Last week we came to you with our Outpost Gift Guide from the lens of a girlfriend shopping for her significant other — items that I would be excited to unwrap. It was met with a great deal of fanfare, as well as a plea:
“This is great and all, but I need help getting my girlfriend, wife, friend with benefits a gift.”
Rest easy, soldiers — I’m here to help. To the best of my ability, I shall do the Herculean effort to get inside the brain of a young twenty-something to determine what she may want for the season.Here are my thoughts on buying gifts, and most importantly, as someone who has spent a lot of money historically: don’t go nuts if you have been dating less than a year.
Experiences are great and should be an arrow in the quiver, but if you’re going to get her tickets to the Rangers game, there better be something physical under the tree — everyone likes opening something. 2. $250 is your ceiling. Don’t go nuts 3 and most importantly: always write a card or a little note.
Maison Balzac — Table LighterNow I want a table lighter — gotta find the men’s equivalent.
Ossa — Phone Bead Bracelet
I bought a girlfriend this — it was a hit. Wonder if it’s still on… I can’t imagine it is.
Cartier Nail — Juste un Clou Nail Bracelet
Go ahead, king — get your girl a nail bracelet.
Assouline — Bracelets: Stacked on a nice watch, these look great — a really good price point for “jewelry.”
Tiffany & Co. — Jewelry: If you buy your girlfriend anything Tiffany, expect to be back at the store January 5th shopping for rings.
Jo Malone — Cologne: Starter kit — try a little of this, try a little of that. Safe way to try out some scents.
Loewe — Fragrance:A girlfriend of mine suggested this (actually, former girlfriend — we’re friendly). I know nothing about women’s perfume but she has great taste.
Alex Mill — Bag: This was in the men’s guide as well — I just love this damn tote.
L.L.Bean — Classic Tote: Get it embroidered with her initials — maybe even a nice little inside joke.
L.L.Bean — Tote Reimagined: My friend Maggie Mauck suggested this — she has great taste. L.L.Bean but make it chic.
Yolo — Travel Bag :This bag rocks.
Away — Carry-On: I think luggage is a great gift that no one wants to spend their own money on. You’re not getting her Rimowa… go with Away!
Assouline — Book: Looks great on any coffee table.
The New Yorker — Subscription: The gift that keeps on giving.
The Met Opera — Tickets: (Book this — get it). More people should go to the Opera; get dressed up, go for dinner — just remember rule #2.
MoMA — Coloring Book: For the right girl, a MoMA coloring book is such a home run — they’ll doodle away all year.
Architectural Digest — AD 100 Book: Another winner on the coffee table.
Vogue — Coffee Table Book: Anything Vogue and you’ll be alright.
Alex Mill — Sweater: This sweater in yellow — my goodness.
Naadam — Cashmere Sweater: Similar to Vogue — anything cashmere and you should be alright.
Sleepy Saturday — Loungewear: Sleepy does PJs for every destination out there. Find one that speaks to her and go.
Voir — Sweatpants: Comfortable, nice, and easy!
August — Cashmere Hoodie: Friend of mine recently started this — they have no idea I’m featuring it or even follow, probably, but I love the hoodie.
Amundsen — Leggings: Great piece for the slopes or hanging by the fire after. “Amundsen” written across is quite cheeky.
Sabah — Shearling Slides: A home-run gift — I feature Sabah a lot, but I love the brand.
Salomon — Sneakers: A girl in Salomons is so bad ass.
Grandpa’s Jacket — Vintage Jacket: Met the founder Kitty through Outpost’s PR team — the jackets are all-time.
Revolve — Gala Dress: Generally I’d say stay away from clothes — particularly formal wear — but there’s something really sexy about laying a black dress across the bed… maybe you’re taking her to the opera. Don’t put this one under the tree.
J. McLaughlin — Suede Jacket: Again, be careful with clothes — but you can’t go wrong with suede.
J.Crew — Deep V Top: Love this sweater.
Hermès — Classic Slides: I’ve wanted to buy these for someone for years.
Cashmere Socks — Socks:These can be worn lounging or dressed up.
Scarf — Scarf: Girls love scarves — simple math, really.
Gloves — Winter Gloves: Another good one from Maggie
RH Bath Robe — Robe: Cashmere robe. As previously noted — anything cashmere and you’re in the driver’s seat.
Eye Stuff — Skincare / Lip Stuff — Lip Care :Two suggestions from lady friends — I know nothing about this. Good luck.
Goop — Vibrator: You can’t have a women’s gift guide and not include this. Not my area of expertise, so I enlisted good old Paltrow. Maybe omit this one from under the tree.
Garnet Hill — Blanket: A nice comfy blanket — perhaps paired with the above.
Eberj — Lingerie Set: Alright, that’s all in this department.
House of Spoils Art — Sun and Surf: Large-format prints in apts — especially this one — I think is really sophisticated.
Belloq Matcha — Starter Kit: If you just started dating a girl three months or less, get her this.
Breville — Espresso Maker: Again, more coming in the coffee guide in the new year but start here.
Le Creuset — Cookware: Every time she cooks with a Dutch oven — which for most is weekly — she’ll think of you.
Sabre Paris — Knife Set: The same ones they use at Le Wine.
Smythson — Daily Planner: This color specifically.
Throwing Doubles — Backgammon Set: A more nimble version than the one male equivalent I included last week.
Range Rover — Vehicle:Come on — get her what she really wants!
Smith — Ski Goggles: Ski goggles are such an afterthought even for the biggest gear heads.
Jorde — Ski Jacket: This jacket found my feed through mutual friends — I think it’s such a slick piece in a world of women’s ski gear that is generally pretty clunky.
Cheers,
