November 6, 2020

Home For The Holidays: Winter Essentials

Pete Forester

Pete is a writer, host, and producer based in New York City. He is the Editorial Director of StockX.

This year, it looks like weā€™re all going to be home for the holidays and we couldnā€™t be more excited. There are plenty of reasons to stay local this season, but that doesnā€™t mean that your holiday has to be limited at all. As we find more and more creative and fulfilling ways to celebrate the holidays with our loved ones, we want to make sure that you can get all your shopping done, find everything you need, and stay safe all at the same time. Throughout the season weā€™re going to give you tons of ideas and opportunities to spread the cheer, but weā€™ll start with just the essentials. These are some of our favourite pieces to gift, and we know thereā€™s something here for everyone on your list.

Air Jordan x Union LA 4 Off Noir

We’ve seen the pattern a thousand times: a sneaker collaboration is excitedly announced, the shoes are teased to disappointed jeers, then interest ratches up, and by the release date everyone was a fan since “day one.” That’s how the latest release between Union and Air Jordan went, and we’re happy to say we actually did love them at the first tease. The optional folded tongue is what stole the conversation, and while the bright blue-collar is attention-grabbing, the sneaker’s play between oxidized beige, vintage black, and contrasting stitching and mesh is what really steals the show. The sneaker says a lot about the current state of the culture (more to say on that another time), but if nothing else: it looks great.

 

 

Supreme x Nike Swoosh Sweater White

There are plenty of options for holiday sweaters this year, but if you have to dress in knit, thereā€™s no better pairing to stitch to your back than Supreme and Nike. Neither Supreme nor Nike is known for their knitwear, but the simplicity of this piece is what makes it work so well. White and Supreme Red is used consciously on the piece, with the red acting as the underside so it peeks subtly through the face to create a kind of heathering, while a bold Nike Swoosh takes centerstage on the chest. Itā€™s a sophisticated bit of knitting craft that turns this expectedly diminutive sweater and turns it into something special.

Apple Airpods Pro

If you, or someone you love, have been following social distancing guidelines since the early spring, you might have been trapped indoors with the same people for nearly nine months. Thatā€™s a lot of time to be harassed and harangued out of peace, but pop in some Apple AirPods, and the peace will wash over you. Currently below retail on our platform, AirPods are the best way to get wireless sound without complicated coupling processes or charging situations. What was once considered a massive flex is now a social and cultural standard, making this season the right time to grab these headphones.

Hoodie Fear of God Essentials sur StockX

FEAR OF GOD ESSENTIALS 3D Silicon Applique Pullover HoodieĀ 

As we head into a new season, basics are the name of the game. Fall and winter are notorious for layering, which is true, but you need basics to create the base so you can flourish with louder pieces when you want, or keep it more subtle when the situation calls for it. The FOG ESSENTIALS line makes tons of basics that continue to be accessible at reasonable price points, and thereā€™s nothing quite like a grey hoodie to get you through any drop in temperatures. This Gray Flannel/Charcoal hoodie has some major branding going on but will keep you layered and warm until the spring.

adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Natural

The adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Natural has only been around for a few days, but itā€™s already proving to be one of the favourite Yeezys of the season. Straight in line with the new trend of cream-coloured kicks, this Natural take on the Yeezy 350 V2 brings that neutral lightness to what has been a weighty year. The BOOST sole offers just the right amount of bounce to make a shoe thatā€™s as responsive on the street as it is comfy at home.

Air Jordan x OFF-WHITE 5 Sail

The Air Jordan x OFF-WHITE 5 in Sail has been the centre of some debate, but we’re going to go ahead and call it a certified banger. In an era filled with simulated aged sneakers, the Sail OFF-WHITE Jordan 5 brings that vintage white colour that usually only appears in details and applies it to an entire shoe. Every piece of rubber has yellowed in its own way, while the upper’s just-this-side-of-cream white makes the sneaker feel crispy enough to take pride in but not embarrassing to wear. The little hits of red, plus the black midsole, add just enough colour to root the sneaker in current trends and keep it super wearable.

Air Jordan 1 Bred

Perhaps the most iconic sneaker ever made (there’s plenty to debate), the Air Jordan 1s in the classic Black and Red colourway have inspired as many stories as there are fans: and there are millions. From launching a massive sneaker company that turned an American sports hero into a business mogul for the first time, to the classic rebellious “Banned” story that inspired fans but turned out to be false, into every one of the hundreds (probably thousands) of sneaker colourways that created an entire heritage, the Bred 1s belong in every closet. And even if there’s already a pair there, hitting the pavement on the regular, there’s always a good reason to grab another.

Supreme Box Logo Crewneck (FW18) Ash Grey

It might be too cold these days to flex with a Supreme Box Logo Teeshirt, so the best option is easily a Bogo Sweatshirt of some kind and the best choice for the holiday season is this Box Logo Crewneck in Ash Grey from Fall/Winter 2018. The grey colour is the right neutral base to match the rest of your family’s fits, while the embroidered Box Logo sits proudly centre chest in Supreme’s signature red. And while we always love a hoodie (and we know you do too), the lack of hood makes the piece feel slightly more formal so you can get away with it at the dinner table.

