Everyone has at least one person on their list who, well, is a challenge to shop for. Not only do they have it all, they have impeccable taste too. The secret is to look for something custom, limited edition, or aspirational. With that in mind, here are a few ideas from Texas makers and brands. For more gift ideas, see For Those Who Like to Take It Outside, For the Little Ones and Furry Friends, For the Trendsetters, and For the Foodies and Fabulous Hosts.
The Shackleton Tuxedo
Hamilton Shirts
$245
Every Hamilton shirt is cut by hand and sewn in the Houston legacy brand’s shop. This spring, the company launched a women’s line, with feminine takes on its classic button-downs, which men have been wearing for 135 years.
Silhouette Ring
Bell and Bird
$2,500
Rhianna and Cyrus Shennum travel the world to find antique jewelry for their Austin shop. They do stunning custom pieces as well, including a silhouette ring with the profile of your favorite little one.
Texas Made, Texas Modern
Amazon
$31.45
Writer Helen Thompson and photographer Casey Dunn have collaborated again to put together another beautiful coffee table book (Marfa Modern was their first) that focuses on twenty modern marvels across the state—from urban to rural.
Kessler Weekend Bag
Leatherology
Starting at $310
The fetching leather duffel bag from Dallas-based Leatherology is made even more stylish with hand-painted monograms in hues that pop against full-grain leather color options ranging from classics like black and brown to a fun, bright blue.
Gramercy Bottle
Keith Kreeger
Starting at $72
The popular Austin potter’s new color wave for his classic vase design comes in three heights. The limited-edition yellow is also used in Kreeger’s cups and his signature Everything Bowl.
Landshark
Zilker Belts
$109
Business partners Hill Shands and Wade Green bring a Texas twist to the artful hand-stitching they found on belts in Argentina. With names like the Willie or Antone’s (for Austin’s historic blues venue), the belts come in an array of colors, including those of your favorite Texas college teams.
Bibi Sukes
Sabah
$195
Mickey Ashmore, the founder of Sabah, partnered with Turkish shoemaker Oran and his family to handmake each pair of the colorful leather slipper-style shoes that are sold online as well as at Ashmore’s store, in quaint cottage the Sabah House, in Uptown Dallas.
The Jackie
Clearly Handbag
TM General Store
$68
Kori Green entered the maker game in 2003 with her eponymous jewelry line. In 2017 she launched her second endeavor, crafting sleek, clear, security-minded handbags for sporting events and concerts (her husband is beloved musician Pat Green). From fur to canvas stripe, an array of strap choices helps to personalize these minimalist totes.
Matte Lipstick Wildpony
MAC
Amazon
$49.50
When Longview-born and -bred fashion designer Brandon Maxwell, whose elegant clothing has been worn by A-listers Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, and his BFF, Lady Gaga, announced that he was releasing a makeup collection with MAC, it was a given that he would incorporate his home state into the products. On this lipstick, you’ll find the outline of Texas etched on the cap. Maxwell has never been shy about expressing his love for Texas—during this fall’s New York Fashion Week, he debuted his spring 2019 collection at a Texas tailgate–themed show, the finale of which featured models walking the runway to Selena’s “Dreaming of You.”
Barile Biagio Wood Box
Neiman Marcus
$295.00
Made in Italy, the functional box features circles arranged in a whimsical wood inlay pattern. It’s perfect for the collector in your life, who will surely find a good use for it.
Read more: Introducing Our 2018 Holiday Gift Guide
Texas Monthly serves its readers with occasional product roundups reported by senior editor Lauren Smith Ford. After she makes her picks, the Texas Monthly General Store acquires some of the items for its inventory. For your convenience, we’ve provided links to the store where applicable. For the other stuff, the links go directly to the retailer. We sometimes make a commission from sales that occur from those links.
A shorter version of this article originally appeared in the December 2018 issue of Texas Monthly with the headline “The Art of Texas Gift-Giving.” Subscribe today.
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