A Tailored Gift Guide for the Stylish Smoker
We all have that friend—perpetually chic, perpetually lighting up. Here’s a collection of cool finds that perfectly complement their curated French New Wave aesthetic.
We’re kicking things off with a topic that couldn’t be more fitting in highlighting one of the defining aspects that inspired the creation of The Intentional Tab: my love for objects that are, admittedly, unnecessary—but undeniably lovely. The little things that may not be essential but still serve a purpose, making life prettier, more considered, and more curated (spoiler alert: you may get tired of this word while reading me). Call it adornment, call it indulgence—either way, as I see it, there’s real value in the art of adding beauty to the everyday and the mundane.
Smoking may be a bad habit, but it is indubitably a stylish one—an art form if you will. I often wonder if my affinity for this vice stems from growing up in France in the 1990s or from my childhood obsession with Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's, exuding graceful style while delicately holding a cigarette. Or perhaps from Gwyneth Paltrow as Margot Tenenbaum in The Royal Tenenbaums, in which the cigarette is practically a main character. Having a smoke with flair is, after all, akin to the talent for looking effortlessly cool—yet always intentional.
In a slightly more niche reference, I often think of Mary-Kate Olsen’s wedding to the French President’s brother Olivier Sarkozy (which was already something to wrap your head around). Their infamous party decor, featuring bowls brimming with cigarettes and a lingering scent of stale tobacco, evokes a particular reaction. Your feelings about smoking may be summed up in your response to this: utterly disgusted or somehow captivated, finding it chic and decadent in the best way.
As you might have gathered, I belong to the latter group, which hopefully gives me the legitimacy to recommend pieces for your devoted smoker friend—or even for yourself. So, whether you’re indulging your own habits or shopping for that voguish friend, here are some carefully selected products to elevate the experience. Needless to say, this first newsletter will not be selling you wellness.
My selection
Perhaps the most essential (ironic, I know) accessory for a smoker—especially in the age of standardized cigarette packs adorned with aggressive imagery—is a beautifully crafted cigarette case. In the past, the choice of a cigarette brand was a statement, reflecting one’s identity and personality. I believe that opting for vintage pieces is the way to go, as the elegance in smoking habits circa 1960s is unmatched today. Take, for example, this vintage bejeweled case from Rosemary Home. I often think of my grandmother’s solid gold cigarette case, which was passed down to me. While I treasure it dearly, its exquisite nature often keeps it sitting on a shelf at home rather than in my bag which leads me to a similarly refined but less ostentatious proposition.
The cigarette cases from The Smoking Jacket—tragically no longer in existence—have been my favorites for years. Made from Indian block print cotton, they’re both pretty and incredibly practical as you simply slide your pack inside. You can still find a few available here.
In line with stylish accessories, a lighter cover makes for a perfect gift. The Oblist offers the Gio Lighter holder, elegant and functional, in silver, gold, and brass (my personal favorite). The Japanese brand Tsubota Pearl also creates these refillable marble tortoise lighters that I’ve had my eye on for a while.
Now, for the unfortunate IQOS smokers who may no longer smell like stale tobacco but rather a delightful mix of flatulence and chemical peach, I would advise reminding them of the joy of analog smoking. Perhaps through the iconic and adorable Tobacco Toscano candle by Santa Maria Novella, available in its original design or a slightly fancier version for a more substantial gift. If there’s truly nothing you can do to bring them to reason, you could always get them a Moroccan silver case to complement their dreadful portable device, which we really can’t do anything about.
Last but certainly not least, as I genuinely believe that lighting up a cigarette in the comfort and warmth of your own home is one of the best feelings in the world, there are countless options to choose from to complement a tobacco lover’s lifestyle and adorn their space accordingly.
An eye-catching ashtray is, of course, the most straightforward gift. You can’t go wrong with a classic Murano glass dish—timeless and refined. Various choices are available online (though differing in quality), but I have selected this mauve 1970s piece and this classic 1960s red flower design.
Boga Avante, a lovely vintage shop based in Spain, also caught my eye with these stunning brass brutalist pieces by designer David Marshall.
If you're on a smaller budget, I think a cute matchbox that doubles as decor is always an appreciated gift. These retro and quirky ones are a personal favorite, but there are many others available on PORTA’s website. These ceramic matchboxes available at Maison Flâneur, although strictly ornamental, were too cute not to mention. Astier de Villatte also usually has the best selection of such accessories, along with incense sticks that are a continuation of their City candle collection, offering the same scents in a different form. However, today I want to focus on this incense holder I will be getting for myself.
In the world of diffusers (because you have to somehow counter the smell of tobacco), I want to give an honorable mention to the Aesop Brass burner, the only diffuser adjacent item I would ever put in my home. Designed for Aesop by Studio Henry Wilson, this piece stands out from traditional burners with its abstract, refined style and shape.
If you truly can’t help but think these pieces would only enable your friend’s bad habit, I recommend gifting the intellectually inclined a book by Balzac titled Le Traité des excitants modernes. It’s a charming essay on our daily addictions.
This sums up my first attempt at helping you curate (told you) your life and the lives of others. I’ll leave you with one last find: Movie Smoke Database. Their compilation of on-screen ashtrays and actors smoking through film history visuals is something I didn’t know I needed until I found it. Until next time—thank you for being here, and I can’t wait to share more with you very soon. x
Visual pairing:
