The gift of timeless, capsule-conscious style

Installment 4 of the female-founded holiday gift guide series

I found this style gift guide a bit challenging to curate because style is fundamentally something that is deeply personal. So when creating this installment of female-founded discoveries, I focused on sharing items that would be considered key pieces within a capsule wardrobe. When I gift a clothing item, nothing gives me a warmer feeling than seeing the recipient wear the piece over and over again. I don’t want to give a trend, I want to give something that has versatility and ideally won’t fall into the back of one’s closet.

On the topic of clothing and accessories sometimes being hard to give, I wanted to specifically highlight the fact that even if your gift ends up being returned, at least your friend or a family member will have a kick-ass gift card to a business worth supporting. In the end, that’s a win-win. All brands listed in this guide have a deep catalog of gorgeous, high-quality pieces….and perhaps you’re introducing friends and family to a new female-founded company that they hadn’t yet discovered.

Finally, before we dive in, a note on prices…my goal was to keep the selection in this style list below $500 and closer to the $100 - $250 on average (especially when taking into account all of the holiday discounting). I’m excited to share that I will be publishing a bonus “luxe list” in the coming days, which will push some price point boundaries and feature some heirloom, investment pieces that are worth the splurge.

So, without further ado, welcome to the female-founded style gift guide.

Jenny Bird Earrings - founded by Jenny Bird out of Canada in 2008. If I were Oprah, I’d be yelling to everyone in the audience, “and YOU get a pair of Jenny Bird earrings!…” Yes, I’ve written about these earrings in the past, but in my mind these check ALL of the boxes. Good price point, high quality, stylish, and lightweight so your earlobes are taken care of. My two favorite styles are the Nouveaux Puff and the Chunky Doune Hoop earrings. I’m giving one of my best buds a pair for Christmas (don’t worry, she already knows!).

Mejuri Initial Pendant Necklace - founded by Noura Sakkijha in 2013. The initial pendant necklace is here to stay, and a great way to gift something more personal. Oversized versions took the trends by storm a la Celine circa 2018, then they continued to be the rage in 2021, and they’re still here in a beautiful way. I’m loving the size and texture of this Mejuri pick. I like the fact that it’s big enough to make a statement, but not overwhelming.

La Ligne Marin Sweater - founded by former Vogue editors, Valerie Macaulay and Meredith Melling, and Molly Howard, rag & bone’s former head of business development in 2016. La Ligne strikes the ideal balance between style, quality, and price point. And fun fact, when I linked to a photo of Jenna Lyons wearing the La Ligne Striped Marin Sweater in a prior post, it has become one of the most clicked on links in my newsletter…ever. This sweater is an easy staple and had you accompanied me on my trip to Japan in October, you would have seen the navy version draped around my shoulders, tied around my waist, or just being worn the majority of days (see first photo for proof). If you’re looking for something a bit more upscale with 100% cashmere instead of a wool-cashmere blend, might I recommend the Toujours Sweater.

Jenni Kayne Alpaca Cocoon Crewneck Sweater - founded by Jenni Kayne in 2002. This specific sweater has been a year-round staple piece in my wardrobe. I love the slightly oversized nature, the soft (read: not itchy) yarn, and the heathered color. This is truly a versatile go-to - I wore it tied around my neck all over Italy last fall, I’ll throw it on over my workout clothes when I need to look more put together for errands, I’ll pair it with trousers in lieu of a suit jacket for a relaxed, professional look…the possibilities are endless. If I ran the girl math on this sweater, it would prove to be one of my best investments. With the holiday sales, you can snag it for 25% off.

Apiece Apart Oversized Button Down - founded by college friends and creatives Laura Cramer and Starr Hout in 2008. I’m a big fan of this shirt because the fabric is thick enough that it’s not see through in white and the style is perfectly oversized. The brand has additional variations on this style both in terms of color, pattern, and cut. Earlier this year, they launched the relaxed, slouch leg Meridian Jean that I have officially been lusting over. Their Softest Tissue Weight Sweaters and cardigans are also beautiful. Essentially, the TL;DR here is that if you purchase a gift for someone from here, even if it doesn’t fit or isn’t quite to their liking, the recipient will have a beautiful selection of options to choose from.

