It’ll be here before you know it. So if you’re in need of a few ideas on what to give (or in some cases, what to put on your own list) this year, this is the place to be for the next couple weeks. Our annual 12 days of Dappered covers highly giftable ideas with a few examples piggy-backed onto each. All will be reasonably affordable. See the growing archive here.
Cole Haan Whitman Leather Shoe Horn – $24.95 ($48)
Don’t underestimate the usefullness of an at-work shoe horn. Perfect for those who commute in crappy weather, bike to work, or both. If you have to change your shoes when you get there, having a horn on-location helps. Hugely. The Cole Haan option comes in a bunch of different colors (not just brown and black), while this one from J. Crew comes in an awfully slick looking light tan shade.
Personalized Shoe Trees – $29.95
Getting a little late in the game for these, since personalization often takes a few extra days, but shoe hogs can always use an extra pair of nice shoe trees. And that personalization, with their name, monogram/initials, “Property of…” or even “GOTTA BE THE SHOES” is a nice, extra touch. (Note: Allen Edmonds has beefed up the font on their shoe personalization, so the pic above isn’t quite accurate. Their message is much more noticeable now.)
Cashmere Socks: John W. Nordstrom – $49.50
Sorry, how much for a pair of socks? To some of us (most, almost all?) dropping fifty bucks on ONE PAIR of socks is ludicrous. Ludacris I say. Like, what kind of area code do you have to inhabit where cashmere socks aren’t a fantasy? (Sorry…) But giving someone a luxury item can be kinda fun. Even if it’s just one pair of socks. If he’s really into shoes, he should recognize that cashmere socks are another level. Nice reviews on these. Ships and returns free.
Shoe Shine Gift Certificates
Got a cobbler in your city? Drop in and see if they offer gift certificates for shoe shines. Sure, plenty of guys actually like the process of shining their own shoes, but every so often it’s nice to just hand em’ over to the pros.
Massimo Dutti Shoe Horn Keychain – $25.90 ($35.50)
Well then. Maybe forget storing a shoe horn at work, and keep one with you at all times? Actually not a bad looking key chain on it’s own. But for the price, the functionality is, wait for it… key? AHHAHAHAHAHWAHWHARHWRMALGLBHBAMMAHahmsnmmmm
Cotton Shoe Bags – $10.00
A nice stocking stuffer. If you’ve got a good sized collection of shoes, but not enough enclosed storage space to keep them in, shoe bags are a must. Otherwise, every time you reach for a pair you haven’t worn in a while, you have to blow the dust off them. Literally. Also nice to have for trips, where you can keep a freshly shined pair of shoes off your clothes while in transit. Ten bucks for a pair of flannel shoe bags via Allen Edmonds. Much cheaper for regular cotton bags on Amazon
Brooks Brothers Cedar Shoe Valet + Shine Kit – $96.00 ($128)
Made in the USA with two very nice horsehair brushes, two horsehair daubers, plus black and dark brown shoe creme. Lotta room in this thing for all of the recipeiants shoe maintenance goods. Smells good. Looks good. A pleasure to use. Arrives in time for Christmas as long as it’s ordered by noon EST on 12/20. 25% gets knocked off at checkout, and thus, drops it under a hundred bucks. Full review here.
Follow along with the rest of 2014′s edition of the 12 Days of Dappered here.