311: Get the rest in one go
Part IV of IV.
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If we’re leading with honesty, we’ve now reached the fourth of four Magasin gift guides, and yet I have barely touched my own list. I even made a deal with my sister to neutralize our exchange and instead gift “peace of mind,” but I could tell by her tone—and mine—that we probably weren’t going to honor that.
So I’m back at square one, sussing out the path of least resistance to the right assortment of appropriately creative and thoughtful tokens for my hodgepodge recipient pool, all the while—if we’re continuing with the honesty—kind of still shopping for myself. The best holiday cart is one that ties a bow on the hunt, and includes a few extra-special presents from you to you.
To round out Magasin’s gift guide season, I’ve handpicked a selection of one-for-you-one-for-me items from Madewell. I’ve never managed to walk out of one of their stores without at least something, the minimum criteria for a one-and-done gifting source. Today is also the shipping cutoff to get things on time, meanwhile discounts ravage product pages across the site. The reasons for getting it all done in one go are really stacked.
See our (self- and otherwise) gift picks from Madewell in the final of four gift guides, below the fold.
Madewell x LESET Pointelle Perfect Tee & Pant Set
I might nominate this as one of the season’s most bulletproof giftables (sponsored post or not). This collaboration was one of the most-clicked links when I covered the launch, and the Magasin chat room has been the site of several effusive threads about it—quality is confirmed to be on par with mainline Leset, softness is assured.
G.H.BASS Whitney Weejuns Penny Loafers
Would-be cobblers should have thrown in their loafer awls at the dawn of the Weejun, the most proportionately harmonious and timeless to ever do it (and for under $200). I’m smug and unapologetic about my thoroughly broken-in, years-old pair. I’d be happy to hand along a pristine “before picture” pair to any number of giftees on my list.
Heart Beaded Bag Charm
We’re in a golden age of out-of-body jewelry, with the range of bag charms and accessories for our accessories exploding in cuteness and originality. Even this charm has its own charm (a little pierced heart). And how about this self-tie style that demands you wrap it like a skinny scarf around your bag strap? How interactive!
The McCarren Midweight Hoodie Sweatshirt
There’s a man in my life who doesn’t know it yet, but he’s getting a hoodie from me soon. And while it won’t be “ours” (we’ve had that conversation before), I may just find myself wearing it on the occasion it’s left on the couch and I’m just a little chilly. It’s also that I look really good in this shade of blue.
Madewell x AGMES Lennox Bag
I’ve been wearing Agmes for years—almost as long as I’ve had Madewell in my closet—so it tickles me that the two linked up on an accessory that honors their common ground: pared back with a great personality. I already have this in the navy blue, and am gravely considering the black for myself, but will happily let someone close to me in on this appreciable design find.
Leather Collar Flap-Pocket Field Jacket
Outerwear is among the few sanctioned fashion gifts, but the instant, urgent draw I feel towards the wealth of tweed pockets is a sign that its value would be best spent on self—this one’s for me.
Wool-Blend Duster Cardigan Sweater
I’m a sucker for this style of long, open-front cardigan—a wool-cashmere blend, I should note. It’s the type of thing I always put on on my way out the door to a workout or the bodega, as often as I wear it to press appointments in the city. Or errands in the neighborhood. Or early eve drinks. I think I just talked myself into another self gift…
Chunky Dome Cuff Bracelet
The wavy silver cuff comes from a long tradition of organic forms in jewelry making, this one with the mindful genesis of being forged out of plated scrap brass. And it’s worth addressing the flirty synergy it has with the Agmes collab bag.
Organic French Hair Pin
I doubt I could pinch an adequately sizable nub out of my bob to allow this graceful accessory to do its job. When I had hair I picked something like this up at a pharmacy in Paris and lived in it during the city’s gross spittle storms. It’s a small, affordable token that made a big difference, and definitely something I’d present to someone with greater lengths than I. There’s also a more decorative gold pavé version should a recipient seem the type.
Low-Slung Baggy Jeans
I haven’t been nostalgic for San Francisco style since I moved away 10 years ago. But seeing these 100% cotton, dark-wash cuffed jeans, I have to admit the people of North Beach absolutely got it right during the era of selvedge denim. I have a no-pants rule for gifting (which is almost not worth saying, would anyone disagree?), so these are resolutely mine.
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