THE GIFT GUIDE: ELUSIVE (INTERNATIONAL) HOT GIRL CORE

gift guides as starter packs #01 -- for the girl who knows exactly who the f*ck she is.

Nov 25, 2024

Ah yes, the elusive (international) hot girl (EHG/EIHG). How do you shop for the most complex, yet singular person in your life (all picks here)? The short answer is that we’re starting with the basics and getting more advanced as the week progresses (more on that below). Curious about who these chic fairy goddess princess angels are, and why they warrant a series of hyper-specific guides? Here’s a refresher —

5 key things to know about the EHG/EIHG universe (read this):

She’s elusively everywhere yet nowhere — her most frequently received question is “wait, are you in town?”
She somehow manages to balance the highest levels of being incredibly (!!!) chic, well-traveled, well-educated, mesmerizingly successful, and HOT (e.g., her hot girl energy inside is what magnifies her hot girl aura outside)
She has an “of course” energy about everything because life meets her with ease LOL duh
She’s secretly expert-level in a minimum of 2 rogue hobbies
She could have everything, but selectively chooses not to — her taste is sharp & well curated — whether she’s 22 or 52

caveat/backstory before we start:

Every year, on my tiktok/insta, I do a series of “gift guides as starter packs.” Largely, because I find it hard to exist or find resonance in generalist capacities, and also (more importantly) because no one in my life does either. Therefore, every guide is incredibly niche and authentic to the ways in which I shop, give, and receive gifts (from friends, family, etc). Also, each guide is inspired by (or exists as an amalgamation of) real people in my life. Like — how do they exist in the world around them? What are they buying, wearing, and gift giving?

I’m reading the room, and based on your asks for more EIHG/EHG content, all of my starter packs this year will exist within the EHG/EIHG universe. This one is the most broad, existing as a catchall for gifts that feel like the essence of the EIHGs and EHGs in my life. Subsequent starter packs will be niche slices of the elusive hottie universe, centered around identity/modes of existence. If you wanna go sun/moon/rising — this guide is sun, and the others will be moon/rising. OKK let’s get into the good stuff, shall we?

This mohair + silk blend “t-shirt” in oxblood is…..devastating. Even typing that sentence made my heart palpitate. It’s also semi-sheer which is one of my hot girl dinner love languages. BTW also comes in black, but I think the oxblood is the perfect contrast to wear with a strong, indigo jean and a sexy stocking sock and a sexy loafer.
Chic champagne flutes are as perfect for this cohort as they are essential…. like idk if you’ve noticed, but these girls weirdly always (?) have something to celebrate? We might as well enable…… and split a niche bottle of burgundy/blanc de blancs in the process.
I discovered this lip serum at the NYC EHG Mecca — Stalle Studios (Jennifer Lawrence is a Believer). Elizabeth Grace Hand is Stalle’s cherubic founder/head esthetician, and I’m also lucky and blessed enough to call her a dear friend. Which is why when Elizabeth tells me something is good, and that I need it immediateLY, I buy it… IMMEDIATELY. This lip serum is the most luxurious potion I’ve ever put on my lips — it’s thick, juicy, and makes my lips plump and hydrated. I’ve blasted across my EIHGs and lemme say that I feel like I’m selling Mary Kay in 2000. At least once a month I get a raving text from an EIHG about how perfect this stuff is and how grateful they are to have discovered it. It comes in a bright orange box that I KEPT because it feels soooo luxe, and it’s under $100, so it falls in that luxuriously frivolous, yet accessible bucket that I live for.
I’ve written about this bag so much that it’s imprinted in the DNA of trademarked LOL. Very EIHG core to want a deeply inconspicuous bag for darting around the world (outside looking in, it could be amazon, your little brother’s toiletry kit, or… the row — fab). Even better that it’s so durable & well made… AND it goes with everything. Can be casual enough for morning walks x athleisure or dressy enough for dinners and fun nights out (i chaotically took it to the charli xcx & troye sivan concert at MSG…. & had zeeeero complaints).
This coat is another trademarked special. The chocolate brown makes it more visually interesting than black, and it somehow achieves the balance between oversized and perfectly fitted. I wore around London and received many a compliment from the incredibly chic women of Marylebone, which is really all I need to feel my ego inflate like that balloon house in Up.
Ok per some stealth reporting, both EIHGs and EHGs are obsessed with this brand, Prounis. The founder story is insane, drawing from Jean Prounis’ Greek ancestry and her great-grand parents’ COOL AF, 1940s club that existed as a cornerstone of NYC culture. Obsessed with how this carnelian pendant is fully customizable, and you can get it engraved on all sides with whatever your heart desires. Chic, cool, interesting, E(I)HG CORE.

