Gift guide: Clothing made to last
Including some gifts I received many years ago, and still wear and love
Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of The Bell!
Have you seen my two gift guides so far?
Today: my third of five holiday gift guides: clothing and accessories made to last.
This is a mix of men’s and women’s items, in no particular order, with many of the brands carrying both. It skews a little bit British since (a) my taste in clothing skews a little bit British lol and (b) they seriously know what they’re doing with craftsmanship over there.
Hopefully it’s not too personal and particular in style, and you can find something you like here. If not, please peruse the other two gift guides that are already live, or subscribe to receive the upcoming guide on kitchen products next week. The final one will be for children.
The thing about items made to last is that they’re a bit more of an up-front investment. I included a range of prices, but transparently, nothing here is under $100. But as my friend said only half-jokingly on the phone the other day, you don’t need 50 pairs of trousers from H&M, you need one from Loro Piana. But nothing here costs as much as Loro Piana, either. So in that spirit, here we go!
Barbour jacket *heritage brand
I gave my husband this quilted Barbour jacket a few years ago, and I’m so proud that it’s his all-occasion, three-season go-to in the northeast. He travels with it because it looks just as nice at the end of a plane ride as the beginning (the same can’t always be said of a wool coat), it’s waterproof, and most importantly, it’s warm. I also love this longer style.
For the ladies, wearing Barbour doesn’t mean dressing like Queen Elizabeth, God rest her soul. The brand is somehow both deeply traditional and cool at the same time, as evidenced by the recent collaboration with Alexa Chung. For a more updated yet timeless take on a waxed jacket, I’d go for this one or this one with a long hem. It’ll be her bad weather jacket forever!
Walker Slater scarf *small business
My dad and brother introduced me to Walker Slater with a souvenir from their trip to Scotland over a decade ago. The souvenir in question was a Blackwatch Tartan cashmere scarf. It’s one of my most treasured accessories every winter and will be forever. Love this one in green tartan!
Have a poke around their website, though, because there’s a lot to love.
Glerups slippers *family business
I am the biggest fan and biggest evangelist of these Danish slippers. Because they’re wool, they’re temperature-regulating and I wear them in the house 365 days a year, even in the hottest summer. With wear, they mould to your feet, and the rubber-soled style provides especially great support.
My husband and I both have a pair in Boston with leather soles because they’re indoor shoes and a pair in France with rubber soles because they’re indoor-outdoor shoes. We gave a pair to my dad last Christmas and he says they’re the only slippers he actually wears. So we have bought these slippers FIVE TIMES. Enough said.
La Ligne sweater
This is the classic, French-inspired navy-and-cream cashmere sweater every woman needs in her closet. It also comes in a cropped version. It’s extremely thick but somehow makes as much sense with jeans and a winter coat, as it does thrown over a swimsuit to block a cool summer evening breeze, as it does with pajama pants at home. I’ve been meaning to wash mine for weeks but can’t stop wearing it long enough to get it wet, haha. It does pill, but all knits pill. Just get a sweater comb to care for it!
Tory Burch tennis whites
I bought a few Tory tennis outfits including this tank and skirt when I re-took up tennis in 2020 and initially chose them for the classic, somewhat retro design that’s very hard to find in sportswear.
I really break a sweat when I play tennis, and these clothes are moisture-wicking and truly high-performance, which you would not expect from a designer brand. But Tory herself is a pretty serious tennis player, and you can tell she designed a line of clothes she actually wears. They look really cute on, hold their shape, and wash up great.
There’s also a really stylish line for golf, active, and athleisure.
Bonsoir of London cotton robe
A luxe robe is such a treat. I have amassed somewhat of a robe wardrobe over the years, and this British pajama brand is the source of the first in my collection, a tartan flannel robe my mom gave me way back when I was either still in college or freshly graduated. I’ve worn it tons and it still looks like new. My color way isn’t available anymore, but they have some beauties in stock. And of course I love this striped cotton poplin.
Lots of options for the gentlemen, including this handsome burgundy tartan.
Holland Cooper fair isle sweater
As a relatively new brand, equestrian-inspired Holland Cooper is embracing British high-quality craftsmanship. A fair isle is such an enduring style; I love this one in olive and equally, this one in chocolate.
Gorsuch wide rib cashmere hat *family business
My mom gave me this hat so long ago I can’t even remember, and I reach for it over and over every winter. Even though I have a significant hat wardrobe, having always lived in cold climates, this (in color Rosa) is the warmest and my favorite. It’s so cute, well-fitting, flattering, I adore it. *The pom is animal fur, so do with that info what you will.
Stay tuned for next week’s gift guide: kitchen products designed to last. Until then, I’ll talk to you Friday with this week’s recs.
xx Jane
This newsletter includes a few affiliate links. I like to shop small and don’t exclusively feature brands that are part of an affiliate program, so not all links will earn me a commission. But some will! If you plan to buy something featured in this newsletter, using my link will help support the time and love I put into writing these for you. I appreciate your support so much!
Team robe wardrobe ✊🏻 thanks for the inspiration!