What should you buy the man who has everything this Christmas?
Gentleman's Journal head to open air luxury shopping destination Bicester Village to find the perfect presents for men who have it all...
Words: Jonathan Wells
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‘He’s so hard to buy for’. Come Christmastime, it’s a refrain that rings out across the country louder than jingle bells. From November onwards, you can practically hear your friends and family members fretting; loved ones losing sleep over what to buy you for the big day.
But there’s no need to worry. To find the perfect present for the man who has everything, Gentleman’s Journal have taken a trip to Bicester Village, Britain’s leading luxury shopping destination. Here, from interior essentials to timeless style touches, we’ve sought out the best gifts for men who seem to have it all…
Because the key to seasonal success is thinking outside the decoratively-wrapped box. And that’s something Bicester Village is particularly good at. With more than 160 opulent boutiques stretching the length of Bicester’s Christmassy cobbles, the Oxfordshire destination is the perfect place for a spot of festive shopping.
And, whether you’re looking to gift the man who has it all an accessory that he’s never even thought about buying for himself, a luxurious piece of practical luggage or an aftershave that’ll define his new year, every Bicester boutique offers significant discounts on the world’s leading brands. Here are ten of the best options…
For statement style: Eleventy Camel Jacket
This piece of striking Eleventy outerwear is not an everyday garment. But that’s what makes it so perfect for the man who has everything. Out of every prospective present you’ll find in Bicester Village, this big-ticket jacket may be the best. Trimmed with a soft collar, crafted from leather and finished with ribbed cuffs, it’s a statement piece for a man who has already his everyday wardrobe all zipped up.
For the detail-conscious: Lalique ‘Rayonnante’ Cufflinks
Because a man can never have enough cufflinks. The Lalique boutique at Bicester Village is brimming with beautifully-made objet d’art and carefully-crafted pieces — and this pair of ‘Rayonnante’ cufflinks is influenced by both Art Nouveau and Art Deco designs. Crafted from the finest brass palladium, they’ll breath new black tie life into any man’s tuxedo. Compact, considered and effortlessly elegant, they’re the ideal thoughtful gift.
For inspiring adventure: Samsonite ‘Paradiver’ Duffle
If you didn’t really want to buy just another ‘thing’, why not inspire your friends and family to adventure instead? This Samsonite duffle may give them something to unwrap on Christmas Day — but it’s a gift that’ll also motivate them to explore the wider world. Every time they decide to up sticks and jet off, they’ll grab this practically made, ergonomically designed duffle and fill its water-repellant, Teflon-coated sections and slip-pockets while singing your gift-giving praises.
For some down-time: Smythson ‘Panama’ Backgammon Board
Bright red and bold of design, this backgammon board from Smythson is the decorative touch he never knew his house needed. Not only will it add interest to his pad, it’ll also persuade him to learn a new skill — and it’s likely not something he’d have ever considered buying himself. Smythson’s Bicester Village boutique is stuffed with such luxury games boards; the ideal gifts for everyone from bachelors to grandfathers.
For an unexpected fragrance: Penhaligon’s ‘Endymion Concentré’ Aftershave
Most men wouldn’t think of buying a unisex fragrance. But that’s what makes this blue-bottled scent from Penhaligon’s the perfect present for the man who has everything. An enigmatic addition to any man’s aftershave collection, ‘Endymion Concentré’ may sit on a masculine base of nutmeg, incense and leather — but blossoms and blooms into a fragrant top of lavender, sage and bergamot.
For timeless style: Barbour Classic ‘Beaufort’ Wax Jacket
It’s likely that, as the man who has everything, he already owns a Barbour jacket. The things are rugged, rough and ready essentials, after all. But does he have a ‘Beaufort’? Our favourite of the British brand’s offerings, it may not have as many pockets as the ‘Beadnell’ or the lightweight cut of the ‘Beacon’, but the ‘Beaufort’ is the best all-round Barbour money can buy. And you’ll find it for just a fraction of its original price at Bicester Village.
For low-key loungewear: The White Company Navy Essential Robe
Everybody should own an essential robe — even the man who has everything. And this shawl-collar, mid-weight, thoroughly basic option from The White Company is an excellent example. It’s an everyday piece of low-key loungewear made exceedingly well — and one you can pick up for an absolutely steal at Bicester Village.
For do-it-all luggage: Ermenegildo Zegna Green Backpack
You can save almost a third on this Ermenegildo Zegna backpack at Bicester Village this year — which is reason enough to consider it as a Christmas gift. But it’s also a thoroughly practical piece; balancing the brand’s iconic Pelle Tessuta leather with nylon and mesh to create an effortlessly stylish, but endlessly usable piece of luggage. He may already own a luxury leather briefcase and an everyday backpack, but this combines the two.
For cards and cash: Dunhill ‘Belgrave’ Billfold Leather Wallet
Finally, a quality wallet. The man who has everything probably also has his fair share of cash — and where better to store those notes than in this beautiful dunhill ‘Belgrave’ billfold? Featuring eight credit card slots for keeping essentials close at hand, it’s another present he probably would never buy for himself — but would definitely appreciate once he’s unwrapped.
For that finishing touch: Soho Home ‘Preston’ Candle
You know the sort of man this is for. One shelf short of a hoarder, these friends and family members are the Feng Shui fanatics — having more furniture than they can shake an anglepoise lamp at. So what to buy them? A candle. The perfectly fragrant finishing flourish, a candle is the aromatic icing on the interior decoration cake. This wicked wonder, from Soho Home, is crafted from a mineral wax and infused with the brand’s uplifting ‘Pomelo’ fragrance.
Want more from the luxury shopping destination? These autumn menswear essentials are the best of Bicester Village…
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