The short answerStart with pieces that forgive sizing: scarves, knit vests and relaxed tops. For a sweater or shirt, measure the chest width and length of something they already wear and match it to the size chart. Online orders can be returned within 7 days of delivery, so do not have the gift arrive too early.
Which clothes make the safest Christmas gift?
The hesitation around giving clothes usually comes down to size. Taste you can pick up by paying attention; size is hard to ask about without giving the game away. So decide how sensitive a piece is to fit first, and think about style second.
The more places a garment has to fit, the easier it is to get wrong. A scarf has no size. A knit vest has no sleeves and no set shoulder line. A relaxed top is cut with room to spare. A blazer has to fit the shoulders and trousers the waist and leg, so leave those for the person to try on.
| Piece | Size risk | What you need to know | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scarves | Almost none (one size) | The colour of the coat they wear most | Gift exchanges, new relationships |
| Knit vests | Low | Chest width, length | Anyone who wears shirts to work |
| Oversized tees, polos, relaxed shirts | Low | Chest width, whether they like it loose | Casual dressers |
| V-neck sweaters, cardigans | Medium | Chest, sleeve, length | Someone whose wardrobe you know well |
| Blazers, tailored trousers | High | Shoulder, waist, inseam | Shop together in store |
A good clothing gift is not about guessing their taste. It is something they can wear out the same day.
How can you guess someone's size from clothes they already own?
The most reliable data is in their wardrobe. Find something they wear often that fits them well, ideally the same kind of garment: a knit for a knit, a shirt for a shirt.
Lay it flat, button it up, smooth it out and measure three things. Chest width: straight across from armpit seam to armpit seam. This is the number that matters most. Length: from the centre back of the collar, or the highest point of the shoulder, to the hem. Sleeve: from the shoulder seam to the cuff, only if the gift has sleeves.
ARVOpm size charts are measured flat, exactly the way you just did, so you can compare directly. If a chart gives a full chest circumference instead, the figure will be about double; halve it first. Every chart also notes a tolerance of about ±2 cm, so anything within that range counts as a match.
Why not just go by "they wear a medium"? Because a medium means different things in different cuts. In size M, the detachable-collar cable vest measures 53.5 cm across the chest, the V-neck tennis sweater 57 cm, and the striped oversized long-sleeve polo 64 cm. Same label, more than 10 cm apart. Compare oversized with oversized and fitted with fitted.
Treat shoulder width with care. Most oversized tops have a dropped shoulder that sits on the upper arm, so that polo's 53.8 cm shoulder in M tells you little next to a fitted shirt. For dropped-shoulder pieces, go by chest and length. Only fitted shirts and blazers need the shoulder as the main reference.
Between two sizes? For oversized and knitted pieces, the smaller one is usually safer, since the cut already has room and knits give. For a fitted shirt, size up, because short sleeves and tight shoulders cannot be fixed. Our fit and care guide explains each fit.
FITTING CHECKWhen the gift is opened, ask them to try it on indoors and leave the tags on. Raise both arms: the hem should not ride above the waist. Cross the arms in front: the back should not pull tight. Sit down: a knit vest should not bunch at the hem. Check the shoulder seam: near the shoulder bone on a fitted piece, on the upper arm on an oversized one. If all four pass, cut the tags.
What can you give for a gift exchange of around NT$1,000?
For about a thousand dollars and someone you may not know well, the answer is almost always a scarf. One size, for anyone, and no measurements needed.
The floral border print scarf is a 70 × 70 cm square that works at the neck, on a bag handle or in the hair. The white fringe scarf is long, 70 × 200 cm, in easy-care polyester. Stretch the budget a little and the pure wool plaid fringe scarves, 30 × 180 cm, bring seasonal red and green in a classic check that still works well after December.
Floral Border Print ScarfNT$790View piece →
White Fringe ScarfNT$990View piece →
Red Plaid Pure Wool Fringe ScarfNT$1,390View piece →
What should you give a partner for under NT$3,000?
Here you move from accessories to clothes, and the best start is a knit vest. No sleeves to guess. It works over a shirt or a turtleneck on anyone, and it is the most useful layer between a cold street and an air-conditioned office.
The detachable-collar cable vest is a cotton-blend classic cable knit with a removable collar, and its ribbed hem can be folded up to adjust the length, which helps across heights. The navy tailored knit vest is sharper, with a V front and single-breasted buttons, ideal for someone who already wears shirts to work. It is a slim cut, 50.5 cm across the chest in M, so check that number first.
