Help a child-free giver - what's cool for 15 year old girls?

[rillablythe]

I don't go here, but it looks like a lot of you have experience with kids and teens, so I thought this might be a good group to ask!

Every year my husband and I adopt a family to buy Christmas presents for through one of the social service nonprofits in our area.  I'm 33 with no kids, and all our friends' kids are under 5.  This year we got a family consisting of a single mom with twin 18 month old boys, which is a slam dunk for me since my BFF has 2 little boys under 2, and a 15 year old girl, which has me freaked out.  I know teens can be picky and I really want to make sure I get her things she'll love.

Here's what I know: her favorite color is pink and her favorite school subject is history.  She needs pants, shoes, and bedding; and I'm also getting her everything off her want list because come on, who am I to deny a pink loving bookish teen girl?

Here are my questions:

• For pants, are jeans my best bet? Where's a good place to go for juniors sizes (she is a 1)?
• What shoes are cool for teen girls?  Are we talking Chucks, Toms, booties, ballet flats?
• She specifically requested a pink Jansport backpack.  I remember as a kid it was leather bottom or bust in terms of backpacks.  Is there one that all the kids have that she's definitely thinking about or will the one with the most storage be good?
• What colors/types of makeup are the teens these days wearing?  Is it still a more sparkle the better situation?

Thanks to anyone who can offer advice!

[nsl]

My students generally prefer ballet flats or Toms to sneakers, but that may be a function of living in a relatively temperate climate. As far as backpacks go, I think fabric-only Jansports are on trend these days.

[W.T.Faulkner]

Lots of eyeliner and mascara for makeup. Can't go wrong there. My students wear skinny jeans almost universally. I'd get a dark wash. They buy jeans at H&M, Forever 21, etc. I think Toms could be good too, maybe in black or beige or something like that.

[Deleted]

My sil is 16.

She doesn't wear jeans, so I'm no help there. She's a leggings or flowy pants type person ( the crazier the pattern the better) That's also what most of her friends seem to wear.

I think she wears converse sneakers. Or flats.

Suede bottom backpack sounds about right.

Definitely no sparkle. Stick to the naked palette, maybe some fun looking blush and bronzer. Or a gift card to sephora where she can pick her own stuff.

[katb]

When DD1 was 15 she wore Uggs, converse, Nikes, and Sperrys.

Skinny jeans and leggings/yogo pants are in.

For the back pack - you could go full girly and get Vera Bradley. Jansport is a good brand, I prefer Eddie Bauer or LL Bean - just because they are sturdy and last forever. Make sure you get something that has a laptop slot. She might not have one now but if she continues her education she may get one for college/training.

Make up - I think you can't go wrong with any of the popular pallettes/kits (any you can get smaller ones) - Tarte, Urban Decay, Benefit, Smashbox

[formerlyak]

Not a mom of a 15 year old girl, but wanted to chime in on the backpack. If you get a Jansport, it has a lifetime guarantee and they are really good about honoring it. If her family is low on funds, this could come in handy for them if a zipper breaks or something. Jansport will replace for free.

[curtains]

My dd is 15 and here is her list (we live in pa)
Stone wash or dark skinny jeans
Black leggings. No yoga pants
Riding boots (she doesnt ride anything but the bus)
Sweatshirts or long sleeve shirts (ella ivory is "in" by us)
Urban decay pallets or anything like that. She and her friends don't like eyeliner but shadows and mascaras are must haves.
Nail polish. Any color or brand
Spa gc is a super special bragworthy gift that they all love

Good luck. You are kind to do this

[curtains]

My dd has a jansport backpack from 3 years ago that she won't part with