This week, let's talk about where to buy a wearable gift for your ladyfriend!
The most important considerations when shopping for wearable gifts are these: clear, detailed sizing charts and a good return/exchange policy.
Because a well-meaning gift is lovely, and a well-meaning gift that fits is divine.
The number one complaint about clothing and lingerie shopping for alternative girls is, who the hell actually fits in this stuff? It's easy to find things to wear if your waist is only 5" smaller than your hips and you're a 34B- it's a lot harder if you're a curvy bombshell. So I'm listing as many resources here that embrace a fuller spectrum of shape as I can find.
A good approach for clothing is to choose a company that has online shopping for you (so you don't have to go in the store) plus brick-and-mortar locations in most major cities, so if needed she can go in person for an exchange or to choose an alternate gift. Anthropologie.com has a great return policy and cute retro-femme clothes that skew to the goth-vintage-romantic in Fall, plus shoes, jewelry, housewares, lingerie and bath/body.
White House/Black Market has clothes in black, white and occasionally red that vary from classic cocktail and cute office wear to the somewhat suburban. 
They have tons of store locations, outlets, and an excellent return policy. Their sizes go up to XL, which is a 16 for them.
This completely cute polka-dot peplum jacket was just in "O" magazine, which isn't the searing indictment you'd think it is- actually the clothes in "O" are clothes that are chosen because, well, they're things lots of women would like to wear.
Betsey Johnson is still a slice of heaven for girly girls, even though the clothes are not very well made. They're just so cute!
If your girl likes Betsey, you'll know, or she'll be happy to tell you. Tragically, sizes only go up to 10 or 12, which is how shall I say, stupid, since the average American woman is a size 14 or 16.
If she likes semi-fancy jeans like Rag & Bone or 7 for All Mankind, Nordstrom has a huge selection online and a great return policy, plus stores all over the place.
However, if your lady is allergic to malls and chain stores of any kind, it's all about online shopping.
Here are some sites we love:
Sockdreams is amazing. They sell the cutest things, they're super nice, and they have things no-one else has.
They have everything from socks for small feet to a Victoriana section to little pockets that strap to the calf so your girlfriend doesn't have to ask you carry her ID and lipstick.
Pretty socks, tights, leggings and stockings are actually a really charming gift. The most wonderful thing about Sock Dreams is their love and respect for all body shapes and sizes. They have a huge selection of plus size styles, and the product descriptions contain incredibly useful sizing information about how far each style stretches around the calf, thigh etc. Their return policy is not great, but it's hard to go wrong with a purchase from these guys and everything is cheap.
The Polonova Wrist Warmers are a pretty foolproof gift for a urban boho girl.
If you somewhere cold and your lady wears gloves regularly, they're a great gift- easy to fit, and always getting lost, so you always need more. Etsy is a cracked-out wonderland of gloves, mitts and armwarmers- remember you'll want to know if she's allergic to wool. Scarves, hoods and cowls too!
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