Feminist Gift Ideas for Your Patriarchy-Resisting Friends

Feminist Gifts for the Powerful Women in Your Life

(Image credit: Future)

published 11 December 2020

There are brands who talk about empowering women to feed into the timely narrative, and then there are brands who are actually doing it by providing inclusive sizing and a safe environment for their staff. Sometimes it's hard to discover the ones in the latter group, especially when the first item that pops up when googling "feminist gifts" is that "The Future Is Female" T-shirt everyone and their mother owns. If you want to avoid gifting clichés and are on the hunt for something truly special, we rounded up the perfect gifts for the badass women in your life that speak to everything intersectional feminism stands for—diversity, equality, inclusivity, empowerment, and freedom—from brands that are doing it right.

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Chronicle Books 'Icons' By Micaela Heekin & Monica Ahanonu

Filled with stunning illustrations by artist Monica Ahanonu, this book celebrates 50 of the most iconic women in politics, pop culture, human rights, and more. From Diana Ross to Yayoi Kusama to Michelle Obama to Dolly Parton, this coffee table book will unequivocally inspire you to be the best version of yourself.

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Phenomenal "I'm Speaking" Crewneck Sweater

Founded by Meena Harris (as in the niece of Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris!), Phenomenal is a clothing brand that brings awareness to various important social causes. This cozy crewneck is a reference to a moment during the VP debate that resonated with millions of women around the world.

The brand also has a host of collections focused on celebrating one's identity, such as this "Phenomenally Trans" T-shirt, "Phenomenally Indigenous" T-shirt, and "Phenomenally Latinx" T-shirt, to name a few.

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Purpose Jewelry Handcrafted Spark Hoop Earrings

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Hilary MacMillan 'Feminist' Jacket

Has a more badass vegan leather jacket ever existed?! This covetable statement piece is from Canadian designer Hilary MacMillan, who only uses high-quality, cruelty-free fabrics in all of her creations.

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Kazi Beaded Soft Pink + Pearl Coasters

There's so much to be obsessed with when it comes to KAZI products. The brand creates substantial impact throughout Africa by creating fair wage live-changing jobs for thousands of previously impoverished women across rural areas. Here, a decorative vase that works with any decor style.

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The World of Frida Kahlo Puzzle

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Avre Energee Light Grey Sneakers

Avre is a new women-founded, eco-friendly sneaker brand any sneakerhead should have on their radar. Besides making chic, comfy shoes from recycled materials (I own a pair and can attest to how cushy and nice they feel), the brand gives back. Avre donates 10 percent of all proceeds to Oceana, an organization which protects the world's oceans, as well as Girls in Tech, a non-profit that aims to put an end to gender inequality in high-tech industries.

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Awe Inspired Ruth Bader Ginsburg Necklace

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Girlfriend Collective Canyon Classic Hoodie

In case your loved one has yet to try Girlfriend Collective, introduce them to their new favorite ethically-made activewear line with the brand's wildly comfy hoodie. Size inclusivity is at the core of Girlfriend Collective—each item on its site comes in sizes XXS through 6XL. (Don't forget to scoop up a Girlfriend Collective promo code before you hit checkout.)

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LOLA Activewear The Shape High-Waisted Leggings

Designed by Alma Adrović, the former head of design at Lululemon and Women's Activewear at Nike, LOLA Activewear is a new athleisure brand making leggings for sizes 0 through 24. As if the flattering and comfy fit weren't enough to make us obsessed, the brand is currently running a BOGO promo, so you can treat your friend and get a pair for yourself too. What's more is that for each pair of leggings sold, LOLA has pledged $1 to the awareness and prevention of teen suicide and self-harm. The brand will be donating these proceeds to the Trevor Project and To Write Love on Her Arms.

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Redoux Candle 529

Founded by 25-year-old Asia Grant, Redoux NYC is a beauty brand that's steadily building a cult following. Support small businesses and treat a powerful woman in your life who does it all to the brand's 529 candle. To give you a sense of how beloved the spicy and citrus-y candle is, it has already sold out on 10 separate occasions.

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NEOCOCO Mother & Child Silk Scarf

Proceeds from this luxe scarf, made out of 100 percent silk, helps provide female refugees entering the United States with employment. The brand behind the scarf, Neococo, partners with resettlement agencies such as the IRC (International Rescue Committee), Program for Torture Victims, and L.A. Downtown Women's Center to train and support women to work in a safe environment where they can contribute to society and their families.

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Anissa Kermiche Popotelée Moulded Pot

If the feminist you're shopping for has an eclectic decor taste, this vase celebrating the female form is certain to spark joy. The decorative object looks brilliant with or without flowers.

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Oluna The Chiara Pant

A pair of comfy sweats is a must-have these days. For a splurge you can feel good about treating a friend to, meet social impact start-up Oluna. For every pair of pants sold, the brand aims to bring awareness to menstrual health inequality and donates a year's supply of period products to an American woman in need.

