The 2021 Holiday Gift Guide for Her

4. The classic

She wears pants not jeans, loafers not kicks, sweaters not sweatshirts, and lipstick and perfume with everything. Give her a gift that’s sophisticated and polished but updated just enough to make a contemporary difference, such as the Gap Modern Long Sleeve Striped Boatneck T-Shirt in Navy Blue and Green Stripe ($30, gap.com), timeless flattery in new-for-her colors; Ann Taylor Pearlized Chain Hoop Earrings ($40, anntaylor.com), a hybrid that’s fashionable; the Robert Piguet Fracas Luxury Hair Mist ($70, neimanmarcus.com), a fresh way to wear this classy and timeless tuberose-gardenia scent; or the H&M Clear Glass Jewelry Box in Gold-colored ($30, www2.hm.com/en_us/index.html) to keep her bangles or makeup easy to find and on display.

(Left to right) Zara Fringed Knit Poncho in Green; Anthropologie Fringed Pocket Scarf in Grey; Bohemian Reves Desert Fleur Botanical Perfume Rollerball; Old Navy Long-Sleeve Smocked Printed Poet Blouse for Women in Black

Zara; Anthropologie (2); Old Navy

5. The free spirit

She’s a hippie-at-heart with crystals in her bag, a tattoo on her wrist and clogs on her feet. Keep the boho vibe updated with the Zara Fringed Knit Poncho in Green ($70, zara.com/us) to wear with vintage wash jeans, midis and maxis; the Anthropologie Fringed Pocket Scarf in Grey ($64, anthropologie.com), oversized with useful pockets for keys, airpods or hands; the Old Navy Long-Sleeve Smocked Printed Poet Blouse for Women in Black ($37, oldnavy.gap.com), a go-with-the-flow alternative to tees; or the Bohemian Reves Desert Fleur Botanical Perfume Rollerball ($32, anthropologie.com) with patchouli and vanilla — a scent that’s déjà vu … in a good way.

(Left to right) Gap 100% Recycled Nylon Relaxed Lightweight Puffer Vest in Olive Green and Black Leopard; Women’s Columbia Winter Blur Pom Pom Beanie in Black; Old Navy Long-Sleeve Vintage Quilted Tunic Sweatshirt for Women in Terrestrial Green

Gap; Kohl's; Old Navy

6. The daily exerciser

She checks her steps on Fitbit when shopping, rides a “cruiser” bike that looks just like her old Schwinn for spins around the neighborhood, and wears joggers or leggings and a tunic top every day. You’ll never see her in a gym but give her sneakers-with-everything style a lift with the Old Navy Long-Sleeve Vintage Quilted Tunic Sweatshirt for Women in Terrestrial Green or Date Palm ($40, oldnavy.gap.com) with a high-low hem that flatters every body; the Gap 100% Recycled Nylon Relaxed Lightweight Puffer Vest in Olive Green and Black Leopard ($55, gap.com), an essential layering piece for nature lovers; or the Women’s Columbia Winter Blur Pom Pom Beanie in Black ($35, kohls.com), a fleece-lined knit hat with a faux fur accent.

Zara Quilted Chain Strap Shoulder Bag in Chocolate Brown (top left); H&M Waist Belt in Brown (bottom left); H&M Knit Dress in Dark Beige (middle); Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in 472 Experimental (right)

Zara; H&M (2); Nordstrom

7. The luxury lover

She has a yen for labels and logos even if it’s only on a perfume or lipstick, craves cashmere and silk but wears synthetic, and finds low-cost lookalikes to pricey designer duds. Give her the Zara Quilted Chain Strap Shoulder Bag in Chocolate Brown ($50, zara.com/us/en) as a stand-in for another coveted brand; the H&M Knit Dress in Dark Beige ($40, hm.com/en_us), which has a relaxed fit, dropped shoulders and a runway-worthy look to wear with the H&M Waist Belt in Brown ($15, www2.hm.com/en_us/index.html); or a designer lipstick like Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour in 472 Experimental or 440 Arthur ($40, nordstrom.com) in a clear modern red.

