The Best of British Holiday Gift Guide This Season
Here are the essential UK-themed gifts to give to those you love this year.
With Christmas just around the corner, gift shopping is getting much closer to becoming last-minute. To make your holiday shopping experience a little easier, Hypebeast has selected a slew of items, covering everything from fashion, accessories, and footwear, to skincare, tech, and fragrances.
Our British gift picks include cosy outerwear, including jackets from Drama Call, Palace, and Martine Rose, while one of Burberry’s latest scarfs is included to add that extra layer for when it’s needed most.
For more seasonless gifts, Bowers & Wilkins’ headphones are included to keep shoppers plugged in and turned up for the foreseeable. Sneakerheads can also step correct in the Clints stepper silhouette, while Nothing’s first-ever apparel collection stands as another option for those looking to wear something new.
Take a peek at Hypebeast UK’s Christmas gift guide below.
Audio: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 Over Ear Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins
British audio brand Bowers & Wilkins prides itself on offering top-quality sound for any occasion. Most notably, its flagship wireless headphone, the Px8, is a stand-out model for shoppers, with its combination of performance, materials, innovative technology and smart features offering luxury that complements best-in-class sound.
Something New: Nothing Apparel
Nothing
London-based tech brand Nothing has created a new buzz around the UK with its hot-on-the-block smartphones with Android-based messaging apps and user-friendly smartwatches. However, the company has recently entered a new lane: providing top-quality apparel, inspired by the company’s future-facing background while also mimicking scientific uniforms with all-white finishes.
Coats: Drama Call/Martine Rose/Palace
Drama Call/Martine Rose/Palace
Drama Call/Martine Rose/Palace
Drama Call/Martine Rose/Palace
UK based brands Drama Call, Martine Rose, and Palace have had stand-out years in their respective fields throughout 2023, unveiling new collections and drops that have never failed to innovate and evolve. The imprints have also presented a slew of top-draw outerwear this winter, dropping new winter coats that have been designed with nothing but warmth and style in mind.
Pants: Nike Boxers
Nike
Arguably the most comfortable boxer shorts on the market right now, Nike’s performance boxers are made with a smooth, lightweight stretch-polyester for lasting comfort. Customary branding is always spotted on the contrasting elasticated waistband for a secure fit, while its overall machine-washable qualities allow for them to become top-quality mainstays for the foreseeable future.
Socks: Aries
Aries
London-based imprint Aries has “No Problemo” when it comes to creating clean-cut designs. The brand is best known for its heavily-branded T-shirts and button-ups, however, the imprint’s socks have quickly become the go-to for several fashion lovers over the course of 2023. Made from a cotton/performance fabric, Aries’ socks are designed for both lounging and performing – standing as a perfect addition to your Christmas wishlist.
Brand of the Year: Burberry Check Wool Hooded Scarf
Burberry
Over the past year, Burberry has certified itself as fashion’s top performer. As Daniel Lee’s first full year at the helm – having replaced Riccardo Tisci – the designer has modernized the brand with a youthful and contemporary edge. This is encapsulated in the brand’s Check Wool Hooded Scarf, with the hooded silhouette – which is hit with the Equestrian Knight design label – featuring blanket stitching while being brushed for a soft finish.
Splashing Out Selection: MAINS Umbrella
Mains
Skepta’s MAINS label will close out the year as one of 2023’s best surprise packages. The Boy Better Know rapper relaunched the imprint with the help of chief designer Mikey Pearce and graphic designer Johnson Orchid, unveiling their latest collection at London Fashion Week earlier this year. One highlight from the line was the stand-out umbrella, designed with a dark wood base and a top handle embellished with a white gold cap encrusted with 6.83 ct diamonds.
Skincare: Haeckels Facial Set
Haeckels
Driven by the task of trying to reduce global waste, Haeckels provides skincare sets created from natural resources. The brand’s facial set utilizes two different types of seaweed, using the resource to create a Marine Facial Cleanser, Algae Plump Serum, Eco Marine Cream, and Earth Marine AHA Toner.
Fragrance: Story mfg.
Story Mfg.
London-based imprint Story mfg. is a champion for all things sustainable, presenting its business as one that strives to reduce waste while increasing animal kindness and natural elements. This approach to creation has been encapsulated in its clothing since the brand’s inception in 2013 and now, the label has unveiled its all-new fragrance range. Working with local artisans to extract rare scents that emulate flora and fauna, each unisex perfume in the range has been meticulously crafted through several years of intense research.
Essential Tracksuit: Wales Bonner x adidas
Wales Bonner X Adidas
Grace Wales Bonner is a true British fashion pioneer that merges her European heritage with an African narrative. Amidst the slew of top-draw collections and collaborations this year – with the adidas Samba being a key highlight – one major moment for Wales Bonner has come in the form of the label’s collaborative tracksuit with the Three Stripe. The co-branded tracksuit has been donned by the likes of Jude Bellingham since its official presentation, and designed with a melange of co-branded details and signature trims.
Trainers: Clints Stepper
Clints
When it comes to creating innovative footwear, not many brands are doing it better than Manchester-based streetwear brand, Clints. The label first unveiled its Stepper silhouette in collaboration with Patta and since then, the sneaker has been reworked in a slew of different colorways and adapted with new-and-improved details. It’s a heavy shoe, and is designed that way to become your new everyday-sneaker for navigating the city, while also being wearable for outdoor excursions.
