the splurge, you can't go wrong with Hermes, said Baume. Try a tie for a man in the color of the season — purple or a scarf for a woman. For something a little fancier and pricier, try an Hermes watch. But be prepared to spend thousands of dollars."Fashion seems so quick these days. To me a Christmas present is something you want someone to carry around forever so they'll always think of you. That's why I think classics are the way to go," said Baume.

Jane Larkworthy, beauty director, W magazine

The Steal:

W's glamorous editor Jane Larkworthy would seem to have it all. But what she is pining for, really pining for, this holiday season are some H&M tights — preferably gray. At three for $20 it's one of the best deals around and Larkworthy adds "they're as good as Fogal and Wolford."

The Splurge:

For a fashion splurge, Larkworthy recommends a brightly colored Hermes clutch. Or if your holiday shopping budget is in the comfortable five-figure range, you might want to consider Lancome's limited edition Goyard makeup case. The super-luxe trunk was created in collaboration with makeup artist Gucci Westman who handpicked the 36 products included in the heirloom piece ($18,000).