a (secondhand) christmas gift guide

present ideas for the chicest of recipients

Hello darlings! It’s that time of year again, and there’s a fair bit of chaos amidst the holiday cheer. The frantic search for the perfect gift for friends, family, partners, and in-laws can send even the most organised among us into a frenzy, but alas, there is a better way.

This week, Worn has curated a guide to some of the most exquisite secondhand treasures, with something to satisfy every taste and whim. These sentimental gems offer a one-of-a-kindness (pardon the pun) that mass-produced items simply cannot compete with. Be warned — once you’ve dipped your toes in the secondhand gift-giving waters, you will set the bar a tad too high for all future occasions. Your loved one’s expectations are now elevated, and you will forever be branded the Christmas connoisseur. There’s no going back, I assure you.

Personalised Pillowcases

If you’re anything like us, elevating the ordinary is one of the simplest ways to infuse daily life with a touch of luxury, a perfect sentiment to share with someone special. This particular pillowcase is from The GoTo, but there is an abundance waiting to be discovered on the secondhand market or tucked away in the forgotten corners of your own wardrobe. Take one to a skilled local embroiderer and have it adorned with the name of your chosen recipient.

Kitten Heels

For the Carrie Bradshaw devotee in your life — be it a friend, wife, girlfriend, or mother — a kitten heel is an impeccable Christmas number. Stylish yet practical, they offer more comfort than the classic stiletto and are just the thing to slip on during Christmas Day to frolic around the living room in. Try The Millennial Decorator for vintage heel heaven.

Brooches

Brooches may not be as commonplace as they once were, but we see no reason to refrain from curating a collection of them. This particular piece is archival Chanel from The Real Real, but there are an abundance on Ebay — an easy way to elevate the simplest of ensembles or to conceal those rather irritating moth holes you’ve yet to mend.

Scarves

Silk scarves are certain to charm whomever you choose to gift them to. Their versatility knows no bounds — they can be elegantly draped around the neck or head, tied to the handles of a handbag, or, with a few artful knots, transformed into custom tops during the warmer months. This particular piece hails from Hermès, but there’s no need to loosen the purse strings — explore your local thrift shop and you’ll find one for as little as 50p.

Lingerie

We were utterly floored when we saw that Sororité Vintage had unearthed the iconic Charlotte York nightie from Sex and the City. Alas, it has already been snapped up (if you were the fortunate soul to claim it, consider yourself heaven’s favourite). Fear not, though — the secondhand market is brimming with exquisite lingerie treasures. Worn’s favourite is Lovedbychi for vintage La Perla galore.

Padded Hangers, Antique Vanity Sets and Evening Gloves

Preloved padded hangers are available in abundance online and transform an ordinary wardrobe into a thing of beauty, antique vanity sets are the ideal gift for those who treat getting dressed in a morning as a sacred ritual, and secondhand evening gloves are quintessential for the ladies who spent their childhoods glued to the television watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s. All can be found on the secondhand market, whether in your local thrift shop, a luxury resale site (try Vestiaire Collective) or on community marketplaces like Depop.

Merry Christmas and happy (secondhand) shopping!

Xo

Gracie, Founder of Worn