In the first of our festive gift guides, we round up the most covetable watches, jewellery, clothing and accessories for under the tree this Christmas
The festive season is fast approaching, along with the annual conundrum of what to gift each special person in your life. Worry not, though, as ROADBOOK has compiled a bounty of brilliant presents, from gift-worthy garments to jewellery and accessories. At Christmas, the classics still ring true: a butter-soft cashmere scarf, a pair of toasty slippers, or a beautiful piece of jewellery. Buy less and buy better, picking trophy pieces that are responsibly made and built to last, and are guaranteed to lift the spirits throughout the year.
Quilted liner by Marfa Stance, £595, marfastance.com; Face logo beanie hat by Acne, £130, farfetch.com; Cassette Belt Bag by Bottega Veneta, £1,440, selfridges.com
Matthieu Blazy was appointed creative director of Bottega Veneta in March this year, taking over from his former boss Daniel Lee. He has since matched the Italian fashion house’s timeless heritage and craftsmanship with modern verve. This November, Bottega Veneta launched ‘The Certificate of Craft’ service, which offers a lifetime warranty on its bags. It is the first major luxury brand to offer such a guarantee, reflecting the company’s commitment to quality, craftsmanship and sustainability. Our pick? The Cassette Belt Bag, which is recognisable by Bottega’s signature inflated weave, and can be worn across the body for hands-free festivities.
Meanwhile, Marfa Stance, the London label founded by Burberry alumna Georgia Dant, is known for its reversible, buildable layers, which present endless styling opportunities. Mix and match quilted vests, bombers and parkers, and add on shearling collars, hoods and liners in bright and classic tones for a perfectly personalised, does-it-all piece. Following a run of pop-ups across the US this month, you can shop the brand in-person at the London design studio from 13 December.
From top left: classic retro-X shell-trimmed fleece jacket by Patagonia, £210, mrporter.com; double yellow cashmere blend Moire scarf by Mulberry, £175, mulberry.com; Gazelle ‘Indoor’ trainers by adidas Originals, £120, net-a-porter.com
Another brand blazing the trail for sustainability is Patagonia. The Californian company, founded by Yvon Chouinard, set the internet alight this year when it announced it was donating all future profits to fight climate change. It’s ever-popular fleeces are noted for their practicality, comfort and ease, and are as likely to be seen on mountaintops as stalking Silicon Valley. The ethically-minded gift transcends generations and gender, and is available in ecru, black, and navy.
Finally, take note: white trainers are on the way out, in favour of retro tones. Adidas’ Gazelle sneakers top our Christmas wish list, in a covetable caramel hue.
From top left: Bisou Perle pearl & 14-karat gold single drop earring by Sophie Bille Brahe, £665, net-a-porter.com; Tarot Sun 9-karat gold-plated sterling-silver necklace by Tom Wood, £260, matchesfashion.com; Essential Gem 14-karat gold agate ring by By Pariah, £255, net-a-porter.com
Founded by Sophie Howard, London-based jeweller By Pariah takes its name from a National Geographic article on the Pariah parts of the Caribbean. Crafted from smooth moss agate and accented by a 14-karat gold band, the Essential Gem Stacker Ring slips easily over other rings, and is also available in diamond-studded iterations.
Elsewhere, singular statement earrings steal the show, from Sophie Bille Brahe’s lustrous pearl clusters, to Maria Tash’s vibrant emerald-studded huggie hoop (pictured below).
From left: 18-karat gold emerald hoop single earring by Maria Tash, £980, net-a-porter.com; Pearl-embellished hair clip by Simone Rocha, £75, farfetch.com; Juste un Clou ring in white gold by Cartier, £1,210, cartier.com; Moto necklace in silver by All Blues, £730, allblues.com
Swap traditional festive sparkle for subversive glamour this Christmas. Cartier’s iconic Juste un Clou collection features a sinuous nail that wraps around the wrist or finger, available in yellow, white and rose gold. A signature of the maison, it was first designed by Aldo Cipullo in 1971 and is inspired by the punk aesthetic of the era.
Simone Rocha also has a knack for pretty things with a rebellious edge. The designer’s bejewelled and pearl-covered hair clips and headbands have amassed a cult following, and look just as good when worn with a white T-shirt as they do a wedding dress.
For a hefty piece of unisex hardware, look to Stockholm-based All Blues, founded by childhood friends Jacob Skragge and Fredrik Nathorst. Jewellery is sustainably made in recycled sterling silver and gold vermeil with hand-finished details.
From left: Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40 with white dial, £4,700, breitling.com; Speedmaster 57 40.5 MM by Omega, £8,100, omegawatches.com; The Longines Master Collection 190th anniversary in silver, £2,050, longines.com
One of the oldest Swiss watchmakers, Longines turns 190 years old in 2022. To mark the milestone, the brand has released the Master Collection by Longines – a trio of commemorative automatic timepieces. Sleek silver (as pictured above), yellow gold or rose gold designs are set on soft alligator leather straps, and demonstrate Longines’ deft ability for mixing contemporary design with classic details.
The Omega Speedmaster is undoubtedly one of the most iconic watches of all time, and the only watch to make it to the moon. Released this year, the Speedmaster ‘57 collection is inspired by the 1957 original, worn by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Opt for a suitably festive, dark forest green dial, with a green ceramic bezel and 18-karat Moonshine Gold bracelet.
Elsewhere, Breitling’s new Chronomat GMT has a desirable new 40mm diameter and is available in five colours: black, blue, green, white and anthracite, with a striking red GMT hand.
