The best gifts for her are the ones she uses. Clothing can be a wonderful gift or one that sits in a drawer with the tags on, and the difference is almost always in three choices: the color, the size and how easy it is to wear with what she already owns. This gift guide for her is built around those three things. It covers what to give depending on who she is, how to get the size right without spoiling the surprise, which colors are safest, and a short list of tops we would happily give the women in our own lives. Every top here is made in the USA, in sizes XS to XL.

Choose the gift by who she is

Before you think about style, think about how she spends her days. A woman who works in an office, a woman who is retired and travels, and a woman who chases grandchildren all need different things from a top. The table below is a quick way to match the gift to her life.

Gifts for her that she will wear every week

If you want one gift that is hard to get wrong, choose a long-sleeve or three-quarter sleeve knit top in a classic neckline and a color she already wears. It works with jeans, trousers and skirts, under a blazer or a cardigan, and from November through March. Our Juliet jewel neck and Deborah V-neck are the two we recommend most for gifting, because they suit the widest range of figures and wardrobes.

Juliet jewel neckNavy · XS–XL · $99The safest gift on the list: a long-sleeve navy that goes with everything she owns.Deborah V-neckPearl · XS, M, L, XL · $94A soft ivory V-neck for the woman who lives in neutrals.Jackie turtleneckCerulean · XS–XL · $105A winter turtleneck in a clear blue that flatters most skin tones.Sandra V-neck tunicPearl · XS, S, L, XL · $112A hip-length tunic for leggings, for the woman who wants comfort first.

How to get her size right

Size is where most clothing gifts go wrong, so it is worth a few minutes of detective work. Check the label of a top she wears often, not one buried at the back of the closet. Ask a sister, daughter or friend who shops with her. If you share an online account, past order emails often show the size. Tops are much more forgiving than trousers or dresses, and a knit with spandex has some give, so if she is between sizes, buy the size she normally chooses in tops. Our tops run from XS to XL.

Colors that make the safest gift

Navy, black, pearl and white work with nearly every wardrobe, which makes them the safest choice if you don't know her style well. If you do know she loves color, go for a clear, saturated shade: red, deep pink, coral or cerulean blue. Bright colors near the face are more flattering on most women than soft pastels, which suit fewer skin tones. For the holidays, red and deep pink feel festive without looking like a costume, and both are worn long after December.

Gifts for her by budget

Under $100. Our Christina shell ($88), Deborah V-neck ($94), Sabrina boatneck ($94) and Juliet jewel neck ($99).

Over $100. The Jackie turtleneck ($105) for winter, and the Sandra V-neck tunic ($112) for the woman who lives in leggings.

A bigger gift. Two or three tops in colors that work together give her the start of a capsule wardrobe. A navy, a pearl and one color she loves is an easy set to build. Our capsule wardrobe essentials list explains why that works.

Deborah V-neckBougainvillea · S–XL · $94For the friend who loves color. A deep pink that looks festive all season.Christina shellRed · XS, S, M, XL · $88A sleeveless shell to wear under a blazer now and on its own in summer.Sabrina boatneckNavy · S, M, XL · $94A polished boatneck for the woman who goes to the office.Jackie turtleneckRed · XS–XL · $105Red for the holidays, warm enough for January.

Gifts for mom, grandmother and women over 60

For the older women on your list, comfort and coverage usually come first. Look for three-quarter or long sleeves, a V-neck or jewel neck that frames the face, and a fabric that skims rather than clings. Machine-washable matters too; nobody wants a gift that has to go to the dry cleaner. A tunic for leggings or a long-sleeve top in her favorite color is a reliable choice. Our guide to the best clothing colors for women over 60 can help you choose the shade.

Gifts for the woman who goes to work

A polished top she can wear under a blazer is a gift that earns its place on Monday mornings. Choose a boatneck or jewel neck in navy, black, white or a strong color, with sleeves that work in an air-conditioned office. Our business casual guide and Back to the Office Edit show the tops women wear to work most.

Gifts for the woman who travels

If she is always packing, give her tops that don't crease. A knit top that rolls into a carry-on and comes out ready to wear makes every trip easier. Pair a gift top with a note about where she is going next.

Shopping for an outfit for yourself, too? See our holiday party outfits guide and what to wear for Thanksgiving.

Gift guide questions, answered

What is a good clothing gift for a woman?

A well-made top in a color she already wears is one of the safest clothing gifts. Tops are easier to size than trousers or dresses, they go with what she already owns, and a soft knit in a classic neckline gets worn every week rather than saved for a special occasion.

How do I find out her size without asking?

Look at the labels on tops she wears often, check past order emails if you share an account, or ask a friend or family member who shops with her. If she is between sizes in a stretch knit, choose the size she usually buys in tops rather than sizing up.

What colors are safest to give as a gift?

Navy, black, pearl and white work with almost any wardrobe. If you know she likes color, choose a clear, saturated shade such as red, deep pink, coral or cerulean rather than a pale pastel, which suits fewer people.

What should I give a woman who has everything?

Give her a better version of something she wears constantly. Most women have a favorite kind of top; a version that does not wrinkle, keeps its shape through the wash and is made in the USA is a gift that gets used.

Are clothes a good gift for a mother or grandmother?

Yes, if you choose comfort and coverage: three-quarter or long sleeves, a V-neck or jewel neck, and a soft fabric that skims rather than clings. A tunic for leggings or a long-sleeve knit in her favorite color is a reliable choice.

When should I order holiday gifts?

Order clothing gifts early in the season, so the gift arrives in good time and you are not choosing from the last sizes left.