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Some men are born stylish, while others have good taste thrust upon them by loving gift-givers who know that ratty sneakers and shirts with missing buttons are never a good look. Whichever category your brother, father, grandpa, friend or partner falls into, he’s sure to love—and, more importantly, actually wear—these 27 gift ideas. There are comfy sweaters, eco-friendly jeans, upgraded sweats, bold footwear and more than a few accessories to pull his whole ensemble together. (And, no, we won’t judge if you end up buying items based on the likelihood that you’ll end up stealing borrowing them for yourself.)
1. j.crew Slim Brushed Twill Shirt
Buy it ($80)
A man can never have too many button-down shirts, whether they feature classic checks, dainty blooms or solid hues. This trustworthy J.Crew version comes in 14 color options and four different fits, so there’s bound to be one that matches his preferences.
2. American Giant Classic Full Zip Sweatshirt
Buy it ($112)
“This hoodie is one of my absolute favorite items of clothing,” says Brian, 29. “It’s comfy and warm but looks good enough to wear outside the gym. Plus it ages really well—mine only has minimal fraying on the sleeves after owning and wearing it for years.” Indeed, American Giant pride itself on the durability of its products, meaning this one won’t have to be replaced after just a few months (unlike cheaper styles). All the brand’s wares are also made entirely in the U.S. in small, family-owned factories.
3. Cat Trespass Boots
Buy it ($125)
Hiking styles and exaggerated lug soles are both major trends this winter, but rather than gifting him the obvious choice (we’re looking at you, classic Dr. Martens), spring for these ‘90s-inspired lace-ups from CAT instead. They’re surprisingly lightweight and the breathable leather and nylon upper won’t require as much breaking in.
4. Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe
Buy it ($139)
“My wife gave me this backpack a year or two ago to replace my old one, which was truly falling apart.” Julian, 42, told us. “I’m not especially careful with my stuff so I’m super impressed this thing has stood up so well to everyday use. There are no holes, tears or loose threads yet!” In fact, Timbuk2 is so sure of the durability of its products, they all come with a lifetime warranty. This particular style also fits a 15-inch laptop and has seemingly infinite pockets for stowing all his daily needs.
5. L.L.Bean Signature Cotton Fisherman Sweater
Buy it ($99)
Turns out, that Knives Out sweater (you know, the one worn by Chris Evans) is still going strong this year. Realistically, a classic, cream cable knit sweater will never not be in style. Not to mention, it’s a trusty wintertime staple that’s much nicer on the eyes than a ratty crewneck sweatshirt.
6. Topman Brown Fade Check Shacket
Buy it ($140)
This retro style combines the current shacket trend with a ‘70s-esque oversize plaid. Trust us when we say he’ll want to wear it with both jeans and a tee or slacks and a turtleneck sweater.
7. Bonobos Merino Half-zip Sweater
Buy it ($118; $78)
The subtly herringbone design on this cozy wool knit gives it a slightly fancier feel than a plain, solid-hued style.
8. Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch
We love this sleek smartwatch in large part because it doesn’t actually look like a typical smartwatch. However, its sleek silhouette does sync with Google’s Wear OS and can track workouts, play music through Spotify, display emails and texts and make calls. He can also easily swap out the band, if he prefers a silicone material for working out or stainless steel for a more polished look.
9. Everlane The Waffle-knit Henley
Buy it ($42)
Reviewers love the relaxed fit of Everlane’s super-soft waffle tee. So much so that it has racked up a 4.59-star rating with over 85 reviews. Says one successful gift-giver: “Bought this for my husband for his birthday, along with the navy crew neck version, and he loves them both. The quality of the material is palpably nicer than average, and it's soft, but not totally lacking in structure.”
10. Minnetonka Tilden Moccasin Slippers
Buy it ($55)
We love these cozy classics for two main reasons: the built-in arch support and the rubber sole. A more durable bottom means your dad can pop out to grab the paper without having to change out of his favorite new footwear. Plus, ample support in the footbed, means he can wear these all day without risk of developing foot pain or damaging his arches.