Top 10 Last Minute Fashionable Presents for Men

If you’re like us, you’ve put off buying the perfect gift for the guy in your life, because, well, what exactly is the perfect gift? Luckily for you, we’re here to help. FrontRow recruited some fashion forward males to help compile a list of top 10 last minute gifts (and some inspirational ones!) to give your ‘man friend’ this year.

Text by Ryan P.Clayton and Brett Bendo

1. Nixon Timeteller P Watch, $56, nixonnow.com Hipsters and businessmen alike are sporting this fantastic timepiece, which is available in a wide variety of colours. It’s perfect with jeans and a t-shirt, or a sharply tailored suit, and goes from day into night with stylish ease. Also, the best selling feature is the price tag. At only $56, it’s a great gift idea for a fashion minded gentleman. Go with black to keep it universal or take a chance on emerald green, electric blue or bright orange.

2. Naked & Famous cashmere denim, $120-190, nakedandfamousdenim.com Treat yourself and your man to a pair of well fit jeans he can wear with or without undies. That’s right ladies, the cashmere Naked & Famous jeans combine the finest and most unique raw Japanese denim with the unparalleled comfort and softness of cashmere. They come in a slim fit (not skinny) and will certainly be the most comfortable jeans he can own. Plus, they’re made in Canada, which makes them winter tested by default.

3. Common Projects Patent Leather High Tops, $300-500. Luckily for men, formal wear of late has shed the stuffy attitude and taken a turn towards comfort and relaxation. This holiday party season give your man the option of pairing his evening wear with some flare. The patent leather high tops from designers Prathan Poopat and Flavio Girolami combine finer aesthetics and design to create the perfect sneaker for spicing up a ubiquitous black tux, or adding some pop to the often over-done jeans and blazer. Common Projects are ballroom and dance-floor approved.

4. The Beatles Stereo Box Set, $176, amazon.com 2009 was another stellar year for fans of the fab four. First, Beatles Rock Band made its way onto the shelves and now this magnificent collection of re-mastered tracks is available to own, and made to sound as if the music was made ‘Yesterday.’ The collection contains all 13 of The Beatles studio albums, each complete with a mini-documentary. A fantastic gift for any musician, or music lover.

5. Abercrombie and Fitch cable knit sweater, $150, Abercrombie.ca The cable knit sweater has forever been favoured by fisherman and sheep herding Irishmen buried deep in the hills of the Emerald Isle. This year, you can’t walk into a chain or flagship store without seeing chunky wool and beefy cashmere options in different colours and styles. Thankfully they look great with wool dress pants and leather brogues or distressed denim and military boots.

6. Gap Buffalo Plaid, $50, Simply put, plaid is hot right now. Most of us remember plaids kick-ass association with grunge rock. Iconic images of Kurt Cobain always caught him in chucks, plaid and torn jeans. Strange how fashion comes full circle so fast. Dressing your man in the more casual Buffalo Plaid will instantly give him a more masculine appeal, jsut don’t tell him we said that. Consider opting for the dressier cotton options and he can pair it with his wool, herringbone or tweed suit for a more modern edge.

7. Gap leather bomber Jacket, $350, This is the year of the leather jacket. Though they never really went out of style, they certainly made a huge comeback this year. Everyone from Daniel Craig to Justin ‘Bobby’ made the leather bomber a wardrobe staple. The Gap’s slim cut, double pocket and elastic waist band version is the perfect casual item to bring the rebel without a cause out of your man

8. Inglourious Basterds (2 Disc Special Edition), $18, amazon.com The latest Tarantino masterpeice (some say his best) is ready to own on DVD and Blu-ray. Noteworthy performances from Brad Pitt and North American newcomer Christoph Waltz (Oscar buzz alert) are what helped this movie land on pretty much every critic and fan top ten lists in 2009. The two disc set includes extended and alternate scenes, documentaries and extra features. Perfect for your boyfriend (it will be a nice payback for all of the “chick-flicks” he has endured over the year), or the movie buff in your family.

9. Persol Sunglasses $195, getprice.com With the resurgence of the aviator and Wayfarer in recent years, Persol seemed to remain relatively unknown to North Americans. Until now. Many classic film stars have been sporting this style over the years, such as Steve McQueen and Marcello Mastroianni. These shades are perfect for any time of the year whether it’s a frigid winter in the city or an all-inclusive tropical vacation. A holiday must for the (lucky) sartorial guy, or GBF.

10. Redwing: Classic Work/Moc Toe Boot, $350. At some point in our lives we have sacrificed style for warmth and comfort. That lightweight jacket that was great with layers but really was made for spring, or the Converse sneakers worn in -40 below weather, may have looked great but failed to keep our toes from getting frostbite. Those days are over. The Redwing boot stylishly bridges the gap between climate appropriate and stylish appeal. Get your guy to pair them with jeans and a tweed blazer, chunky sweater or peacoat.

THE STOCKING STUFFERS. That sock hanging over his fireplace deserves some attention too! Surprise him with a few quality stocking stuffer’s. Knit Tie $90 Knit ties are the often overlooked staple of mens business casual and business formal wear. It is an understated piece that will often get the first compliment in his wardrobe. They often come in simple colours and patterns like polka dot and horizontal stripes, but the look itself is enough to make any winter ensemble pop.Socks may be the forgotten accessory for men. Colourful Socks (price may vary) Most guys stick to the black socks and black pants rule, and worse yet, white athletic socks with jeans. Give your man a splash of colour in the colder months and let him remove his shoes at indoor soirees with confidence. With socks the more pattern and colour the better!Finally, Aqua di Parma-Blu Mediterraneo Line $120 ladies you want your man smelling right don`t you? The array of scents in the Blu Mediterraneo line from the Italian cologne juggernaut Aqua di Parma was inspired by Mediterranean island landscape and includes notes of amber, musk, and wood, with the aromatic intensity of myrtle, basil and juniper essential oils. A hint of lilac, blackcurrant, sweet orange, bergamot and cedarwood can also be found. Make him as irresistible to you as you are to him.