Brummell Christmas Gift Guide: for him

We know he’s not always the easiest to buy for, so we’ve curated a selection of gift ideas bound to delight the special man in your life

Style 4 Dec 2023

Brummell Christmas Gift Guide: for him

Cream of the crop

Inspired by the sketches of Italian fashion giant Walter Albini, this elevated field jacket epitomises the attractive nature of contemporary masculinity. Made from a blend of cotton and technical fibres with a water-repellent treatment, its practicality and military allusions are offset by elegance and cultural awareness, making it a gift to both complement and compliment the special man in your life. Certified Water-Repellent Technical Cotton Montedoro Franchigia Jacket, £1,050; slowear.com

Rural Kind card wallet making kit, £65

Cash cow

Whether objects or experiences make better presents feels by now like an age-old question. So why not simply give both? This exclusive leather card holder-making kit comes with step-by-step instructions and all the tools and materials necessary for the special man in your life to get started on a practical mission he’ll love. The oak bark-tanned bridle leather panels come from an ancient Devon tannery that only uses local hides, and the finished product has a beautiful, rustic charm. Rural Kind card wallet making kit, £65; toa.st

Salono loafers

Idyll talk

Inspired by the Italian island paradise of Pantelleria, the Salono loafers from Manolo Blahnik bring to mind the laid-back elegance of the Mediterranean. Made from 100 per cent calf suede and leather, they feature a yellow trim and pink piping detail which pop against the brown suede and red upper vamp. This sunny piece of Sicily will stand out among the presents beneath the Christmas tree. Salono loafers, £725; manoloblahnik.com

Christmas Total Face Care set, £42

Head banger

While it might be the time for indulgences, the man in your life will still want to look and feel his best at all the family gatherings and Christmas parties. The Christmas Total Face Care set from Harry’s is the perfect gift for all his facial grooming needs, featuring Harry’s shave and face-care favourites, all housed in a cool gift box designed exclusively for the holidays. Christmas Total Face Care set, £42; harrys.com

Brunello Cucinelli Pour Homme, £160

Apple of your eye

When designing Brunello Cucinelli’s fragrance Pour Homme, distinguished perfumer Olivier Cresp was inspired by the way Solomeo’s cypress trees foregrounded the clear blue sky. He explains, ‘The ingredients that make it unique are cypress and juniper, they give it an authentic and ancestral character, a real call from nature. The freshness and brightness are given by bergamot and lemon, typical Italian ingredients, and by spices such as pepper and ginger.’ Brunello Cucinelli Pour Homme, £160; brunellocucinelli.com

Palissy 25-hour large leather briefcase, £645

Case closed

In its combination of style and function, this large briefcase from Carl Friedrik puts Santa’s sack to shame. In four tasteful colourways, it features a large section that can accommodate everything you’ll need for a short trip, a padded compartment for safely transporting your laptop, and several pockets for smaller items. Made from quality Italian Vachetta leather, it has a heavy-duty zip and comes with a durable 40mm-wide shoulder strap for comfortable, seamless carrying. Palissy 25-hour large leather briefcase, £645; carlfriedrik.com

Men's silver onyx AD coin cufflinks, £355

You are the chicest link
After the festive period ends, it will be time again to don the suit and tie, and smart details like these sterling silver cufflinks will make one’s suave re-emergence into the office something to look forward to. They feature bold onyx detailing, iconic Alfred Dunhill branding and swivel fastenings engraved with the brand’s recognisable longtail motif. Men’s silver onyx AD coin cufflinks, £355; dunhill.com

Elasticated Chelsea boots, £310

Fancy foot work
Coming in sand beige and chocolate brown colourways, Hackett’s Chelsea boots are made from 100 per cent cow suede, with a texture that recalls natural landscapes. Their elasticated sides mean enhanced comfort, while their elegant handmade soles with non-slip details and block heels showcase the degree of artisanship to which they owe their quality. Elasticated Chelsea boots, £310; hackett.com

 Black leather Triple Stitch™ Vetta sneakers

Peaks, no troughs

These luxury leisurewear sneakers were inspired by the hiking trails of Oasi Zegna, Piedmont’s region of sprawling Alpine valleys. An ultra-modern-looking hybridisation of sporting and hiking styles, they are set on a Vibram® Arctic Grip™ sole for increased traction outdoors, and will surely become his next favourite footwear. Black leather Triple Stitch Vetta sneakers, £1,150; zegna.com

 Paisley printed silk pyjama set, £495

Set apart

Every man needs at least one great set of pyjamas, and New & Lingwood offers a Persian version with a beautiful paisley design that more than fits the bill. Made from a silk and cotton blend, these pyjamas feature a modern silhouette with a relaxed tapered leg and a piped trim that stands out amid the elegant paisley print. Paisley printed silk pyjama set, £495; newandlingwood.com

 Green silk shirt with all over pattern, £550

Deck the halls

Recipients of this patterned monochrome shirt, festively accented with bold strokes of conifer green, will not only appreciate its contemporary fit and style, but its eco credentials too, as Corneliani’s CIRCLE Collection only uses fibres from sustainable sources. Made from 100 per cent silk, it features a nice lustre, relaxed drape and, upon closer inspection, a print reminiscent of pine needles, all of which should make the wearer light up like a Christmas tree. Green silk shirt with all over pattern, £550; corneliani.com

 Utility backpack, £173

Carry on Christmas

The antithesis of novelty presents for which even the thought cannot be said to count is this backpack from Paul & Shark. Made from technical fabrics and with an aesthetic that is at once contemporary and rugged, this is the kind of Christmas gift a recipient will want to put to use even before 2024 has begun. Utility backpack, £173; paulandshark.com

 Rockstud M-Way Derby, £880

Solemates
How to navigate one’s professional life in the winter without alternating ceaselessly between a smart pair of shoes and a sturdier pair of boots? The answer is the Rockstud M-Way Derby from Valentino Garavani: with a 40mm-thick rubber sole and elegant tone-on-tone studs embodying a unique combination of fun, function and formality, these Derbies can be worn straight from the workplace to after-work drinks. A thoughtful and luxurious gift. Rockstud M-Way Derby, £880; valentino.com

Hanky1 cotton voile handkerchief, £35

Christmas spirit

In keeping with the nostalgia that often accompanies the festive season, this handkerchief from Massimo Alba recalls the details that embellished the stylish outfits of an arguably more elegant era. A charming gift that will add a flourish of panache to any formal jacket, it’s made from soft cotton voile printed with a peace symbol in deep burgundy and gold, representing the essence of goodwill of which the world is ever in need. Hanky1 cotton voile handkerchief, £35; massimoalba.com