Detachable Collar Brown Cable VestNT$2,590View piece →
Detachable Collar Royal Blue Cable VestNT$2,590View piece →
Navy Solid Tailored Knit VestNT$2,290View piece →
Oversized tops forgive sizing, as long as the person already likes a looser fit. The blue and white striped long-sleeve polo has a bold rugby stripe and dropped shoulders. The burgundy crew-neck top has elasticated cuffs and hem in a seasonal colour that does not look like costume. The white double-pocket oversized shirt has a shorter length and a dropped shoulder that suits most frames.
Blue and White Striped Oversized Long-Sleeve Polo ShirtNT$3,290View piece →
Burgundy Oversized Crew Neck TopNT$2,990View piece →
White Double-Pocket Oversized ShirtNT$3,290View piece →
How do you put together a NT$5,000 Christmas gift?
At around five thousand, skip the jacket and its sizing risk. Give one good sweater and a scarf instead. In one box, that is a whole winter.
The V-neck tennis sweater uses a wool-blend yarn, with contrast stripes at the neck, cuffs and hem: Tennis Core at its most classic. Note that its chart runs only to L. The camel double-breasted cardigan is a merino wool blend, and its mid length keeps a heavy knit from feeling bulky. Add the camel colour-block pure wool scarf and the three tones tie together. One more detail: the tennis sweater has a button inside the neckline that takes the cable vest's detachable collar, which makes a natural two-part gift.
Navy V-Neck Wool Blend Tennis SweaterNT$3,590View piece →
Camel Double-Breasted Knit CardiganNT$3,690View piece →
Camel Color-Blocked Pure Wool Tassel ScarfNT$1,390View piece →
What if the size is wrong? Returns and when to order
The rules first. ARVOpm online orders can be returned within 7 days of delivery, unworn with tags attached. Online orders are refund-only, with no exchanges, so if the size is wrong you return the piece and order the right size again.
That 7-day window matters for gift givers. If the parcel arrives on 10 December, the window closes around the 17th, a week before anyone opens it. For pieces with size risk, aim for delivery in the second half of December, or hand the gift over early so they can try it on the day it arrives. Scarves carry no such risk.
Delivery also takes time. If you are cutting it close, visit our store at eslite spectrum Songyan 2F, open daily 11:00–22:00, to feel the fabrics, compare sizes and take the gift home. For in-store purchases, ask the team about returns. Delivery within Taiwan is free over NT$3,000, otherwise NT$120. A wool scarf and a cable vest together clear the threshold.
Unsure of the size, give a scarf. Sure of it, give the sweater.
FAQ
Is it risky to give clothes if I do not know their size?
Start with low-risk pieces such as scarves, knit vests and relaxed tops. For a sweater or shirt, measure the chest width and length of something they already wear and compare it with the size chart; within ±2 cm counts as a match.
What clothes are safest to give a boyfriend or girlfriend?
A knit vest is an excellent first piece of clothing: no sleeve length to guess, and it works over a shirt on anyone. If they already like a looser fit, an oversized polo or relaxed shirt is also safe. Browse the vests collection.
Can I exchange an online order for a different size?
Online orders are refund-only, with no exchanges. Within 7 days of delivery, return the piece unworn with tags attached, then order the size you need.
What can I give for a NT$1,000 gift exchange?
Scarves are the safest choice: one size and suitable for anyone. The print scarves and fringe scarves sit under NT$1,000 and the pure wool plaid scarves a little above. Compare them in scarves.
When should I order a Christmas gift?
The return window runs 7 days from delivery, so a gift that arrives too early may be past it by 24 December. For pieces with size risk, aim for delivery in the second half of December, or shop in person at the Songyan store if time is short.
How much is delivery?
Delivery within Taiwan is free on orders over NT$3,000, otherwise NT$120. A wool scarf plus a cable vest clears the free-delivery threshold.
Want to feel the fabric and try the fit first?
Visit ARVOpm at eslite spectrum Songyan 2F (No. 88, Yanchang Rd, Xinyi District, Taipei), open daily 11:00–22:00. Prefer to shop online? Delivery within Taiwan is free over NT$3,000, and returns are accepted within 7 days of delivery.
