So, You Want to Get Him Clothing For the Holidays? Here Are 27 Men's Gifts That Aren't Socks
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.)
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1. J.Crew Slim Brushed Twill Shirt
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.
Available in sizes XS to XXXL, also Classic and Tall
2. American Giant Classic Full Zip Sweatshirt
“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.
Available in sizes S to XXL
3. CAT Trespass Boots
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
“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
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.
Available in sizes S to XXL
6. Topman Brown Fade Check Shacket
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.
Available in sizes XXS to XXL
7. Bonobos Merino Half-Zip Sweater
The subtly herringbone design on this cozy wool knit gives it a slightly fancier feel than a plain, solid-hued style.
Available in sizes XL to 3XL
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
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.”
Available in sizes XS to XXL
10. Minnetonka Tilden Moccasin Slippers
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.
11. Carhartt Workwear T-Shirt
When’s the last time your brother updated his T-shirt collection? The pit stains on his white tees should give you a good idea…Luckily, this simple but soft tee from Carhartt comes in a range of solid hues and 12 different sizes, to ensure they have just the right fit.
Available in sizes XS to 2XL, and Big & Tall L to 4XL
12. Nordstrom Assorted 4-Pack Adult Face Masks
An easy and practical stocking stuffer, face masks will likely be just as necessary come the holidays as they are now. Restock his collection with this set of four reusable, adjustable mask that also have a built-in filter pocket.
13. Nike Class of ’72 Sweatshirt
Gift him a sweatshirt he’ll be proud to show off over Zoom. This Nike style has all the fun nostalgic vibes of his old high school track hoodie, with none of the slubby holes or gross pizza grease stains.
Available in sizes XS to 2XL
14. Frank & Oak The Cordova Jogger Pant
If he loves the cut and fit of a classic jogger pant but wants something a more refined than fleece, we suggest introducing him to these beauties. They’re made from a cotton-bend twill, giving them a professional look and feel while elastic ankle cuffs maintain the beloved silhouette of his sweats.
Available in sizes 28 to 36
15. Canada Goose Standard Wool-Blend Beanie
He can never have too many winter beanies, but this one may quickly become his favorite. Canada Goose’s wool-blend will keep his head warm in even the windiest, coldest conditions, plus it has a water-resistant finish to protect against rain, sleet and snow.
16. Y-3 Padded Coat
This winter coat by Japanese designer brand Y-3 may be stuffed with down, but the outer layer is made entirely from recycled polyester. The hood is also removable so he doesn’t need to deal with extra fabric when it’s not raining or snowing.
Available in sizes XS to XXL
17. Bhldn Floral Daydream Navy Tie
A tie might not be the most original gift idea, but there’s a reason it’s a solid go-to: a fresh new tie can breathe new life into his suit collection. And you can trust he’ll look sharp for everything from weddings to dinner dates and even presentations at work.
18. Richer Poorer Recycled Fleece Sweatpants
Yes, these are sweatpants (and oh-so soft ones, at that), but they still look sleek enough for your partner to pop out to the grocery store while wearing them and not look like he forgot to change out of his pajamas.
Available in sizes S to XL
19. The North Face Denali 2 Jacket
“I absolutely loved my Denali back in the day!” says Darnell, 33, “So of course I had to put the updated version on my list.” The North Face recently rereleased this late ‘90s/early 2000’s favorite with a few minor updates; it’s now made from 100-percent recycled polyester and can be zipped into many of the brand’s shell jackets. Yeah, that makes it even better than the one that your boyfriend remembers so fondly from his childhood.
Available in sizes S to XXL
20. Cole Haan GrandPro Rally Sneaker
These sleek, breathable kicks also come in black, gray, white and a gorgeous cognac brown hue so you can base your gifting on how well they’ll go with the rest of his wardrobe.
21. Faherty Heritage Motif Cardigan
We love the combination of the preppy shawl collar and the southwestern striped pattern, resulting in a sweater that’s all at once pulled together and totally relaxed. Don’t be surprised if this becomes his go-to for date night and family dinners. Not to mention, the cozy cotton-cashmere blend fabric will encourage you to borrow it as often as possible.
Available in sizes XS to XXL
22. Goodfellow & Co Big & Tall Sleeveless Puffer Vest
For tailgating days when there’s a slight chill in the air, but not enough to warrant a full puffer. The outer lining is designed to wick moisture, meaning this is will keep him warm and dry even if it starts to drizzle (or at least his torso).
Available in sizes M to 5X
23. Marine Layer Double Knit Baseball Raglan
“I mean, my favorite gift of all time was probably a Nintendo 64 when I was, like, 7 years old. But as an adult, I’d probably say this shirt my wife gave me last year, “ says Nolan, 32. “I wear it multiple days a week, every week.” Marine Layer’s incredibly soft cotton tees are well worth buying in multiples, so you don’t have to do laundry quite as often as we assume Nolan does.
Available in sizes S to 2XL
24. Ross & Snow Phillipe Waterproof Boots
These winter boots are entirely waterproof and even come with a memory foam footbed so his feet will be comfortable and dry even after a full day's wear. Plus, that shearling lining will keep his toes mighty warm.
25. Naadam Cashmere Sweater
You can never go wrong when gifting a cashmere sweater—particularly if said sweater is sustainably made and comes in under $100. Naadam rates this knit as being “heavenly soft,” the highest on its softness scale, but don’t just take the brand’s word for it—a quick look through the more than 360 reviews, 327 of which gave this sweater the full five stars, will make it clear just how cozy this piece really is.
Available in sizes XXS to XXL
26. Outerknown Ambassador Slim-Fit Selvedge Jeans
These classic-cut jeans are made from 100-percent organic cotton and, per the brand’s website, “are crafted to the highest possible ethical and environmental standards.” They also come with a lifetime guarantee, so if they unravel or wear out, Outerknown will replace or repair them, free of charge.
Available in sizes 28 to 38, inseams 30, 32 and 34
27. Unbound Merino 3-Pack T-Shirts
Perfect for the guy who tends to, ahem, forget to do his laundry on a regular basis, this trio of T-shirts is made from sweat-wicking, wrinkle-resistant, anti-bacterial merino wool. That means his fave shirt won’t start to smell even after a month-straight of use. (Although, really, you might want to throw in a bottle of detergent as a subtle hint to perhaps change his habits.)
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