These are the best Christmas gifts for style aficionados
Style can be a tricky area to navigate when it comes to gifting. Thankfully, we've written a useful guide on what to look out for.
What do you gift that loved one who seemingly has it all? You know—the brother, father, friend or colleague, who carries calfskin Mulberry wallets, has his shopping notifications on for the coolest Japanese brands, and owns a circulation of pristine Sunspel t-shirts, always at the ready.
With a month to go until Christmas, there's enough time to think about the best clothes and accessories that they'll be more than happy to wear once they're done unwrapping them.
To ensure you put a smile on the fashionable faces of your friends and family this year, we’ve rounded up a selection of the best garments to gift and give – for budgets both big and small.
A jacket for all seasons
You can never go wrong with Hackett's elegant English essentials. To start us off, we love this padded blazer, made up of a breathable, stretchy fabric. The chambray lining means it will also keep the wearer sufficiently warm (even if at first it feels light). It's also the smart-casual choice. The lapel shows a bit of formality, while the material and fit go well with loafers and jeans.
If you're after the more casual-casual end of the spectrum, Slowear's sleek wool and cashmere cloth blouse (or shacket) is a mix of craftsmanship and refined style—one of the brand's bestsellers. We especially like the navy tone, which pairs with light chinos and trainers.
Looking to go sleeveless (without compromising warmth)? Émigré's thermal travel gilet in Nordic Blue is trim, but thermally-insulated to ensure you're feeling toasty in whatever outfit you wear that day. It's the perfect travel companion to bring on holiday, or for the commute.
Quality up top...
Do you know what makes for a nice gift? A beautifully-made shirt or sweater that goes with...just about anything. Case in point, cult brand Le Alfré's Le Stripe Oxford Shirt, which is as timeless as anything in a man's wardrobe. They come in a variety of different colourways, making these 100% cotton, pearl-buttoned pieces perfect for gifting.
Or perhaps the recipient is jetting off to warmer climes over the coming months. If so, make sure they pack Orlebar Brown's Horton Merino wool polo shirt. The tailored fit would look great with swim shorts or white chinos, evoking a bit of Bond at the resort.
On the other end of the spectrum, Luca Faloni's pure cashmere cable knit zip-up is the perfect companion for cold evenings either at home or on the move. The Italian cut and fabrics bring an elegance to each outfit, and it would look perfect beneath a suit.
Trousers to gift...
What's the one thing people always want, but rarely get gifted? Quality trousers, of course. The crowdpleaser here are Kit Blake's Grant Navy Wool Flannel trousers, with double-pleats, a high rise and side-adjusters. They go with practically anything, including a contrasting blazer, and the quality craftsmanship make them a considered choice.
If you're going for an Italian, relaxed cut that pairs well with trainers, resortwear expert Ripa Ripa's Anacapri Blu trousers are essential for a summer wardrobe—but they also go nicely with your largely proportioned jumpers and jackets. There's something of the sixties jet set about Ripa Ripa's clothing, and that's always an inviting proposition in the middle of winter.
Oliver Brown's maroon corduroy trousers have a festive spirit that makes them ideal to worn as soon they're unwrapped. The English tailor offer a classic fit, and in a durable, warm heavyweight fabric, meaning they will last the owner for festive seasons to come. Pair them with more formal shoes and shirting.
Accessories to be cherished forever...
Clothes can be tricky—what with different sizing and tastes. But it's hard to wrong with an accessory. If you really want to make an impression, Mulberry's Camberwell backpack is a thing of beauty: convenient, durable, and made with features like a laptop sleeve, drawstring closure and made from a soft bovine leather. This is as luxurious as backpacks get.
We all know somebody who has a large and impressive watch collection. One thing they can never have enough of are quality watch rolls, and London-based heritage house Ettinger have naturally designed the smartest, most elegant version—available in a number of colorways that suit the owner's personality. The watch roll fits two watches securely, and can be personalised with the recipients name or initials.
Let's assume that the person you are gifting is deserving of something very special, we would like to point you to Blackacre's 3ct Tennis Bracelet. So named for a famous incident at the 1987 U.S. Open, when Chris Evert lost her diamond bracelet mid-game, Blackacre's version includes an 18K white gold bracelet with claw set round brilliant cut diamonds.
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