Tomorrow marks the start of the holiday shopping frenzy, while I’m hear to hopefully make your job a bit easier. When is comes to buying gifts for guys my biggest advice would be to keep it simple. Buying clothes is not easy, so I like to stick to small accessories and unique pieces that show thought went into them, but can’t really be messed up.

1. Ties: I know it seems cliche to buy a guy a tie for Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate), but every guy needs them, and if it’s a good one it makes a great impression. Take for example this great Band Of Outsiders tie, it’s certainly not cheap, and it is unique enough that it looks like you put thought into the purchase (available at Opening Ceremony; $140).

2. Fragrance: Most guys own and where more than one scent It keeps girls on their toes, and they are often worn for different seasons, occasions, etc. A well thought out fragrance is always a good purchase. Don’t pick a particularly strong scent though, even some of the manliest of men don’t like an overpowering fragrance. I’ve become a huge fan of the Jeremy Scott for Six Scents fragrance (available at Oak NYC; $85.00).

3. Scarf: Every is wearing them, and they are a very useful item if you’re in a cold area. Be careful though, because buying the wrong scarf can end up the same way as buying an ugly shirt for someone. Keep is simple. Buy a versitile color or pattern, and ake sure it goes well with more than just their usual coat. I’ve been a huge fan of the American Apparel circle scarf I just picked up, it makes it really easy to bunch up around your neck and it doesn’t unravel and fall off (available at American Apparel; $28).

4. Work Bag: Think what you want, but just like women and their purses, a man can’t have too many work bags. I use mine all day everyday, to the point where the strap just breaks off. Show you put some thought into it though. Buy a higher end bag that has a little personality like this Billykirk x Opening Ceremony bag, rather than some shitty canvas one from The Gap (available at Opening Ceremony; $365)

5. A Weekender: Not to be confused with the previous work bag, a weekender is for someone who’s on the move a lot. A weekend here and weekend there, never more than about 3 days, but they have enough stuff that some packing is involved. A weekender is a must! Make sure you have a good one too, these will last just about a life time. I love this bag by Property Of just because of it’s size. You can really fit a good amount of stuff into a bag like this, and still be able to carry it around easily (available at Blackbird; $345).

6. Sunglasses: I wear mine all year around. Like many of the other pieces I’ve show you so far you want to get a pair that are practical yet have a little fun in them. I wouldn’t recommend getting to crazy either, stick to buying black or tortoise they go with everything. I’m a huge fan of everything Super has been doing, I actually have a pair on my Christmas list (available at Super.com; $244)

7. Cool Gadget Accessories: Gifting really unique accessories for (in this case) the person’s iPhone can be a great gift. Be warned though, make sure that you are 100% positive it is cool before you buy it, you don’t want to turn into that weird aunt who buys you stupid accessory things. I love this AnOther x Colette x Gareth Pugh iPhone case. Not too many people will have it, and it scores major scene points (available at Opening Ceremony; $95).

8. Rings: I knwo what you’re thinking, rings? But yeah rings! I’ve found most men wear atleast one ring at all times (even if it’s not their wedding band), so being able to find a really cool masculine ring makes for a great gift. Iona and Digby do an amazing job using old hunting and fishing motifs for their jewelry which make them perfect for gifting (available at DigbyandIona.com; $180)

9. Jewelry: Keeping in line with the previous pick, gifting jewelry (even to guys) is always a solid choice. Pick something simple and cool, none of this stupid “Jesus Piece” crap from a street vendor in Chinatown. I love the “Tar” collection from Alex and Chloe. The items are simple, and the black tar look gives them that additional edge (available at AlexandChloe.com; $64)

10. Books: A good book is never a bad gift. I recommend giving the “What A Man Should Know” Volume 1 book to any guy out there. Not only is it funny, but it’s pretty true too (available at J-Crew; $20)

Hautelook today has some great sales worth checking out, including Buckler, Clean, Cover FX, King Baby Studio, Queen Baby Studio, and Qi Cashmere. If you’re not familiar with Hautelook, you’re definitely missing out! Hautelook provides its members with designer sales daily.

Buckler has great men’s attire at 60% off.

Clean is a fragrance brand that is reminiscent of pure soap, that universal fresh out of the shower scent, and it is up to 70% off today.