HOT GIRLS LOVE TAKING CARE OF THIER SH*T. It’s one of their guiding principles. This sweater brush set from Lauren Manoogian is stunning AND expertly crafted (in Japan!) to help care for all of the bougie sweaters in your life.
As far as I’m concerned, Lisa Yang invented brushed cashmere. There is no variety that I’ve found that is more plush or perfect. Importantly, every silhouette and color she drops is always.. perfect? This turtleneck works for the elusive hot girl because you can layer it on whilst traveling, throw on after pilates for a stroll…. or even for a casual Tuesday dinner (medium wash blue jean + these perfect flats — the ones I have, the ones my friends keep buying, or the ones you all tell me you adore). I believe that most EIHGs are NOT capsule packers, but say we wanna pander as one? Look no further.
This is the only facial spray that truly matters to EIHGs, sorry. My investigation has been thorough and vast, and it’s the go-to hydration layer for planes, trains, and winters. I also own this and must say that it’s so hydrating that I wish I could slurp it up with a straw whenever I feel parched. Your skin is glowy and plump, and the blend of unscented ingredients still smells like a rlly rich spa (?) gr8 gift, lasts a while (unless you’re like me and it’s ur strange addiction), and also under $100 :).
You know what ALWAYS occurs when you go to the home of an EHG or EIHG? They ALWAYS offer you a snack. Whether it’s the most perfect kind of crisps or olives or berries or even niche popcorn… GOOD snacks are ALWAYS delivered in the most stunning little bowl. And the best thing about stunning little bowls is that they’re likely collected from travels and various periods of life. Therefore, it’s fabulous to mismatch for a vibrant spread, and you can never really have too many. I’m obsessed with this one — the perfect brown in a swirly non marble-marble, hectogonal (interesting visual appeal when contrasted against other bowls on the table!), and made in the South of France. Can’t count how many wins there are because there are just so many.
Carolina Bucci bracelets are SOOOOOO back. EIHGs are losing their minds over the lucky bracelet, made from interwoven threads of gold and silk. Everyone seemingly agrees that passion (oxblood) is the best one. I have it and swear my life got happier and easier the second I started wearing her frequently (may also be because it’s niche-compliment bait and as a Leo Venus…… that’s all I need 2 secure enough dopamine for the day). Anyway, a fabulous gift, and a fabulous treat for the eyes.
SPARE ME with the soliloquy about how facial wipes are terrible. WE KNOW. However, sometimes you’re on a long-haul flight and the thought of ambiguous airplane bathroom water touching your face makes your spirit tremble. Also, dousing little cotton pads with a travel sized micellar water just feels excessive, uncontainable, and ANNOYING. Therefore, there is SOMETIMES utility for a facial wipe, and these ones are the most perfect ones. They leave your skin feeling clean, but not stripped, and there’s something in there that makes your skin GLOW. A great gift because while it’s under $40, it’s definitely a splurge for what it is…. HOWEVER from experience in giving and receiving these lil magic wipes, they are always going to be greatly appreciated.

