An effortlessly cool jumpsuit, Champagne vessels that evoke the wild and roaring 20s, and one show-stopping necklace.
Utility Canvas Jumpsuit One pieces were foreign to my sartorial repertoire before I tried on Utility Canvas’s short-sleeve jumpsuit last month. Hovering just over five feet tall, I tend to stay away from silhouettes that could swallow me whole, but on this holiday shopping trip with my mom, I couldn’t help but ogle over Utility Canvas’s all-black frock. I ran to the dressing room, slipped on the breathable black canvas suit, secured its tortoiseshell buttons, and cinched my waist with its twill tape tie. Not only did the garment complement my petite stature, it also echoed the brand’s unique balance of practicality and cool. Designed by cofounders Jillian Kaufman and Hal Grano, who started their New York-based clothing and accessories brand in 1990, Utility Canvas is rooted in the duo’s opposites attract relationship: Kaufman began her career in fashion, while Grano developed an appreciation for durable canvas packs as a former canoe guide in Maine. Now, thirty years later, Utility Canvas continues to merge fashion and function with effortlessly stylish pieces that I can’t get enough of.
—Claire Butwinick, assistant editor
Givenchy Eclipse Necklace
When people lament their significant others’ gift-giving skills, I can’t really join in on the communal complaining. My husband is one of the most thoughtful, meticulous gift-givers around. This holiday, he surprised me with this gorgeous Givenchy stunner, a two-tone, almost choker-like number that was highlighted in Vogue and The Zoe Report as a big trend for 2020. I’m really feeling it with a plain white tee and jeans—a little high/low mixture in the new year.
—Lauren Mang, digital editor
My best friend got me a digital subscription to The New York Times, which is an awesome gift that supports ethical journalism, something I’m all about. Maybe she was just sick of me using her account to read Modern Love all the time. My mom got me a set of coupe glasses because I’ve been going around for the past year talking about the ‘proper’ way to drink Champagne, a la Gatsby. The best way to ring in 2020 was with a subtle nod to the wild, idealistic mood of the 1920s.
—Rachel Gallaher, senior editor
The Best Things We Saw is a monthly roundup of places, spaces, and things that stopped GRAY staffers in their tracks. Herewith, a special post-holiday edition, featuring our favorite gifts.