Accumulating Instagram followers and curating an eye-catching wardrobe have always been integral to the success of a style influencer. But crafting a compelling presence on Substack, the online newsletter subscription platform, is the latest must-have.
Jalil Johnson, 25, completed that trifecta when he introduced “Consider Yourself Cultured” in 2023. He now sounds off to his thousands of subscribers on topics such as the return of the yuppie and the influence of Jackie O. And he also dispenses his advice as a consultant and through collaborations such as his current stylist-in-residence role for the online jewelry boutique At Present, for which he designed a capsule collection.
Always opinionated, he said the key to holiday shopping is paying “attention to people, hearing what they are thinking about, what they want, and what they want to try.” And when in doubt, he added, he leans on “little knickknacks that really make a home or pieces that add a little bit of personality” to a wardrobe.
Here, his suggestion of some gifts that would do all of that. His comments have been edited and condensed.
Knit Picking
Stòffa men’s ribbed cashmere blouson, $1,495
The first time I stepped into the Stòffa studio in New York, the clothes reminded me of the ones that Richard Gere wears in “American Gigolo.” All the fabrics are Italian. Everything’s produced in Italy. The cashmere of this blouson is fantastic. It’s delicious. I also love a cardigan style with pockets. I go crazy for a pocket because it’s just so practical. You can easily wear this to a nice dinner, but you can also wear it around the house.
A Bunch of Karats
Lionheart Elongated Chunky Pinched Link Bracelet, $4,225
When I was first brought on by At Present, I did an edit, and this bracelet by Lionheart was in it. The weight was amazing. I cannot get it out of my head, how it felt on the wrist. When it comes to jewelry, I love a piece that has a presence to it, in the feel and the look. Also, this is a kind of investment piece because the prices for gold are going through the roof. Ideally, you would hold a piece of jewelry for the rest of your life, but if push comes to shove, this is also like an asset on your wrist.
Light My Fire
Edie Parker Jelly Tabletop Lighter, $195
This is just a quirky gift. I don’t know if this would be the first thing you would buy for yourself, but if someone gave it to you, you would be overjoyed. I’m not really a smoker, but we light incense all the time and use a lighter for candles. There’s a lot of practicality around it, where it’s not just for those who smoke. And it is a great conversation starter.
Don’t Scratch the Surface
Epi.Logic Sensitive Skin RX, $310
Something that’s been really important to me on my skin care journey is finding products that help address issues that are for more melanated skin. I also love supporting Black-owned brands when I can. This gives you a few products to try out to see what works with your skin and what doesn’t. If there’s something that doesn’t really suit your skin, you can give it to someone else. These are all their hero products, so you will get a great sampling of their offering. The packaging is amazing.
On the Nose
Maison d’Etto Perfume Discovery Set, $97
There’s been a boom within niche perfumes, and I think they’re offering something really nice compared to the big brand perfumers or the designer brands. The niche ones have much more of a story to tell; they give you kind of a reason to buy. Scents are a personal thing, but I think the discovery kit is great because you can test out which ones resonate with you. There is a vintage feel to the Maison d’Etto scents, which I love and adore. I love Karat EG, and then Canaan, which is one that I am obsessed with — it has notes of tuberose.
In Good Taste
Flamingo Estate The Garden Tour, $241
This pack gives you a great chance to try a lot of different items from Flamingo Estate. The olive oil is their flagship product. The smell of their products is so clean that I think they would be universally liked. Even if there’s a product in there that a person’s not terribly fond of, I think you could easily regift some of these items, which is beautiful.
It’s a Wrap
Tekla Terry hooded bathrobe, $265
For my very first Christmas with my boyfriend, I will say I outdid myself. I gifted him a bathrobe with his monogram, and he was obsessed with it. A robe falls into those categories where, maybe, you’ll buy it for yourself, but it’s not like something that’s top of mind, but if someone gives it to you, then you’re like, “Oh, my God, how could I live without a bathrobe?” And I love Tekla specifically because of their colors. They have such fantastic colors, and they have also been doing amazing collaborations. They just did one with Auralee, the brand on everyone’s radar.
Smoke Show
Louise Roe Champagne stainless steel candle holder, $175
Home items make perfect sense when it comes to gifting for the holidays. When we’re shopping for ourselves, we think of the necessities and not the extra bits that will also make something nice and feel more lived-in. These candlesticks are fabulous. I’m a big fan of the ’80s Brutalist movement. I love that they’re very minimal, but they still have such an impact. I imagine them looking fantastic with a red candle.
Photo Finish
“Guy Bourdin for Charles Jourdan,” $75
What Guy Bourdin and Charles Jourdan did in terms of fashion photography is revolutionary. They added such a narrative to fashion photography, and both of them are highly referenced today. There’s such sensuality in their work together that I think is quite beautiful and honestly something that we need back in the fashion spread. Fashion is research, extremely important. And I think the more that we know about it, the further we can go.
The post Trying to Come Up With a Gift? Pay Attention. appeared first on New York Times.
