This is a hard time to graduate. No graduation weekends, no cap and gown, no champagne toast with friends they’ve made over the last four years, just nights spent in their childhood bedroom and only their parents to party with. That shouldn’t stop us from celebrating our grads at home, though. You have to get creative: maybe throw a baseball cap in the air, maybe play “The Graduation Song” by Vitamin C at full blast and definitely pick out a fun gift for your melancholy graduate. We’ve put together a gift guide to help you in your search for the perfect present, no matter what your graduate is into (even if what they’re into right now is wallowing and looking at pictures of their friends).

 

For the english grad who can't stop quoting Emily Dickinson 

Nation Mimi Top: Paprika

With the billowing poet sleeves and notched neckline, she can pretend she's composing verses in the woods. Maybe the top will stop her from saying, you know, Shakespeare wrote King Lear in quarantine, every single day. 

 

For the econ major who is still taking Zoom interviews in quarantine

Tart Olga Blazer: Grey

Can’t stop, won’t stop. For the go-go-go business or econ major who’s still trying to kick-start her career despite coronavirus, we recommend the Tart Olga Blazer. The updated shape and ruched sleeves make the jacket feel young, the light grey color is perfect for summer, and the slight lift from a delicate shoulder pad make it serious. And, did we mention? It’s made of Modal so it’s far more comfortable than a standard wool blazer.

 

For the high school grad who needs something for dorm life come fall 

Spanx Look at Me Now Leggings: Black Camo

These comfortable but cool leggings are the perfect piece for a college freshman’s wardrobe. She’ll be spending a lot of time hanging out in her friends’ dorm rooms on the weekend, studying, snacking, and gossiping. These leggings will let her feel like she’s in her pajamas while still impressing her new friends with how fashionable she is.

 

For the grad who still hasn’t gotten over her semester abroad

 

Amanda Uprichard Alena Romper: Nu Blue

In this breezy, sophisticated romper she can still pretend she’s sipping a sangria in Barcelona or eating mozzarella in Naples. She's had plenty of time to daydream about her next traveling stint while we’ve been in lockdown and now she’ll have an outfit to pack when it can become a reality. It’s amazing how the right romper can make pesto pasta at the kitchen table feel like Italy all over again.

 

For the college athlete who needs an update to her ponytail

 

Machete Hair Accessories 

When her world stops being about cross-training and practices every day after classes, she’ll need to stop wearing her hair in a seldom-washed ponytail. Your post-college athlete might still be most comfortable with a sportier look, though. Here’s where Machete’s accessories come in. The clips and claws are a pretty and grown-up way for her to pull her hair up without looking like she’s just come from a soccer game.

 

For the post-dissertation PhD who’s going to be a professor come September

Paige Margot Skinny: Orpheum 

She doesn’t want to dress like the fussy professors she took classes from, but she still wants to look put together. A great pair of dark wash jeans is the perfect staple piece to make her feel calm, cool, and collected on her first day in front of her new students. You won’t find any glasses with beaded chains or fuddy-duddy sweaters here. Your grad will be the coolest new professor in her hall in the Paige Margot Skinny.

 

For the art major who doesn’t want to give up her studio coveralls

Rachel Pally Shelby Jumpsuit: Licorice

Since she’s no longer painting every day in the art building, she probably doesn’t need to be wearing white painter’s bib overalls every day, right? This Rachel Pally jumpsuit is the cool girl’s answer to the utilitarian painter’s garb. She’ll look cool and feel cool. And these coveralls will be reserved to be free of paint splatters.

 

We don’t know what the world will look like in a few weeks or months and all that uncertainty can be pretty unsettling for someone about to start their adult life.  We advocate for tackling those big issues with a little dash of sweetness in the form of a present. No matter what your graduate is into, something on this list should help celebrate their big accomplishment.