I don’t know about you all, but I am obsessed with The Queen’s Gambit. I watched the entire show in 48 hours, then rewatched it a week later. My mom warned me that it was such an amazing show, and that if I watched one episode, I’d want to watch the entire series in one sitting. And let me tell you, she was so right!
The last several meetings the TME team has had, have involved many Queen’s Gambit convos. We all love the fashion, the sense of thrill that the show brings to the game of chess, and of course…all the wallpaper. (And trust me, there’s a lot of wallpaper.)
What I personally love about The Queen’s Gambit is Beth Harmon’s zeal, her passion and devotion to the game, and her ability to rise above grave tragedies throughout her life. The show is captivating and has me thinking I need to learn to play chess! (Did I mention, I’ve never played chess?!) But now, I am determined to learn the ins and outs of the game!
Opening Move: The Queen’s Gambit Gift Guide
This gift guide has a little something for everyone. If you are into the actual game, there are several gorgeous boards to envy, and my personal fav is this wall board — it’s both a statement piece for your decor and a fun way to play the game. Ps. If you are looking for more inspo, Annmarie recently rounded up some beautiful boards, and S shared her fav products to teach kids chess.
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I’m also inspired by the fashion in the The Queen’s Gambit, and every single piece I curated is available in both straight and plus sizes! One of the most iconic outfits that Beth wears is her all-white ensemble, reminiscent of the greats: Olivia Pope & Princess Diana alike. And when I found the most stunning jasper coat, it immediately took me to that scene. It’s a timeless piece, but fair warning — it is a serious investment. Beth can be found rocking several berets throughout the series, and I found one that totally fits the bill too! Even when Beth is a young, penniless girl, she still has a sense of fashion — and it only gets better and better throughout the show.
In my search for Queen’s Gambit gift ideas, I learned that the show is based on a book written by Walter Tevis. It’s most certainly on my list of books to read next, and so is this one! If you’ve already watched the series, then you know there is a lot of booze, cigarette smoking, and dabbling in many other illicit behaviors. So it wouldn’t be a complete Gambit Guide without a little ode to the many beverages consumed through the show.
1 / Brass + Marble Deco Bar Collection
These are a stunning addition for a bar cart moment. I am quite certain I will invest in a bar cart when I buy my first house!
2 / Chelsea Bareware Cocktail Shaker
I personally don’t own a cocktail shaker, but I definitely think it’s a bar cart must!
3 / Lucite Bar Cart
Anthropologie has some gorgeous bar carts right now, and this one is so cute! If you are looking for a more substantial bar area moment, then take a look at this one!
4 / Portland Syrups Mojito and Citrus Passion Syrup
I love a good cocktail and these Portland syrups are such a beautiful bottle to display on your bar cart! Also, if you need more festive bar cart ideas, Abby’s got you covered.
5 / USSR Chess Clock Jantar
This chess clock is the OG of all clocks! They are a challenge to find, but pro tip, if you search on Etsy, you can find many options!
6 / Wall Chess
I am quite certain this is the coolest chess set I have ever seen. I love that it’s both a statement piece for your decor and an opportunity for you to play a game as you come and go!
7 / Marble Chess Set
Would it even be a Queen’s Gambit gift guide without a chess set? I think this one is pretty and perfect for mastering the game!
8 / SEA Ingrid Dickey Collar
Throughout the entire series you will find Beth wearing ’60s-style collard shirts. The collar is one of her signatures, and what I love about the SEA collar is that you can easily layer it onto any sweater. So when you are feeling an impromptu collar moment, this is a great go-to!
9 / Clare Fuzzy Beret
I love all the Parisian influences in The Queen’s Gambit, and the many berets have me envious. This one looks similar to one that Beth wore!
10 / LAFAYETTE 148 NY Matte Silk Cecile Blouse
This silk blouse is absolutely stunning. I personally love the blush color, and it also comes in several other gorgeous colors too. This is another iconic similar top that Beth wears, and I like that this one has such a timeless feel to it.
11 / Tommy Hilfiger Houndstooth Shift Dress
This dress is reminiscent of the ’60s and the perfect dress to give you all the Beth Harmon vibes! There were so many great circa ’60s vibes in the entire Tommy Hilfiger collection this season.
12 / Lafayette 148 Brushed Cashmere Jasper Coat
This coat is GORGEOUS! I love everything about it, and I am quite certain I will be dreaming about it for quite some time. Fair warning — this coat is a serious investment piece.
13 / HALOGEN Tweed Jacket
OMG I love this tweed jacket! The sea foam green and turquoise colors are a gorgeous combo. What a statement piece for those days when you have no where to go, it is 2020 after all.
14 / LAFAYETTE 148 NY Reverie Satin Cloth Vestry Pant
While you often see most of the characters strutting in gorgeous dresses throughout the series, there are several key scenes when you find an independent Beth prancing in pants. And seriously, I absolutely love these satin pants; the royal teal blue is elegant and again reminds me of that classic ’60s attire.
15 / Birth of the Chess Queen
Did you know the game of chess initially didn’t have a Queen?! Me neither! This history on how the Queen came to be looks like a great one for all the history buffs you know.
16 / The Queens Gambit Book
In my search for pieces to include in the gift guide, I learned that The Queen’s Gambit is a rendition of the book written by Walter Tevis. I can’t wait to give this a read!
17 / Chess Bitch: Women in the Ultimate Intellectual Sport
If you are looking for a women empowerment book, then give Chess Bitch a read! The book is an exploration from Jennifer Shahade on being a woman in a predominantly male sport.
18 / Textile Stripe Wallpaper By York Wallcoverings
Remember me mentioning all the wallpaper in The Queen’s Gambit?! This wallpaper is subtle and gorgeous. I personally love the geometric pattern that is slightly blurred for a slightly muted aesthetic.
19 / Kindling Wallpaper By York Wallcoverings
Another gorgeous wallpaper pattern that I have a crush on. Anthropologie has so many beautiful wallpaper patterns!
20 /Game of the Century Printable
This is a great gift for the true chess connoisseur. The Game of The Century: Bobby Fischer VS. Donald Byrne.
21 / ‘Would You Like To Start My Clock’ Wall Art
One of the famous quotes from Beth’s many losing opponents…”Would you like to start my clock?”
22 / Velvet Louise Curtains
These velvet curtains speak Queen’s Gambit home vibes to me!
I had so much funning pulling this gift guide together for you all! And now I need to know to things… First, have you watched the show and what were your thoughts? Second, what are you binge watching right now, because I am on the hunt for a new show!
XX – Kat
Hi hi friends! Follow me on Instagram for more of my day-to-day shenanigans (think lots of Colorado hiking, dog stories, food creations, and all the tea on Celebs). And if you feel so inclined, pop over to my YouTube channel The Katrina Nichole, where I share plus-size fashion hauls, body positivity convos and all things inclusive movement. Byeeeeee!
This one’s for the pinners!
