Luxe gifts that last a lifetime

Bonus installment of the female-founded holiday gift guide series

By the time this hits your inbox there’s a 75% chance it will get lost in the BFCM sales noise that feels like it hits harder year after year. So first let me just say, thank you for finding me among the eCommerce chaos - I deeply appreciate you.

When you scroll through this gift guide and click on the product links, you’ll likely find that for the majority of the luxe, female-founded items listed, no sale will be running. This reality only underscores exactly the reason why I’ve curated this post. In today’s day and age, the BFCM sales send a message to buy, buy, and buy….but to me, it feels like there’s a quantity over quality message that intertwines with our natural FOMO from wanting to get the best possible deal. The purpose of this post is to cut through the sales notifications coming at you from all channels and instead encourage you to buy or gift that one, high-quality item that you’ve thought about for the last 6 months to a year, and perhaps even longer.

I created this list to share a set of stunning, timeless, heirloom-quality brands and products that are intended to last a lifetime. The products in here skew a bit more expensive, but when it comes to value, they absolutely deliver. If you have a bigger budget when gifting to others, if you want to drop a gift hint to your significant other, or if you want to allocate some of your hard-earned holiday bonus check to something beautiful - this list is for you.

I’m swooning over all of the products listed below, so let’s dive in.

Sophie Buhai Egg Pendant - founded by Sophie Buhai in 2015. This is one of Sophie’s longstanding designs that has remained timeless, no matter the accessory trends. For context, she rolled this out in her 2016 collection. I’ve seen this piece IRL and it is oh, so beautiful. To accommodate different style preferences, it comes in 3 different sizes and chain lengths - tiny, everyday, and signature. If you’re looking for something a bit different, I personally find that Sophie’s line showcases constant innovation and exploration of new categories that further highlight her expert metalwork. Take these earrings for example…

… Sophie’s Reversible Hinged Hoops are 2 styles in one. That feels like double the gift. These Gold Pearl Anna Earrings are also breathtaking.

J.Hannah Form Ring II - founded by Jess Hannah Révész in 2014. Though Jess designs rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, I’ve always felt that the ring designs are the true standouts. I love the fact the pieces are sleek, modern, and incredibly high quality. The Form Ring II is a beautiful bold statement and if you’re opting for silver, it’s absolutely the more affordable option. The Form II also comes with the option for pearl or onyx inlay - drop dead gorgeous. And if you’re looking for something with daintier proportions, the Form Ring I is the answer.

Dorsey Kate Lab Grown Sapphire Riviere Necklace - founded by Meg Strachan in 2019. Dorsey also has a wide selection of timeless riviere style necklaces and their website even features a guide to the different settings and sizes to help you hone in on your favorite design. I featured Dorsey in a previous post that referenced my reticence to purchase more pricey diamond pieces due to the fear to losing them. Lab grown stones are both more wallet and environmentally friendly, but still have that magic sparkle.

Khaite Belt - founded by Catherine Holstein in 2016. Khaite’s belts are a statement and the craftsmanship is top of the line, always. This is a nice splurge that you or your recipient can wear all year long. My favorite style is the Benny Belt because it has the perfect amount of heft - not too skinny, not too thick. The latest trend has been to invest in the studded version (pictured above), but if you want something a bit more simple, the non-studded is for you. Yes, there may be a waitlist, but I would encourage you to still sign up as you’ll get a ping when the restocks happen (and they do regularly). If you’re looking for even smaller or larger styles, you can find the full assortment here.

Rachel Comey Axel 100% Wool Coat - founded by Rachel Comey in 2001. I’m truly lusting over this coat after trying it on in store. The fabric, tailoring, and length are 10/10 perfection. Unfortunately so many brands are cutting costs by mixing their high quality fabrics with synthetics, but this jacket is 100% pure, yummy, soft, delicious wool. It also comes in a beautiful light brown that has some dimension in the weave.

Lauren Manoogian Sweater Coat - founded by Lauren Manoogian, a textile designer in Brooklyn, in 2008. Lauren’s sweater coats provide the warm, snuggly comfort of a high-quality robe with minimalist styling that’s desired for looking put together during weekend errands, dog walks, and drop-offs. She has an assortment of styles to choose from across different colors, lengths, and fabrications.

Something from Tibi - founded by Amy Smilovic in 1997. So I’m intentionally going to leave this recommendation open ended because of the truly vast array of cool pieces that Tibi offers. Amy is one of the few fashion founders that I’m consistently following…and sometimes it feels like it’s almost daily…because she always has a perspective on styling and her approach is analytical, logical, and pragmatic. If you want to learn more about how she has built her brand and collections, you can read a prior post about her and Tibi here. Some of my luxe favorites this season are the Wool Angora Oversized Bomber (pictured above), the Aviator Leather Oversized Bomber, the Cashmere Sweater Crewneck Oversized Pullover, the Soft Mohair Cable Crewneck Easy Pullover - especially if you’re looking for a pop of cherry red during the holiday season, and the Douillet Turtleneck Easy Pullover if you’re seeking something more unique.

Lisa Yang Natalia or Lou Cashmere Sweater - founded by Lisa Yang in 2014. Lisa designs her sweaters in Stockholm and then sources her fine cashmere in Mongolia. She touts her unique yarn spinning techniques and pure cashmere fibers, which result in some of the best cashmere you can buy on the market. So many people lust over The Row cashmere sweaters and Lisa Yang provides a way to access designer quality, but at about half the price.

BLAZE Milano Everyday Blazer - founded by 3 former fashion stylists - Corrada Rodriguez D'Acri, Delfina Pinardi, and Sole Torlonia - in 2013. The Everyday style comes in a plethora of colors and has a straight, double-breasted fit. You can easily size up for a slightly oversized and flattering look. The detail, stitching, and fabric quality is everything one would hope for and the styling is sure to last for many season to come.

The Row N/S Park Tote Bag - founded by Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in 2006. The Row embodies quiet luxury with incredibly beautiful quality and craftsmanship. I’ve never been one for big logos, so I love that their bags are so understated. The N/S Park Tote is my favorite everyday bag for traveling to and from the office with your laptop, an extra layer, and all of your essentials. I’m going on year 3 with this bag and I haven’t looked back. If you’d rather spend some money on shoes, my recommendation is adding your name to the loafer waitlist.

Cheers to buying high quality over high quantity. Let’s give timeless, female-led products that will last.

Have additional female-owned finds to share? Please comment below.

x jz

Images | 1 - 2 | Sophie Buhai | 3 | J.Hannah | 4 | Dorsey | 5 | Khaite | 6 | Rachel Comey | 7 | Lauren Manoogian | 8 | Tibi | 9 - 10 | Lisa Yang | 11 | Blaze Milano | 12 | The Row

I do not get paid for nor make money off of this post. All opinions are my own.