Giving fashionable items as a gift can be tricky for the untrained shopper. The mall can be a minefield -- one false move (the wrong size, style or color) and you could easily insult the intended recipient. But that doesn’t mean you have full permission to wrap up another department store gift certificate. You just have to do your homework.
Clothes are challenging gifts. If you don’t live with the guy or hang out enough to know his sizes, a guessing game can only lead to gift receipts, hurt feelings and even nights spent sleeping alone on the couch. If you’re unsure of his size, opt for a great, standout accessory like a scarf, bag or watch. Great style is in the details, and the right accessory can polish any guy’s look. Whether he’s a t-shirt-and-jeans or a suit-and tie guy, he can find a way to incorporate a great accessory into his look.
This season, fashion’s biggest trends skew toward classically masculine references, from lumberjack plaid to Mad Men-style fedoras. And don’t forget fashion’s ongoing obsession with the ’80s and ’90s as b-boy style footwear and masculine, monochromatic (and sometimes gothic) styles dominate on the runways. When in doubt, follow the trends. As long as they aren’t completely incompatible with the gift-getter’s style (like giving a Wall Street banker a pair of neon high-tops), you’ll do just fine.
