Fancy Socks – And 7 More Gifts For Winter Pulls

In this edition of The Gift, we’re sharing a few wardrobe enhancements that can jazz up any gift this February. Also: 36 gifts that scream “self-care.”

Even I, a big proponent of Little Treat Culture, who lives much closer to the “opulent” than the “functional” side of the shopping spectrum, has to draw the line somewhere.

And for me, that line is these $100 socks. I just can’t justify spending Benjamin’s money on a single pair — no matter how high they feel, how soft the cashmere is, how cool the little IYKYK tag makes them on other sock bangers, or how much our style editor gushes over them. (“Now that I’ve seen these socks,” she said, “it’s hard to go back to anything else.”)

All that said: Few things would make me happier than receiving these socks as a gift. They perfectly embody one of the golden rules of giving: Get something they use every day, but better.

And today, on what seems to be the 78th day of February, as I navigate another week of New York City’s best garbage, what I still grudgingly use every day are my winter essentials. At this point in the season, investing in some cold weather gear sounds about as validating Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction as I’d like. I dream of breezy linens and open shoes. But alas, I have to keep tying up, and the fancy pair of socks I’ve been given can certainly lighten that burden.

I imagine many of you, or any lovely Pisces who owes you birthday gifts, feel the same way. So to that end, a few late winter upgrades to lift the spirits:

• Years ago, my mom gave me a soft Garnet Hill cashmere wrap exactly like this one – it continues to be one of my most treasured winter possessions. I’ll throw it over my shoulders as a throw when my apartment is dry, and loop it twice under my coat or around my head when I’m braving the elements. An instant beauty boost.
• These incredibly warm and stylish gloves – one of our favorite gift ideas for boyfriends – are made by a fourth-generation Swedish manufacturer loved by skiers and lift operators. So you know they are legit. Nice touch: Knitted cuffs fit snugly around the wrists and snugly under the jacket sleeves to keep the cold wind out.
• Earlier this winter, I upgraded my beanie to a sheepskin hat that looks like something I think my grandmother used to wear in Belarus (in the best way). It’s so warm, and I love the touch of glamor it adds to the outerwear uniform I’m so tired of. This trendy faux-fur bucket hat, a favorite of our colleague Sri Rain Stewart, will scratch that itch.
• I’m holding out on all the sweaters I collected last year as great gifts – especially for my dear Babaa. But I’m also now looking at this super hot, super hot one that stylist Jen Hunter has been wearing at least three times a week. Jen says: “The secret to a small, soft, oversized sweater like this is that it’s easy to wear like a cozy shirt, but looks like you’ve actually tried it on.”
• Riding the winter inside: This fun (if wacky) outfit is a knee-length duvet with armholes. It gives off similar vibes to Offhours’ best-selling house coat gift organizer, which Hannah Morill has been coveting.
• Hannah also recommends this French terry dress, which is more athletic lounge than boudoir, with a wide, drapey boxing hood that looks great. Cool in winter and breathable in summer. “I swear I’ve been looking for this hat my whole life,” said Hannah.
• And finally, more socks, because why not: These (actually affordable) funky house socks were writer Samantha Schoech’s white elephant bedtime song last year, for good reason. They are incredibly warm and can match many aesthetics, from modern and trendy to classic.