Once a year, hoards of Sky Ting devotees, BKLYN CLAY members, and various actors from Greta Gerwig–directed films descend upon the Rachel Comey sample sale to purchase slightly less expensive wide-leg jeans, furry mules, and Hudson Valley–ready dresses. We stopped eight shoppers —among them a stylist, a designer, and a curatorial assistant — to ask what they’d most like for the holidays. Below, their picks, including the model-favorite Sophie Buhai scrunchie, a Byredo candle, and a pair of timeless Mejuri hoops.
“I’m a stylist, and I’ve watched as the Sophie Buhai scrunchies have become a total ‘It’-girl item. I’ve wanted one forever, but they’re pretty pricey, so I’m asking for it for the holidays instead of buying it outright. I like that it can be used as an accessory, too, like when Dakota Johnson wore the navy-blue one on her wrist on the red carpet. But I’ll probably wear it in a low bun or a low pony, I don’t think I’m going to go for the ’70s, on-top-of-the-head look.” — Amelia Levin-Sheffield, stylist
“I’ve always wanted to surf, and year and a half ago my parents got a house in Baja near some great surf breaks. We’re going to Mexico for Christmas this year, and we’ve decided as a family that we’re not getting each other gifts, so I think I’ll just buy myself a longboard.” — Taylor Roy, filmmaker
“I read about Byredo candles years ago, probably on Coveteur or the Cut or something. I feel like people look at candles as something you give as a gift when you don’t know what else to give, but I personally love giving and getting candles. I’ve sampled most of the Byredo scents and my favorite, and the one I’m hoping someone gives me, is the Burning Rose, because I love florals. Pretty much everything I own that is scented is scented rose or lavender.” — Mary Kate Farley, costume studies graduate student at NYU
“I’ve been wearing simple earrings from Madewell or Cos, but they just turn my ears green, so I’d love to get a pair that’s a bit better quality. I don’t have any other accessories from Mejuri, but they seem like a good brand, almost like the Everlane of jewelry. I’m hoping for small hoops or studs, something I can leave in while I shower and don’t need to take out before bed.” —Andrea Fiegel, designer
“I first saw this jacket on a girl at La Colombe on Lafayette and loved it, then forgot about it until I saw it at the actual Caron Callahan store. The collar was the first thing to catch my eye: It’s big, wide, and roundish, kind of like an exaggerated Comme des Garçons look. Also the wabi-sabi patchwork detailing at the shoulder and elbow and the tortoiseshell buttons are so fun and unique. I feel like it’s a good Sunday-morning coat for ‘walking around, going to the park, shopping with friends’–type situation.” — Mia Rothrock, student
“I just moved apartments and sold pretty much everything I owned, because I wanted to start fresh. Now I want to be more specific and mindful about creating a peaceful environment. Caroline’s work is really beautiful; the prints are abstract and timeless. Also she travels all over, and sources her textiles from places locally, so it’s sustainable. I would also be into going to one of her workshops with some of my friends who are also artists, because then you can apply your style via her technique. Plus I feel like it’s always nice to gift someone an activity you can do together.” — Molly Gillis, filmmaker
“When I moved into this place, the first thing I got was a table to host a ‘friendsgiving.’ There’s a particular curry recipe I wanted to make that required a Dutch oven, but I used a steel pot instead and the curry was weak. So I’d also love a Le Creuset — it’s what my dad cooks with, and from what I understand, you can buy one and it lasts your whole life. I like that idea.” — M.G.
“All of my roommates and I are really big fans of Andrea Long Chu, and this is her first long-form piece, but it’s still pretty short. The thing I like about the book is that it’s really accessible on a theory level, because she includes a lot of contemporary examples that you might have stumbled upon on the internet, and it brings up a lot of good points about gender in society right now. It’s super-provocative and just, like, a conversation starter. The type of book I would want to be gifted or give to my friends and hear their thoughts. It’s definitely not a book to give to your parents.” — Spencer Glesby, curatorial assistant
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