Holiday Gift Guide

This is for all the last minute shoppers out there. With Christmas less than a week away, it’s time to kick it into gear and finish (or start) what you’ve been putting off until now. I’ve offered a few picks earlier this month and enlisted some experts to tell you how to shop for her, but what about the gentlemen of style on your list? Here are 35 gift ideas, ranging from stylish clothes and accessories to grooming upgrades, books, and items for the home bartender, that are sure to satisfy any stylish man on your list.

Clothes That Make the Man

1. Plaid Oxford Shirt by J.Crew, $75 (Take 30% off with code GIFTNOW)
Wintertime and plaid just go together. A comfortable and stylish plaid shirt makes a great gift for anyone.

2. Quilted Vest by Club Monaco, $149
Versatile gifts always go over well. Layer this quilted vest under a blazer, over a blazer, or on it’s own over a new plaid shirt.

3. Flannel Pajamas by J.Crew, $69.50 (Take 30% off with code GIFTNOW)
Maybe you’re like me and have wondered, “Who actually wears pajamas?” Having received a pair myself as a gift, I can say that even the skeptics can come around with the right set. A great gift is always something he’d never buy for himself but ends up loving in the end.

4. Bird’s Eye Cardigan by Brooks Brothers, $168
Winter is a fantastic time not only for big and bold patterns, but also for texture. A classic cardigan with a textured twist.

5. Checked Pea Coat by Reiss, $346 (now on sale)
Most men own the classic navy or grey pea coat. And with good reason—it’s a timeless piece of outerwear. If he’s got a firm foundation in the classics, this red plaid pea coat will set him apart from the crowd.

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Stylish Accessories

1. Curled End Collar Bar, $65
Any man of style likely has a collection of tie bars. A collar bar may be something he doesn’t have and a slide on version is a great way to try the style out without having to invest in a specific type of shirt or poke holes in your collar with a collar pin.

2. Metal Collar Stays, $85
Metal collar stays are an item that I swear most guys want but never buy for themselves. Help a guy get rid of all of those plastic collar stays once and for all with this great set under the tree or in his stocking.

3. Filson Leather and Stainless Flask, $78
Again, something every guy likely wants but won’t buy for himself. Avoid the small bottles of Canadian Club on Amtrak by bringing the good stuff from home along in style.

4. Dolce & Gabbana Printed Silk Pocket Square, $125
Classic and timeless, this printed silk pocket square would be a welcome addition to any guy’s collection.

5. Paul Smith Skull Cuff Links, $250
The devil is always in the details when it comes to stylish dressing. Every man should own at least one pair of distinctive cuff links.

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Books on Style

1. Dressing the Man, $58
The closest thing to a ‘style bible’ that you can find. Alan Flusser’s book is a classic treatise on men’s style and style rules, and should be on the bookshelf of any well-dressed gentleman.

2. The Sartorialist: Closer, $30
Page after page after page of style inspiration as seen through the lens of Scott Schuman. A must have for any man (or woman) who cares about personal style and is looking for some inspiration.

3. The Mr. Porter Paperback: The Manual for a Stylish Life, $35
Compiled by Mr. Porter’s Editor-in-Chief, Jeremy Langmead, this slim volume contains profiles of global style icons, as well as both specialized and practical style advice.

4. A Gentleman Gets Dressed Up, $32
A handsome and quick reference guide on sartorial matters from pocket square folding, accessorizing, and choosing the right color for any occasion.

5. GQ Men, $150
Look sharp and live smart—that’s the foundation of what GQ stands for. Edited by Jim Nelson and “Style Guy” Glenn O’Brien, this book contains a sprawling collection of photographs from the GQ archives that is sure to inspire.

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Grooming

1. Baxter of California Skin 1.2.3. Kit, $45
A man should not only care about how he dresses but also his grooming and skincare regimen. A face wash, toner, and moisturizer with SPF protection is provides the most basic and essential 1-2-3 punch for a daily skincare routine.

