Smythson

Gorgeous store. Gorgeous stationeries. Beautiful leather products. Definitely worth a trip.

After all these years, despite the advent of the internet, I still love writing letters on paper and still keep an agenda. I’ve been a fan of Smythson since 1998 when a guy wrote me a love letter using his very own personalized stationery from Smythson (added cool points). Since then I’ve repurchased ready-​to-​write stationery and agenda from the online store. One gripe is that since I lived in Switzerland back then, I thought shipping from London to Luzern would only take a few days but it literally took a few phone calls and 4 weeks to get to me. Apart from that, I can honestly say that I do and will continue to love their products, it oozes with quality and prestige and the same can be said on their cheaper items. Hopefully, one day, I’d be able to afford a personalized one :)

I normally get my diaries from WHSmith, or the late, lamented Woolies, but I am moving up in the world (I hope), and I feel that it might be time to graduate from Hello Kitty stationary. I am not earning the kind of money yet that can keep me in Smythson, but it is always something to aspire to!
While the shop seems a little serious, and steeped in tradition, there is quite a whimsical and modern touch to a lot of the Smythson products. They sell little notebooks with phrases on the front like ‘Therapy Notes’, ‘Seduction Notes’, ‘Me Me Me’, and my favourite — ‘Blondes/​Brunettes/​Red Heads’. This one is obviously for the man about town who wants to give his little black book and extra personalisation.
The designers at Smythson are inventive, and clearly keep an eye out for the latest trends, fabrics and fashions. This is not just a shop to look for a present for Grandma or Grandpa; anyone of any age would appreciate something form here.

What is special with Smythson calendars and diaries, besides the luxury quality, is the fact that you can get it personalized with lettering. They will cold stamp the products with the text you choose at that makes this a very special place to get thoughtful gifts.
The calendars are made from their patent pale blue paper that everyone recognized. Products are light weighted, made of fine leather with a silk pocket, makes the Smythson the number one. It is pricey but if you need to impress someone special, with £12 per letter this could work.

A great place to head when giving a gift to mark those monumental achievements — graduations, landing a sought after job or promotion, even a move. Smython’s address books are and diaries are expensive, but renowned for being exceptionally made and sporting special lightweight, but high quality, paper. The name is practically synonymous with leather-​bound goods of paramount excellence — when you pick one up you really can feel that these books are indeed in a superior league… the leather feels beautiful to the touch and the gilding edging is such a hallmark of luxurious attention to detail.
Obviously, guys, don’t go here to pick up a gift for your girlfriend for Christmas…(hate to even have to say it, but sometimes…) since everything here has more of a *professional* quality about it… but if you’re hunting for something for your dad, or want to show your friend how much you admire their latest professional achievement — or merely want to convey to someone that they have your vote of confidence regarding their next business or individual venture — Smythson is definitely your shop.