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The question: I want to buy my fashion-obsessed mother-in-law a trendy birthday gift, but I don't know her size and don't want to guess. Can you suggest a one-size-fits-all fashionable present?
The answer: How privileged we men are, never having to think about gifts for mothers-in-law: Our wives just tell us what to buy. It is quite a terrifying challenge for most of us. Still, I would give the same advice for male and female gift-givers: Don't try to buy clothing for someone who is "fashion-obsessed." Go, instead, for something she doesn't know about, like electronics or fountain pens. If you want to impress her with your knowledge of luxury (and I suspect that's what this is all about), then buy her some precious bauble or bag from Tiffany or Hermès or Louis Vuitton or some other safe and respected name. And get a gift receipt so that she can exchange it for what she really wants.
Russell Smith's latest novel, Girl Crazy , was recently published. Have a fashion question? E-mail style@globeandmail.com.