Subscribe to the our newsletter to receive latest news straight to your inbox.
Buying for the man in your life? Here’s our edit of the things we’d love to receive this Valentine’s Day (spoiler alert: no comedy silk boxer shorts in sight)
Ah, it’s that time of year again. All of a sudden, the shop windows are filled with giant pink hearts, unnecessary bunches of fake roses and glib, gooey one-liners in thick red font. Valentine’s Day is, at the very least, an extra opportunity for present-giving – one not to be missed if you’re lucky enough to have a true love to share the day with. These are some Valentine’s Day gifts for men that we’d actually like to receive. If you’re stuck for ideas, the chances are your other half will enjoy unwrapping one of these, too.S
Valentine’s calls for a suitably robust, rugged, and (dare we say it) sexy scent – something to enjoy wearing on a special evening out – and Floris London’s Leather Oud is just the thing. Like all Floris’s scents, it’s blended in the UK from the best natural ingredients and the formula’s worked on by the brand’s perfume buffs by hand while it’s perfected. The leather note in the scent is fresh and rounded, while the oud oil is deep and woody, mixing well with its other base notes of amber and vetiver.
£160 for 100ml, florislondon.com
EB Meyrowitz’s frames are among the finest in the land, designed on London’s Royal Arcade and crafted from the best tortoiseshell acetate available. This ‘Beluga’ model is one of Meyrowitz’s most interesting designs, combining the qualities of round and square frames with its angular brow-lines and smooth curving rims. Intellectual yet sophisticated, if you’re celebrating Valentine’s with a glasses-wearer this year, a pair of these is guaranteed to charm them. Note that you can find these in-store or have them fitted at Meyrowitz’s shop too, so don’t fret if they need tweaking.
£595, ebmeyrowitz.co.uk
Sunspel’s boxers are the Premier Grand Cru of men’s underwear; made in the brand’s Long Eaton factory from superior quality long staple cotton. Sunspel is credited with inventing boxer shorts in 1947, and today, the brand still makes all its shorts with a few distinguishing features: the garment’s seams are double-turned and feldlocked to ensure they’re as smooth as can be, and they’re cut without a centre backseam for superior comfort. In a red Shibori flower print, these are fitting choice for Valentine’s, but there are 12 other colours to choose from, too.
£38, sunspel.com
The ‘SPZL’ editions are essentially Adidas’s ‘posh’ or premium sneakers, made in smaller runs than other Originals, using high-end materials and archive designs. These Lacombe sneakers are inspired by 1970s tennis kicks, made with a lightweight construction in supple calf’s leather. They’re a subtle shade of off white, which complements the burgundy heel tips and tongue, and lend a smart-casual look, they also look pin-sharp paired with a dark red merino rollneck and unstructured navy suit. They’ll put a spring in your beloved’s step – guaranteed.
£85, mrporter.com
All caffeine fiends know that using the right kit is essential to crafting a perfect cup of the brown stuff. Toast Living knows this too, and has put plenty of thought into its elegant filter coffee set. The funnel is copper pleated stainless steel, and the 600ml carafe (enough for four cups of coffee) is made from two heat-resistant layers of glass – so it’ll keep your coffee hotter for longer, and the outer layer won’t get too hot to handle. This will improve your other half’s morning routine – and by all probability yours too.
£75, mrporter.com
We’ve written about Farer’s watches before – and with good reason. Farer is a modern British brand, designing watches in England and finding ways to incorporate Swiss watchmaking technology without breaking the bank. Its designs have a clear mid-century bent, with elegant design details. The Stark II is one of their simpler models with a quartz movement, but it’s still a handsome watch. The midnight blue hands and batons are overprinted 12-times to achieve an unrivalled depth of colour, the metal grey dial has a chic sunray finish and the tan Barena leather watch strap is strong yet soft. It’s a lot of watch for less than £400 this, and worth every penny.
£380, farer.com
Drake’s ‘Wilcot’ cotton crewneck
It might look like the Where’s Wally? jumper, but this new season knit from Drake’s is a stylish choice for the transition into summer proper. Cotton knitwear is a little lighter and cooler than its wintery merino or cashmere equivalents, and with an open structure like this, breathes comfortably throughout the day. Keep it to brighten your mood on damp, grey spring mornings and evenings, and pull over a chambray button-down. The red stripes look great paired with desaturated earthy tones.
£235, mrporter.com