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KC Gift Guide: Local clothing and accessories gifts for 2022

KC Gift Guide: Local clothing and accessories gifts for 2022

KC

Kansas City hatmaker Amina Hood’s work has been featured in the likes of Vogue and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Her berets are a bestselling gift for the holiday season.

Amina Hood

Kansas City is full of great gifting options: That’s why we asked readers to send in their favorite spots to shop for gifts in the metro. We broke the results into four categories— food and drink, home goods, clothing and accessories and finally experiences.

We’re now taking a look at the clothing and accessories category, which includes locally sourced clothing, bespoke hats, lingerie and jewelry from around the metro. Whether you’re into browsing the racks for a great vintage find or ordering a custom-made piece, Kansas City has wearable items for everyone on your list.

This list is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to all the great clothing and accessories in Kansas City. Instead, we’re highlighting spots recommended by our readers and colleagues that offer a small selection of the city’s great gifting options.

Amina Hood

For a locally made gift with a personal touch, check out this local hatmaker whose designs have been featured in Vogue, L’Officiel and have been on exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Holiday shoppers are loving the shop’s berets and cashmere beanies as gifts to keep your loved ones warm this holiday season. Shop online for her unique silhouettes, each named after a city around the world.

Believe In Your Beard

This local beard care and lifestyle brand has what you need for the fastidious facial hair aficionado in your life. Some cool Kansas City stocking stuffers this holiday season include their officially licensed Boulevard Collection, which includes beard balms and lotion inspired by beers like Tank 7, Space Camper, Unfiltered Wheat and Whiskey Barrel Stout. Shop online or find their products around town in the Boulevard Tours and Rec Gift Shop, Diebel’s Sportsmens Gallery, The Best of Kansas City, The Elms Hotel and Spa and elsewhere.

Birdies Lingerie & Swim

This cozy lingerie boutique, located in the Crossroads at 116 W. 18th Street, offers a variety of undergarments for all genders as well as robes, pajamas, socks and adult toys. Buying for someone else? The shop’s underwear experts can usually tell what size is needed from photos alone— although you’re encouraged to write down any numbers you can find on the tags of garments your recipient already owns. For a gift that keeps on giving, the boutique also offers bra and underwear of the month clubs— the latter for both men and women.

The Black Pantry

This iconic Midtown shop at 325 E. 31st Street features products from Black-owned businesses in Kansas City and beyond. The shop features everything from jewelry and apparel to kids’ gifts and personal care items. Locally made gifts include Heaven Scent candles and Tirza Design earrings. You can also find Black Pantry wares at Made In KC Marketplace in Lee’s Summit.

The Bunker

Recently celebrating its 25th year in business, The Bunker is an independently owned and operated clothing and lifestyle store carrying brands like Charlie Hustle, Mitchell & Ness, Levis, Cotopaxi, Birkenstock and Vans among others. Gifts to grab there include a vintage KCMO football hoodie, Zermatt River slippers, a Nixon Time-teller watch or a Kansas City Monopoly board game. You can visit the Westport store at 4056 Broadway Boulevard or shop online.

Charlie Hustle

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Brady Baker of Joplin, 8, and his mom Katherine Baker shopped for a gift for Brady’s father at Charlie Hustle at the Country Club Plaza on Black Friday Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Jill Toyoshiba [email protected]

This iconic local brand offers Kansas City pride merchandise along with game day apparel. Their classic KC heart design is a favorite of celebrities and locals alike— you can get it on a tee shirt, a sweatshirt, a holiday ornament, a hoodie, a beanie, a drink koozie and so much more. Check out the seasonal offerings in their Plaza Lights collection and their specialty designs inspired by community organizations. You can shop online or check out their store on the Plaza at 419 W. 47th Street.

Clairvaux

This chic local boutique has two brick and mortar locations— one in Fairway off Shawnee Mission Parkway and a newly opened second location in Overland Park’s Hawthorne Plaza. Stop in either one or shop online for upscale items like socks from Le Bon Shoppe and Stems, 54 Celsius and Davie Ocho candles, Assouline books, products from local businesses like Native Atlas and Sierra Winter and bags and wallets from Primecut, Ganni and Clare V.

Daisy Lee Vintage

This vintage renewal clothing company specializes in 90’s and early 2000’s fashion as well as upcycling vintage pieces to give them new life. Owners Caleb and Cortney recommend the shop’s natural holiday scented candles made by small businesses, fun winter hats and socks, vintage sweaters and denim or locally made jewelry as appealing holiday gifts. Daisy Lee has locations in the Oak Park Mall and in the Crossroads on West 18th Street.

Dear Society

This award-winning local boutique specializes in women’s clothing. Great gifts include the Carolina Amato camel leather shearling cuff gloves, the Brown Luna small travel jewelry case or the super-soft cashmere fringe scarf. Check out the shop’s Crossroads location at 115 W. 18th Street or browse their selection online.

On the hunt for even more fashionable pieces? Readers also recommended finding clothing and gifts at Finefolk, Shopgirls and Jalynn’s Closet.

Fruity Femmes Vintage

This queer-owned vintage clothing brand is run by two Kansas City students with a passion for thrifting unique pieces 20 years old or older. The business has plenty of cozy sweaters and coats that would make for a perfect gift this holiday season. Check out the business on Depop and keep an eye out for future events: The shop’s next holiday themed pop-up event is at Servaes Brewing on Dec. 10.

Local.e

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A sequined Kansas City sweatshirt is a bestselling gift item from LocalE, an local brand specializing in game day apparel. LocalE provided

This local clothier specializes in comfortable, sparkly apparel perfect for game day. Their bestselling sequined Kansas City sweatshirt is a versatile choice, while the super-soft sequined sherpa pullover or a sequined beanie add a touch of sparkle to any outfit. For those loved ones who don’t wear much sporting merchandise, this local maker offers a light-hearted twist on typical game day apparel.

Owl R Junk Boutique

This independent boutique carries a wide selection of vintage apparel, footwear and jewelry as well as home decor. Whether you’re on the hunt for novelty socks, comfy loungewear or sarcastic greeting cards, this shop will have something for those on your gifting list. Stop in the Bonner Springs location at 127 Oak Street or shop online for vintage finds and snarky gifts.

Side Hustle Jewelry

This local jewelry brand offers handmade earrings and chunky acrylic bracelets. Football fans will love the shop’s Kansas City Chiefs themed pieces like embellished sunglasses and arrowhead logo earrings. You can shop online or check out the selection wherever the shop’s mobile jewelry boutique is located.

Looking for a piece with religious significance? Readers also recommended checking out Custom rosaries by Fitz, a locally run Etsy shop selling fun, themed rosaries for kids of all ages.

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Natalie Wallington is a reporter on The Star’s service desk covering government programs, community resources, COVID-19 data and environmental action among other topics. Her journalism work has previously appeared in the Washington Post, Audubon Magazine, Popular Science, VICE News, and elsewhere.