Sony PlayStation 5

Itā€™s been seven years since Sony dropped the PS4, and while the industry has continued to release incredible games to play on the platform, weā€™re all more than ready for the next upgrade. With a bevvy of breathtaking exclusive games on the way, to the incredible updates and options, the PlayStation 5 is going to be one of the best gets of the season, and a winner for anyone who puts it under the tree, either for themselves or someone else. Itā€™s gearing up to be a long winter, and thereā€™s no better way to pass the time than in any one of the beautiful words created for this new console.

As of publishing, the PS5 hasn’t released yet, but it will soon! Click here for full info on when this, and other consoles, will be available and our guidelines for trading them.

KAWS Holiday Space Figure Set

We’re not going to lie, the entire KAWS Holiday Space Figure Set is a little bit expensive. It’s three distinct KAWS Figures, so it would make sense that buying three at a time is going to put a dent in your pocket, but it’s worth it with these three guys. Even if you ignore the happy “Holiday” distinction, the bright shiny finish on each piece offers optimal cheer, and the pose of either excitement or an attempt to maintain surprise gives us that holiday feeling. If the whole set is a little more than you’re willing to spend, each colour can be obtained separately and may help with your own homey curation.

Air Jordan 4 Bred

We already told you (and will tell you again) that not only do we consider the Air Jordan 4 Breds to be a perennial classic that cannot be beaten, but our customers agree. This sneaker and colourway are more than 30 years old, and the popularity of the combo isn’t flagging. They make especially good gifts, either for yourself or someone you care about, because they’re super wearable, a marker of design history, and operate as a status symbol all at the same time. It’s a heavy burden for a combination of EVA foam, Durabuck, and well-placed mesh, but the sneakers have stood the test of time.

Nike Kaepernick Icon 2.0 Jersey

The first time Colin Kaepernick took a knee was all the way back in 2016, when the world felt a lot different. We’ve all learned a lot over the last four years, with most lessons being about what we still have to learn, but the love and admiration for Kaepernick have only grown even as he hasn’t been able to play the game he loves so much. Despite the fact that he hasn’t been able to take the field with a team in the league since that season, you can still show your support for one of the best players in (or out) of the game with this Icon 2.0 Jersey from Nike. The tonal look makes it wearable for any season, plus it won’t offend any fan’s team loyalty.

Goyard Saint Sulpice Card Case Goyardine Green

The advent of the holidays means New Yearā€™s is right around the corner, and with those oncoming resolutions will be promises to handle money better. Thereā€™s some debate over whether a beautiful wallet like this Goyard Saint Sulpice Card Case in a festive green will help or hinder those efforts, but itā€™s a great choice either way. That classic print might remind you to lock it down, or the flex of taking out the wallet might have you bringing it out more than you should. Either way, itā€™s a net benefit for style and aesthetics.

Dior And Shawn Chain Link Necklace

Jewellery is that classic holiday gift, and you donā€™t have to go to the mall for some discount stones and plated metals. I can be about more than just which rocks and in which shape to arrange them, and this yearā€™s collaboration between Dior and Shawn StĆ¼ssy proved that thereā€™s a lot of ground to cover between fashionā€™s favourite underdog and one of streetwearā€™s generational staples. This Dior And Shawn necklace takes the immediately recognizable StĆ¼ssy script and applies it to the Dior name to make a glittering pendant that blends the two worlds of the brands into a seamless symbol for the perfect holiday flex.

Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000GD-9

We believe that the flex should be universal: for anybody, at any time, and appearing anywhere from your head to your toes. The Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000GD-9 lets that flex make it to your wrist, and while we know that there are other, more expensive watches on our platform that are very much worth your time and consideration, this is one of those pieces that are just a little easier to get your hands on. But itā€™s not a sacrifice by any means. The face is relatively simple, meaning that the piece is giving you everything you need without overdoing it, and the all-over gold colouring offers a classic 80s look that blends effortlessly with contemporary styling. This one may not be the most obvious choice, but itā€™s a solid winner.

 

Microsoft Xbox Series X

No, itā€™s not the monolith fromĀ 2001: A Space Odyssey, itā€™s the long-awaited and anticipated followup to the Xbox One that arrived nearly a decade ago. Microsoft is finally releasing the Xbox Series X and S this season, right in step with PlayStationā€™s 5 plans. But with their own slew of upcoming exclusive titles, including the acquisition of Bethesda with some of the most highly anticipated games for the next few years, the battle of consoles is going to get severe. Or, you could do what weā€™re going to do and just get both!

As of publishing, the Xbox Series X hasnā€™t released yet, but it will soon!Ā Click hereĀ for full info on when this, and other consoles, will be available and our guidelines for trading them.