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Tatcha Hydration Obento (Set of 4 Moisturizers)

This limited-edition set contains all four of beloved beauty brand Tatcha's face moisturizers. This self-care gift not only works for every skin type, but is a gift that gives back as well: A portion of every Tatcha purchase goes toward the brand's Beautiful Faces, Beautiful Futures program, which supports girls' education. As of September 2020, Tatcha has funded 4 million days of school for underprivileged girls around the world.

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Michael Stars Feminism Is for Everybody T-Shirt

This T-shirt is more than just a perfectly boxy, everyday top. From now through January, Michael Stars will be donating 50 percent of the sales from this top to the ERA Coalition, who is fighting to make equality a constitutional reality for everyone.

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Knix The Dream Short

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MR Label Bentley Bag with Femme Embroidery

Founded by 22-year-old Maddy Ritholz, MR Label is a new vegan handbag line sustainably made in NYC. May we suggest the label’s very-'90s embroidered "Femme" satin bag?

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ThirdLove Gift Card to Buy A New Bra

A comfortable bra is the gift that keeps on giving. For the uninitiated, ThirdLove has been championing size inclusivity from the very beginning and offers half sizes. Notably, the women-founded DTC line is partnered with I Support the Girls, Soles4Souls, Good 360, and St. Anthony's, donating over $20 million worth of bras to women in need.

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Tamara Mellon Soho Boot

Tamara Mellon's shoes are undoubtedly a splurge, but if you're after a luxe gift, shop a designer who's cared about empowering women since day one. The Jimmy Choo co-creator famously wasn't paid the same amount as male execs at the company she helped create in the '90s, and has been a vocal figure in the fight for equal pay since.

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Golde Clean Greens Face Mask

Self-care is a privilege. Spoil your friend with a mask from GOLDE, a Black-owned, woman-founded brand. The brand's Clean Greens mask works to remove impurities, brighten the skin, and has been described as green juice for the skin.

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Eriness "Resist" Necklace

Here, a timeless statement piece that makes an impact in fighting against hate. One hundred percent of the profits from this empowering 14k gold necklace go towards the Black Lives Matter movement.

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MyFilibo Hibiscus Keychain Key Ring

Gift the phenomenal woman (or women) in your life this hibiscus key ring. Every time she takes it out of her bag or pocket, she'll be greeted with the vibrant display of florals that will make her smile.

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Brownie Points Company "Equality Ain't Exclusive" T-shirt

Amen to this statement. Here, a shirt with a powerful reminder from a Silver Lake-based Etsy shop that also makes some seriously cool posters worth checking out.

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Plinth Suffragette City Tea Pot

This beautiful porcelain tea pot was created by British brand Plinth, artist Gillian Wearing, fashion designer Bella Freud, and the mayor of London. The tea pot honors suffragette activist Millicent Fawcett and the 100th anniversary of women securing voting rights in the U.K.

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SVNR x PETIT KOURAJ Kokoye Tote

Fashion can be a vehicle for inspiring confidence. If you're looking for a chic accessory from a female-founded label, this handmade tote is the result of a collaboration between two epically cool brands: SVNR and Petit Kouraj. Named for a beach in Haiti (where Petit Kouraj founder Nasrin Jean-Baptiste's parents are from), this bag is certain to be a cherished keepsake.

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Copper and Brass Paper CEO Mindset Notebook

Cross and Brass Paper's Etsy shop is full of notebooks with empowering affirmations. It's hard to pick a favorite, but we love this "CEO Mindset" one for the instant confidence boost.

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Time's Up Beanie

Keep them cozy and support an important cause. All proceeds from this TIME'S UP beanie will support the TIME'S UP Legal Defense Fund and the organization's mission to make every workplace safe, fair, and dignified.

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'New Erotica for Feminists' By Fiona Taylor, Carrie Wittmer, Caitlin Kunkel & Brooke Preston

This satirical book should come with a will-make-you-cackle-in-public warning. The coffee table fixture imagines a world where all erotica is written by feminists. The scenarios are hilarious and galvanizing.

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TheFilmArtist Set of Minimalist Feminist Icon Prints

Gift her a set of four minimalist prints depicting feminist icons that you can custom select when placing your order. Peruse through the 1,600+ five-star reviews boasted by this Etsy vendor, where you can see the impactful splash of design they bring.

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'We Should All Be Feminists' By Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi

Keep a copy of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's We Should All Be Feminists close to you. Then give it to all of your male friends.

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Uncommon Goods Nevertheless She Persisted Puzzle

Spend a Friday night in with this "Nevertheless She Persisted" puzzle piecing together inspirational quotes from some of history's most empowering women. We spot Gloria Steinem, Amelia Earhart, Angela Davis, and Rosa Parks.

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'Becoming' By Michelle Obama

In her stunning memoir, Becoming, former first lady Michelle Obama leads by example in owning your power no matter who you are or where you came from. See what Marie Claire's online book club, #ReadWithMC, thought of the memoir here.