The holidays are an exciting time of year, but they can also be very stressful. Your parents, your siblings, your significant other, all asking for one thing: your gift list. To make your life a little easier I have compiled a list of gifts catered to different aesthetics.
Gifts for the “Cool Girl”
“Cool Girls” aren’t just effortlessly on trend — they also set them. Here’s what to get for the cool girls this holiday season.
First, red everything. If you don’t have red in your closet yet or are looking to get more, here are some options.
Red handbags, no matter what size, are the perfect accessory for a neutral closet. Whether you want to splurge or go with a more budget friendly option, there are plenty of red handbags across all price ranges.
If a smaller one is more your style, Old Navy has a red crescent style bag for only $12. If you want a more expensive, high-end gift, this Coach one is perfect too ($315). For a mid-price option, consider this red baguette bag with a flap front from Trendy and Unique, on sale for $77.
Red Mary Janes are the shoes you need to ask for this season. There are so many types of Mary Janes to choose from: heeled or flats, one strap or two straps, patent or matte leather. Red Vagabond Mary Janes ($130) look amazing with tights or even leg warmers. If you want a heeled option, Steve Madden ($99.95) has the perfect pair. I know a lot of people are not Mary Jane fans, so for them I would recommend Vince Camuto flats ($110). These shoes maintain the classy feel of Mary Janes’, but have a bit of an edge as well. Next, if you dress like a “cool girl,” your room obviously has to follow. Here are some decor options.
You may have already seen this super popular decor find, but I think it would be a disservice to the “cool girl” committee not to include it: the famous ceramic cowboy boot match holder and striker. There are many options — Amazon has one ($8.99) and Urban Outfitters ($22) does as well. If you like lighting candles during winter, this is the perfect thing to ask for!
Cool prints are the way to go when you want to decorate your dorm or college apartment. Here are some of my favorite ideas from Society6: Cosmopolitan poster ($12.75), Ace of Hearts poster ($9.75) and the vintage-inspired You’re doing great poster ($24).
Cool girls, I hope I made you proud.
Gifts for the “Coquette/Ballet Core Girl”
Moving on from red to pink, these looks are all about bows and lace. While there are some differences between ballet-inspired and coquette looks, the vibe is ultra-feminine and always pink.
If your aesthetic is Ballet Core, leg warmers are a must this holiday season. This pair from Free People ($28) is the perfect shade of pink. If you want more coverage, these from Calzedonia ($15) are what you should ask for. And if you want some with a bow on it, Urban Outfitters ($25) has some great options.
Of course, ballet flats are also a must for this aesthetic. Everlane ($145) has a great option that comes in different colors, but pink is obviously the favorite.
Now for Coquette, lace tights need to be on your gift list. So many brands have them now they have become trendy, including Nordstrom ($32), Hot Topic ($9.03) and Edikted ($9). Tights are one of the simplest ways to spice up your outfit.
Thrift stores are also an amazing place to shop for the Coquette aesthetic. Asking for pillow covers with lacy edges or vintage tea cups is a creative and budget friendly idea.
Last but not least is the “Vintage Girl”
This aesthetic is all about combining elements from the past with modern embellishments.
For a 70’s inspired vibe, Penny Lane of "Almost Famous" is a forever fashion icon. In the 2000 film, the character rocks a super cool Afghan coat with furry lapels. Whether you want a vintage Penny Lane coat or a new one, I will give you some options. With a little bit of luck you can get a vintage coat at your local antique mall, but you can also find some online. Some Depop accounts that currently have them are: @celiapops and @elianaavintage. You can also buy them new at stores like Revolve ($216) and Princess Polly ($97).
In addition to Penny Lane coats, kitten heels are the perfect accessory for the vintage look. They have become very popular in the last few years. Steve Madden ($99.95) has some classy options, but, if you’re looking for true vintage, online resell websites like Depop or Poshmark are your best shot.
Another option for the gift guide could be vintage advertisements. Antique stores usually have these. They make for great wall decor and they’re the perfect combination of vintage and cool.
I hope this guide has made your holiday season a little less stressful. Whatever your aesthetic is, may Santa bring you what you have asked for. Happy holidays!
