A large part of the lead-up to the holidays is spent figuring out what gift to give the people in your life and perhaps dropping hints about what presents you want to receive.
Gift preferences vary for everyone, from "it’s the thought that counts” to people who send images of the exact items they want. When it comes to gifting fashion items, such as clothing and accessories, that’s a high-risk game. You could be on the money with what you buy, but the margin for error is quite broad. If you are intent on gifting fashion, here are some things to consider:
GET THE SPECIFICS RIGHT
When you gift someone a piece of clothing or certain accessories, you indirectly indicate your perception of the recipient.
Getting the wrong size, or a colour that clashes with their skin or a style that is not flattering for their shape, could potentially cause embarrassment. Just imagine buying someone a shirt two sizes too big in their least favourite colour – ouch!
STYLE IS PERSONAL
Wardrobes are often curated based on personal taste. Even if someone doesn’t classify themselves as fashionable, personal style can still be as unique as DNA and often reflects an individual’s comfort zone. Just because you like something, doesn’t mean they will, and buying clothes to break them out of their usual style can be somewhat presumptuous. If you’re not sure what they’d like, ask.
RETURN POLICIES
Before you purchase any clothing or accessory, always ask about the return policy, which may vary from store to store. For example, retail stops in Camana Bay have anywhere from a five- to 30-day return policy, so pick your purchase date wisely if you wish to leave enough room after the holidays. In addition, some shops might offer refunds while others offer only exchanges. If a shop doesn't offer returns at all, be absolutely sure your purchase is a winner before you buy it.
GIFT RECEIPTS
If a shop offers gift receipts without the price, by all means get one, but even if they don't, include the regular receipt anyway when gifting fashion. Yes, by gifting a regular receipt, the recipient will know how much you spent on them, but to successfully make a return if necessary, many stores require a receipt.
GIFT CERTIFICATES
If you're still worried about getting it wrong, then play it safe and buy a gift certificate from a fashion retailer, or get a Camana Bay gift card and let the recipient choose their favourite shop in which to purchase a gift.
This article was originally published in the December 2021 print edition of Camana Bay Times.
About the author
Ariel Thompson is a content manager at Dart, having joined the company in 2017. A lifelong writer, Ariel was born and raised in the Cayman Islands before studying abroad at Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama, for her degree in public relations and film and television. With eight years of experience in communications, Ariel joined Dart after working as Cayman International School’s first marketing communications officer. As her name would suggest, Ariel is a Disney fan and has a singing voice to rival The Little Mermaid’s. She loves to conceptualise TV and movie scripts and hopes one day to be a director. When in Camana Bay, Ariel can be found enjoying Mizu Asian Bistro + Bar’s Pad Thai, or shopping with friends and a scoop of gelato in hand.