Choosing the perfect Christmas gift has evolved. Gone are the days of simply picking up the latest album or DVD. In our digital age, where music and films live in the cloud, clothing has become the new go-to present. However, selecting garments for someone else is a notoriously high-risk endeavour. How can you ensure your festive fashion choice is a hit and not a miss?
The High Stakes of Fashion Gifting
According to Jess Cartner-Morley, fashion editor at The Guardian, the desire to get it right is intense. As we become adults, the pleasure of giving often outweighs the joy of receiving. Yet, fashion presents a unique challenge. If dressing well were self-evident, experts like Cartner-Morley would be out of a job. While a Dior handbag or diamond earrings would delight anyone, the reality for most involves navigating budget constraints and tight schedules, often trying to buy for ten people in a spare 90 minutes before a carol service.
Cartner-Morley's Golden Rules for Success
To cut through the confusion, Cartner-Morley offers clear, actionable advice. Her first rule focuses on practicality: stick to items that don't require trying on. This classic category includes socks and ties, but also extends to most jumpers, jewellery, and tights. She strongly advises against venturing into the tricky territory of jeans or dresses. Simplifying choices in this way combats decision fatigue and makes shopping far easier.
Her second rule is crucial for the tone of your gift: avoid buying something just because you think it's funny. Gift-giving should centre the recipient, not the giver's sense of humour. Joke items, like novelty pyjamas, often fall flat. If you must opt for humour, ensure the joke casts the recipient in a flattering light—a smart, in-the-know baseball cap for a cap-wearer is acceptable. She also warns against Christmas-themed clothing, which loses its charm faster than leftover sprouts by Boxing Day.
Understanding Taste Versus Style
A key insight from Cartner-Morley involves distinguishing between a person's style and their taste. Your style is how you present yourself to the world; your taste is what you personally find beautiful. If you know someone intimately and understand both, you can be bolder. If you've never been in their home, you likely only know their public style.
For safer bets, she recommends choosing slightly different versions of pieces you've seen them wear. Do they favour contrasting scarves? Always belt their jeans? Wear hoop earrings? Don't overthink—pick something you're confident they'll use. Focus on categories worn at home (like a dressing gown) or outdoors (wellies, gloves), where sartorial standards are less complex than for work or party wear. A clever trick is to add monogrammed initials to a simple, fail-safe item like a fluffy white robe to make it feel special and personal.
Finally, Cartner-Morley offers one fail-safe tip: always tuck in the receipt. It's a gesture of thoughtful pragmatism, acknowledging that even with the best rules, this game is harder than it looks. With these guidelines, you can navigate the festive fashion minefield and wrap up your shopping with confidence.