8. The worker bee

She’s back on the job. Whether it is 9 to 5, a part-time gig or working from home, the paycheck, mental stimulation and camaraderie of coworkers are worth it. Keep her Zoom- and meeting-ready with gifts that make 7 a.m. dressing and spontaneous screen time easy — like the Loft Cowl Tunic Sweater in Tango Red or Wild Magenta ($60, loft.com) in face-brightening hues, the H&M 6 Pairs Hoop Earrings in Gold-colored ($15, www2.hm.com/en_us/index.html) to add a chic touch of face-warming radiance, or the Old Navy Oversized Soft-Brushed Overcoat for Women in Sunflower Gold ($80, oldnavy.gap.com) with a chic tailored cut and above-the-knee style that will work with skirts or pants.

EcoTools Satin Pillowcase in Cream (left); Loft Jeweled Button Cardigan in Blue Lake (middle); Mango Croc-effect Cosmetic Bag (top right); SpaLife Intensive Repair Hand Mask (bottom right)

Target; LOFT; Mango; Target

9. The glamster

She’s a beauty-and-style junkie who likes a pulled-together and polished effect 24/7. Keep her Evite and holiday ready with gifts that sparkle, shimmer or shine. Make every day a good one with the EcoTools Satin Pillowcase in Cream ($6, target.com), made from recycled shimmery silk to reduce next-morning frizz and bed head and minimize sleep lines; the Loft Jeweled Button Cardigan in Blue Lake ($65, loft.com) with puffed shoulders and glitzy details that’s an instant day-to-night look; the Mango Croc-effect Cosmetic Bag ($20, mango.com/us) — so classy it can could double as a clutch; or the SpaLife Intensive Repair Hand Mask ($5, target.com), a two-pack of gloves enriched with argan oil and shea butter that will smooth and soothe without wrecking a manicure.

L.L.Bean Adults’ Sunday Afternoons Nightfall Reflective Beanie in Black (top left); Kristin Ess Satin Skinnies (bottom left); Old Navy Water Resistant Frost Free Short Puffer Jacket for Women in Trident Maple (second to right); Skylar Willow Woods Eau de Parfum Rollerball (right)

L.L.Bean; Target; Old Navy; Sephora

10. The outdoors-enthusiast

She prefers birdwatching to people watching, walks in the rain to runs on the treadmill, and ponytails to perfect blowouts. Encourage her fresh-air style with weatherproof solutions like the Old Navy Water Resistant Frost Free Short Puffer Jacket for Women in Trident Maple or Venetian Blue ($80, oldnavy.gap.com) in a not-the-usual-neutrals color; a pack of Kristin Ess Satin Skinnies ($10, target.com), elevated scrunchies that prevent breakage or creases (great for fine, thin hair); the L.L.Bean Adults’ Sunday Afternoons Nightfall Reflective Beanie in Black ($30, llbean.com) for safe dog walks after dark; or the Skylar Willow Woods Eau de Parfum Rollerball ($29, sephora.com), a clean, earthy and woodsy scent perfect for evenings by the fire.

(Left to right) Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Spray; A New Day Women’s V-Neck Ruffle Pullover Sweater in Gray; Revlon One-Step Pink Hair Dryer & Volumizer PLUS

Macy's; Target; Ulta Beauty

11. The sociable single

She’s divorced, widowed or on her own by choice, but her active social and dating life makes looking good a priority … whatever her age. Give her time-saving gifts that add a sparkling finish to any outfit — like the A New Day Women’s V-Neck Ruffle Pullover Sweater in Black or Gray ($30, target.com), available in women’s and women’s plus sizes; the Revlon One-Step Pink Hair Dryer & Volumizer PLUS ($70, ulta.com), a lighter update that has more settings and slimmed proportions; or the Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau de Parfum Spray ($80, macys.com), a crowd-pleasing floral scent that’s sexy and memorable. (It's so good you’ll want to keep this one for yourself!)

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at Ladies’ Home Journal and a founding editor of More magazine. She has written three books: The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup and The Woman's Wakeup.