What to get my very stylish friend who has everything ?

[PleurePasLaBouchePleine]

Hi there !

it’s my friend’s birthday soon ! She will be 44. She is beautiful, very stylish. She is hard to buy for because when she wants something she can buy it herself. I’m not stylish at all but I’ll love to get her something for her birthday ! Would really appreciate your help thank you

What is your budget?

£50

I had a similar budget for my stylish arty friend who has everything, and I bought her a 100% wool scarf in some really unusual colours from the V and A London.

@Lentilweaver thank you :) she is not really arty - think parisian chic ! She into seZanne, Monica Vinander, cos, arket etc..

I'd go with a great bouquet of flowers TBH. Taste is so hard to judge! (plus knowing exactly what someone already owns so you don't accidentally buy something v similar to what they already have)

@RoamingGnome you are right it’s so hard ! Flowers is great maybe with a massage or something

Chanel compact mirror. On sale at the moment.

Does she drink alcohol? You could get her a bottle of Moët or some nice wine.

I would spend it all on the flowers, a massage is going to be more that £50 anyway. Get a living arrangement she can treasure to either match her decor or a Christmas arrangement

Tbh just because someone is stylish it doesn’t mean they’re only interested in things to do with their appearance. And in fact they may be extremely picky and strongly prefer to choose their own clothes, make up, etc.

Books make good presents. Something from the Folio Society or Persephone Books - or a newly published prizewinning novel or volume of poetry.

My friend is similar, last year I bought her a Dior lip glow in a neutral colour, £33 direct from Dior so arrived in beautiful packaging with a couple of samples and free engraving on the case.

Just saw Sezane has jewellery cases and make up bags in your budget. The kind of thing you dont often buy for yourself.

I second books - if she's into fashion there are some great ones around. Just as examples, the guide to the V&A Chanel exhibition has fab photographs and it's a good read. Or there's one of Vivienne Westwood's catwalk collections. Both around £35 each. Justine Picardie's biography of Chanel is also beautifully illustrated and, I think, around £25.

Sorry I can't link to any of them at the moment but they'll be on the V&A shop website and I imagine on Amazon too.

An exhibition is a great shout! Otherwise why not get her something super elegant like a wardrobe staple she could wear for years? Like this Mango slip skirt? She could wear it easily now with a lovely jumper and then into summer with raffia accessories etc... I've got a few of them and can vouch for their quality whilst still having a really reasonable price point (they come in a few colours too)

I'd be very happy with that slip skirt.

Whereas I would be a tiny bit irritated! I don’t like to wear plain slip skirts - and I prefer to choose my own clothes. So it would seem a random and rather pointless gift to me.

I’d go for a lovely candle or hand cream with a gift receipt so she can exchange if the scent is not to her liking

True, clothes are risky. I dont use candles or hand cream so wouldnt like those. Though it's the thought that counts!

I wouldn't buy clothes or accessories for a stylish person who had money. I would expect that like most people with a specific style she has very distinct tastes and would prefer to choose her own clothes.

I'd get her exhibition tickets, or flowers, or a lovely meal or something. You could get tickets to go to a fashion-related special exhibition at the V&A, or something.

Theatre tickets are always v welcome for me. Thats what I ask DH for.

If by sone chance she's in or near London what about tickets to go to Vogue Inventing the Runway at The Lightroom

Or one of the recently launched Lisa Eldridge refillable lipsticks

Nothing. Thin air. Dust

if I was your friend I would like things like an Elemis cleansing balm, Clarins hand cream, a dior lip gloss or a Chanel bronzer. So something useful but a luxury brand. Or a Neom candle or something from the White Company if she likes candles.

Dior lip oil

Thank you for all your recommendations ❤️