Left to right: Ted Baker Pieters Knitted Cuff Gift Boxed Gloves in Black: £55 mainlinemenswear.co.uk; Monarch Cufflink: £85   AllSaints; Duck and Cover Nordic Knit Scarf: £11 stand-out.net

When it comes to buying gifts, presentation is everything. This is not, you understand, because the average man is so highly critical of any gift you might give him that he will be marking you out of ten for the wrapping alone. No, it is because extravagantly packaged apparel is not often something which one will often consider purchasing for oneself – yet come Christmas, it’s everywhere. From gloves, to watches, to cufflinks; nothing says Christmas quite like an attractive giftbox – compared to a plastic toggle and magnetic security tag, at least.

If you’re liable to be slightly less superficial in your gift-buying rationale, then you’ll be relieved to know that a number of this season’s key trends serve a more practical purpose than that of pretty packaging. Scarves are again a key accessory this year, and offer the perfect way to add a touch of Nordic knitwear to almost any outfit. Accessorising with items such as the umbrella has proved essential in achieving the much-coveted ‘modern gent’ look – with telescopic designs being conveniently stocking-sized. If you are buying such items as gifts, then stick to classic colours like grey, navy or black to ensure that they will co-ordinate with the recipient’s existing outerwear.

Left to right: Burberry Brit Black Check Strand Telescopic Umbrella: £95 my-wardrobe.co.uk; 55DSL Divine Grey Brief & Sock Set: £28 Urban Outfitters; Lyle and Scott Vintage Skinny Square-Cut Tie: £35 Lyle and Scott

Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without one or two predictable fashion gifts – namely socks, pants and ties. Bizarrely, underwear is often the gift of choice from family members. You might think that you’ll never wear the musical briefs given to you last year by Aunt Jeanie, but when you suddenly discover that every pair of pants you own is in the wash, I beg to differ. With this in mind, is can be worth making subtle suggestions towards some slightly more preferable options.

Whilst the tie might traditionally be something of a ‘Dad-gift’, this is another one which can easily work in the favour of any style-conscious gent’ come Christmas. Ties are a classic accessory, and as such, it takes quite a lot of effort to get it wrong. A good quality tie should be kept plain and simple, in order to bring an air of elegance to a formal or tailored look, whilst skinny ties offer a more causal alternative. Choose ties in darker shades if you feel there is any risk of the man in question spilling cranberry sauce on the aforementioned garment at any point over the Christmas period.

Like it or not, this will inevitably result your having to undertake some type of Christmas shopping Unless you plan to spend Christmas day innocently explaining how you ordered it online but it just hasn’t arrived yet, then a trip to the shops is in order. Of course, this is but another opportunity to flaunt your Autumn/Winter attire. Since such an excursion is sure to require taking out your wallet on more than one occasion, it is essential that this particular accessory is in-keeping with the rest of your overall style.

Left to right: Carhartt Black Leather Cardholder Wallet: £38 Urban Outfitters; Firetrap Born Belt And Wallet Set: £45 mainlinemenswear.co.uk

Nothing will shatter the illusion of style quite as quickly as producing a scruffy, Velcro-fastened wallet from the pocket of your tailored suit jacket, or from almost any item of clothing for that matter. Maintain your style credentials by opting for a timeless black leather wallet, complete with a range of oh-so-practical compartments. Alternatively, why not follow The Cheat’s Guide to Looking Stylish by simply investing in co-ordinating accessories, ensuring that your wallet is effortlessly in sync with your belt/cufflinks/watch at all times.

Left to right: Paul Smith Las Vegas Mini Cooper Billford Wallet: £149 my-wardrobe.com; Post Wallet: £45 AllSaints

The wallet is another item where the tendency to cater for practical use often overrules the importance of style. However, this needn’t be the case. Wallets can offer just as much opportunity to stand out from the crowd as any other menswear accessory, and what better time to flaunt that fact than during the Christmas shopping frenzy. Photographic print designs are always particularly eye-catching, and wallets with vintage images on the interior offer the perfect way to incorporate a subtle nod to retro style this season. A good wallet undoubtedly adds a sophisticated touch to any outfit, but if your style is somewhat less formal then there are several other options before one should resort to carrying their change around in a Tesco carrier bag – something which I have witnessed on far too many occasions. For a more casual look, opt for washed or distressed leather wallet in a pouch or envelope style, fastened with poppers or a zip.

