The late Yves Saint Laurent once said, “Fashions fade, style is eternal.” While that might be true, developing a personal sense of style takes time. Style is also something that evolves over time — what you wore in your 20s no longer works in your 30s and 40s. You may have already found your own sense of style with some minor tweaks here and there. Perhaps it’s time for you to bequeath that knowledge in the form of style gifts for those in need. These picks are both timeless and fresh, with clothing choices and accessories for the already stylish man or one who desires to be.
Filson Crewneck Guide Sweater
You might think $550 is pricey for a sweater, but it’s a gift that will last a lifetime and feel good all the while. The densely knit merino wool holds its shape remarkably well and stays incredibly soft and warm even when wet. The deep navy color is remarkably consistent throughout, and the fit is relaxed without being bulky. This is the sweater that makes lesser ones just call in sick.
$550
Flint and Tinder 365 Corduroy Pants
Gifting pants might be a weird choice, but not when they’re the 365 Corduroys from Flint & Tinder. They’re cut like jeans and have stretch thanks to the use of spandex. The result is excellent movement and comfort paired with a great vintage look. The rich moss color in particular pairs well with dark sweaters and well-worn work boots.
$98
La Aurora Hors D’age
[Partner] The La Aurora Preferidos Hors D”Age is the perfect special occasion cigar for this holiday season. Featuring tobacco aged 12 years, this stick features spicy notes of black pepper along with delicate notes of cinnamon, nuts, citrus, and wood. It’s aromatic, rich, and it makes the perfect gift for yourself of the cigar lover in your life.
$78 for 3+
Vaer R1 USA Racing Chronograph
[Partner] The all-new Vaer R1 is a refined modern tribute to the iconic racing watches of the 1960s. Boasting a hybrid meca-quartz movement, 10ATM water resistance, sapphire crystal, 2x straps, and full USA assembly, this is one of the best all-purpose chronographs on the market today.
$399
Mission Workshop Bomber
Not all bomber jackets are created equal, and Mission Workshop’s version is both classically handsome and seriously advanced. The shell uses a special stretch-woven textile made in Como, Italy. It’s smooth to the touch and has water-repellent DWR. Underneath, you’ll find PrimaLoft Gold Active insulation that’s warm, stretchy, and breathable. The athletic fit will enable the recipient to look more put together than he actually is, and he’ll thank you for it.
$580
Raven Airfield
Every guy needs a good watch (and no, not just a smartwatch). Finding one that can adroitly toe the line between dressy and casual is the way to go, so a good watch has to be right-styled as well as right-sized. The Airfield’s classic military styling is timeless, and the modern cues elevate its look. The 40mm diameter 316L stainless steel case also measures in at a thin 13mm for under-the-cuff wear. Add AR coated sapphire glass, 200-meter water resistance, and automatic movement, and it’s ready for field duties wherever they may be. Take note of the grey dial with the red second hand option.
$550
Vollebak Lumber Shirt
Every guy needs to have a shirt that makes them look like they can take on the world, and it certainly helps to actually have one that prepares you to do so. As with everything they make, Vollebak gives its lumber shirt the ability to take on stuff that would rip an ordinary shirt to literal shreds. This Japanese cotton chambray version gets interwoven with actual Cordura, making it insanely durable while looking superb with dark jeans and khakis. Triple stitching, impact-resistant corozo nut buttons, and quad chest pockets (two flap, two zip) make it ready for anything.
$375
Veja Urca CWL White Brittany
Consider these sneakers the Brazilian version of the classic adidas Stan Smith tennis shoes but with a tad more flair and color. The uppers are made of a special CWL (Cotton Worked as Rubber) — essentially cotton canvas coated with a unique natural resin — and the outsole uses natural Amazonian rubber, recycled rubber, and rice waste. The carbon footprint might be small, but the Urca is high on style and classic sportiness. They’re equally suited for pairing with a laid-back suit as they are with khakis and a tee.
$160
Proper Cloth Bedford Burgundy Wool Flannel Jacket
For the occasions that call for dressing well and standing out from the pack to just the right degree, a rich burgundy wool blazer is absolutely the right piece. The Bedford is made with densely woven and sumptuous 340-gram Dino Filarte Burgundy Wool Flannel. The result is a deep hue and a unique contrast weave that will warrant both serious amounts of looks and feels. This is a jacket that will render blue blazer wearers nearby a bit style anemic. As with many of Proper Cloth’s jackets, you can easily customize the lapels, vents, buttons, and pockets, and of course, the fit until it’s perfect.
$495
Crown & Buckle Hex Watch Case
There isn’t a better travel watch case out there. Crown & Buckle makes some of the best watch straps around, so why not trust the brand when it comes to safely and stylishly housing your timepieces? The new Hex Watch Case is structurally strong and secures with four snap closures. Outside is high-quality nylon, and the interior lining uses soft and elegant microsuede. Each of the three pillows compresses to accommodate straps and bracelets, and the slots prevent them from moving. Choose from four colors.
$195
Schott NYC Knee Length Wool Peacoat
Schott NYC wool peacoats deliver tremendous warmth and great modern naval style. The Knee Length version is just that much better because the added length increases its cold-weather protection while imbuing it with the ability to look more put together than its hip-length sibling. The 32-ounce, 100-percent Melton wool fabric is dense and thick, and the big collar stands up properly an cinches with a throat latch for added warmth.
$520
Danner Mountain Light
It’s hard to beat the classic style of these iconic hiking boots, and they’re made even better deep brown leather and Gore-Tex breathable waterproof protection. Danner Mountain Lights have been setting the hiking boot bar for over 30 years, and there’s good cause thanks to one-piece leather construction that eliminates openings, impeccable American craftsmanship, and grippy and handsome Vibram Kletterlift outsoles. They might never get worn to the Appalachian trail, but who cares. The style quotient for urban hikes is stratospheric.
$440
Thursday Boots Wingtip
Add a proper dress boot to yours or someone else’s style palette. They add length to any look, as well as another dimension of fashion-forwardness. Thursday Boot’s Wingtip boots provide tremendous texture with both classic broguing and pebbled leather. Boots that look this good generally don’t wear comfortably, but the shock absorbing insoles and cork-bed midsoles belie the look of these. The price for these handcrafted, hand-burnished beauties is perhaps the most surprising part.
$235
Bombas All-Purpose Performance Calf Sock
Kids loathe socks for gifts, but grown men love ’em. But not just any socks, mind you, and that’s why Bombas All-Purpose socks fit the bill. They stand out because they’re just the right thickness without suffocating the feet. The Hex Tec performance breathability and Airflow Venting keep feet dry, and the seamless toe means unobstructed comfort. These will be the socks to reach for throughout the cooler months, and the Sapphire Black colorway mix is commensurately dark without being boring.
$78
Goodlife Marled Merino Beanie
This is the perfect winter beanie. It’s knit with superfine merino wool that strikes the right balance between thick and thin. The silhouette is more refined than thicker versions that make you look like you just disembarked an Alaskan fishing boat. The low-key style doesn’t call attention to itself and, at the same time, matches just about everything in a man’s fall/winter wardrobe.
$75
The Mr Porter Guide to a Better Day
Equal parts style manual and guide to life, this gem boasts pages of grooming rituals, style tips, and even mental health pointers. It even includes interviews and experiences from famous style gurus and Hollywood leading men who are style icons, themselves. Rather than a coffee table book that will rarely get looked at, the 348-page guide is full of ways live better.
$40
