Santa window, Aunt Sadie’s, Boston
Years of editing magazine gift guides had me thinking that holiday gifts take just three shapes: cashmere, scented candles, and whimsical tableware. Well-trained, I asked for—and received—one of those from Greg. My gifts to him are less conventional, always handmade, and sometimes unwearable. Click the jump for 2008’s cringe-y offering.
2008’s gift was inspired by a chopped-up and restitched men’s shirt that Greg spotted in Toyko. I thought: ‘Hey! I can do that!’ I disassembled three J. Crew button-down shirts, mixed and matched sleeves, collars and yolks, sewed on vintage buttons and voila!
The offending gift
It turned out to be the kind of shirt that Greg would find at the Barney’s Warehouse sale and present for my opinion. Would it be so easy! I could have shook my head, noting Greg’s propensity for borderline-circusy garb.
Not sold
Luckily I prepped a few backup gifts: J. Press accessories, vintage TWA brochures, and a 1961 Esquire that was nearly nearly as entertaining as the cursed shirt.
Sheepish in cashmere
