The Who What Wear 100: Every Single Holiday Item to Shop in 2023
We're in the last quarter of 2023, and all of our favorite brands are rounding out the year with a bang. They've got holiday collections featuring sparkles and metallics, home goods inspiring all of our décor decisions for the space we don't have (New Yorkers understand), and gifts we're eyeing for friends and family but want for ourselves. The new arrivals on the market are pretty irresistible, so we decided to gift you all with an installment of WWW 100: Holiday Edition, a deep dive into the top 100 holiday finds that will have you and everyone you know wearing and using the chicest and worthiest pieces.
We don't know about you, but the holidays just don't feel right without a trip to Macy's. It's been the ultimate one-stop shop for as long as we can remember, so every year when the holidays creep up on us, we have no choice but to scroll the site for beauty, fashion, and home items. We spent hours perusing thousands of items for you to shop at Macy's, but we can't take all of the credit. With the help of four editors and six content creators, we now present to you the best of the best holiday gifts.
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@fashionwithjazz"During the holiday season, all I want to be serving is 'rich auntie' energy at family functions, so that was the driving force behind my look. I also felt it was necessary to nod to the influence the quiet-luxury movement had this year by opting for luxurious-looking pieces that you'd never guess were from Macy's (in a good way). The first item I wanted to wear was a pair of riding boots, as there's nothing more quintessentially extravagant than equestrian-inspired footwear. What I love about these Sam Edelman boots is that they're incredibly comfortable, and the hardware makes them look designer. I knew I wanted to show them off, so I chose to keep the rest of the look relatively minimalist (aside from outerwear) by pairing them with a black slit skirt from Mango and a turtleneck sweater. I found this incredible cardigan set from Nocturne. I love everything about this piece from the matching scarf to the whipstitching detail to the ultra-fuzzy material. The unique details on these pieces not only make them feel more luxe but also make me long to wear them to all my holiday festivities." — Jasmine Fox-Suliaman, editor, Who What Wear
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@hangingwithanna"This may sound cliché, but one of the best ways to shop smart is truly to make a list—preparation is key! This allows you to focus without doing any meandering. I take a few minutes to jot down keywords that identify the person's interests and who they are, and then I write down item ideas to go with those descriptions. I've realized that I have three top categories as my go-to gifts for my family and friends: accessories, footwear, and outerwear. Who doesn't love a fresh new pair of sneakers or a fun, cute scarf?! Additionally, I like to give items that are more functional and practical such as a nice pair of pj's and slippers or a spa-like, luxe robe. You can't go wrong with any of these items, and Macy's has a large selection of these categories!
"For a holiday look, I knew I wanted to keep it chic yet relaxed. The barrel jeans (aka balloon jeans) are a trendy silhouette right now, and they offer the ultra-relaxed fit I was looking for. Due to their unique design (wider through the thigh and cropped at the ankle), they make the perfect denim to show off footwear! Since the shoes are visible, I figured it was a great way to add a touch of the hot metallic silver trend to shine this holiday season! Additionally, because of the style of jeans, something more fitted on top is ideal such as a bodysuit, crop top, or slightly oversize top or jacket that sits at/near the waistline." — Johanna Cruz, digital creator
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@laurenegg"My family has so many crazy traditions around the holidays, and I love them all. My aunt has an annual Christmas Eve party where all of our family and friends come together to celebrate the season. Everyone dresses up and eats tons of food—it's perfect. My favorite thing about this time of the year is the joy that it exudes. Friends and family are always down to come together to do something festive. I don't necessarily have a method to my madness when it comes to holiday shopping, but I love gifting things people wouldn't normally buy themselves, like a really cool pair of slippers or a luxury perfume. I always love receiving gifts like that, and I know my friends and family always appreciate receiving things that feel special in their day-to-day lives. For example, one of my friends is obsessed with chic pajama sets, so I plan on getting her a great pair this year, and my other friend has been dying for a pair of silver heels, which I also immediately jotted down." — Lauren Eggertsen, editorial director, Who What Wear
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@maariadeek"When shopping for gifts, I like to purchase things my friends and family would love to own but not necessarily buy for themselves—items like a cotton-terry robe for my dad, a salad spinner for my health-conscious friend, or cologne for my husband. I like to go to retailers like Macy's that offer a variety of items and a large selection of quality merchandise that I know my loved ones will appreciate. For my holiday look, I wanted to create an outfit that was on-trend yet timeless. When selecting my look, I wanted to focus on versatile pieces that can be worn all season long. It includes trends like structured tailoring, shiny metallics, and one of this season's It colors, burgundy! This outfit encapsulates my style perfectly, so catch me wearing it to every holiday party." — Maaria Deek, digital creator
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@thechichio"My holiday shopping list is always a mixture of festive clothing, fun accessories, and cool gifts for my friends and family. I'm big on a one-stop shop, and Macy's is the perfect place to tackle all my shopping in one go. I live for a pop of red, so I'm super into this lovely cashmere cardigan. I also go for cool accessories like fishnet socks, geometric earrings, and a faux-leather bomber. All these pieces were found at Macy's! I'm gifting my family and friends an array of trendy items like the Nike Gamma Force sneakers, Yves Saint Laurent Libre perfume, a metallic Coach handbag, and Dior lip oil.
