Ask Magpie: Ski Trips, Gifts for Men, + Hot Pink Sweater.

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Q: Something unexpected and fab to wear this holiday season.

A: I love the fashion-forward shoes from Le Monde Beryl, seen above! Anything mesh, really!

P.S. A whole post on micro-trends in flats.

Q: Two-piece swimsuits – not high-waisted please.

A: Hunza G Xandra or Marysia Antibes (some colors/styles on sale here)!

Q: The pop of red trend.

A: These are on their way to me – can’t wait to style. Also love a red sweater or turtleneck, or red phone case!

Q: Ski trip!

A: Love the chic and splurgey options from Perfect Moment and Goldbergh. Sweaty Betty and Free People also have some cute base layers for much less. For apres, Kule has such a fun collection (how fun is this?), and of course Ugg Ultra-Minis! And don’t forget a really hydrating face cream and heavy duty lip balm.

Q: More festive holiday looks! Still haven’t found what I’m looking for!

A: Check out Rebecca Vallance’s collection. SO good. Love this with tights and this dramatic red number. Also like the idea of thinking outside the dress — a pair of great trousers, a statement blouse or bustier, a silver skirt. Finally, Doen is launching its winter collection today! A good place for new finds!

P.S. More of my holiday outfit picks here, here, and here.

Q: Gift for FIL who’s been ordered to take it easy after surgery and a few rounds of chemo.

A: I’m so sorry to hear that — sending your family love and best wishes for a speedy recovery. One funny thing that a lot of Magpies reported that their husbands steal from them is a Chappywrap blanket! HA! Not sure how your FIL would respond to that — some dudes are just not going to be into receiving a blanket, but he may surprise himself. They come in lots of masculine patterns, too. I also think a bundle of board games or puzzles might be nice and suggestive of a slower pace. My Dad loves puzzles, and I can imagine him appreciating that gift. I like the ones from this brand. Finally, a collection of a few books you’ve enjoyed or that you think might map to his interests. You could get him a subscription to Parnassus Books’ book club (this is run by my favorite author Ann Patchett), or cherry pick to his interests. My Dad loves history and non-fiction, for example — this and this would be topical and up his alley. Or even something like an Audubon book on birds? One sweet thing could be to propose you have a book club to discuss one or two of the titles at some point in the future. A good way to “keep him company” while he’s recuperating — you can text him thoughts intermittently.

Q: Gifts for my dad and BIL in the category “something to wear.”

A: My mom is great at finding clothing gifts for the men in our family. She typically picks one item and gives it to every guy (my dad, my brother, my brothers-in-law) — a few very popular gifts my mom has given to all the men in our family in years past: Faherty quilted pullovers, Marmot PreCip jackets, Smathers and Branson belts, and Patagonia fleece vests. I would also consider these crowd-pleasers: Rhoback half-zips, Mack Weldon henleys, Alex Mill beanies, Todd Snyder fleece (Mr. Magpie owns this in two colors), Kule socks, Rhone pullover, or Ami Paris sweatshirt.

Q: Outfits for private school tours and parent interviews.

A: I’d wear a polished dress like this or this (<<20% off with code JEN-20) with smart ballet flats (<<these are on their way to me in the scarlet red color), or a blazer with black or dark wash denim (polished, no rips).

Q: Hot pink sweater.

A: This Everlane or this J. Crew.

Q: Best friend who just had a baby who has everything.

A: A massage or manicure gift card, a UBeauty lip plasma set, or nursing pajamas from Cosabella (I owned these in two colors!) or Lake. Something pampering for her, in other words!

Q: Mid and outer layers and leggings for DC runs in Jan-March.

A: Tracksmith! I love their Brighton and Harrier tees and their Turnover leggings. Warm and insulating, but breathable. Size up in the leggings. Not quite as breathable/soft as Tracksmith, but I also have a few of these less-expensive merino layers that are good for cold days. Finally, I have had such good luck with New Balance’s running gear over the years. They used to make these “heatloft” jackets and pullovers that I swear were magic — but I think they’ve retired that line. I have this vest that I like to wear as a top layer when I’m really cold and need something on top of my coat, and this question led me to discover this running jacket from them (on super sale!) that I just bought myself.

Q: Boots to wear with midi dresses (some of the winter nap dresses).

A: I love a kitten heel bootie with a slightly pointed toe with this silhouette — it feels elevated and polished and I like when a little skin or tights show between top of boot and bottom of skirt (versus all leather from a tall boot) because I think it makes the look feel a bit more natural / the width of your leg can be seen. There’s something about just seeing the leather boot beneath the hem that feels very stiff and strange to me. I love something like this, this, this, or this. The only exception to this rule is a Western style boot — because they have some shape to them, I feel like they look fine peeking out from beneath a midi skirt. I own and love these; look for less with these. If you’re on the edgier side, I have also styled my nap dresses with chelsea boots like these or these, but then I like to add a dressier/more feminine element, like an embellished cardigan or headband or big earrings to balance it all out.

Q: Shoes to wear with my new Missoni pants.

A: OMG. Fabulous! I would pick something in a rich color — a gem-tone, plum, gold — and consider velvet or satin, too. They are such opulent pants, they deserve an opulent shoe! A few I love: these Aquazzuras, these Vinces, these Sam Edelmans, these Choos, these Amina Muaddis, these St. Laurents.

Q: Favorite things party – $50 or less.

A: SO fun. I love the concept of this party! A few of mine: Appointed notebooks and Staples pens, OXO scale, Christophe Robin salt hair scrub, Linnea candles, Quince fisherman sweaters, Cocofloss.

P.S. I’ve written a lot about my relationship with Mr. Magpie, and you can catch up on it all here if you’re new to these parts. (Welcome, new Magpies!) Some of my favorite posts on him is a recounting of some of our earliest months together as boyfriend and girlfriend back at the University of Virginia and that time he handed me an envelope that contained the universe.

P.P.S. On pursuing English as a major.

P.P.P.S. I want a baggy life.

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