 

 

KAWS What Party Figure White

If you get to really celebrate the holidays this year with every indulgence, you may end up looking like KAWSā€™ What Party Figure. The head-to-toe rolls are a real #mood, and weā€™re not just saying that to use a hashtag and look like weā€™re connected to the ā€œyouth.ā€ After months of sticking to an inside routine and stocking up on our favourite snacks, the hibernation vibe is already in full effect. But weā€™re not casting our eyes down like this KAWS high mantle hero, instead, weā€™re ready for everything else the season has to throw at us. Weā€™ll just need an extra minute to change out of our cozy wear.

 

Prada Bucket Hat (Black)

We’re not going to be mad at any colour of the Prada Bucket Hat, but the Black colour is going to give you – or your loved one – the most milage. Whether you need an extra layer of warmth in the winter, or just need to keep the sun out of your eyes in the summer, the Prada Bucket Hat will help you out of (or into!) any situation. It’s kind of a high-key flex that will work in any situation. Bucket hats have a long casual sartorial history, especially in the skate community, meaning that this bucket doesn’t bring the baggage that can weigh down other styles.

Supreme Box Logo Long Sleeve Tee White

A classic is a classic, and an updated classic is just as good. You know the Supreme Box Logo Tee, especially in the classic white/red combination, and this year for the first time Supreme dropped that look in a long sleeve, offering an extra bit of coverage for the cooler months. Now, fall and winter are all about layering, so you have to be careful not to cover the Box Logo (otherwise what’s the point), but under a flannel or a light jacket, this is a great way to get that same look at a much easier to swallow price.

 

Sac Telfar sur StockX

Telfar Shopping Bag Medium Red

For those paying attention, Telfar has been around for years, but 2020 was the tipping point. The “Bushwick Berkin” has taken off and we were proud to add the brand to our catalog this summer and offer the industry’s favorite bags to the StockX community. Coming in a series of sizes, the bags appear in a rainbow of colors, each one of them in vegan leather. Priced to move at retail, the resell is still relatively accessible and while all the colors are great, you can’t beat a red bag for the holidays. Whether you’re shopping for yourself or someone else, the Medium size lets your friends and family know that you’re there to say hello, but you’re not going to stay past dessert: you’re booked and busy and on the move.

Nintendo Switch Lite

Anyone whoā€™s getting a new gaming system this season, for themselves or as a gift, is truly winning the holidays. Each system has its unique draws, but the Nintendo Switch beats the rest of them with portability. As the night stretch longer and longer as the season ripens, what could be more cozy than settling onto the couch to play an epic Smash tourney, prove Mario Kart dominance, or just water every flower on your Animal Crossing island. The possibilities are endless, as is the potential for network play, bringing everyone together even if they canā€™t be together.

 

Nike LA Lakers Kobe Bryant Black Mamba City Edition Swingman Jersey

Without question of the biggest shocks of 2020 was losing Kobe Bryant. A complicated man left a clear legacy, inspiring millions along the way. And while any fan of Kobe’s probably already rocks and stocks any number of his incredible sneakers, there’s probably no piece that better represents his career than the Lakers Swingman jersey. With an 8 on the front and a 24 on the back (both numbers that Kobe played with, both retired in honour of his career), a black mamba textured jersey base, and little more than “Bryant” emblazoned across the back, it’s the subtlety that allows this one piece to encapsulate his whole story and leave something for any fan to cherish.

KAWS Sesame Street Uniqlo Elmo

When building your holiday shopping lists, just because you have some younger recipients doesnā€™t mean that you need to shop at a kidā€™s store. Young folks these days are sophisticated and prove great taste, so thereā€™s no reason you canā€™t get your infant nibbling their first KAWS piece. ThisĀ Sesame Street x KAWS x Uniqlo mashup is a beautiful way to introduce the kiddos to collecting limited edition work from #brands by using one of their favourite TV celebrities: Elmo! Itā€™s certainly a step up from a boring old teddybear.

Air Jordan Fire Red 5s

While we all wait for Air Jordanā€™s Black Holiday Fire Red 4s release, weā€™re going to calm ourselves with an avalanche of Fire Red 5s. The sneakers were made available in full family sizes, meaning that everyone on the list can get a pair, and considering how many are on the market, the prices are very competitive. These Fire Red 5s include a silver reflective tongue that really sets off the hits bold red and deep black, creating the pops of colour that highlight the brilliant white leather and mesh. If youā€™re already fully stocked on the Fire Red 5s, why not check out the DropX with Instagram wunderkind Philllllthy? His ageing process took the sneakers to the next level.

Air Jordan x OFF-WHITE 4 Bred

So, all the way down at the bottom of this list, we have to be real with you for a second. This year has caused all of us to change plans multiple times, and that includes plans for sneaker releases. The Air Jordan x OFF-WHITE 4 Bred was set to release some time earlier this fall, but with *everything going on* that date got delayed. The shoe could still drop in time for the holidays, and if it does: it might just be the sneaker of the year. You know weā€™ve already called the OG Air Jordan 4 Bred a perennial classic, but the OFF-WHITE update with semi-translucent rubber throughout, the woven toe wrap replacement, yellowed midsole, and ā€œAIRā€ stamp at the heel highlight whatā€™s best about the original while providing something new. We hope to share more with you soon because that would mean weā€™ve all been blessed.