For the graduate who happens to be a fashionista, an engraved pen just isn’t going to cut it in the gifting department. Whether he’s graduating from high school or college, he needs a gift that fuels his passion for fashion. And after all those years of hard work at school, doesn’t he deserve it? So grab a pen (engraved or not) and take some notes – here are the top ten gift ideas chosen by fashion school graduates. And if someone knows how to buy, they know.
1. Designer sunglasses. Graduating boosts one’s cool quotient, so a great pair of sunglasses to bask in the glow of achievement is the perfect gift. Select classic aviators or oversized frames; They never seem to go out of style.
2. Hot movies and TV shows.. If your graduate has spent the last few years reading books, they may have missed a few movies and TV shows. Help her catch up on DVDs that are practically required to watch in fashion school, like all seasons of “Sex and the City,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” and “Gossip Girl.”
3.Tiffany Jewelry. Granted, some people are just forced to buy something engraved as a graduation gift, so it might as well be something from Tiffany. Just make sure it’s a piece of jewelry, like a bracelet or necklace, not a pen.
4. Designer bag. Warning: stay away from the attached case. A fashionista does not carry a briefcase. She wants a designer bag with original labels. Whether she’s heading to the sorority run or a job interview, she relies on her bag to make a great first impression.
5. Weekend luggage. Your graduate will be traveling a lot more now, whether it’s visiting her home or traveling on business, so help her do it in style with extraordinary luggage. Avoid the generic black suitcase, lest she be one of the unlucky ones who must tie a red ribbon around the handle to identify her at baggage claim.
6. A color consultation. If your graduate is all about fashion design, you probably already have an idea of your best colors. Still, a gift certificate to a color expert consultation will bring new hues to your color palette, especially as you enter a new stage in your life. Also, it will be a blast.
7. Laptop bag. Your trendy graduate will need something to carry her laptop to school or work, but she doesn’t want to look like a geek. Good news: now you can buy him one of the latest crops of laptop cases that don’t even look like they’re for computers. They look like chic little handbags, so she’ll look stylish in the classroom or boardroom.
8. Laundry kit. True, this gift is a bit impractical, but a fashionista should wear clean clothes. She buys a laundry bag or basket and fills it with a box of laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, and a roll of quarters. Better yet, buy him a washer and dryer.
9. Luxurious bedding. The well-dressed graduate also needs a well-dressed first apartment or dorm room. 500-thread-count sheets and Egyptian cotton duvet covers will wrap your graduate in comfort every night, so she can dream sweet dreams of runway shows and sample sales.
10. Shares in a fashion company. Does your graduate love a particular publicly traded brand or fashion design store? If so, consider gifting stock in the company. You also don’t have to spend a fortune buying stocks. You can buy just one share of companies like Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Abercrombie & Fitch from online brokers who specialize in these gift transactions. Your graduate even gets a stock certificate to frame.
With one of these fashion-oriented gifts, your graduate is sure to give you an A+ in gift-giving.