Everyone gets a kick out of being really good at gift-giving. Especially when you’re shopping for a friend with high standards — when you discover the perfect gift for that person, it is a serious, serious victory. Because it’s certainly no easy feat to find gifts for your stylish friends. They’re the most effortlessly cool people you know. It’s intimidating. I get it. I have friends like that too.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t nail exactly what they want and win ALL the gift-giving awards in the process. You just need a game plan. Starting off, it helps to identify your friend's aesthetic. After all, there are many different breeds of intimidatingly cool. This isn't to say that your friend is not a special snowflake with a unique point of view and a look all her own. She is! Still, if you’re able to identify her style theme in a few words, this gives you a serious leg up against the overwhelming options at your local mall or on the Internet.
Once you do that, this is where we come in. Bustle has teamed up with Vince to help guide you through the process of shopping for every one of your stylish friends. Whether she’s offbeat, classic, a trend-worshiper, or a fashion purist, we’ve got her number. Bring it on, holiday shopping.
1. Vintage Babe
Banks Sunglasses In Sea Smoke Tortoise , $95 at Warby Parker; Modern V Stamped Lizard Small Shoulder Bag in Whiskey, $345 at Vince; Faux Fur Snood in Cream, $16.90 at Forever 21; Lily T-Strap Heel in Black, $79 at Urban Outfitters
If your biffle is always decked out in the most drool-worthy retro duds, chances are she falls into this category. A pair of funky-colored tortoiseshell sunnies, a faux fur snood, some t-straps fit for a flapper girl, and a lizard-stamped saddle bag will all lend further to her air of throwback cool. Get it, girl.
2. Instagram-Obsessed
R Neck Tee Shirt Print Madame , $60 at Maison Kitsuné; Toscana Collar Biker Jacket, $565 at Topshop; ASOS Pushlock Satchel Bag, $45 at ASOS; Rabbit Fur Pom Keychain , $50 at Vince
A picture's worth a thousand words, as is the style of your snap-happy, on-trend bestie. If you're shopping for a girl who can't help but meticulously document every one of her awesome OOTDs, you can't go wrong with a cheeky tee, a moto jacket (for a little edge), a classic satchel, and a keychain — just to add a touch of playfulness. That combo is sure to get her ALL the likes.
3. Offbeat Fashionista
Sidonie Pom Beanie , $49.50 at Anthropologie; Blaze A Trail Fox Coin Purse, $61 at Kate Spade; Blair Calf Hair Slip-On Sneaker , $295 at Vince; Tales From The Back Row: An Outsider's View From Inside The Fashion Industry by Amy Odell, $13.75 at Amazon
Fashion is fun, and, sometimes, even a little funny. Nobody knows that better than your friend who incorporates her sense of humor into her offbeat style. Nail her uniquely tongue-in-cheek look look with a pair of fashion-forward sneakers, a funky coin purse, and a cozy beanie with an oversized pom ball. In the literature department, she's sure to love Cosmopolitan.com editor Amy Odell's Tales From The Back Row , a hilariously irreverent take on the fashion industry.
4. Classic American Girl
YSL Rouge Pur Couture Satin Radiance Lipstick , $36 at Sephora; Plaid Scarf, $38 at Abercrombie; Clubmaster Sunglasses in "Fleck," $160 at Ray-Ban; Haider Sport Suede Sandal Bootie in Flint , $395 at Vince
In the words of Taylor Swift, this friend has that red lip, classic thing that everyone likes, and it never goes out of style. (Sorry. Couldn't help myself.) Invest in a super-nice red lipstick, a cozy scarf, a versatile boot, or a pair of tortoiseshell sunnies on her behalf, and become her favorite friend forever. One day, when she's achieved her dream of becoming a Kennedy, she won't forget your generosity.
5. Fashion Nerd
Women In Clothes by Sheila Heti & Heidi Julavits, $20.13 at Amazon; Chanel No. 5 Parfum, $125 at Sephora; Anna Wintour Makeup Bag, $28 at Etsy; Vince Signature Collection Mixed Media Baby E/W Tote , $445 at Vince
If her bible is Vogue's September issue, and Anna is her God, your friend might be a fashion nerd. Wow her with a bottle of Chanel No. 5 (aka, the elixir of life), a makeup bag with a design of queen Anna, and an it bag like this mixed media tote. To engage her sartorial intellect, pick her up a copy of the wonderful fashion ethnography Women In Clothes by Heidi Julavits and Sheila Heti. You win everything!
This post was sponsored by Vince.
Image: Isla Murray/ Bustle; Warby Parker; Forever 21; Urban Outfitters; Maison Kitsuné; Topshop; ASOS; Anthropologie; Kate Spade; Amazon (2); Sephora (2); Abercrombie & Fitch; Ray-Ban; Kayci Wheatley/ Etsy; Vince (5)
