Gift giving is rarely easy. Anyone who's gotten an awkward, "Err thanks..." post-exchange can attest to that. Sure, if you get the wrong present for your mom, per say, or your best friend, you’re unlikely to get anything more than a raised eyebrow. Getting a bad gift for your S.O., on the other hand? Probably not the best way to kick off the holiday season.
So, on today’s agenda, we’ve got a gift guide for your S.O. that is sure to win: Lingerie. Lingerie makes for a perfect romantic holiday gift for a couple of reasons. For one, apart from the occasional re-up of seamless thongs, people rarely spend time buying lace bodysuits or mesh panties for themselves (but if you do… we’re jealous). Then there’s the fact that lingerie is the one fashion item we wear most often (a.k.a. every single day). The preferred style might vary from person to person, but for the most part, lingerie plays a major role in everyone’s wardrobe.
But since we know that buying undergarments can be tricky no matter who you're buying it for, we’ve laid out a few types of lingerie gifts that are sure to impress. From lace sets to kitschy gift packs, click through the comprehensive lingerie gift guide ahead and get your S.O. something they'll really love to slip into this holiday season.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
See-Through Sets
If your partner likes something sexy, but still comfy as hell, a sheer set is perfect for them. Keep in mind what styles and silhouettes they prefer, though. Do they favor high cut panties or thongs? Underwire bras or bralettes? The devil's in the details, baby.
Only Hearts Whisper Underwire Bra, $, available at Only Hearts
Only Hearts Whisper High Cut Brief, $, available at Only Hearts
Lonely Gigi Underwire Bra Copper, $, available at Lonely
Lonely Gigi Tri Brief Copper, $, available at Lonely
Savage x Fenty Lacy Not Racy Unlined Bra, $, available at Savage x Fenty
Savage x Fenty Lacy Not Racy Brazilian, $, available at Savage x Fenty
Cuup The Balconette Mesh Bra, $, available at Cuup
When the winter weather hits, slipping into a sexy lace set isn't always in the cards. Instead, get your partner a comfortable, cotton set that they can lounge around in throughout the cold season ahead.
Araks Antonia Bralette White, $, available at Araks
Aerie Aerie Cotton Bralette, $, available at Aerie
Aerie Cotton Sleep Shortie Underwear, $, available at Aerie
Classic Lace Sets
When it comes to lingerie, you really can't go wrong with a lace set. Stick to the basics with something black or take a leap of faith with a pastel alternative — no matter what you choose, lace will always be a safe bet.
Out From Under Classic Lace Triangle Bralette, $, available at Urban Outfitters
During Prada’s fall ‘19 runway show in Milan, Miuccia Prada made waves when debuting the Monolith Oxfords, a chunky, lug sole take on the collegiate shoe staple. More than two years after the style’s initial descent down the runway, it remains one of the most frequently spotted footwear styles on the streets, particularly during fashion month, and a regular on the Instagram feeds of influencers like Courtney Trop of Always Judging and Reese Blutstein of Double Exposure. Even Addison Rae, one of TikTok’s biggest stars and Kourtney Kardashian’s lockdown BFF, favors them. (So does Kourtney.) The platform style has become so popular, in fact, that designers across the board are now putting their own spin on the traditionally preppy silhouette, thus making them one of this year’s most prominent and sought-after shoe styles for fall.
Created as an alternative to boots for men, the low-heeled, ankle-height lace-ups — first called Balmoral shoes after Scotland’s Balmoral Castlecastle — became known as Oxfords after a rise in popularity at England’s Oxford University. Soon, they became popular with men everywhere. In the early 1900s, black-and-white, low-heeled “saddle shoes” were created as a way for women to get in on the trend. Initially crafted out of leather, following the Great Depression, the shoe appeared in more affordable materials and, not long after, adopted a lower, rubber heel.
