Every year, like clock work, I run into the same holiday nightmare scenario. I’m panic-shopping for the type of friend that we all know and love, but who is also nearly impossible to buy for: the “cool girl.” While you may think that this girl has it all and that there is simply nothing left to give her, fear not! My gift to you this holiday season is a curated gift guide with pieces that I can almost guarantee your “cool girl” friend doesn’t have (yet).
- haricot vert pick & mix dangle
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Haricot Vert takes “cool girl” to the next level, boasting pieces that would undoubtedly be worn by a post-modern “manic pixie dream girl.” With this brand, it’s all in the name; I mean, of course your chic and eclectic friend would want made-to-order jewelry or dangles from a brand named after French green beans. Their pieces truly are “wearable poetry.”
- moonkissed collective clothing
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Ever since I first discovered the “cool girl” haven that is Moonkissed Collective, I’ve had to chain up my wallet to prevent myself from buying the entire store. If I had to describe the vibe of their pieces, it would undoubtedly be cheeky casual. There is truly something for everyone: the pop-culture diva, the scorned lover, the literary princess, and the brazen baddie.
- boy smells candle
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Anyone who says that candles are boring gifts, clearly has not seen nor smelled the ones from Boy Smells. With best-selling scents like Cowboy Kush and Hinoki Fantôme, these candles are the definition of timelessly trendy. Not only will Boy Smells candles spice up a living space with their unique notes, but they’ll also hit the aesthetic nail right on the head.
- ironic ll bean Boat and Tote
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After growing up with monogrammed LL Bean totes hanging on just about every hook in my house, the ironic “Boat and Tote” trend has been one that I can absolutely get down with. Since the “cool girl” often likes to go toe to toe with a little irony in her look, this bag will be right up her alley. Take this creative freedom and run with it – the more niche, the more she can tell just how well you know her.
- Le Creuset Mini Cocotte
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Coming from a girl whose dad has been slowly but surely acquiring the Le Creuset red collection since before I can remember, that chic chef in your life will know that anything from Le Creuset is simply the crème de la crème of cookware. What could possibly be more fitting for your coquette chef bestie than a Mini Cocotte?
- le specs sunglasses
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Due to a quite impressive record of losing every pair of sunglasses I’ve ever owned, I cut myself off from purchasing expensive pairs years ago. In an attempt to find a new pair that fell somewhere in between Ray-Bans and Amazon, I rented a pair of Le Specs from Rent the Runway over the summer and absolutely fell in love. Priced at around $60-$80, though frequently on sale for less, a pair of Le Specs is the perfect chic and elevated gift for that cool gal in your life who deserves a little something extra this holiday season.
- custom matchbooks
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At this point, we’ve all heard about the “cool girl,” but what about the “cool girl” apartment? If you have a friend who you’d hire as an interior designer in another life, this gift idea is for you. Custom matchbooks are everything in the wedding world these days, but who wouldn’t love some of their very own personalized matchbooks to complement their living space?
- glossier “you” perfume
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After poaching off my friends’ bottles for the last year, I finally added the Glossier “You” perfume to my Christmas list. Subtly floral and deliciously peppery, this androgynous scent blends perfectly with every skin type and is a foolproof gift for any cool character you want to spoil. Ranging in size and in price, ($28-$98), this perfume is an accessible way to help your friend kick off the new year with a new scent!
- bow jewelry
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Fall fashion this year has been bows galore, and if there is one time when you can never be too coquette, it’s the holiday season. For the doll who keeps a roll of ribbon on her vanity and had “Margaret” in her 2023 Spotify Wrapped, a pair of bow earrings is destined to elevate her style and her divine feminine – “‘Cause when you know, you know!”
- tower 28 products
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Not only has Tower 28 Beauty won multiple Allure Best of Beauty Awards, but two of their products, the cream contour and cream bronzer, have also passed my sensitive skin test with flying colors. All Tower 28 products are vegan, cruelty-free, and guaranteed to please your environmentally conscious, beauty-dabbling bestie.
Hopefully this guide guide offers a variety for last minute inspiration. It’s time to channel your “cool girl” gifting expertise. Good luck everyone!