How well do you know your best friend? Well enough to shop for her? Fashion influencers Alyssa Coscarelli and Lauren Caruso met in the offices of Refinery29 and have been best friends ever since. They each have their own distinctive trend-defining style (and tons of ardent followers). They also profess to know each other’s personal style inside and out.
Recently, they tested this by choosing gifts for one another from Levi's® newest looks. They then styled themselves and talked to us about what they chose for each other (and what makes a truly great gift).
What kinds of gifts do you like to give and receive?
AC: Any gift that shows that some thought, preparation, and research went into it.
LC: The best gifts are things that someone wouldn't ordinarily get for themselves, whether that be a trip somewhere, a meaningful piece of jewelry or a new wardrobe staple that's a bit of a splurge.
How do you go about gifting clothes for a friend? A lot of people wonder: Should I give them something safe that I know they’d like, or should I give something fun?
AC: I think a gift that fits your friend’s style will go a long way, since they’ll actually get some wear out of it and see that you know and understand their personal style. Ask their partner or another close friend if they’ve mentioned anything on their wishlist. Gotta do your detective duties to investigate what the best gift will be for that particular friend.
LC: When you're giving a friend a gift, it's important to remember that you're not actually shopping for yourself! If you have similar styles, then you'll probably already have an accurate barometer of what they'd like; if you don't, it's never a bad idea to peruse their recent purchases or what they've liked on Instagram for clues.
Scope out your friend’s recent Instagram likes or saves.
– —Alyssa
It's important to remember that you're not actually shopping for yourself!
– —Lauren
If you guys were gifting Levi's® for each other, what would you pick and why?
AC: Since Lauren and I spend a lot of time shopping together, I know she likes a high-waisted, wide-legged silhouette, and we are both already fans of the Ribcage Jean, so I’d want to get her a new wash in that style that she doesn’t have yet. I’d want to get her denim pieces I know she’d wear and feel her best in!
LC: I know Alyssa's practically addicted to denim, so I'd really try to find a style of jeans that she doesn't have yet in a wash that feels really of-the-moment. I know she loves both the Ribcage and 501® jeans in a rigid wash, so I'd gravitate toward those.
If you guys were gifting Levi's® for yourself, what would you pick and why?
AC: I pretty much have all of my denim basics covered, so I’d want to get something a bit more trend-forward that I don’t yet have in my collection.
LC: My style is a little less trend-driven, and I love anything high-waisted and rigid in a super dark wash. I love for my jeans to be able to go with anything in my closet.
Any gift that shows that some thought, preparation, and research went into it.
– —Alyssa
The best gifts are things someone wouldn't ordinarily get for themselves.
– —Lauren
Would you rather give and receive multiple small gifts or one big gift, and why?
LC: I always prefer to be gifted experiences that I can share with my friends and family, and those are usually a little more expensive than small gifts.
How well do you know your BFF? Take the gift quiz.
Is your best friend a guy? Browse gifts for men.