FashBlog.com

When choosing a gift for a friend or family member, clothing can be either a wonderful gift or something that truly rubs us the wrong way. We all have varying tastes and opinions on what looks good on whom. One person may wear bright colors and flashy styles while another, who looks just as good, wears more earth tones and neutral colors. We may wish that our daughter or son would wear more colorful or professional looking clothing, or we may wish that our sister-in-law would tone it down a bit. We may see that our best friend notoriously wears colors that do not suit her and that our boss constantly seems to clash. Do we dare give gifts of clothing to these people or do we leave well enough alone?

The first thing to do when thinking about purchasing clothing as a gift for another adult is to ask yourself what is the motivation? If you want to jazz up your friend's favorite bland sweater with a colorful scarf, your motivation is close to being on the right track. If you send your mother-in-law a bright red jacket when you know she only wears black and white, you're stepping over the bounds. The important thing to do when purchasing clothing as a gift is not to buy what we would want, but rather, what the person wants to whom we are giving the gift. We have all been given gifts that we don't like; gifts from loved ones that make us wonder if they even know us at all. Not only is it disconcerting to open a gift of clothing that, upon first glance, we know we will never wear, but it is inconvenient to go to the trouble to return the gift and find something else more suitable. Especially in this day and age of internet shopping, many gifts have to be returned by mail and replacements are often difficult to find.

The safest thing to do when choosing clothing as a gift is to put yourself in the other person's shoes. If he wears only brown and blue, even if you hate it and would never wear it yourself, do both of you a favor and get him something he will like and wear. If she is a blue-jeans and tank tops type of gal, don't bother buying her a frilly blouse and patterned capris. You will be disappointed when she returns the flashy clothes and she will feel guilty and awkward. Even if you are appalled at the wardrobe of a friend or family member, it is not you that is wearing the clothes. If you want to buy something for yourself, by all means, do so; but if you want to buy clothing for someone else, make it easier on everyone and buy them what they would choose for themselves. And lastly, as a disclaimer, whenever you give clothing as a gift, include a gift receipt so the other person will know it's ok if they return the gift for something else. This assures them that your gift was nothing more than an act of love to show that you care.