Looking for the best gift to get your favorite aspiring plus size model this Holiday season? Below are 17 Holiday Gift ideas that will be an instant hit with your favorite aspiring model that are useful and worth the $$$!!!
Any aspiring plus size model can tell you, when first starting out especially, you have to reallyyy invest in yourself!! From building a portfolio, travel, photoshoots to hair, makeup, and skincare – there is always something an aspiring plus size model needs!
This post is all about the best holiday gifts to give an aspiring plus size model!
17+ Holiday Gift Ideas for Aspiring Plus Size Models
1. Ring Light
You don’t have to be a beauty influencer to need a ring light. A plus size model never knows when their next audition is. And whether they need perfect make up, the perfect tik tok or the perfect lighting; a great ring light can make a world of difference!
2. Full Length Mirror
Full length mirrors are a MUST. Any plus size model student of mine can tell you, one of the first things I recommend purchasing is a full length mirror.
Full length mirrors are great for practice whether it’s for posing, facials, or runway.
I love this mirror because it has a stand so it’s sturdy and aesthetically pleasing with any room for selfies, practice and content.
3. Planner/Organizer
You might think, why would I have a physical planner/organizer in 2022? However, I personally had my electronic calendar crash twice in my life and it ruined my life! Missed shoots, auditions, it was horrifying.
That’s why I HIGHLY recommend having a physical yearly planner.
Above is my favorite planner. I’ve ordered for over 5 years now! Not only does it have the months, it also breaks down the days by the hour for more detailed planning.
4. Tripod
Tripods are ESSENTIAL to auditions and casting tapes. Trying to take casting tapes without a tripod is nearly impossible and the angles are not professional. A plus size model NEEDS a tripod!!!
This is my FAVORITE tripod. I’ve been using it for years. It’s SUPER affordable and comes with a bluetooth remote which makes things faster and easier to film.
5. Cloth Measuring Tape
As I’ve mentioned in the blog before… knowing your measurements is super key for plus size models to let agencies and brands know your measurements. Measurements help them find the best size for you on a brand’s specific size chart.
Measurements are always changing so the best way to know your measurements is keeping a soft tape measure on hand like this ONE.
6. 1 on 1 Coaching/Consultation with me
If you didn’t already know, I do one on one coaching and consultations with people all over the world! I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but sessions with me are the perfect holiday gift ideas for aspiring models! Below are just a few things I help my students with. Including, but not limited too…
- face posing
- pose coaching
- where to find work as a freelance plus size model
- how to reach out to agencies and brands
- how to put your portfolio together
- contract reading and negotiating
And MORE!!!!
(prices may vary**)
In just this year alone, I’ve had several students sign to major agencies, work with major brands/companies, shoot portfolios with accomplished photographers, and other HUGE, exciting things!!
In addition to my one on one coaching and consultations – I also do on-set pose coaching!
I come to your photoshoot and help guide your face posing and pose coaching. Additionally, I help take BTS footage so you can share your shoot all over social media!
(prices may vary**)
7. Box Lights
Originally, I got box lights for when I filmed Youtube videos. However, as time went on, I was using box lights more and more for last minute auditions when the day light was no longer out, but the audition was due first thing in the morning. 
8. High Frequency Facial Kit
In my blog post, ‘5 Life Changing Skincare Products’, I mention the High Frequency Facial Machine from TUMAKOU on Amazon!! It’s LITERALLY one of the BEST products to get rid of acne and ingrown hairs I’ve ever used in my entire life!!!!
What I love about this product is that it uses a high frequency to get deep beneath the skin to kill bacteria. You can use it for any skin color and any skin type!
Not only does it help prevent breakouts, but it’s also calmed down or just plain gotten rid of some of my biggest and deepest acne bumps and ingrown hairs just 12 hours before a big shoot!
This is the exact high frequency facial machine that I use because it comes with multiple glass heads, it’s affordable, AND you can use it on the bikini area as well!
9. Luggage
When thinking about holiday gift ideas for models, you can never go wrong with a luggage set!! Plus size models are always traveling and even if when they aren’t, it’s always great to have a small to medium suitcase to bring to set.
Small to medium suitcases are great to bring to photoshoots for a few reasons…
- if it’s a photoshoot where you have to bring your wardrobe, you definitely don’t want your hands to be full of plastic bags of clothes when you arrive to set
- you want to avoid having lines on your skin before a shoot, carrying a heavy bag could leave red marks on your shoulders, arms, and/or hands which you don’t want
- some shoots you fly to are only a day or two so you don’t need a huge suitcase and a carry on size will help you save money
10. Shapewear
Shapewear in the plus size industry is no longer just to look “flattering”. With so many different textiles and fabrics, having shapewear is great and sometimes requested by companies for fitting purposes.
Below are a few of my personal favorite shapewear companies that I have tried and personally own myself!!
WhatWaist
Since I was 18, I used WhatWaist waist trainers. Then recently they launched shapewear and I HAD to try it. No surprise to me, it was amazing!