Left to right: D&G Charcoal Tweed Shawl Collar Coat: £635 my-wardrobe.com; Scotch & Soda Herringbone Jacket Blazer With Inner: £219 stand-out.net

The tweed jacket is, once again, the most popular way to wear this material, and probably always will be. Tweed is stylish yet durable, if not entirely water-proof, making it a fabric which is often best-suited to outerwear. Contrary to popular belief, almost anyone can wear the wear a tweed jacket, no matter what their stance on fox hunting or similarities to iconic detective, Sherlock Holmes. This season, there’s a good range of options when it comes to wearing tweed – from lightweight blazer styles to heavier overcoat types. The key is to add layers, in order to give this look a more modern and slightly preppy feel.

Left to right: Penfield Millwood Green Tweed Trousers: £80 Urban Outfitters; Penfield Idelwood Back Pack in Green Penfield Tweed: £65 mainlinemenswear.co.uk

Whilst the jacket might be the most traditional way to wear your tweed, it is far from the only option this season. Tweed trousers, for example, have long since graduated from being solely the preserve of university lecturers and Time Lords alike, and look suitably on-trend worn with brogues and buttoned-up penny collar shirts. However, if you’re tempted to venture away from the more subtle herringbone twill weaves, then tweed accessories are probably your safest bet. From large weekend holdalls to smaller satchel styles, tweed is a superb choice when it comes to bags this season. With its gentlemanly connotations, a tweed bag also has the advantage of ensuring that you can gallantly offer to carry any luggage, without having to compromise on style. And they say chivalry is dead…

Left to right: Polo Ralph Lauren Navy Fairisle Pom Pom Beanie: £75 my-wardrobe.com; YMC Striped Bobble Hat: £55 Urban Outfitters

Ok, so you might want to lose the glasses, and upgrade the Millets anorak to a stylish Barbour alternative, but the bobble beanie should still remain. The whole premise, in fact, is very much the same – except that you’ll want to look like you’ve finally graduated from the junior ramblers society and gone on to become a fully fledge fisherman instead. Whether or not you live remotely close to any source of open water is irrelevant, simply grow yourself a beard (in any style which might potentially be described as ‘rugged’), don a sturdy pair of winter boots, and accessorise with a fitted bobble beanie. If possible, try to furrow your brow, and stare meaningfully towards the horizon at any given opportunity – if you venture towards East London, you’ll notice that the trendiest of folk have been practising this last part for some time.

Left to right: Roskild Beanie: £40 AllSaints; Franklin & Marshall Bobble Beanie: £24 stand-out.net

Of course, if you’re cursed with a baby-soft complexion which will never allow you to pass as a hardened man of the sea, then you’re better going for the slouchy bobble beanie. The stripy jumper trend has been done to death, so the bobble beanie is simply the next style-step when it comes to channelling that look of Where’s Wally-chic. As an offshoot of the trend for all things Nordic, there are more Scandinavian-inspired bobble beanies in shops this season than Sunday shoppers at IKEA. Aran, Fair Isle and cable-knit styles can also be found doing the rounds when it comes to this particular accessory. Team with a classic crew-neck jumper and slim-fit jeans – unless, of course, you’re just an overly enthusiastic Geography teacher, in which case you’ll want an Ordnance Survey map and something by The North Face, I’d imagine.

Fashion Crime 1: Short-sleeved shirt and tie

Perhaps the most frequent offender of the summer months is the short-sleeved shirt and tie combo. Each item on its own is unlikely to cause offence, but unless you’re being forced into some sort of unfortunate uniform, this pairing is simply unacceptable. It’s illogical, for a start, and it certainly is not the perfect solution to staying cool on a busy train while retaining a look of formality.

