Christmas gift buying guide: Fashion & accessories

Buying clothing as a present for someone who’s already a fashionista can be daunting. The perfect gift will seem elusive, and hunting for it may prove time-consuming, not to mention stressful. Wouldn’t it be perfect if you could skip the crowds and find a gift that’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser?

You have to make sure you’re looking good yourself too, as the weather starts to heat up and you need a complete wardrobe change. Our guide will help you find great clothing and accessory gifts for those on your Christmas shopping list, as well as festive season outfits for yourself. From hip streetwear to understated elegance, we’ve got you covered.

Firstly, get yourself spruced up

Nothing gets you more into the Christmas spirit than looking the part yourself. For some, this might mean literally donning a Santa or elf costume to entertain the kids (you can find an amazing selection of Christmas costumes at Costume Box), for others it’s the thrill of having an excuse to buy a brand new outfit (then reaping the compliments when you sit down for Christmas lunch looking absolutely fabulous). Myer has a great selection of seriously on-trend summer wear for women and men.

Choose your outfit wisely – remember that you’ll be tucking into a lot of glorious food and you don’t want to stain your new outfit (these glitter tree napkins from Zanui will help capture any Christmas pudding spillage).

Gifts to stay streets ahead

It’s 2017, and Larry David – the septuagenarian star of Curb Your Enthusiasm – is an unlikely style icon. Why? All signs point to his penchant for deeply daggy ‘dad sneakers’. The trend is part of a wider sartorial shift towards all things streetwear, which has been embraced by fashion designers and high-street retailers alike.

This Christmas, you’ll find plenty of street apparel for all price points that can be delivered to your doorstep on time, thanks to Australia Post.

Culture Kings offers designer apparel and footwear for the discerning hypebeast – male or female – at any age. A man can stay a step ahead with a pair of Adidas Primeknits ($239.95), while women can keep the ‘90s aesthetic alive during the height of summer with a Stussy playsuit ($99.95). Keep kids sun-smart with the store’s vast array of snapback caps promoting US baseball and basketball teams.

Meanwhile, Melbourne fashion brand Homie caters to trendsetters with a social conscience. The volunteer-driven social enterprise offers retro-inspired streetwear and accessories for men and women, and provides clothing and job opportunities to those experiencing joblessness and homeless in Australia. T-shirts range from $40 to $55, hoodies are $60, and sunglasses are $30.

Keeping the kids happy

At Myer, you’ll find a range of options for children of all ages. Boys can wear their heroes on their sleeve with a Marvel Spiderman T-shirt for $29.95, while a tropical bathing suit ($29.95) by Tilii will ensure girls aged between 8 and 16 are primed for summer.

Cotton On Kids also offers a smorgasbord of embroidered T-shirts, denim jackets, shorts, and sparkly dresses under $40, which encourage the youngest among us to bring out the big style guns.

For boys aged 8 and under, a pair of dinosaur pyjamas will enliven the imagination. Meanwhile, young girls might like a very cool ‘letter’ retro backpack featuring the first letter of their name.

Accessories for all

Getting someone’s size right can be difficult. If you’d prefer to play it safe, consider buying stylish accessories instead.

Myer provides a bounty of options for the most fastidious of shoppers. For women, a pair of Peter Lang champagne and shell thread earrings adds a touch of subtle glamour to any outfit, while men can up the style stakes with a Christian Paul watch ($140) with marble dial.

Cotton On offers the ability to add a personalised touch to accessories of all kinds. For beach fanatics, you could customise towels, beach blankets, hats and bags with up to three initials. Prices range from $19.95 for a cap or Turkish towel, and go up to $44.95 for a heather tote. Other monogrammable options include workout gear, toiletry bags, and bathrobes.

More options abound at Target, especially if you’re on a budget. These Shana sunglasses in tortoiseshell evoke a vacation vibe at a steal ($15), while a metallic Lachlan watch is an elegant addition to any man’s wardrobe. There are also a range of print backpacks – think polka dots, palm fronds, camouflage, and more – that can be donned during the school week or weekend excursions.

Delivery options

Make Christmas shopping a breeze by customising your parcel delivery locations¹ with Australia Post. You can get parcels delivered to your Parcel Locker (accessible 24/7), a PO Box, or a post office near you.

Shop the look for Anna’s outfit from Myer in our video: Basque lotus bloom dress, Ambra clean metal bangle, Basque sculpture bangles, Robert Robert sandals.