Startland’s 2017 Made in Kansas City Gift Guide: Apparel and Accessories

Startland News presents its annual Made in Kansas City Gift Guide. Check out selections from the KC Apparel and Accessories category below. Have more ideas? Leave them for readers in the comments below.

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Wooden Bow Tie — $40 and up

Know someone tired of struggling to get their bow tie pulled and plumped just right? Maybe they just need a fresh look? Wooden bow ties from Crooked Branch Studio not only put a smooth, modern spin on a classic look, they are ingrained with Kansas City-raised entrepreneurism. Founded in 2016 by recent Rockhurst High School graduate Paul Kaster, the bow ties add contour and dimension to any look at just 2 ounces each. In addition, 10 percent of proceeds from Crooked Branch Studio’s sales go to Harvesters.

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Leather Bags from Sandlot Goods — $68 and up

Designed and manufactured in Kansas City’s Crossroads, Sandlot Goods’ totes, duffels and daypacks evoke the quality and craftsmanship of a bygone era. Customers might be most familiar with the Hustle Tote: a collaboration between Sandlot and Charlie Hustle that taps into the fanbase of the Kansas City Royals. But with durability at its core, Sandlot’s leather goods — also including wallets, key fobs, coasters, belts and journal covers — are the real MVPs.

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MADE Dad Hats — $35

After a slew of flat-brimmed baseball caps took over Kansas City alongside the Royals’ historic World Series runs in 2014 and 2015, MADE Urban Apparel is reviving the dad hat — a casual, comfortable throwback. Available in burgundy, white, red and navy, MADE’s dad hats are among the KC apparel company’s best sellers, with versions of the caps even appearing atop models in November’s Kritiq Fashion Show.

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Bamboo and Lace Intimates — $33 and up

Timeless luxury doesn’t have to be flashy — or even seen by anyone at all. MADI Apparel’s line of bamboo and lace panties not only uses long-lasting, sustainable fabric, but the intimates are cut and sewn in Kansas City. For every item sold, MADI donates an item of equal quality to underserved women in such places as South America, the Caribbean, India, the United Kingdom and Canada.

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Total Eclipse of the Heartland T-Shirt — $14 to $25

Admit it. When Kansas City found itself in the “Path of Totality” for the Aug. 21 total solar eclipse, you tried to snap photos with your cell phone. (And they weren’t that good.) The Total Eclipse of the Heartland T-Shirt — a collaboration between Wonder Fair and Normal Human — is the memento every Kansas Citian needs to commemorate the day the sky turned black … then bright again (and later black again). It’s the perfect gift — for yourself or a friend — but grab them quickly. Some sizes already are “sold out forever,” according to Wonder Fair.

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Fart Necklace — $32

It gives new meaning to feeling a fart. A unique necklace from Kansas City-based NEAT! artist studio features the word “fart” written in braille on a porcelain pendant. Since the jewelry is made in small batches, no two necklaces are alike. Artist ​Kate Schroeder ​offers other braille word necklaces — from “nice” to “naughty” (viewer beware), as well as “in-betweeners.” Braille mugs also are available for pre-order.

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School of Sock Footwear — $10 to $12 each

Formerly known as Sock 101, Kansas City’s School of Sock combines a staple of modern wardrobes with bright colors and designs. Stripes, polka dots, houndstooth and argyle patterns await those in need of an updated foot look. A trio of “Sock of the Month” plans put high fashion in the shoes of classic, trendsetting or brave men and women for as little $11 a month.  

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Niall Watches — $1,850 and up

Minimalist timepieces showcase Kansas City watchmaker Niall’s in-house design and engineering that rivals the famed luxury wristwear of Switzerland. Founded in 2012, Niall’s flagship store on the Country Club Plaza made a name for itself as a premier showroom for men’s timepieces. The watchmaker this week released its first women’s watch, The Cairenn, a stainless steel beauty starting at $2,250.

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Denim Crown Cap — $35

Offering a fresh take on Kansas City’s Crown Town fever, Freelance’s denim cap features a crisp, high-quality snapback design that reflects one of the brand’s most popular collections. Coordinating T-shirts and hoodies complete the look, with unisex, women’s, child and baby options available.

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KC Scout T-Shirt — $25

An iconic view of Kansas City provides the inspiration for GOEX’s new KC Scout T-shirt, which is available in unisex and women’s styles. An offshoot of the Global Orphan Project, Kansas City-based GOEX prides itself on paying workers at its Haitian factory twice the local minimum wage before shipping the shirts back to the United States to be screen printed at its Wyandotte Street facility. The company also recently introduced two new “Christmas sweater” designs in time for the holidays.

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Check out these gift ideas
• Kansas City Experiences List
• Edibles and Drinkables List
• Kansas City Tech List
• Miscellaneous Gift List