Gifts:
Christmas is a funny time of year when it comes to style. Men waiver from end-of-year
black tie events to
corny festive jumpers,
sometimes within hours of each other. But when it comes to our
stockings, we prefer to find simple and stylish items of menswear
wrapped up that will see us through until spring. With that in mind,
here's our own sartorial wishlist.
River Island Tartan Scarf
Irresistible autumn colours mixed
with the armour required for increasingly wintry temperatures make this
woven scar a gift that will keep on giving. Until around April,
unfortunately.
- £15, River Island
Whistles Merino Sweater
For Christmas, you can’t go wrong
with everyday essentials done exceptionally well. Whistles source
upmarket Italian wool for their merino sweater, ensuring it feels as
soft on your arm as a freshly skinned reindeer pelt. Too soon?
- £85, Whistles
Jigsaw Wool Cotton Pique Polo
In these liberated days when it's not just acceptable, but actually stylish to pair dress-down
knitwear with a formal jacket, a warm polo shirt is one of the most versatile items in your wardrobe. Warm, too.
- £69, Jigsaw
John Lewis Cotton Savile Row Floral PJs
Not everyone can enjoy the comfort and fine tailoring of a
Savile Row suit,
but by God we can all swan around the kitchen pouring out our
cornflakes in these gloriously sartorial cotton pyjamas. Roomy but still
stylishly cut to give a Roger Moore-esque swagger over breakfast,
you’ll want to leave them on for the turkey dinner.
- £35, John Lewis
Gosling Driving Gloves
Driving gloves. Called Gosling. You don't get three guesses to work
out where Reiss found the name for these pure leather gloves but you
can't deny how good they look. The details are what make them,
especially those perforated fingers. Whether you want to style them with
a bomber jacket featuring a massive Scorpion on the back is entirely up
to you.
- £70, Reiss
Next Long Sleeve Oxford Shirt
Ideal for the pernickity sod you don't know what to buy for, a
button-down Oxford slips easily into any man's wardrobe. An essential
item of menswear at a stocking-filler price.
- £20, Next
Oliver Sweeney Aldeburgh Brogue
The wingtip brogue is a
wardrobe staple
for any self-respecting gent, so stand out from the sartorial set with
these navy options from Oliver Sweeney. Built to last with a Goodyear
welting technique that makes them sturdy, they’re also less likely to
spring a leak on rainy days.
- £195, Oliver Sweeney
M&S Dip Dye Jumper
Dip dye-style jumpers
– "ochre" if you speak Fashion
Blogger – is a popular trend for autumn-winter this year. Even if there
is a slight chance the blended colours will get a bit trippy after your
fifth brandy on Boxing Day.
£55, Marks and Spencer
Dunhill Albany Single Document Case
Anyone bold enough to put this on his Christmas has to be pretty sure
his better half has deep pockets and even deeper affections. But having
said that, we can think of few better ways to display said affection.
Dunhill's exquisite briefcase is made from fine Italian calfskin with a
lock and zip closure. It's about the only kind of bag for life we want
to be seen with.
- £990, Dunhill
Topman LTD Premium Duck Down Parka
Stuffed with real duck feathers and coated with a water-repellent finish,
Topman’s
parka is all the armour you need to take on winter. It’s also a style
that everyone from Liam Gallagher to Kanye West has mastered. Plus, of
course, Kenny from South Park.
-
£125, Topman
Hardy Amies
Statement accessories don’t start with your shoes and end with a
jaunty hat. This luxurious passport holder from Hardy Amies has embossed
leather and a plush interior, surely ramping up your chances of an
upgrade at the check-in desk.
£75, Hardy Amies
Uniqlo Star Wars Graphic T-Shirt
For its latest pop culture range, Uniqlo is having fun with all things
Star Wars.
There are some outstanding wookie-themed items in the range but this
X-wing print tee is going on our wishlist. Who’s scruffy-looking now?
£12.90, Uniqlo
Levi’s 501 CT
This year the world’s most iconic jeans got a wee facelift when, in
response to customer demand, Levi’s introduced the 501 CT. The classic
fit with a tapered leg, they’re more versatile than ever.
£80, Levi’s
Clarks Padley Alp GTX
Waterproof footwear is a regrettable necessity on this damp island of
ours. Which is probably all the reasoning Clarks and Gore-Tex teamed up
on these hiker-style boots, which are smart enough for the high street
and technical enough for muddy countryside rambles.
£120, Clarks
H&M Suit Joggers
If smart-casual was a headache before, this either complicates
matters further or massively simplifies them: suit joggers. Do we fully
get it? No. Do we want them anyway? Yes. Wider
trouser legs and a hidden drawstring might even make the commute comfortable.
£39.99, H&M
Bridge Closure Bag
After opening its first men’s store
this year, the Cambridge Satchel Company has continued to seduce,
broadening its range of premium leather bags. We’d stuff our lunch and
laptop in this one any day.
Miansai Bracelet
Men have to be subtle with jewellery (we’re still blaming Mr T). A
leather bracelet with a silver-plated fastener like this one strikes a
nice balance: eye-catching without being ostentatious.
£75, Miansai at Mr Porter
Oliver Spencer Ambleside Low-Top Trainer
Everything we want from our
trainers
can be found right here: comfort, from the suede interior; durability,
thanks to the leather; and versatility, with the off-white colour
working across the spectrum from smart to casual.
£169, Oliver Spencer