"For my look, I wanted to use a bold red style because it's super on-trend right now. I added edgy accessories like these cool geometric earrings from Oma the Label, fishnet socks, and patent-leather oxfords. I topped everything off with a sleek faux-leather bomber. I've been wanting a bomber like this because I've seen so many cute outfits with leather bombers on TikTok! This outfit is perfect for any holiday gathering from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It's comfy but nice enough for any pictures you may want to take." — Chichi Offor, associate shopping editor, Who What Wear
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@ktberohn"I like to knock out all of my shopping in one place as much as possible. That's why Macy's is my go-to destination for holiday shopping—there's something there for everyone on my list. Macy's makes it easy to shop everything I need from the same place. Plus, you can't beat the prices. My mom mentioned that she wants new slippers, and Macy's has the most heavenly Ugg slippers that she'll love. When it comes to general gifts, I'm a beauty editor, so I like to give my friends and family products that I'm genuinely excited about and that I know they'll love too. This year, that includes my favorite red lipstick, the best mascara for volume and length, and a new perfume that's generating tons of buzz.
"For fall, we saw tons of red hues, but as the weather gets colder, darker red is taking center stage. I picked my deep red heels with this trend in mind. Quiet luxury is still making waves, so I kept my look simple but elevated, making sure the shoes were the loudest part of my outfit. For me, that means a classic pair of blue jeans, a simple white sweater, and a tennis necklace that looks way more expensive than it is. I would wear this outfit to a holiday dinner with friends and family." — Katie Berohn, beauty editor, Who What Wear
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@rayyaansari"For my family and friends, I can never go wrong with gifting jewelry. A simple stud earring is great for everyday wear, so I'll know it's a gift that will get so much use. In the colder months, I also love wearing (and gifting) a cozy sweater. I love this one in particular for its on-trend stitch detailing. To make a sweater even dressier, I recommend pairing it with a chic black skirt and heeled boots. You could even wear a collared button-up underneath to add an element of prep to the look. This outfit is perfect for a dinner or a holiday work event." — Rayya Ansari, digital creator
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@tinsleyerin"I like to stay organized for my holiday shopping by making lists for each person. I love doing this [on the Macy's site] specifically because it's so easy for me to make wish lists and share them. Some of my go-to gifts for my friends and family are in the home and beauty categories. Everyone loves candles, appliances, and beauty gift sets. For the holiday season, I love to be comfy, cozy, and chic. I have spotted these shearling Uggs everywhere and can't believe they are still in stock at Macy's. Paired with jeans and a cute sweater, this is the perfect outfit for holiday shopping or lunch dates. To accessorize, you could amp up this look with a fun belt, ruffle socks, or a cute scarf." — Tinsley Erin, digital creator
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@amanirakeia"My favorite holiday tradition that I look forward to is 'Friend-mas,' which is a fun gathering my friends host a few days or a week before Christmas. We'll all participate in a Secret Santa and cook a food dish to bring and all enjoy together. My go-to gifts are going to be staples that they'll use all year round and get the most use out of. I'm a lover of all things self-care, and Nest New York's Festive Candle Gift Set has scents of cinnamon, vanilla, and amber, which I think are perfect notes to vibe with as one unwinds for the night. I also love a good robe moment for its cozy qualities." — Amani Richardson, digital creator
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@maddy_gutierrez_"During the holidays, I want to feel festive while still being super comfortable. A black dress like this has plenty of stretch, and these boots are so comfy and easy to walk in. The subtly green cardigan makes it feel cozy and casual, which is always the vibe in our house over fancy! I love these pieces for myself, but they would also make perfect gifts for my loved ones. When it comes to crossing off my holiday checklist, the key is to get started early. Keeping things simple really helps, and one-stop shopping at Macy's makes it fun!" — Maddy Gutierrez, digital creator