Cover FX is a great product founded in order to conceal skin imperfections, and today it is up to 76% off.

King Baby Studio’s origin is “half rock & roll and half outlaw biker,” and it’s all up to 60% off.

Queen Baby Studio is the woman’s version of the above brand, all at 60% off.

Qi Cashmere is up to 65% off, and who doesn’t love some holiday cashmere…

I think I might be obsessed with these! The new Polo Ralph Lauren “Cookie” Boot designed by Ronnie Fieg have an awkward place on my want list for this holiday season.They are decently edgy, a bit rugged, and perfect for this terrible weather that is sure to bombard us any day now. I am hesitant about the boat-shoe-looking toe though. These guys won’t be out until November 27th, but when they are available you’ll only be able to get them at David Z’s in Soho or at Davidz.com.

The designers at Ivory Skies definitely know how to get me in the holiday spirit. This Guardian Angel tee has me thinking about tiny baby jeebus in the manger and sweet delicious fruit cake. That and, well, um Angels. You can pick one up for $20 euro. Click Here to buy now.

I’m in love with the shoes that F-Troupe released this season. My latest obsession from them are the new plaid chukkas.Get a pair for yourself, just head over to Edifice -> CLICK HERE

Kris Van Assche may be taking some heat for his designs lately, but his footwear collections have been amazing. I can honestly say I want every pair of these shoes.

Get your’s now at SSENSE -> CLICK HERE

Oki-ni is offering 40% off select denim pieces. Enter SEASONEND at checkout under additional services.

LINK LOVE: thefashionisto

After going to the last (Capsule) trade show and seeing this collection by Cleveland designers Wrath Arcane, I knew it was going to be a huge hit. It’s been about 9 months since I’ve seen it, and it’s just as perfect as it was when I first saw it. The draping and wrapping cuts mixed with some classic looking head pieces really give for a unique look. I’ll be heading to Oak this weekend hoping to get my mits on some of these pieces before their sold out! You can beat me to it though, shop online to pick yours up now -> CLICK HERE

I have a feeling I’m going to be spending a good amount of time today contacting people to figure out how I can get myself one of these guys, because they are rad as hell!The Japanese jewelry brand, Garni, teamed up with notorious lifestyle brand, Devilock, to create one of the best accessories I’ve seen in 2009. Apparently the ring isn’t for sale yet, but it is set to launch November 24th, or so I’m told.

Get yours now at Eproze -> CLICK HERE

Hautelook today has some great sales worth checking out, including Andrew Marc Outerwear, Decades Boutique, Judith Leiber Sunglasses, and Michele Watches . If you’re not familiar with Hautelook, you’re definitely missing out! Hautelook provides its members with designer sales daily.

Andrew Marc Outwear, for both men and women, is up to 46% off.

Decades Boutique has amazing designers, including Chanel, Christian Dior, Chloe and YSL, up to 30% off.

Judith Leiber sunglasses are all $129, saving you up to 89%.

Michele Watches are a great accessory, and at 40% off, they are a must have.

Every New Yorker’s favorite boutique, Oak nyc, is carrying this amazing new tee from Horace. We saw a similar design from the brand this past Summer, but they decided to make it a bit more Fall accessible by making it a long tee. I love the cut, design, everything about it!

Get yours now at Oak nyc -> CLICK HERE

If you don’t have at least one pair of boots for this winter (I think I’m on my fifth pair) here is your chance to make up for lost time. Oak has produced some of the best looking footwear for the Fall/Winter season, and some of the most affordable too. All three of the styles featured here range from $220-$250. Not bad for something you’ll have for a long long time.Did I mention that the entire Oak collection is worth taking a good look at as well? I think some of their in house productions are the best to be honest. I love their denim!

Get your Oak shoes now -> CLICK HERE!

Bess is really good at taking your every common day product, adding some well planned out studs, and making it totally badass. I’ve never been a big Converse guy (they really hurt my feet), but I would totally rock these.

Shepard Fairey (the man behind Obey), teamed up with Levi’s to do a small capsule collection. I love the jacket above, and unlike a bunch of the ridiculous capsule collections out there, this isn’t way overpriced. The jackets are around $150, tees $30 and the jeans are at $125. Affordable and definitely high quality!

