Give Style: My Preppy Valentine

Valentine's Day conjures up all kinds of traditional gift ideas: restaurant meals, chocolates, lingerie, flowers, sports tickets and even plane tickets.

But consider perhaps something that will last beyond the day. What political ladies and gentlemen like best is something that fits into everyday life (or almost everyday). Consider perhaps a trip to Sterling & Burke in Georgetown for fine leathergoods and fragrances. The service is impeccable and many of the products can be customized.

For the gentlemen:

My Preppy Valentine, for Gentlemen by styleofpolitics featuring wallets

1. J.W. Hulme Bi-fold Wallet. Truly an everyday item, ensuring he'll think of you all the time. And it's crafted from American heritage leather.

2. Filson passport wallet. If you are going for plane tickets, present them in style. I mean really, a loose printout of your e-ticket confirmation is not exactly romantic.


3. Daines and Hathaway cufflink box. If he only has one or two pairs, this could be a nice way to encourage an expanded wardrobe.


4. Swaine Adeney travel bar. Indulgent? Sure. But it's hard to go wrong with indulgence that has this much class.


For the ladies:

My Preppy Valentine, for ladies by styleofpolitics featuring handbags

1. Halcyon Days bangle bracelets. Jewelry for when you're not ready for JEWELRY yet. These are hand enameled in England.


2. Daines and Hathaway heart shaped box. When you are ready for JEWELRY, it deserves to be presented in suede.


3. Penhaligon's eau de parfum. There's something just a little undignified about celebrity scents, no matter how good they smell. This beautiful line is the perfect alternative. 


4. Sterling & Burke Beatrice bag. These bags are custom made for Sterling & Burke by Swaine Adeney Briggs in England and come in five colors. The quality must be seen to be believed. This is truly a lifetime bag.

Senatorial New Year's Eve

I hope you have some satisfying plans for New Year's Eve, whether you're going out, visiting friends, or curling up with cocoa and a movie. We don't often get to hear about what Congress does for New Year's Eve when they're all back in their districts, but I thought it would be fun to imagine what a Senator might wear to a New Year's Eve party. And who better to imagine than Kirsten Gillibrand, a senator from the place much of America watches on TV that night.

We know from past experience that Senator Gillibrand sticks to her customary palette of mostly black, even for a night out. But since we're imagining, let's imagine we can get her to go a little further around the color wheel:

Everyone likes a little sparkle on New Year's Eve, and this warm creamy blazer is both festive and structured. The forest green blouse keeps her face from looking washed out, and the bow at the neck eliminates the need for a necklace. Instead, we've paired rose gold stud earrings. The senator gets to keep her black in the form of a pencil skirt and black suede pumps to balance out all that sparkle.

Professional and dignified while still festive. You can do it too!