The holidays are the perfect time to show your loved ones how much you care - while supporting ethical fashion and artisan makers. This year, we've curated a selection of beautiful, sustainable gifts that combine luxury with purpose. From our everyday luxury cashmere collection to handcrafted pieces from our favorite partner brands, here's your guide to giving gifts that truly matter.
Wrapped in Luxury: Our Cashmere Collection
There's something magical about cashmere—the way it feels against your skin, the warmth it provides, the subtle elegance it brings to any outfit. Our cashmere line is perfect for anyone on your list who deserves a touch of luxury.
Our design studio is based in Chicago, and while we love our dresses, it gets cold here. We’ve been talking about bringing in layering pieces for years and we finally went for it with our first cashmere line! And guess what, it’s even better than we imagined. The cashmere is so soft, once you put it on you won’t want to take it off. I’m gifting this to my mom this year - it’s an investment - so I roped my brothers into a group gift. Quality over quantity, and everybody wins!
After we saw (and felt) how amazing the cashmere sweaters were, we knew we had to add beanies and gloves.
Cashmere Beanies
I’ve been living in my beanie- I get cold so easily and at this price point they’re an approachable way to dip your toes into the world of cashmere. Oh, and the beanies are unisex! My brothers are getting these beanies - it will make for a fun (forced) matching family photo! Perfect for morning coffee runs, evening walks, or just staying warm in style. Here’s our very own Jacob, modeling the Cashmere Ribbed Beanie in Taupe.
Cashmere Gloves
Because cold hands are no one's friend. These gloves offer warmth without bulk, making them ideal for everyone from your daily commuter to your favorite outdoor enthusiast.
Cashmere Wraps & Scarves
The ultimate versatile piece. Drape it over shoulders for an elegant evening look, wrap it snugly on chilly days, or use it as a travel companion that elevates any outfit. This wrap is your best friend on a flight, and is big enough to use as a blanket, super lightweight but warm.
Cashmere Sweaters
The gift that keeps on giving, season after season. Our sweaters combine timeless design with unmatched softness, creating pieces they'll reach for again and again.
Beyond Fashion: Artisan Gifts from Our Community
We recently paired up with The Checkroom and Abby Alley for an amazing giveaway (did you enter? We all wanted to!). The Checkroom sent over a couple of coats to photograph, and everyone was swooning. So soft, so warm, beautiful lining, all the details. They truly are coats you will love for years to come. We are lucky enough to share a studio space with Abby Alley and can attest to the beauty and quality of her bags. My favorite style is the Sling Bag - hands free, yes please! My latest color obsession: a scrumptious deep chocolatey brown suede. Although, with all of the upcoming parties, I am thinking I might need to add a Mini Soiree Bag before they sell out!
Abby Alley Bags
For the person who appreciates both form and function, Abby Alley creates bags that are as practical as they are beautiful. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to carry them through their day with style and ease.
The Checkroom Coats
When we finally got our hands on one of these coats, we were obsessed! Who wouldn’t want to give the gift of warmth and sophistication with a custom coat that’s truly one-of-a-kind? The Checkroom coats are made-to-order, right here in the Chicagoland area, combining local craftsmanship with timeless design. Each coat is thoughtfully constructed to fit perfectly and last for years, making it an investment piece in every sense of the word, and offering that rare combo of quality, style, and the pride of supporting local makers. Perfect for anyone who values slow fashion, exceptional tailoring, and pieces that tell a story.
Tori Grace Outfitters
If you’ve been to a street fair in Chicago, chances are you’ve seen Tori Grace Outfitters. Heather is another studio mate of ours who never stops hustling. She brings hometown pride to beautifully crafted gifts - a must for the Chicago lover on your list. Whether they're a lifelong Chicagoan, a recent transplant who's fallen in love with the city, or someone who just can't stop talking about their last visit, these Chicago-themed pieces celebrate everything we love about the Windy City. From neighborhood pride to iconic landmarks - check out these pajamas, Tori Grace captures the spirit of Chicago in wearable art and thoughtful accessories that let you carry a piece of the city wherever you go. Perfect for the person who bleeds Chicago sports teams, knows the best pizza spots, or simply loves calling this great city home.
Michi Bar Soaps
Michi Bar Soaps is a local brand you’ve got to add to your gifting list this season - treat someone (or yourself!) to a bar of handcrafted, artisan soaps. Last year, I was gifted a bar of the Oats & honey soap and I loved it. The smell is clean and warm, and the creamy lather feels luxurious. Each bar is a little moment of self-care wrapped up in beautiful, natural ingredients. Jacob’s favorites are the car diffusers with essential oils - ditch the fake christmas tree freshener and try the Piney Forest Car Diffuser instead. Perfect for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, or creating a spa-like experience at home.
Green Canvas Studio Terrariums
Did you know terrariums are incredibly easy to care for? Take it from Jacob, our a self-proclaimed brown thumb and plant agnostic, who has kept his terrarium not just alive, but thriving for almost a year now!
Bring life indoors with a stunning terrarium from Green Canvas Studio. Whether for the plant parent, the desk decorator, or anyone who could use a little more green in their space, these miniature ecosystems make memorable, living gifts that grow more beautiful with time.
Olive Ave Nail Polish
We had so much fun pairing these gorgeous polish shades with our cashmere pieces! Olive Ave creates beautiful, high-quality nail polishes that are non-toxic and cruelty-free, so you can feel as good about what you're wearing as how it looks. Whether you're gifting a single statement shade or creating a curated collection, these polishes pair perfectly with cozy cashmere for a complete self-care moment. Ideal for the beauty lover, the polish collector, or anyone who appreciates those little luxuries that make everyday feel special - without compromising on their values.
The Gift of Ethical Shopping
Every purchase you make supports fair trade practices, empowers artisans around the world, and proves that fashion can be both beautiful and responsible. This holiday season, give gifts that tell a story—of craftsmanship, of sustainability, and of a better way forward.
Ready to start your holiday shopping? Explore our full collection online or visit us at the Holiday Mini Market on December 13-14 to discover many of these artisan treasures in person.
Happy gifting from all of us at Mata Traders!