Teller Jamie Tee - founded by Jaime Fishbein in 2021. When Teller shop arrived at the Platform in Culver City a couple of years ago, it made the LA boutique shopping scene so much better. Not only is the store beautifully designed, the selection is thoughtfully curated across European, Australian, and US brands. After trying on one of their tee shirts made through a collaboration with Velvet by Graham & Spencer, I’ve fully stocked up and never looked back. These shirts wash super well so you can enjoy them wear after wear.

Jenni Kayne Marina Culottes - I personally find the sweatpants trend challenging sometimes because as much as I love feeling comfy-cozy, I really dislike the fact that sweatpants are generally unflattering on most body shapes - especially in the booty. Ideally we don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort. I find these Marina Culottes to be much more flattering, and like the fact that they’re slightly cropped, which is great for those who are vertically challenged (like me!). If you want to splurge, you can even get the matching Marina Pullover top.

Lisa Yang 100% Cashmere Stockholm Beanie - founded by Lisa Yang in 2014. Lisa is Stockholm-based and has become recognized for her cashmere quality and weaving techniques. There’s nothing more distracting or uncomfortable than an itchy beanie in the winter. I’ve made the mistake of purchasing ones over the years in the name of style, but instantly regretted it when nonstop scratching my head. Fortunately this hat comes in many neutral, flattering colors. If you want to shop more of Lisa’s cashmere, go here. Additionally, if you’re ok to spend a bit more money on a high-quality sweater in the cherry red trend that has defined this FW season, might I recommend this stunning piece - it looks like The Row but for half the price.

Toteme Long Double Scarf - founded by Elin Kling and her husband in 2014. If I was still living on the east coast and wearing scarves all winter long while battling the city elements on foot, I would be stocking up on Toteme scarves. There are so many ‘designer’ scarves on the market that use itchy materials and I really don’t understand the rationale. If you’re someone who can walk around with your bare skin against mohair for hours on end, then you are truly one-of-a-kind and I would love to know all of your secrets…that is not a joke. I, myself, can only opt for the softest of scarves in order to maintain my sanity and comfort. Toteme has a full selection of 100% cashmere, cashmere blends and soft wools and alpacas that are kind to the skin.

Rachel Comey Fond Sweatshirt - founded by Rachel Comey in 2001. I love all things Rachel Comey because her styles and cuts always have unique elements that ensure you won’t find the same thing elsewhere. Her line of sweatshirts is a great example. They’re perfectly oversized, a little bit worn, and have a unique shape to the sleeves. I have a few of these and have also had some fun with shortening the styles, which can easily be done on your own, or with a quick trip to the tailor. Bonus points for the fact that some of the best colors right now are 40% off.

Freda Salvador Elba Penny Loafer - founded by Cristina Palomo Nelson and Megan Papay in 2012. Freda Salvador is consistently recognized for top-quality construction and materials. I’ve seen these loafers on so many NYC and LA influencers who are embracing the menswear trends and showcasing versatility in the way they style them with socks and different hems.

The Best Friend Styling Date starring Wear it Well - In one of my prior posts I shared the details of my morning with stylist Allison Bornstein, and talked about the fact that simply spending time in your closet with a friend and creating new outfits with someone who comes at your wardrobe with a fresh pair of eyes sparks both joy and creativity. So why not gift your friend Allison’s Wear It Well Book (which is killing it with the Amazon and GoodRead ratings!), a bottle of their favorite bubbly / white / pink wine or perhaps the delicious non-alcoholic Ghia, and the promise for a styling date in the near future.

Have additional female-owned style finds to share? Please comment below.

Cheers to a stylish holiday season.

x jz

Images | 1 | @b.g.mckay of me | 2 - 3 | Jenny Bird | 4 | Mejuri | 5 | La Ligne | 6 | Jenni Kayne | 7 | Apiece Apart | 8 | Teller | 9 | Jenni Kayne | 10 | Ssense | 11 | Toteme | 12 | Rachel Comey | 13 | Freda Salvador | 14 | @b.g.mckay, styled by me

This post contains 1 Amazon affiliate link. Outside of this link, I do not get paid for nor make money off of this post. All opinions are my own.