2. Merkur Classic Safety Razor, $34.99
A huge gentlemanly upgrade from disposable or replacement cartridge systems that isn’t nearly as expensive or frightening to the uninitiated than a serious straight razor.

3. D.R. Harris Arlington Shave Bowl and Soap, $34
Holiday gift giving is a chance to upgrade aspects of any guy’s life that he’s thought about upgrading himself but hasn’t gotten around to. A wood shaving bowl full of first class shaving soap is another great place to start in the grooming area.

4. D.R. Harris Badger Hair Shaving Brush, $50
If you’re going to gift a bowl of shaving soap, complete the package with a fine badger hair shave brush.

5. Frédéric Malle Bigarade Concentrate Cologne, $250
Nobody likes Too Much Cologne Guy. This extremely sophisticated, subtle, and natural scent is reminiscent of a classic Italian eau du cologne and will have you smelling intriguing rather than offensive.

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For the Home Bar

1. Vintage Cocktails, $50
Just as I’m a fan of classic style, I’m also a fan of classic cocktails. I’m a firm believer that you’ve got to know the basics (and classics) of any art form. Brian van Flandern’s book is a great starting point for any home mixologist.

2. Yarai Cut Mixing Glass, $59.95
Sure, if you’re making mixed drinks at home, you could mix them in anything—even a pint glass. However, why not mix them in something a little more stylish? The Yarai mixing glass is not only beautiful, but the pouring spout alone makes it worth the price.

3. Zwiesel 1872 Comete Whiskey Glasses, $119.95
Though there are many home bar pieces you shouldn’t lay out a lot of cash for like jiggers, shaker tins, and strainers, some beautiful whiskey glasses are something every gentleman should invest in and have in his collection.

4. King Cube Silicone Ice Cube Trays, $16.95
Talk to any bartender worth his or her salt and they’ll tell you that good ice is the key to any drink and that cubes are far superior to spheres.

5. Imbibe!, $20
Any cocktail buff will appreciate David Wondrich’s amazing and detailed history of the cocktail in American life.

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Tech & Gadgets

1. Binary Clock, $24.99
Even the man who has everything likely doesn’t have one of these. Always a conversation starter and a cinch to learn to tell time on, a binary clock makes a great gift or stocking stuffer.

2. Apple TV, $99
If you know a guy with a big screen television who still watches movies and TV shows from iTunes on his laptop, this is the perfect gift. And don’t foret the iTunes gift cards.

3. Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Mini, $59.99
A must for any tech-savvy or device-addicted guy. I have personally been lusting after one of these since I saw Rob’s during our trip to Venice.

4. Jawbone Jambox, $179.99
Have to credit this pick once again to Rob. A must for any guy who likes to hear his tunes in great sound wherever he is—including the beach.

5. Tivoli Model One Radio, $179
A stylish, vintage-inspired radio for the home.

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Luxury Indulgence & Investment Pieces

1. Allen Edmonds Dalton Cordovan Wingtip Dress Boots, $695
While a regular pair of Allen Edmonds Daltons are a bit of an investment, the classy cordovan version steps it up more than a notch.

2. Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Leather Briefcase, $2,520
Give his briefcase a promotion and show him you mean business this holiday season with a seriously handsome leather briefcase.

3. Gucci Shearling Lined Suede Jacket, $6,900
File this under things you never knew you wanted before, but do now. Distinctive in every sense of the word.

4. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust with Blue Vignette Diamond Dial, $18,850
A gold Rolex with diamonds. Not much else to say here.

5. Fully-Equipped 2014 BMW M6 Coupe, $148,920
Forget about the Lexus December to Remember event and give him the ultimate driving machine. Just don’t forget the big red bow.

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You can shop all the items from my Holiday Gift Guide in boutique format on the Holiday Shop page.

Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!

Stylishly Yours,

Brian
He Spoke Style