Saturday Snack: Gifts For The Girls

Or for all your personalities.

The other day I was thinking about gift guides as a whole. There’s been a lot written recently about the concept of gift guides, and how we’re kind of oversaturated on them, which I do understand. But I also, honestly, find them super helpful. I’m NOT GOOD at giving gifts, and I need help! But then I’m also writing gift guides, as someone who isn’t good at it, it essentially comes out to - these are all the things that Laurel wants.

But then I started thinking about my perspective, and while I love fine jewelry and luxury, I also love cowboy denim and New Balances. I love different kinds of books, different types of restaurants - I CONTAIN MULTITUDES! Which, of course, I wrote about already. I’m very thrilled to partner with Madewell because there’s truly something for everyone. Whether I’m shopping for gifts for myself, or for a friend, I know I’ll find beautifully made things that fall all over the spectrum from minimal to elevated, effortless yet always looking put together.

So I could pretend these little universes of things I’m curating here are for different people I know, but really, they’re all the things that I like, and that I would want. And because no one person is just one thing, all those different people are also just me, at the end of the day. Does that make sense? You’ll see.

Here we go.

THE HOT BITCH

This is the way I want to feel all the time. Hot and strong and powerful! A little sleek, and tightly edited - this girl never has coffee breath, she pays every parking ticket the same day she gets it, and probably everyone is a little bit afraid of her. She is coooool and she smells really, really good.

1: Leather Jacket, $498 ; 2: Wide-Leg Trousers, $118 ; 3. Ballet Flats, $110 ; 4. Madewell x Agmes Bag, $198 ; 5: 101 Copenhagen Tray, $260 ; 6: Wool Beanie, $48 ; 7: Leather Belt, $68 ; 8: Georg Jensen Kettle, $269 ; 9: Sunglasses, $75 ; 10: Satin Oversized Shirt, $98 ; 11: Studded Boots, $248 ; 12: Silver Ring, $34

This little leather jacket is one of the best things I’ve seen in ages. The price (under $500!) is remarkable, but it’s so beautifully made, the leather is so substantial, and the cut is excellent. This is the kind of thing you gift someone you love very, very, very much. Ditto this bright red bag with the sculptural clasp. If you have a kind of snobby and discerning friend (ahem…. I’m not going to say that’s not me to an extent…) this is IT. Such a cool collaboration between two brands I love, and the special silver clasp really makes it sing. And the red suede!

I also think this satin, relaxed shirt would make a perfect gift. It’s a blank slate piece that can be styled in a zillion different ways, and looks and feels super luxurious. Finally, if you really feel stumped by this girl, she (I) would love to get a classic wool beanie and a fresh pair of universally flattering cat-eye sunglasses.

THE GOOD GAL

This is more of a relaxed but polished vibe… not business casual, but not casual casual either. Kind of like, elevated everyday? This lady rolls up to dropoff feeling patient and in control, her fridge is always stocked - and organized. You can always count on her! We love her! She’s like the day to day best version of you, you know? But cool. She’s nice!

1: Cashmere-Wool Sweater, $198 ; 2: Crystal Studs, $28 ; 3: Waffle Knit Socks, $15 ; 4: Shearling Jacket, $950 ; 5: Leather Card Case, $30 ; 6: The Alps 1900 Book, $200 ; 7: Polspotten Set of 4 Vases, $195 ; 8: Riding Boots, $298 ; 9: Chapter candle, $80 ; 10: Suede Bag, $178

Awww just looking at this little grouping makes me feel happy and optimistic, and pulled together. I like the idea of this assortment being vaguely influenced by Love Story, and feeling an eensy bit collegiate, except for a woman in her thirties or forties or fifties or sixties or…you get the idea. This stripe rugby sweater definitely has that Ivy League vibe. It’s super classic, and the color combination is great. I love the tan element at the end of the sleeves - it makes it a tiny bit easier to wear with neutrals.

I’m also completely blown away by these riding boots. It is unbelievably rare to find a pair thats as well-designed as these, as sleek and minimal, as absolutely perfect without any extra unnecessary details, or ugly soles, AND not costing seventeen thousand dollars. And while this shearling coat is an investment, it will never, ever go out of style, and for this level of quality and detail, it’s honestly a total deal. If you give this to someone (hi, me) you can sleep well knowing they’ll wear this piece for the rest of their lives, and think warm, snuggly thoughts about you every time they slip it on.

THE ONE WHO’S GOT A LOT GOING ON

There’s always that one girl at the airport who is wearing sweats, but they look….better. Everything is easy, breezy lemon squeezy, she’s got a bunch of kids, and has been up since 4AM, but still looks great. She’s very practical, a little sporty, maybe a little scatterbrained… She also sends you so many fucked up weird memes that your IG algorithm gets completely blown apart, and you have her to thank every time you look at your For You page and are delighted by how strange and wonderful the world is.

1: Merino Wool Sweater, $128 ; 2: Floyd Suitcase, $645 ; 3: Double Breasted Trench Coat, $398 ; 4: Midweight Hoodie, $98 ; 5: Midweight Sweatpants, $75 ; 6: Ballet Flats, $110 ; 7: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney, $26 ; 8: Curve Shoulder Bag, $198 ; 9: Low-Slung Baggy Jeans, $148 ; 10: Aviator Sunglasses, $75 ; 11: Bomber Jacket, $258

This is probably, realistically, the closest to me, especially the part about sending you stupid videos and destroying your algorithm (Hi, Charlotte!). I love a practical item that serves a solid purpose, but also looks well-designed and polished.

This sweatshirt and these sweatpants feel like a dream on, but have enough structure that they don’t look schlubby. If someone gifted me a pristine, brand new hoodie (especially in this excellent red!) and a pair of sweatpants, I would be overjoyed. When they’re new and crisp like this you can really wear them anywhere, I think, especially with a proper coat on top, and grown-up little leather ballet flats.

Ok, and I know jeans are kind of an unusual gift, but these jeans! What a dream! This color is incredible, and they have the most beautiful slouchyness - they’re the kind of jeans that you’d maybe not buy for yourself but would love to have. But if you’re truly stumped, you cannot go wrong with this tan and red striped sweater. The color combination is super special, but the shape is the kind of thing you/they/I can wear with practically anything, anywhere.

Wait, last thing - this bag is the perfect shape, so soft, shifts to fit the shape of your body, and looks great both as a crossbody and as a shoulder bag. I am totally blown away by the quality - this is a wear-forever bag.

And there we are! A gift guide for all your personalities, because if I’m being honest, 99% of the time that I’m looking at a gift guide, I’m actually just shopping for me.

Your friend,

Laurel