The best occasion for giving a gift to the lady in your life is no occasion at all, for two simple reasons:
- She deserves it. Buying something for your wife/girlfriend/fiancé probably shouldn’t be your primary expression of love (or a tool for getting out of the doghouse), but it can be a great way to say something as simple as “I know you’ve had a beast of a week … I saw this and thought you might like it.”
- It keeps you in “gift-giving” shape. Birthdays and anniversaries are always coming up, and those events will feel less daunting when you’ve had your ear to the ground.
All that being said, we understand buying gifts isn’t easy, so we asked Nina Agdal for help. Yes, that Nina Agdal.
The Danish supermodel recently launched her own shoe with Koio, the NYC-based DTC brand that’s been cranking out “dressed-up casual” calfskin leather kicks since 2014. Koio makes all its sneakers in a coastal Italian village called Civitanova Marche, and the quality is downright silly. (We like their Capri Nuvola, which is yet to find an outfit it doesn’t go with.)
But we’re not shopping for you this time around. Nina’s rose-printed Avalanche runner taps into the fun that brought chunky sneaks back in the first place, and will be a welcome addition to your lady’s shoe closet with the verdant months upon us. Find the shoes, and Nina’s other picks — from face masks to Chanel flap bags — below.
Not to mention: an official ruling on what not to get the lady in your life.
Two items $30 or under…
VictSing Cool Mist Humidifier
“I have this diffuser in my bedroom. You can add lavender or eucalyptus drops to it, and it helps you relax.”
Flowers
“Cheesy maybe, but nothing puts a smile on my face like a beautiful bouquet. Can be from a deli, who cares!” [Editor’s note: In case the deli doesn’t come through, we recommend sourcing your flowers from farm-to-table service The Bouqs.]
Two items under $100 …
Lotus Youth Preserve Rescue Mask
“I love to pamper myself with a face mask. Fresh Skincare has a great one!”
Baies/Berries Candle
“Who doesn’t love a good-smelling home? Diptyque Baies Candles are perfect but just a little too expensive to buy for yourself.”
Two splurge items …
Koio X Nina Agdal
“My Koio x Nina Agdal sneaker, obviously! They’re summer-ready and will instantly put any gal in a good mood.”
Chanel Flap Bag
“If you really want to go for it … every girl needs her Chanel. Any kind of Chanel. Go with a bag, purse, or clutch and she’ll use it for the rest of her life.”
BONUS: The one thing a guy should never gift his wife or girlfriend?
“Unless she’s expressed she wants it for something special, do not buy her giftcards for anything. It’s impersonal, and she’d much rather have something thoughtful that took a little effort than you taking the easy route.”
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