New York - November 29, 2011

Guys' Gift Guide 2011

How to Holiday Shop for Dudes

No matter what you buy for the men in your life, you’re the real present. Follow the guide below to make sure you don’t get returned.

Get to Necking
When it comes to ties, there’s really not one: Brooklyn Tailors makes slim versions with a “free-floating interlining” and “hand slip stitching and bar tack.” Pick a woolen plaid, check, houndstooth, or tweed. You’ll both look like winners.

Play to His Masculine Side
Drop a hint with a sturdy, made-to-order carryall from Forestbound Bags (in leather or WWII-era canvas). Just don’t call it a murse or matchel.

Split the Bills
Ironically, a camo-printed bifold wallet, handmade by Greenpoint’s Maxx & Unicorn Co. from a single piece of calfskin, does anything but blend in. Swing by Hickoree’s for solid-color horsehide alternatives.

Sweeten Him Up
For a sappy sentiment go with a jug of organic maple syrup made in New Hampshire and brought down by local ax purveyor Best Made Company. A vintage-inspired constellation wall map from The Municipal Prints Company will put stars in his eyes; letterpress HTML Code Cards printed in Brooklyn let him thank you later.

Make Pillow Talk
In the colloquial sense, Brooklyn-based Vanilla Medallions’s Nike Air Jordan 1 pillows will make his crib look clean. Find them (and other iconic plush kicks) at Reed Space. Step it up a level with a copy of Max100, a limited-run, clothbound volume artist Matt Stevens devoted to his favorite athletic shoe.

Keep Your Cool
For low-key dudes, bet on a No Mas T-shirt. The design pays homage to the recent extinction of Gotham’s OTBs. Pair with 3x1 custom jeans made in Soho.

Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Two pop-ups for Pops. Snag utilitarian jackets and cashmere accessories from Aether Apparel’s Airstream trailer (parked in Soho through December 31). Patagonia has two tin sheds uptown (1491 Third Avenue, at East 84th Street; 2625 Broadway, at West 100th Street) through April 30, 2012, filled with goods for the outdoorsman.