The Verse Gift Guide 2021

The gift guide, Verse style.

If you’ve been following along a while, you know we absolutely <heart> fewer, better things. Back in June, we gave you some ideas for highly usable gifts. But the list goes on, and since gifting is one of our collective Verse superpowers, we’ve got more, better things that might help you check yours. We’ve scoured the globe (ish) so you don’t have to. Here are a few of our favorite things. 

For wayback wannabes.

Is it a little bit indulgent and overpriced? Sure, but the sight of this Minnie & Emma framed cassette tape gives us all the feels well worth the price of admission. With classics like Springsteen’s “The River” and The Grateful Dead’s “American Beauty,” your giftee is sure to appreciate this dose of nostalgia. Slightly closer to modern times, we love the idea of outfitting our phone in old-times Blackberry vibes with this case. You can even customize the text that appears in the message, to make it speak to your giftees more personally. 

For the grounded jet setter.

With no big trips on the horizon, we found time to take inventory of travel supplies and wondered why we had failed to let this jacket cross the divide into our everyday jaunts. Its perfect weight and plentiful pockets put this one above many similar versions. For women, there is really no need to overspend on a version all your own; we like the length of the men’s, and (really) it fits just fine. Put a lid on the look with this cap sporting the logo of a favorite hotel until they can return to its luxurious halls. Lastly, for a literary answer to their wanderlust, we recommend this tome about the famed Carlyle Hotel or this lovely Cecil Beaton cocktail book with recipes from the famed Claridge’s bar.

For your flock.

In a thoroughly Verse-approved move, Rowing Blazers founder Jack Carlson coaxed the brilliant founders of Warm & Wonderful back into business to produce their black sheep sweater made famous by Princess Diana. Spurred on by the warm reception, the ladies have expanded colorways with styles for the men, women and children in your flock. And speaking of Rowing Blazers, another gift on all the lists might be from the brand’s collaboration with Gyles & George (also of Diana fame); this sweater feels so right now.

For fans of fab collabs.

Whether your favorites are looking for streetwear cool or are simply enthusiasts of the storied Freeport brand, Todd Snyder x LL Bean is one mash-up we are most decidedly here for. The (mostly) unisex pieces are classic and cool with a wink and a nod to the 109-year old brand for all the nostalgia lovers you love. 

For discerning scribes.

Between all the reading, watching and listening, we’ve all become a walking, talking version of Entertainment Weekly. Why not give your friends in-the-know an elevated way to keep track of their content consumption (or whatever floats their leisure-loving boat) with these Moleskine Passion Notebooks. As forever fans of Harlem Toile, we danced for Jouy when The Inside dropped these notebooks (an upgrade to the trusty Five Star)—and we look forward to sharing them with others with equal affinity for design-minded dictation. 

For kitchen conquerors.

Years ago, we discovered Cook on Clay while on vacation in the company’s back yard. As the name implies, they design wares with a “flameproof” clay that allows cross-element use from freezer to stovetop to oven to grill. We’re particularly kitchen-smitten over this skillet version and all the potential it holds for the cooks in our lives. Already been there, done that with gadget gifting? Try wrapping up one of these utilitarian aprons to keep it all handy. For our aspiring mixologists, we’ll be leading with experience by handing over gift certificates from Verse favorite Tammy’s Tastings.

For crafty gals & guys.

The beaded jewelry of our youth is having a moment, and no one has captured it quite like Roxanne Assoulin with this DIY kit. The actual making of the arm-party accoutrements will give your favorites all the summer camp feels. For a similar vibe, check out Cece Dupraz’s perennial bestseller (and Oprah’s Favorite Thing) Design Your Own, which recently landed an expanded line with Pottery Barn Kids to complement the OG tote. 

For anyone and everyone (really).

Whether it’s for the dorm, outdoor gatherings or to keep handy in the car—there is literally no one who couldn’t use these uber-popular Rumpl blankets. With varying weights, sizes and patterns to suit every preference, we are personally eyeing this stunning pattern, a collab with wallpaper company Hygge and West.