Holiday Gift Guide 2016: All Things Indigo
Clothing, accessories and homewares featuring our favorite blue dye
Year after year we find ourselves drawn to the power of indigo. More than a color or dye, it represents a historic process and continued invention. Further, it’s application is almost endless. The items we highlight below are some of those found in our All Things Indigo gift guide, located in the CH BUY section. They each employ the color in a vibrant manner—and many of them were dyed in Japan and manufactured in the US. Of course, there are plenty of clothing and accessory options here, but also a handful of homewares. While full of depth, indigo manages to brighten a silhouette—or room—in its own way. All of these manage to do exactly that.
Boro Pillow
There’s nothing like one-of-a-kind gifts, especially when they’ve been crafted from a vintage material. That’s exactly the case with this 12″ x 12″ Boro throw pillow ($85), composed of 100% cotton boro patched Japanese denim. Within, one finds 95% small white feathers and 5% down insert—a combination guaranteeing plushness. While Curious Corner has many indigo pillows, there’s only one of this particular version—so it’s best to grab while you can.
Essential Quilt
Milled in the historic Guimarães region of Portugal, the 100% linen (front) and 100% Percale (reverse) fabric of this contemporary quilt ($229) yields both a gentle texture on one side and sheer softness on the other. References are made to the traditional box pattern blanket, but the garment-dyed linen hasn’t been artificially treated—which is a common practice aimed at further softening. Instead, the Percale lends the extra comfort. At a medium weight, due in part to the poly batting fill, this is also an ideal item for layering.
Kimono Robe
Inspired by the Japanese yukata (or summer robe) Hotel Saint Cecilia’s indigo kimono ($250) makes for luxuriant loungewear. Each has been custom made from 100% cotton indigo-dyed batik fabric. These are unisex, one-size-fits-all articles, with a sash belt to tie it up.
Montauk Cotton Stripe Drawstring Pant
Made in Japan, from Japanese cotton kimono fabric at a 100-year-old factory, these drawstring pants ($245) are a modern take—with Hamptons flourishes—on the traditional worker pant known as Monpe. Indigo stripes complement the navy cotton, offering visual texture but an understated, solid navy is available, too. This is premium loungewear, designed to be worn at home, on the beach or even out at night.
Indigo-Dyed Watch Cap
In indigo and black indigo, these knit watch caps ($75) feature Japanese rope-dyed indigo yarns; each being a 100% cotton custom woven fabric. These snug, soft items also sport a custom pewter concho pin—a nice differentiating touch on a common staple item. In many ways, retailers Self Edge have become denim and indigo experts and this find from Made in the USA brand 3SIXTEEN demonstrates this, as well.
Japanese Indigo Peace Sign T-Shirt
Dyed and printed in Japan on 100% combed, ring-spun cotton yarn, this T-shirt ($150) has a few messages up its sleeves. Of course, there’s the graphic on the front encouraging peace. But further details, from the vintage-inspired small cut-out gussets at each side to the half moon panel on the back for position, define this as more than a novelty T-shirt. It offers a classic fit, and the fabric feels quite substantial without excess weight—due to choice of a heavier yarn but looser knit.
Waffle Henley
Founded out of mission to make high-quality clothing at an affordable price, American Giant manages both while producing their men’s and women’s garments in the USA. This rugged, 100% cotton waffle henley ($79) is pre-washed, shrunk to fit and features details like a knit-rib neck and cuff, and metal buttons with an antique silver finish.
Indigo Ombre Plaid Flannel Shirt
From 100% Japanese cotton, The Hill-Side’s long-sleeve indigo ombre plaid flannel shirt ($225) is all about the details. From the button-down collar to the gusset at each side seam and an interior twill tape locker loop, everything has been taken into consideration for a shirt that can be dressed up or worn quite casually. Further, there’s a traditional single-needle construction utilized, manufactured in NYC’s Garment District.
Hero image courtesy of Takuya Duncan, all other images courtesy of respective brands
