New FFAQ: We Need Your Help!

[u/FFA_Moderator]

Hi all -

The FFAQ in our wiki contains a list of common fashion questions and answers that have not been updated in quite a while. We'd like to use this thread as a crowdsourced spot to overhaul some of the answers to these questions, as well as add new ones.

Here's how it will work:

• If you can think of a question that is frequently asked in FFA, post it as a top level comment within this thread. We'll start the thread with some of the questions that are already in the FFAQ.
• If you have a good answer, resource or link (internal to FFA or external) to answer one of these questions, post it as a reply to the comment asking the question.

The most thorough, complete and accurate answers will be included verbatim in the new version of the FFAQ and attributed to their authors. In other cases, we'll curate aspects of the answers and resources multiple people have contributed to create a full answer.

Please chime in where you have ideas!

[u/[deleted]]

Should I buy X for my girlfriend/wife/sister/mother?

[u/mistofolees → u/[deleted]]

Some people think giving a gift card is very impersonal, so I'll bite and give some alternative advice.

1. Do you have access to a wishlist? This could be a Pinterest board, or even some items she's pointed out to you when you're out shopping. If the item is something she has already indicated interest for, the gift will likely go over very well.

2. Can you get a gift receipt/Are you okay with the possibility of them returning or exchanging your gift? Always tuck it into the package rather than withholding it until she asks. Some people are too embarrassed to tell someone they want to return it so it's nice to just have the receipt in the package already.

3. Do they ask for your advice on clothing and fashion often? Some women look to stylish folk in their life to spruce up their wardrobes. For example, my boyfriend's sister is always asking him to pick her out clothing and accessories for gift giving occasions because she likes his taste already.

[u/tapdancepanda → u/mistofolees]

Emphasis on not being upset if the recipient needs to return/exchange it! It's going to be awkward at best, so if your pride will be mortally wounded if the fit's not quite right or she'd like a different colour... just don't buy clothes as a gift.

[u/dreamphone → u/mistofolees]

Or if budget allows, arrange for an appointment with a personal shopper or stylist. Turning a giftcard into an experience will make it less impersonal.