428: The "Menswear" Gift Guide
Gift guide III of V.
I began drafting this list of gifts with one guiding principle in mind: The picks should be delightful, but never at the expense of being well-made. But then, about 30 selections in, I was hit by another, stronger feeling: Damn, I guess this is what my own holiday store would look like. I am now intrigued to see whether you’d sell the place out. I’ve grouped my picks by four categories, with special thanks to Dick Carroll, an illustrator I’ve loved for years, who brought many of my picks to life.
Giving a beautiful, unexpected design object that the recipient can immediately hold in their hand is a real sweet spot. None of the below require finding out somebody’s size, and they will all travel with them from home to home.
I’d struggle to throw out the box these soapy hinoki stones come in.
Why not carry the book you’re reading in some Parisian shirt fabric?
John Julian bowls give midnight cereal the respect it deserves.
This Emily Dawn Long cowrie shell pin is a magnet for compliments; you could keep it in this horn duck dish.
I’m a wired guy, but these Airpods alts are better looking, with impressive specs.
Good Ouze necklace for singles and a good one for couples.
A Smythson diary remains special, and the vertical week-to-view layout of this one is actually practical for a daily to-do list, unlike their grid week options.
I’ve given one of these portable little $33 Kaweco fountain pens many times.
A sweet stocking-filler for your partner: Heart-shaped goat hair brush from Iris Hantverk.
A Sabre tortoiseshell bottle opener, if you want to be a consummate holiday party attendee.
Cosi Tabellini will engrave any of their Italian pewter objects for you, like this baby photo frame.
Another box that isn’t getting thrown away, this time for Tennen incense.
Some beautiful objects here, too, but now we’re combining colors!
Jonathan Anderson chose this Irish ceramicist for a sold-out collaboration a few months ago, but their matching landscape series remains fully stocked.
Japan’s Antipast socks are carried by a lot of great boutiques: Here’s one with an evocative city view.
Beautiful vintage patchwork Kasuri from a former Issey Miyake employee.
Watch a tealight candle flicker at eye level.
A silk tie from Vienna’s oldest men’s atelier.
An incredible, refillable, hand-painted Dries fragrance bottle.
How long could you hold off unwrapping this soap?
I’ve already shared my love for my specific Røros Tweed blanket, but there are so many more patterns, too.
The darkness and cold of January and February is unsettling to confront. Any of these would help the recipient through the worst of it.
I’ve always gotten a kick out of this “Wall Street” men’s business shirt bedding.
This Dries hand cream smells amazing.
More beautifully packaged incense, this time from Kousaido.
Didn’t realize I wanted a spoon rest until I saw these from Le Creuset.
Coldbreaker slippers are selling out everywhere, though these Shepherd ones are easier to get.
A $2,300 cashmere robe from the store Gay Talese just called “Disneyland for refinement.”
Candles so good that Laura famously rations her favorite one out by leaving it on the radiator to gently heat up.
I love these caffeine-infused milk chocolates.
Emma Bridgewater mugs and plates are classic gifts on my side of the Atlantic. (Drink this soba cha in that mug!)
Sultry Hôtel Costes candle, and similarly-toned Amitis shower gel.
These are more grippy slippers than actual socks…
But these are actual and excellent merino socks.
Hey, a stuffed Snoopy from Nickey Kehoe.
Giving somebody else clothing is always risky, but I understand my job here, especially if you and your recipient have a dreamy “Do you want me to get you this?” type of relationship. Below, a mix of the most gifty items on my own wishlist, plus some other picks that I can really easily picture a ribbon wrapped around.
A new giant scarf from Dana Lee Brown and Black Sheep Farm
Everybody wants a Camisas Manolo shirt.
Climax Books is celebrating its reopening with this cheeky zip hoodie.
I also love the color and shape of this other one from Stüssy and the previously-recommended Cease line.
Your guy probably dreams of a better derby—and a pair from Paracia will make him 1.5 inches taller.
The Cecile Tulkens perforated tee is so cool.
Warehouse makes my favorite graphic tees, in part because the vintage reproduction cotton is so soft.
A red cashmere scarf is always a good bet.
Give the gift of thermal insulation, from Merz.
That famous swan sweater is always a good option.
Or, if you’re more of a goose guy…
My new daily-wear argyle from &Daughter.
And finally, a really good, lightly-distressed charcoal Shetland.
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*saved for reference... this is so useful!
New short story, semi related https://nimnim1.substack.com/p/poly-hell