The Solution:

Really, a long sleeved shirt and classic tie is the only way to make sure you look sharp in a suit, so make sure you choose cotton options if you need to stay cool. If you really cannot brave wearing full-length sleeves and a tie, then opt for a classic shirt with a buttoned-up penny collar instead. Just as smart, and right on trend. Otherwise, my only suggestion is to keep an eye on the boss to see when it has been officially deemed too hot for tie-wearing, and make the most of those casual Fridays…

Fashion Crime 2: Trainers with a suit

Now to those of you wearing trainers…with a suit. This might seem ok because, you know, you have a perfectly good pair of work shoes in your bag, or under your desk, but trainers are just more comfortable. Or, worse still, you might be under the illusion that pairing your pinstripe suit with a pair of Converse’s is actually quite a good look. If you’ve just mumbled something to yourself about it being ‘more practical’, then it may already be too late for you.

The Solution:

Invest in a good, comfortable pair of smart shoes – and then, for goodness sake, wear them. If black seems too formal, then tone it down with a brown vintage-inspired pair. Patent material is certainly smart, but can easily come across as old-fashioned of not worn in a modern style. If you keen to keep it casual, then there are plenty of ‘worn-leather’ options around at the moment, which tent to be more comfortable too. You can’t go wrong with a classic pair of brogues, which can be easily switched for loafers during the summer months. On the other hand, there are a number of smart trainer styles available at the moment, which are certainly preferable to a scruffy pair of old Reebok’s and can be easily matched to the colour of your suit.

Fashion Crime 3: Ill-fitting suits

Considering the number of people who will happily use the irritating phrase, “all over it like a cheap suit”, you’d think more would know what a cheap suit looked like. Evidently not. That said, if your suit doesn’t fit properly then it will never ever look good, no matter how expensive it is.

The Solution:

You can have your suit professionally fitted and altered, which is probably the best way to guarantee a perfect fit. Otherwise, just look in a mirror? A suit which is too tight is just as bad one which is baggy , and it’s usually a good idea to get a second opinion from someone other than the shop assistant. Most suit retailers will offer a range of different styles, such as those specifically designed for athletic builds, so find the one which is best suited to your body shape. Don’t, for example, squeeze yourself into a skinny suit if you’re, um, not.

Fashion Crime 4: Rucksacks

An alarming number of rucksacks seem to have crawled onto the backs of otherwise well-dressed individuals of late. It might be a gym kit, but the best way to make people wonder if you work out is not by having an ever-present sports bag.

The Solution:

Short of a Tesco carrier bag, almost anything is preferable to this mismatched combination. If you don’t fancy surrendering your sense of ‘boyish charm’ to a briefcase, but would rather avoid looking like you’ve taken style tips from Boris Johnson, then opt for a stylish messenger bag instead. These bags are also the perfect alternative to the generic laptop bag, whilst leather options will always look smart and stylish. If satchel style just ain’t your bag, so to speak, then keep it sporty with a retro duffle gym bag, which will still look a little less like you’ve brought your P.E. kit to work.

Fashion Crime 5: Pink Trousers

Lastly, I’d like to address a new and worrying trend which appears to be taking over the nation’s commuters: pink trousers. There’s been more than a few fashion faux pas which have taken place in the name of ‘metrosexuality’ over the last few years – some of you may even have the candyfloss-coloured pink shirt still lurking at the back of your wardrobe to prove it.

The Solution:

While the Sloane Ranger style might be making something of a comeback, it’s probably best to nip this particular fashion disaster in the bud. Anyone planning to sit on public transport should already be aware that pastel-coloured pants are never going to be a good idea. Even if you don’t need to wear a suit on a daily basis, black or blue tends to be a far safer option. If you really can’t resist proving your manliness with a pair of coloured trousers, then either go for darker shades, such as burgundy, or else team your pastel pants with a polo shirt and catch the next train to Chelsea.

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Other Superdry Sales (Updated September 2011)

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This bag would look great with some straight jeans, a funky cardigan a pair of plain trainers available from .