Christmas 2018: Best men’s fashion essentials

Men are notoriously hard to buy clothes for – and equally bad at fashion shopping for themselves. This means half the population are wearing ageing slacks and fraying shirts. But it doesn’t have to be this way; a few choice items and accessories can transform a wardrobe. Here are some easy wins.

Joshua Kane shoes

“A true English gentleman, and the king of bespoke tailoring.” This is how Candid magazine described Joshua Kane and his designs back this up. These oxblood and black shoes are perfect for smarter occasions. They are also a good starting point for building an entire outfit – and tailor to the stars Kane can kit you out from top to toe. His suits come with more than a dash of rock-star glamour.

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Joshua Kane ‘The Tailor’ dress shoe, £440, joshuakanestore.com

Mr.Start shirt

Part of Shoreditch tailor Mr.Start’s core collection, this 100% superfine cotton poplin shirt is a perfect match for either jeans or a nice suit. It may be simple, with its mother of pearl buttons, soft single-stitch collar and classic cuff, but it will give any wardrobe a lift.

Mr.Start Bower shirt in classic white, £110, mr-start.com

Paul Smith washbag

Stash your grooming essentials away safely with this practical wash bag from Paul Smith, made from stylish pebble-embossed leather. It features signature touches from the eccentric British designer, including gold embossed zips and hardware, while a black waterproof lining neatly protects its contents.

Paul Smith City Webbing wash bag, £195, paulsmith.com

Tumi duffel bag

Duffels are perfect for weekend escapes or overnight business trips, and this durable leather Tumi is built to last, regardless of how many miles you put on it. It’s not the cheapest bag you can find but, according to Ape to Gentleman, “it’s the ideal choice for those who prioritise quality over price”.

Tumi Lenox leather duffel, £995, uk.tumi.com

Sri Sapphire Eau de Parfum

Sri perfumes bring together the intense fragrances that tend to characterise Middle Eastern perfumery with the more subtle scents typical of the Far East. Thai perfumier Kristiana Sripetchvandee honed her craft while working in Dubai – and was particularly struck by the place of Oud in Arabic hospitality. All of her scents feature Oud as a base, which is then mixed with other ingredients – in this case citrus, cardamom, leather and amber. A complex fragrance that will continue to develop throughout the day.

Sri Sapphire, £220.00, Harrods.com