You can buy the entire collection at the Levi’s website -> CLICK HERE

Link

Hillary spent numerous hours attempting to recreate this incredible shredded CMRTYZ tee, but let’s face it, who want’s to spend 10+ hours with a seam-ripper, pulling apart the fine threads of a tee shirt? For the sake of saving time, you can get this awesome tee at Oak! And please, be gentle with it…it’s delicate!

Get it at: Oak

Robert Geller launched his collaboration line with Levi’s at Bloomingdale’s, and while I absolutely love the collection, the price tag is ridiculous. While I can appreciate what Levi’s is trying to do with their brand, you can’t go out and expect people to pay $95 for a Levi’s tee shirt? I’m a bit upset by this in case you can’t tell. Click the link below to wipe out your bank account on a Levi’s jacket.

Link

These are sooo awesome! Vintage Yamamoto for Adidas sneakers that come in their own cage…Get them at Housing Works.

These awesome linen Horace trousers might not look like anything special, but they have clever leg straps that leans towards every girl’s dream: men in bondage. Only kidding. But really, these pants have cool strap detailing that connects from the front belt loops to the back belt loops and looks incredible!

Get it at: Oak

Death. Demons. Shrimp? The Savannah, Georgia born Shrimp Sauce brings a little mischief to the their debut collection of tees. You can grab the collection which features knives, masked men, wolves and of course, shrimp at their newly opened online store.

I don’t think Rick Owens could design a bad piece if he tried, and these incredible calf leather detailed denim jeans are proof. Any chance these come in women’s?

Get it at: Oak

Coated denim is a big trend with the guys recently, so jump on board and get yourself a pair of these awesome coated skinny jeans from Oak! With time and wear, the coated denim will develop a worn looking shine, and combined with it’s classic structure, will provide a basic, but unique, piece for every man’s closet!

Get it at: Oak

To celabrate the 60th anniversary of the Desert Boots, Clarks Original takes us down the memory lane with their six new unique designs.Each of the six styles, three for men and three for women, is inspired by one of the decades, between 1950 -2000, that Desert Boot has been an essential item in your shoe collection.

LINK

ATTENTION ALL ENGAGED COUPLES: The search for the perfect wedding band is over! I recently stumbled across these unique and sentimental fingerprint wedding bands and I’ll admit it, my heart sank a little when I saw them! Brent Williams Designs, sends you an impression kit, you send back your fingerprints and for just $275, you and your lover have a personal keepsake worth cooing over.

Get it at Etsy!

Thanks Like Cool!

Guys, you more or less live in t-shirts, so why not switch it up and get one that looks a little different? From the front, this navy Vanishing Elephant tee looks like a normal, tight fitting shirt, but turn around and you’ll notice it’s a bit longer in the back with tails detailing! Totally loving the diagonal darts throughout as well as the pocket and tight fit!

Get it at: Oak

Looking for a stylish alternative to the typical winter scarf? Get your paws (and your neck) on this simple and easily layer-able neckwarmer by General Idea. The piece is unisex and has a zipper, not only for embellishment, but for easy on and off during those rushed winter mornings!

Get it at: Oak

Leave it up to Oak to introduce the pieced leather pants for men! For a few seasons now, we’ve seen quite a bit of leather for women’s bottoms, whether it be leggings, shorts or a skirt, but this is one of the first times I’ve seen the dark look for the dudes! Oak recommends ONE wash for a distressed, worn-in look.

Get it at: Oak

Thoughts? Loving all the extra straps and the side zipper.

Check out OAK

LINK LOVE: Fashionisto

I’m getting pretty sick of seeing every guy wearing Converse sneakers, so here is a great alternative to the classic high top sneakers. These awesome Oak kicks have the same vibe as Converse but in leather and suede with an awesome heel zipper detail. Sure, they’re not as cheap as Converse, but they sure as hell are cooler!

Get it at: Oak

Let’s be honest, if you’re going to Oak to buy “hiking boots” you probably aren’t going hiking in them.Regardless, I still want these boots as they seem perfect for “hiking” through the snow covered streets of Manhattan. Team these up with a pair of black Oak jeans and a flannel and you’re all set!

Get your F-Troupe boots at Oak now, CLICK HERE.

Unconditional might have just made the be-all, end-all jeans of the century. Not only are they skinny leg drop crotch pants, they have full length zippers down the leg!

Get it at Oak!