While classic Oxfords remain a popular style with both men and women today, as Prada’s cult-favorite iteration — currently available in three different materials — goes to show, sometimes the classics aren’t the only way to go. Instead, in 2020, you can find Oxfords that are lifted and made to make a statement rather than blend in. Following in Prada’s lead, The Row put their own spin on classic Oxfords, crafting theirs for fall out of pony hair and offering them in shades of ivory and black. Meanwhile, Swedish footwear brand Eytys gave their iteration a platform sole and a round toe, Marni opted for contrast stitching and a square toe, and Adieu put in a heavy rubber sole and added green accents. Of course, plenty of lower-priced options by the likes of Dr. Martens, Zara, and & Other Stories were also manufactured for fall to make the footwear style accessible no matter the budget.
Shop our favorite Oxfords on the market below.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.
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Oftentimes, we talk about clothes as armor. But what about using fashion not to protect against a (metaphorical) battle axe, but to bring your inner strength out?
That's what we're trying to accomplish here, with some fall outfits intended to boost your mood, keep you cozy and snug, and brighten up the ever-shortening days ahead. How, though? A highly specialized type of knowledge about fabrics, cuts, and human psychology that, together, we like to call...good styling.
As you'll see ahead, each look does have its own methodology, but all four begin with Cuddl Duds as a warmth-retaining base layer, key for building the snuggliest, happiest-making looks. Keep clicking to find out how we've put together these feel-good ensembles, from a sharp, monochromatic combo that's like a hit of Confidence Juice, to a mixed-print coffee-run fit that feels like a wearable hug.
Start with the softest leggings we've ever encased our legs in, then use their check pattern as a jumping-off point to do some subtle print-mixing. Bundling yourself in a whole lot of warm textures that feel nice against your skin = "Wow, I could be in a cocoon right now."
Cuddl Duds Softwear High-Waist Leggings, $, available at Macy's
Cuddl Duds 3-Pk. Crew Socks, $, available at Macy's
Mango Hooded Flowy Sweatshirt, $, available at Macy's
Avec Les Filles Python-Print Faux-Fur Coat, $, available at Macy's
Adidas Nizza Platform Casual Sneakers, $, available at Macy'sThere's nothing like a luxe-looking black--and-white look to project power and put-togetherness, even if your insides are, shall we say, jumbled up. The anchor here is a crisp white turtleneck (that's still ultra-soft), complemented by slick surfaces and impeccable cuts.
Cuddl Duds Softwear Long-Sleeve Turtleneck Top, $, available at Macy's
DKNY Oversized Faux-Leather Puffer Coat, $, available at Macy's
Lauren Ralph Lauren Gold-Tone Pavé Crystal 17" Toggle Collar Necklace, $, available at Macy's
Steve Madden Gale Studded Lug-Sole Booties, $, available at Macy'sA long-sleeve, cheetah-print crew and leggings keep you comfortably temperature-controlled while the rest of your special-occasion fit consists of a voluminous minidress and some Fun Accessories. Color, pattern, and pouf — it'd be mighty hard to be glum in a mix like this.
Cuddl Duds Softwear Long-Sleeve Crewneck Top, $, available at Macy's
Cuddl Duds Softwear High-Waist Leggings, $, available at Macy's
Free People Violet Mini Dress, $, available at Macy's
Nine West Medium Arde Lace-Up Lug Sole Combat Booties, $, available at Macy's
Kate Spade Large Scalloped Hoop Earrings, $, available at Macy'sFor another option on the theme "portable duvet," we've got super-warm leggings paired with a snuggly puffer, fleecy fabrics, and a kicky skirt for feeling cute (and comfy) in cold weather.
Cuddl Duds Ultra Cozy Leggings, $, available at Macy's
Avec Les Filles Wrap Puffer Coat, $, available at Macy's
Sustainable lifestyle influencer Jazmine Rogers started 2020 with around 5,000 followers on Instagram. Today, she has more than 34,000. “I’m happy to connect with a community of like-minded people,” she tells Refinery29 from her home in San Diego. Rogers, who is half-Black and half-Mexican, uses her platform to discuss issues including race and sustainability. While she’s been using her colorful and informative feed to offer resources and tips for years, Rogers says it really feels like people are now listening to what she has to say.
In 2015, Rogers started her blog, That Curly Top, after she joined an anti-human trafficking club in college and learned about the effects of fashion labor trafficking in developing nations where exploitative working conditions and minimal pay are the standard. She documented her experience with quitting fast fashion and dabbled in other forms of sustainable living like reducing her plastic usage and using naturally-made products. That same year, Rogers launched @thatcurlytop on Instagram, which has since replaced her blog. She knows sustainability can be a broad and vague topic — “I love being able to take complex ideas and make it fun and accessible to other people, because [sustainability is] overwhelming” — so Rogers is approaching it from a specific angle: the intersection of sustainability and race. “I’ve leaned towards talking about racial issues and environmental inequities because it’s intertwined with who I am and my communities,” she explains.
The damaging effects of fast fashion became a global lightning rod following the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh. Since then, the fashion industry has been trying to rebuild itself with a sustainable focus. “Ethical” and “sustainable,” especially trendy among millennials and Gen-Z on social media, quickly became buzzwords, but it has been hard for non-white voices and brands to be recognized as part of the conversation.
Up until a few months ago, it took a deep search to find one influencer of color in the sustainability community, yet finding a white influencer was a scroll away. In the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police and the civil rights protests that followed, sustainability influencers of color, like Rogers, have received increased online attention. With the urgency of racial injustice consuming social media, people looked for leading BIPOC voices in different spaces to help inform — and change — perspectives. The sustainability movement was part of the groundswell.
When Aditi Mayer learned about the Rana Plaza disaster, she was taken aback by the grand scale of worker mistreatment in countries like Bangladesh and India. “I started understanding fashion from the politics of labor and the disproportionate impact on people of color globally,” Mayer, who identifies as South Asian, tells Refinery29. Mayer started her blog, ADIMAY, sharing her thoughts on who wasn’t represented in the fashion industry and putting people of color at the forefront of her work. “My vantage points became intersectionality and inclusivity,” the L.A.-based sustainable fashion blogger, photojournalist, and labor rights activist says.
In Mayer’s experience in the industry, “There were many instances of walking into a room and being the only woman of color. If we only have one homogenous group leading this movement, it severely limits the vantage points and modalities through which sustainability and decolonization can take place.” Similarly, when Rogers started her sustainability journey, she couldn’t find many people of color in the space. She also witnessed the lack of opportunities non-white sustainability influencers received: “It was rare for me to see people of color get the same brand deals, collaborations, or speaking positions on panels.”
In June, Rogers’ platform started to grow significantly, but she had feelings of imposter syndrome. “Part of me feels like the only reason I have this following is because I’m half-Black,” she explains. “Am I the cute version of a Black person you want to follow? Or are you actually inclusive and want to listen to all Black voices?” While she grappled with her account’s growth, Rogers’ friends and family reminded her how hard she had worked: “I’ve been doing this for a hot minute, and white influencers who have been in the space just as long as I have skyrocketed. I’m finally getting what I deserve.” She’s also working to expand the community: “I’m finding all these creators I’ve been wanting to find forever. My feed now feels way more diverse.”
Alivia Fields had a different experience growing her audience. The Oregon-based sustainability influencer started her Instagram in 2014, initially to share her photography. When she developed an interest in sustainable living, she transitioned into sharing her lifestyle with her micro-audience in the summer of 2017. During this time, Fields caught the eye of an Instagram executive. After flying down to IG’s headquarters in San Francisco to discuss her process, Fields’ account got put on a “Suggested Users” list for around three weeks. Thanks to the algorithm, Fields’ platform rapidly increased from 300 to 30,000 followers. After the boost, “My career did this complete shift, and I was being contacted by brands I’d always wanted to work with.”
Fields’ platform continued to grow — she’s just shy of 100,000 followers today — but she started to feel like she was the only woman of color in the sustainability space. She remembers working for a brand where her photo had significantly less engagement than photos with white influencers. “Their audience wasn’t used to seeing a person that didn’t fit into a specific look,” she explains. “I was grateful for the opportunities, but I always had this looming thought in the back of my mind of, ‘Am I only here because they had to fill a quota?’”
