Modcloth giftcard equivalent for UK-based teen
October 22, 2019 8:23 AM Subscribe
My niece is turning 16, and I wanted to give her a giftcard to Modcloth. But their gift cards are not valid for non-US customers. What is a similar kind of site, that is accessible from the UK, that I can gift her instead?
My lovely, awkward, K-Pop loving niece is turning 16. Her parents are a tad... overbearing. So I thought it might be nice to gift her something that she has complete control over.
I think she'd like Modcloth, but their gift cards can't be used by non-US based customers. I suppose I could set something up whereby she emails me what she wants, I buy it on her behalf... but the whole idea of an online shop with a gift card is that she can have complete autonomy of it. What is a similar site, that does gift cards?
When I was 16, a gift card for TopShop was the perfect gift. Wandering around the store, plastic card in my pocket, giddy with all the gloriously 90s possibilities... ahh, crop tops with cargo pants... But a) I'm in the US so I can't give her something physical, b) turns out Topshop is evil, and c) niece has much less freedom of movement than I had at 16, so going into to a physical store is not really an option unless she is chaperoned, and I'd really like to give her something that she can use on her own.
Any ideas? She's kinda leaning towards the gender androgynous side of things, is tall for her age, into K-pop stuff and dying her hair purple.
My lovely, awkward, K-Pop loving niece is turning 16. Her parents are a tad... overbearing. So I thought it might be nice to gift her something that she has complete control over.
I think she'd like Modcloth, but their gift cards can't be used by non-US based customers. I suppose I could set something up whereby she emails me what she wants, I buy it on her behalf... but the whole idea of an online shop with a gift card is that she can have complete autonomy of it. What is a similar site, that does gift cards?
When I was 16, a gift card for TopShop was the perfect gift. Wandering around the store, plastic card in my pocket, giddy with all the gloriously 90s possibilities... ahh, crop tops with cargo pants... But a) I'm in the US so I can't give her something physical, b) turns out Topshop is evil, and c) niece has much less freedom of movement than I had at 16, so going into to a physical store is not really an option unless she is chaperoned, and I'd really like to give her something that she can use on her own.
Any ideas? She's kinda leaning towards the gender androgynous side of things, is tall for her age, into K-pop stuff and dying her hair purple.
Would really disagree with Boden. When I think of Boden, I think of boring dresses for kindergarten teachers.
I would say ASOS is a safe option -- online, cheap, has so much cheap stuff to appeal to a teenager. You can shop online at Topshop too with a gift card. H&M is fine too.
posted by moiraine at 8:35 AM on October 22, 2019 [15 favorites]
I would say ASOS is a safe option -- online, cheap, has so much cheap stuff to appeal to a teenager. You can shop online at Topshop too with a gift card. H&M is fine too.
posted by moiraine at 8:35 AM on October 22, 2019 [15 favorites]
Modcloth is not what comes to mind when I think androgynous, unless they've changed over the years? Same with Boden (which also feels aimed at older women).
ASOS would work - lots of different styles, relatively cheap, aimed at young people.
posted by airmail at 8:39 AM on October 22, 2019 [3 favorites]
ASOS would work - lots of different styles, relatively cheap, aimed at young people.
posted by airmail at 8:39 AM on October 22, 2019 [3 favorites]
Another vote for ASOS or H&M. A nice thing about H&M if your niece is experimenting with gender expression is how well their men's clothes work for non-binary/androgynous folks. My wife buys a LOT from their men's side and finds the fit fantastic.
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 8:58 AM on October 22, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by Sweetchrysanthemum at 8:58 AM on October 22, 2019 [3 favorites]
maybe Monki?
posted by unicorn chaser at 9:39 AM on October 22, 2019
posted by unicorn chaser at 9:39 AM on October 22, 2019
Hm, maybe a site like Redbubble or Threadless? I've ordered from both of those in the UK (though you might want to check where they ship things from -- I know some of Redbubble's stuff comes from within the EU and some from the US; their site has a chart -- in case she gets slammed with a customs fee). Or what about an Etsy gift card?
(Also un-recommending Boden!)
posted by diffuse at 10:19 AM on October 22, 2019
(Also un-recommending Boden!)
posted by diffuse at 10:19 AM on October 22, 2019
I googled prepaid Visa gift card UK and we seem to have them! I would look into if you can buy one from the US.
posted by lokta at 12:03 PM on October 22, 2019
posted by lokta at 12:03 PM on October 22, 2019
Monki, H&M and ASOS. Another vote against Boden: it’s definitely not teenage. If she wants a lot of bang for her pound, then Primark - although it’s bricks and mortar only, and there are issues around its disposable approach to fashion. But it’s very cheap.
posted by JJZByBffqU at 1:42 PM on October 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by JJZByBffqU at 1:42 PM on October 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
I love this idea! So sweet.
I wanted to recommend ASOS (because their infinite selection is trendy and they have a great return policy) but their website says "ASOS gift vouchers can only be applied to purchases in the same country and currency they were bought from."
I agree that H&M and Primark would also be GREAT options for this demographic, but H&M has a similar clause in their gift card conditions and Primark doesn't sell online. Maybe you could talk to the support team at one of these online stores and see if there is a workaround?
posted by sweetjane at 3:58 PM on October 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
I wanted to recommend ASOS (because their infinite selection is trendy and they have a great return policy) but their website says "ASOS gift vouchers can only be applied to purchases in the same country and currency they were bought from."
I agree that H&M and Primark would also be GREAT options for this demographic, but H&M has a similar clause in their gift card conditions and Primark doesn't sell online. Maybe you could talk to the support team at one of these online stores and see if there is a workaround?
posted by sweetjane at 3:58 PM on October 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
ASOS is a treasure trove. And of course they sell men’s and unisex items if they like less gendered attire.
posted by Crystalinne at 4:17 PM on October 22, 2019
posted by Crystalinne at 4:17 PM on October 22, 2019
Response by poster: Monki seems perfect! But I can't seem to find any gift vouchers unfortunately. A pity, because this is the best option so far.
Boden is gorgeous and if I could afford it, I would shop there myself. But I am in my 40s :-) Joy The Store seems awesome too, but also a bit grownup for a teen.
I got the feeling ASOS was a bit too.... "flirty" might be the word? She's not the kind of teenager who likes to wear tight slinky things. More rainbow converse sneakers and sweaters that cover her hands. But maybe there is something in there. And H&M is a teen classic.
But hmm... might need to do something creative about the issue with the currency.
posted by EllaEm at 5:01 PM on October 22, 2019 [2 favorites]
Boden is gorgeous and if I could afford it, I would shop there myself. But I am in my 40s :-) Joy The Store seems awesome too, but also a bit grownup for a teen.
I got the feeling ASOS was a bit too.... "flirty" might be the word? She's not the kind of teenager who likes to wear tight slinky things. More rainbow converse sneakers and sweaters that cover her hands. But maybe there is something in there. And H&M is a teen classic.
But hmm... might need to do something creative about the issue with the currency.
posted by EllaEm at 5:01 PM on October 22, 2019 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by EllaEm at 8:26 AM on October 22, 2019