Buy WhatWaist HERE
It gave me curves in all the right places and the compression was tight but not uncomfortable. I also love that you can take the straps on or off and the legs have grippy material so it doesn’t ride up your legs!
Use code: HAYLEYHERMS10 for $$$ off your order, I promise you don’t be disappointed!
Honeylove
I discovered Honeylove a little over a year ago and I have the most pieces of shapewear in my collection from them and in my model bag.
Buy HoneyLove HERE
I find Honeylove is great for everyday shapewear. It’s a bit more affordable, and I love their selection of colors and shapewear to choose from. Below are a few of my favorite HoneyLove pieces and that I highly recommend for your model bag!
Cami Bodysuit Size https://honeylove.sjv.io/jWZVvM
Queen Brief Size https://honeylove.sjv.io/5bYK6b
LiftWear Cami Size https://honeylove.sjv.io/kjZVe0
SuperPower Brief Size https://honeylove.sjv.io/Ao2B9K
Watch my full HoneyLove try-on haul HERE.
Spanx
Spanx is the original shapewear brand we all know and love. They have great flesh tones for different skin colors and have a wide assortment of shapewear to choose from depending on the outfit you’re wearing.
Below is my favorite Spanx garment.
Buy Spanx HERE
This is my favorite Spanx shapewear piece because of the way it holds you in and it lasts a long time. I had mine for over 3 years!
11. Portable Charger
It doesn’t matter if you live in a big city or have a long set day, a plus size model needs a portable charger. Models spend a lot of time on their phone between editing casting tapes, being on set, finding auditions, networking, and more!
Nothing is more heart crushing than spending 2 hours on a casting tape that gets deleted because your phone died.
Portable chargers allow models to work on the go and stay on top of their work! I suggest keeping one portable charger with you at all times either in your car or purse and then keeping another in your model bag just incase!
You’d rather be safe than sorry and anyone can use a portable charger!
12. Instacart Giftcard
Between going to auditions and photoshoots and submitting to brands, companies, and agencies. Models are very BUSY creatures and wear many hats! 
Getting an Instacart gift card for you or your aspiring plus size model can be a huge life saver and help save precious time they could be using on their goals and dreams!
Use code ‘H17709’ or this link to get $20 off your first order or gift card!
If you’re anything like me, when thinking about holiday gift ideas, sometimes it can feel like sending a gift card can feel a little impersonal.
To make it more warm and personal, make sure add a thoughtful note in the comment section. 🙂
13. Underwear
Having the right underwear for set is very important! The most common underwear plus size models need is a thong! If you had to choose one color, I would suggest a neutral/flesh toned color, but if you can, I suggest getting: flesh toned, black, and white.
True & Co makes thee BEST underwear for modeling! It’s SO seamless, it comes in many colors to choose from perfect for modeling, and they’re flexible so you could wear it as a brief or a thong. I love and HIGHLY recommend True & Co underwear for your model bag!
It’s the perfect holiday gift for aspiring plus size models AND it works for everyday life as well.
14. Black heels
For most modeling jobs and auditions, plus size models are expected to wear heels. The standard model heels are 4inch, plain black, closed toe heels like the one below!
I like these black heels because they have no designs, no sparkles and crystals, no straps that are hard to get in and out of. Just a classic, 4 inch black pump that goes with everything. And let’s be real, shoes are always great holiday gift ideas!
15. Cash
Let’s be real – cash is king!! Models spend A LOT of money investing in themselves especially when they are first getting started.
Out of pocket expenses aspiring plus size models usually face…
- $700 – $1,000+ for portfolio shoot (studio, hair, make up, photographer, wardrobe)
- a yearly $100 – $200 fee PER audition/casting website or app to find modeling work
- $100+ monthly maintenance fees such as manicures/pedicures/waxing/threading/hair (yes being groomed at all times is apart of the job)
- $30 – $60 for comp cards to take to auditions
- $100 – $200 for any coaching and consultations a model may need for guidance and/or help
- and other miscellaneous expenses such as travel, make up, skincare, etc.
16. *Quality* Jeans
Quality jeans usually run $75 – $175 which makes it the perfect holiday gift for any aspiring plus size model.
In my blog post, ‘3 Go-To Plus Size Modeling Outfits For Auditions’, I talk about why a great fitting pair of quality jeans is SO important for models. 
My favorite audition jeans are these ‘Good Legs Crop’ by GOOD American jeans. I have found Good American jeans last me a long time and the fit is like butter. I also like that GOOD American can be found in stores and not just online so you can try them on in person in stores like Nordstrom.
17. Model Bag aka a Tote Bag
By now, you’ve probably heard me mention the term ‘model bag’ at least 4 times. In short, a model bag is a bag full of items models regularly need to bring to set. Bigger than a backpack, but not as big as a small suitcase.
This post was all about the perfect holiday gift ideas for the aspiring plus size model in your life.
Other Posts You May Like:
5 Must-Have Photos in Your Plus Size Modeling Portfolio That Will Get You Booked
Plus Size Model Tips with Miranda Harrison
3 Go-To Plus Size Modeling Outfits For Auditions
Leave a Reply