The London Lounge

So, what is everyone wishing for? What will you treat yourselves to, just in case Santa doesn't bring it?

A three-piece suiting length of the LL flannel RAF Eden. In reality, it'll have to wait until next year, though.

rogiercreemers wrote:A three-piece suiting length of the LL flannel RAF Eden. In reality, it'll have to wait until next year, though.

Do you make up all the cloth you've acquired

I have more cloth than money and time.

schmayck wrote:So, what is everyone wishing for? What will you treat yourselves to, just in case Santa doesn't bring it?

I don't usually wait till Christmas to treat myself. Bad policy.

marburyvmadison wrote:

rogiercreemers wrote:A three-piece suiting length of the LL flannel RAF Eden. In reality, it'll have to wait until next year, though.

Do you make up all the cloth you've acquired

I have more cloth than money and time.

I now have two suit lengths and five lengths of jacketing that are waiting to be made up. Hence, I'm trying to limit my further intake at the moment. Nonetheless, this Eden is particularly fine, so I'm happy to make an exception.

I have just been spoiled with a spectacular Fox Flannel guards coat with Astrachan collar plus a beautiful dressing gown in W. Bill cashmere. So I shall be without any further wishes until next Easter at least

Cheers, David

Ralph Fiennes on location?

World peace?

I'm trying to think of a birthday present for my 28 year old brother. That is my christmas wish. that I can manage it. I was trawling this thread for ideas.
He's into bespoke, quality things, Art and skiing. He sells superyachts. He studied History of Art and specialised in architecture and Photography (One of his favourites is Helmut Newton). His last suit was from Meyer and Mortimer. He travels a lot for work, but is studying for his gmat and hoping to apply to Insead.

Anything he wants he has either bought himself already (if it's inexpensive) or I cannot afford, especially as I'm also saving for my final collection.

This is infuriating me as he is excellent at choosing presents and we are very close, so I want to get him something memorable (or make him something. I was thinking about taking him to my hermes leather man and making him an ipad case/folio/nickknacks out of a hide of his choice. His ipad is abused at the moment.

But he already has good luggage, nice toiltries (badgerbrush and kiehls i think) good cufflinks, good speakers, too many ties, nice lighters, nice briefcase, nice wallet, good ski equipment, and the shoes and clothes that he wants (and trying to buy that boy shoes would be useless. he's way too picky. He has had is shirts made for him, takes good care of them and hasn't changed size... so they don't need replacing.) He has super specific taste about ski equipment and contacts who can get it discounted. I feel like getting him a photography book is a cop out. He's actually got tonnes of clothes in storage in England at the moment so lumbering him with more is a bad idea. He's not greatly into scotch/alcohols or wines or food or cigars although he appreciates quality in any of them *it just wouldn't be a very personal present).

Its driving me crazy.
I ca't think of anything.
This is worse than buying presents for my Uncle or father. I think its hereditary.... all the men in my family are super decisive and have expensive taste and a tendency to buy themselves the things you were thinking of buying them (It's psychic. Whenever you buy my Father a book he buys it himself the day before).

His birthday was about a week ago and i've been battering my head for months and still nothing.
Thnkfully he's in Morocco which has bought me some time.

My christmas wish is to be able to think of something... Even if its no longer christmas. We always try the hardest with each other's presents, it's like a tradition. He knows I'm saving at the moment and keeps on supporting me so its not that he expects much, its just that I want to give him a nice surprise. I just. can't. think.

What do males his age need? I'm pulling at straws.

I am 27, and know my family and girlfriend have had the same problems with my Christmas and birthday presents. I, as I am sure most of this forum, am annoyingly specific and difficult to shop for. I, however, do not know if I will ever feel I have all the clothes I want, no matter how much I love the ones I already own.

My suggestions would be (though I do think your iPad case idea is a very good one as well):

1)Take him out to a no holds barred (within reason) night at one of London's great, old fashioned restaurants (something like Wilton's or the Cinnamon Club or a private club if possible) just the two of you, making it both memorable and personal

2)My father gave me a silver box with a letter he had written for me engraved on the top, in his own writing. I will cherish it forever, and it looks fantastic (the signature looks especially good).

3)I would have been truly thrilled if I had gotten a few meters of great cloth for Christmas

4) An umbrella from James Smith or Swaine, Adeney, Brigg, ideally personalized

Bwooster wrote: 1)Take him out to a no holds barred (within reason) night at one of London's great, old fashioned restaurants (something like Wilton's or the Cinnamon Club or a private club if possible) just the two of you, making it both memorable and personal
3)I would have been truly thrilled if I had gotten a few meters of great cloth for Christmas

Dear Alexandra,

I would subscribe to these two suggestions. Regarding cloth he has not seen yet for sure: get some LL flannel for either a dressing gown, a raglan overcoat or a suit

cheers, David

Thank you boys!

I think the trouble with the fabric Bolt idea is, being the fairy-godsister I am, it is not unusual for me to bring him bolts of fabric that I pick up because..... I have poor self control, and predominantly design womenswear. So he gets those regularly for no reason.

And I made my father a custom dressing gown. So that would be copying. haha.

As for London... we both live in Paris. I think that might unintentionally sore out of my budget when including eurostar fares.

The umbrella idea is interesting. I'm glad to hear you think that the ipad idea is interesting. I think it will also be nice because my leatherman is up in the infamous fleamarket at st. ouen so we can turn the hunting itself into a special occasion. (and I don't think he's made it up there yet)

How about a Leatherman multi-tool, such as the one with the corkscrew? Great for adjusting bindings or minor repairs while skiing and the corkscrew is handy for apres-ski. You can use it as a rather large key ring so you always have the tools and corkscrew with you when you need them.