Whether you’re buying for the gent-on-the-go or someone who likes to enjoy life’s slower rhythms, let the master maker of leather goods lead the way…
Since its 2001 launch, Aspinal of London has made a reputation as England’s premier maker of leather goods, one whose hand-crafted designs combine a timeless, seasonless aesthetic with a forward-thinking ethos driven by sustainability, durability and longevity.
By offering items with universal appeal – ones that will, ideally, be handed through the generations – the brand has curated an expansive collection that caters to all ages, genders and occasions, making it one of the select few labels that’ll please even the most pickiest person on your Christmas list.
Its renowned bespoke services also provide the opportunity to add a personal touch to every item, and having been founded as a family-run business, the company offers a personal gifting experience that speaks of warmth and care. Purchases, most notably, are wrapped in Aspinal’s iconic cream boxes and satin ribbons, and are finished with hand-written messages – qualities that define the “art of gifting”, says the company.
With the festive period now upon us, perhaps now is the time to start formulating a plan on how best to buy the ideal gift for the people most close to you – and if you want to avoid a fluster when dashing the aisles in search of last-minute presents, we’d suggest you let Aspinal take care of things, whether you’re gifting for the gent-on-the-go or someone who prefers to enjoy life’s slower pleasures.
Buying for the former – perhaps a frequent flyer whose life is largely defined by terminals and airmiles – can, on the whole, be a straightforward task, as most travel-related gifts are not just practical but also embody the excitement of setting off for new horizons – leather accessories, especially, will also help inject a sense of finesse and luxury into their short- or long-haul sojourns.
When it comes to helping them prep an on-the-go wardrobe, perhaps you might want to start with a solid foundation. Take this men’s gym bag, for example; despite its moniker, it is a nifty piece of cabin kit whose generous compartment can stow away a few day’s worth of style essentials, whether packing for the streets of Tokyo or the boulevards of Barcelona. It’s also designed from a hardy, tight-weave nylon, and the pared-back look will combine with any business or off-duty look.
Meanwhile this luggage tag, made with a window flap for your address card, will add a final boarding-in-style touch; and the ‘Reporter East West’ messenger is a compact hands-free accessory ideal for holding passports and documents when in the terminal, and for using as a day bag when exploring new cities.
If it’s a digital nomad whom you’re purchasing for, the ‘Small Mount Street’ laptop bag is streamlined, sleek and designed with an external slip compartment on its reverse to allow it to be seamlessly attached to a cabin-sized suitcase; but despite its slim silhouette, its interior has plenty of room to accommodate your everyday tech, including a laptop (which, in turn, can be enveloped in Aspinal’s 13-inch ‘Slip’ case lined with a soft-fabric interior) and smartphone (this iPhone 13 Mini case features a moulded plastic case that fits snugly around your device).
Wrist- and -handwear, equally, can also be stored away securely, thanks to this travel watch-and-ring box, which arrives in a compact, ergonomical shape and is inlaid with one watch cushion and two compartments for rings, cufflinks and earrings, all secured by a three-quarter zip-around fastening.
However, despite having a range of accessories angled for gents that are always on the move, Aspinal also caters to those who lean towards life’s more staid rhythms, best exemplified by its golf-ball holder, which has a plush moiré silk lining and an embossed club motif, and its tee holder, which will add a luxe feel to even the most choppy of roughs.
A backgammon set, defined by its blocky, minimalist aesthetic, is the ultimate homage to one of the world’s oldest board games, and features chips, throwing die and a doubling cube, all sheathed within an elongated leather casing and made to last for years of play. Better still, its roll-up design allows for it to be carted from destination to destination, ideal for the festive period when hopping between several households.
Then, if your loved one is looking to wind-down their arduous, taxing year with a few strong, seasonal libations, we suggest you plump for the five-ounce stainless-steel hip flask, which is beautifully contrasted by an understated yet decadent pouch, both of which are fine vessels for a few days of festive tipples – it is, after all, the season of merriment and cheer.
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