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More Lisa Yang cashmere, I can’t help it. I once received cashmere socks as a gift and literally have not shut up about them being the perfect gift for years. Another splurge that feels ridiculous to purchase, but NECESSARY when you finally have a good pair. These oxblood ones are thick and perfect (my picky af gen z sister is sitting next to me and agrees.. if that means ANYTHING at all). Great for stomping around town, amazing for travel (but if a long long flight pls wear compression lol), and incredibly chic with a strong loafer or ballet flat. Thank me l8r.
If you are familiar with trademarked, then you are likely familiar with what I believe to be the most perfect sweater (that I do not own) in existence. I’ve received an outpour of DMs from very cool girls saying they either join me in my wistful state pining for this sweater, OR have taken the plunge, bought, and ADORE it. I envision wearing either for travel or taking from afternoon into an early dinner, worn with a wide leg/relaxed jean and my cheetah sambas (still here, will forever be here). Sigh.
OK these leggings are the one thing that unite hot girls around the world. I don’t even mean the elusive or international variety, ALL of them wear these leggings. I observed in NYC and finally bought a pair after visiting in-store. They’re amazing. I love that they’re kinda shiny but not offensively so, and the compression makes your legs so smooth and lifted. Great for an actual workout but FABULOUS for when you wanna serve hot but still feel COMFY. Also — after posting on my insta stories, I keep hearing that they are everyone’s new favorite. ++ maybe it’s the color theory, but when I popped over to London a few weeks ago, I saw that her powers have manifested across the pond as well. A great gift if you want your friends to love u forever.
EIHGs LIVE FOR CHARLOTTE CHESNAIS. I don’t have my ears pierced anymore (tragic story involving the cheap earrings that I made in art class whilst in the third grade), so this CC pick is biased. I’m obsessed with a substantial ear cuff, it gives chic and rocker and idgaf. CC makes many, but love this one because I can buy two and mix metals. It’s priced well, and was sooo quickly added to my xmas list.
This is the best hand cream of all time. Being sooo clear that it’s insane to pay 100 big ones for hand cream but I do it with gladness of heart because it’s the only product that has ever made my chronically dry hands soft and bearable in ALL seasons. Another fab gift to give and receive because it’s luxe and relatively affordable to GIVE (yet maybe seems ridiculous when justifying to buy for YOURSELF).
EIHGs and EHGs are always on a plane. They lament it or they live for it, but they can agree that skin that feels dry AF, dull AF, or bloated AF is their Biggest Opp. This therabody wand appeals to the dull x bloated camp (dry covered above). I received mine from a friend and feel as though I have to share…. she is currently my most loyal companion. There’s warm and cold settings, both are great for fighting inflammation, but I am soooo obsessed with the cold ones. Some personal lore — I burned my face with an ice roller almost 2 years ago, and I truly miss the sensation of COLD METAL on my face every morning. This satisfies all my needs, and is PORTABLE, I take it with me nearly everywhere, and she is amazing on a flight of any duration. I really should name mine to make things official. Anyway, I will be gifting this to loved ones and I highly recommend!!!
Another FAB gift to give that’s also under $40!!!! 111Skin makes my favorite under eye masks — like they’re the only ones that seem to GET TO WORK to luminate, hydrate, and reduce puffiness. However…. a set of 6 is like over $100 and if I’m being honest, it oftentimes gets de-prioritized on my list of things to buy each month. Until I found out that 111Skin makes a set of 3 in a little leather pouch for travel, for $35!!! Whenever I travel with friends, I try to pick one up for myself and for them, and it just feels luxurious and like the most perfect little treat. They’re always a hit to give and always a hit to receive, so win-win!!!!
THIS SUEDE TOTE MEANS A LOT TO ME. I know big fat travel totes are a contentious topic, full disclosure — I have been team never full since high school (my goyard melted on my clothes and I never looked back). I have friends in all of the major camps, so I respect all decisions made. BUT I must say…. getting my hands on a big suede tote has been calling me for over a year. I fantasize about having enough surface area to make an Olsen-level impact on a tote, weathering suede over time in a way that feels akin to the chic moms of Jackson, WY. Anyway, this tote is stunning, I want her so badly, and when I posted on TM a few Friday’s ago, you all seemed to adore as well!!! Do with that what you will
This Christofle silver traveler mug is a recall from 2023’s initial Elusive Hot Girl gift guide…. because it’s JUST TOO GOOD. It’s an insane gift to give or receive, in a way that feels distinctly EHG/EIHG. They’re the only cohort of people who could unironically pull off something that feels so insane and ironic. I ran into the mug post gift guides last year in Palm Beach and it’s heavy, substantial, and looks so stunning in the hand. Don’t forget the straws if you rlly wanna Take It There. I could craft at least 7 vision boards dedicated to the glory of this mug……

Alright, that’s all for today. More niche EIHG/EHG guides dropping spontaneously throughout this week!!

LOVE YOU SO MUCH. HAPPY HOLIDAYS. LET’S SHOP, BROWSE, AND YAP ALL WEEK!!!! Dopamine core for me, and I hope it is for you too!!!!! And for my anti-shoppers, we’ll be back to regular Monday/Friday beats next week <3

TM x

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