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THE GIFT OF GANDHI T here's something to be said for adopting one look and sticking with it for 27 years. During a hunger strike in Bombay in 1921, Mahatma Gandhi gave up Western dress and pared down to four sartorial essentials — each, a perfect embodiment of design and purpose. Svelte in a loincloth of home-spun khadhi, round steel-framed glasses made for him in Gloucester and the barest of handmade sandals, he shaved his head, and the transformation was complete. A poignant photograph taken in 1948 of Gandhi's earthly possessions, seven items, caught the attention of a teen-age Josef Helfenstein. Decades later, as director of The Menil Collection, Helfenstein has organized an exhibition inspired by Gandhi, "Experiments with Truth: Gandhi and Images of Nonviolence," (through February 1). See the man who had not only the simplest of sartorial style but an arrow-straight outlook on world peace: "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." For the anti-clutter purists on your list, Holly Moore gathers, then deletes and deletes. An attractively bound tome to pen the book of your life. $28, at shopabientot.com. A pristine white bone china classical pitcher from the Katy Briscoe Home Collection. Who doesn't need this. $380, at The Ivy. Tumbled and casual stonewashed Belgian linen bedding. $59 to $279, at Restoration Hardware. A photograph of Gandhi's worldly possessions, circa 1948: eyeglasses, two dinner bowls, wooden fork and spoon, porcelain monkeys, diary, watch, prayer book, spittoon, letter openers and two pair of sandals. Gandhi weaving at home, wearing his khadhi (homespun cloth) loincloth. Photographed by Margaret Bourke- White, 1946. The minimal, beautifully designed Le Creuset Coquelle cast-iron baking dish designed by Raymond Loewy in 1958 is being reproduced in a limited edition. Turquoise or flame. $375, at Le Creuset. Ring of natural brown diamonds, white diamonds and gold resembling cobblestones by Alex Sepkus. $3,940, at Skibell Fine Jewelry. Dior's beautiful version of Indian traditional dress — or chic loungewear in any country. Price upon request, at the Dior Boutique, Forty Five Ten. For those days when you need a little pick-me-up: azure-blue Kritonas slides from Ancient Greek Sandals. $235, at Forty Five Ten, Neiman Marcus NorthPark; ancient-greek-sandals.com Tom Ford round metal optical frame in the style of Gandhi's Windsor spectacles. Even Steve Jobs emulated Gandhi's optical style. $365, at Tom Ford; tomford.com. Cappellini white polished-lacquer medicine cupboard. $944, at Scott + Cooner. Gandhi always wore a half-inch heel on his sandals to make him 5 foot, 5 inches tall. Kritonas pony-hair Ancient Greek Sandals. $268, at Forty Five Ten, Neiman Marcus NorthPark; ancient-greek-sandals.com Kreten side table by Souda in ivory concrete with 24K gold-leaf top. $1,415, at soudasouda.com. Gandhi never wastes. Souda's Bubble chandelier was inspired by the cell-like shapes of soap bubbles and is made of post- consumer PET bottles cut and riveted together for an elegant new life. A portion of sales is donated to charity. $1,125, at ahalife.com. Mame Kennedy Ceramics woodware collection. $60 to $515 each, at Forty Five Ten. Bottle jug pendant in lapis lazuli on 18K gold chain is one of Elsa Peretti's first jewelry designs. The jug is open and can hold a flower, $1,850, at Tiffany & Co. Tom Ford Patchouli Absolu fragrance. $215, at Neiman Marcus NorthPark, Tom Ford. Gandhi's sartorial transformation. Urban Zen Ong eternity dress by Donna Karan. Price on request, at Number One, Forty Five Ten. True Grace sacristy candle is described as "memories of wood paneling and leather- bound prayer books in Wardour Chapel." $95, at shop.foundforthehome.com. Pink felted-wool bowls from Nepal. $20 to $25 each, at shop.foundforthe home.com.