“I’d like to find a place where the inclusion of diverse influencers is organic and reflexive versus checking a box,” says Cheryl Overton, a New York-based digital diversity strategist. As a fashion brand consultant for over a decade, Overton knows how long it takes for non-white influencers to get mainstream recognition and representation. “They do the heavy lifting but get the lightest return on their effort. They also have to contend with tokenism, unequal pay, lack of opportunities, and microaggressions,” she notes. “We have to see ourselves reflected in the content we consume — it’s inspirational and reflects the world we live in. It’s a powerful tool to shift preconceived notions and expose the public to perspectives they may not otherwise know.”
Like Rogers, Fields attributes the anti-racism movement to her finding more BIPOC sustainability influencers in the past few months. “I might have to seek it out and become friends with a few more people, but it ensures what I’m seeing in my daily life is more inclusive.” She also encourages brands to join this shift on social media. “Getting people used to the idea of seeing other races and cultures is going to be beneficial and powerful,” says Fields.
But diverse inclusion must come from all angles of the industry. “If you’re a brand, demand that BIPOC influencers be considered in your programs. Have BIPOC representation on your teams who can shepherd this work and help make decisions. If you’re an agency, be on the lookout to include diverse talent proactively because their stories and content slap, not because someone thinks it’s trendy. If you’re an ally, ask the client if they’re featuring BIPOC talent for the campaign at the same pay rate,” says Overton. “For systemic bias to be combated, we need all players in the system to participate in reform.”
Mayer agrees that conversations around race and identity need to go beyond this moment in time: “We present an understanding of sustainability that is beyond the marketplace.” Meyer points to platforms like Intersectional Environmentalist, where she is a council member, that share sustainable resources for BIPOC consumers. “We can’t use the excuse of ‘I can’t find them anymore,’ because the resources exist,” she says. “When we’re talking about sustainability, we’re talking about environmental justice, and environmental justice means we’re talking about race and identity.”
Rogers’ following has now allowed her to pursue her sustainability influencer career full-time. “As a woman of color, it’s hard to say I deserve anything, but I’ve put time and energy into educating others, and it’s honoring to finally get that recognition,” she says.
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Over the last year, we’ve noticed a trend in engagement rings with non-traditional stones, specifically pearls, gaining on classic diamonds. Ever since we saw our Favourite actress Emma Stone debut the vintage, pearl engagement ring she received from SNL writer Dave McCary in December 2019, we’ve been particularly drawn to the style.
Pearl engagement rings are tempting for a number of reasons. For starters, they often tend to cost less than diamond rings. They’re also more unique and unexpected than traditional diamond rings, which is likely why McCary chose the Yoshinobu Kataoka pearl ring for Stone. They are alsomore sustainable. Of course, the advantages of diamonds still hold true: They’re one of the hardest and most durable stones out there. (On the Moh’s hardness scale, pearls rate at just 2.5 to 3, while diamonds have a rating of 10 out 10.) But, with the right care, a pearl engagement ring can, too, stand up to life’s daily tasks.
So, if going the traditional diamond route feels not you, give the 19 pearl engagement rings ahead a try. The way trends are looking, you won’t be the only one sporting a classic pearl on your ring finger going into engagement season.
At Refinery29, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.This is Emma Stone's very engagement ring, and yes, it's still available.
Kataoka Winter Pearl Ring, $, available at CatbirdPhoto Courtesy of Catbird.
AverieJewelry 14K Gold Celtic Pearl Engagement Ring, $, available at Etsy
Mikimoto Cultured Pearl & Diamond Ring, $, available at Nordstrom
Irene Neuwirth Gumball Pearl & 18kt Gold Ring, $, available at Matches Fashion
David Yurman Solari Station Ring in 18K White Gold with Cultured Pearl and Diamonds, $, available at David Yurman
