The riskiest clothing gifts
Short answer: Anything that must fit close, anything with a pattern and anything in a colour you have not seen in their wardrobe. These three groups go wrong most often, because they require you to know both the body and the taste.
Why some gifts go wrong
A gift rarely goes wrong because of quality. It goes wrong because it needs an exact measurement or a particular taste that the giver has no way of knowing. The more things that have to fit at once, the greater the risk. Think about how much you really know before you choose.
What has to fit close
Trousers, bras and close fitting tops are gifts where two centimetres decide whether the piece is worn or put away. A loose cut forgives a size up or down, but a close cut does not. If you do not have a reliable measurement, it is better to choose something else.
Trousers
Trousers must fit at the waist, hip and leg length at once, and those are three measurements you seldom know. Sweatpants have a softer cut than other trousers, but size still matters. See women's bamboo pants and bamboo sweatpants for men if you know the measurements.
Patterns and prints
A pattern is a matter of taste that cannot be guessed. A plain garment can be used by more people and does not get put away after a single wear. If the person has never worn patterned clothes, there is a reason, and you should not try to change it with a gift. Choose plain if you are unsure.
Colours they do not own
Look in their wardrobe. If there are no red pieces, there is a reason. Colour is the easiest thing to read, because it only takes a couple of minutes looking at what the person already wears. Choose a colour already in the wardrobe or one close to it. Neutral is often safe, but it is not a guarantee.
Sweatwear as a middle way
Sweatwear is softer in cut and more forgiving than close fitting clothes, but it is still clothing that has to fit. See sweatwear in bamboo for a selection, and choose a neutral colour and a plain look. Also consider including a receipt, so the recipient can exchange it if the size does not fit.
If you still want something close fitting
If you have decided on something close fitting, include a receipt and choose a shop with good return terms. Write on a small card that an exchange is welcome. That takes the pressure off the gift and removes the risk that it ends up at the back of the wardrobe because nobody wants to say it does not fit.
Fit or colour
Fit is hardest, because it needs measurements, while colour can be read from the wardrobe. If you only have time to check one thing, check the fit first. Measure a garment the person wears often, or photograph the label at the neck. Then you can choose the size from numbers instead of a guess.
What to give instead
Sleepwear, homewear and socks are the safe choices, because they have wide size ranges and a loose cut. They are used daily and are rarely something people buy for themselves. If you want to give something more personal, combine a safe gift with a small card explaining why you chose it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a gift have a pattern?
For someone whose taste you know well, yes. If you do not know it, choose plain, because a pattern is a matter of taste that others cannot guess.
What if you still want something close fitting?
Include a receipt and choose a shop with good return terms. Write on a card that an exchange is welcome, so the recipient does not feel obliged to keep it.
Is colour or fit harder?
Fit. Colour can be read from the wardrobe, while fit needs measurements or reliable knowledge of the size, which few people have without having asked.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
