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.

For a short period you can grab some Lyle and Scott bargains at Mainline Menswear.

Our favourite sale item:  Lyle and Scott Vintage Polo Tshirt. Only £39!

Visit the sale now!

The Bagga Menswear website says: “The Lyle & Scott Heritage collection features the famous Lyle & Scott Eagle on every piece, subtly embroidered in complementary colours.”

Unlike  popular Lyle and Scott clothing which bears the golden Lyle and Scott eagle, the new Heritage range is more understated and is set to be a big hit this summer.

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