I hope everyone is having a very happy holiday season!  Ahead of Cyber Monday sales tomorrow—and with less than a month until Christmas—I’m sharing my occasionally annual tradition of a holiday gift guide that you can use to direct your shopping for others… or to get some ideas to treat yourself!

Of course, BAMF Style is focused on screen-worn style, so there will be plenty of cinematically inspired clothing as well as pieces from my own wardrobe and wish list for this year. In addition to that, you’ll find an array of budget-friendly gifts for everyone on your list from parents, siblings, and spouses to friends and colleagues.

If you need more inspiration than the below, check out last year’s list too. Also, feel free to share your own favorite gift ideas in the comments!

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Clothes

Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker Jacket (from The Last of Us)

Whether you’re dressing to survive the end of the world or an active winter day, the “field tan” 7-oz. sailcloth cotton Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket worn by Joel Miller (Pedro Pascal) while traversing a apocalyptic United States in The Last of Us became an instant sartorial hit after the series debuted at the start of 2023.

Read more about Joel’s style on The Last of Us, crafted by costume designer Cynthia Ann Summers.

Levi’s 1937 501® Jeans

The iconic Levi’s 501® Original Fit jeans have considerably evolved over their 150-year timeline, but one of my favorite versions is the pre-World War II pattern that retained the cinch-back as well as the relatively recent addition of belt loops to replace the newly removed suspender buttons. Within a few years, the cinch-back would be a permanent casualty of wartime rationing as the 501® settled into its current iteration, but the Levi’s Vintage Clothing label has revived this decades-old design.

Levi’s Webster Western Puffer Jacket

The Western-yoked puffer jacket has been a favorite of mine, as recently discussed on BAMF Style—think Kevin Costner in Yellowstone or throwback to Tom Berenger in The Big Chill. This year, Levi’s launched their “Webster” Western Puffer Jacket in several retro-rustic varieties, including the chocolate/brown colorway with a bright orange collar lining that especially appeals to me.

More budget-minded shoppers can also consider Levi’s earlier take on the Western puffer: the “Out West”, which features a sherpa-fleece collar and leather-effect shoulder yokes.

Lululemon Sojourn Jacket (from The Killer)

Sandwiched among his aloha shirt, bucket hat, and “dad sneakers” in this year’s David Fincher thriller The Killer, Michael Fassbender’s unnamed assassin often wore a full-zip Lululemon track jacket in a stretchy blue polyester performance cloth that the athletic apparel brand trademarked as Warpstreme.

Read more about Fassbender’s style in The Killer, crafted by costume designer Cate Adams.

Old Navy SoSoft Sweaters

This one caught me by surprise! During an early November trip to the mall (one of many this holiday season), I was drawn to the buffalo scene depicted on a soft-looking sweater at Old Navy. Brushing my hand against what the brand describes as their “whipped soft” cotton blend, I quickly understood why Old Navy calls these the “SoSoft” sweaters and, just a few bucks later, I had my Friendsgiving fit locked down.

Buffalo not for you? They’ve also got snowflakes and Fair Isle-inspired patterns.

Paradise Found Star Orchid Aloha Shirt (from Magnum, P.I.)

The red “jungle bird” may be the most familiar aloha shirt from Tom Selleck’s characterization of the mustached, Hawaii-dwelling private investigator, but the black “Star Orchid” shirt—also from genuine Hawaiian label Paradise Found—is another recognizable piece from the series that had a particularly special relevance for me this year.

I first wrote about Selleck’s screen-worn Star Orchid shirt just weeks before I traveled to Hawaii for the first time in October. While in Honolulu, I found a modern update of this shirt (still being made by Paradise Found more than 40 years later!) at the fabulous Bailey’s Antiques & Aloha Shirts shop on Kapahulu Avenue and not only added it to my collection of aloha-wear but also wore it with a beige houndstooth linen suit to my friend’s wedding at Kualoa Ranch.

With its handsome floral print on a black ground, the shirt appealed to me as a more understated (if that word can apply) alternative to the bright red bird print often associated with Selleck’s character, while still made from the comfortable silky rayon with its wooden buttons and classic cut. 

As with all Paradise Found shirts, sizes run big—I purchase my Paradise Found shirts in a size medium although I’m typically a size large.

Read more about the Star Orchid shirt’s appearances on Magnum, P.I. as well as ’80s films like Silver Bullet and Bull Durham.

Pendleton Cotton Terry Velour Robe

This long, hooded pure cotton terry robe was a Christmas gift last year, and I love it. In my experience with board shirts, Pendleton products are unimpeachable, and this supremely comfortable proved that this expertise certainly extends to terry-cloth loungewear (a subject that many know I’m very passionate about.)

In addition to its hood, the robe has a waist sash and two large hip pockets, and the terry toweling cloth works like a full-body towel after getting out of the shower or swimming pool.

SIS PTI Tracksuit

SIS Training Gear delivered on a much-requested Bond fan favorite with this screen-accurate reproduction of the PTI training suit that the “resurrected” 007 wears when getting back into fighting shape in Skyfall.

Read more about the training gear Daniel Craig wore for this sequence in Skyfall, crafted by costume designer Jany Temime.

USN A-2 Deck Jacket

You’ve heard of the classic A-2 flight jacket, and you’re likely also familiar with the N-1 deck jacket, but the A-2 deck jacket was much less familiar to me when I found one earlier this year at a local secondhand shop (Boheme in Lawrenceville—for any of my fellow Pittsburghers who may be interested.)

The A-2 was introduced to the U.S. Navy in the mid-1960s, replacing the familiar N-1 through the Vietnam War era into the ’80s. The hardy olive cotton shell echoes the mil-spec look of field jackets but with a shorter length and a warm nylon fleece lining that ensures warmth. The jacket also boasts a trio of pockets (including a flapped chest pocket that fastens through a snap), knitted cuffs, and buckle-strap waist adjusters on each side. I’m always grateful when I wear it on a cold day.

I’d recommend finding a secondhand surplus jacket if you can, but I understand that Buzz Rickson’s makes an excellent reproductions, designed to original Navy specifications.

I’ve rarely seen the A-2 deck jacket in movies—can anyone recommend any films or shows that prominently feature it?

Work Shirt from Buck Mason

Yesterday, I was shopping at Buck Mason’s new Sewickley location and spied this handsome brown two-pocket, long-sleeved shirt in a brushed cotton chamois that reminded me of the service shirts worn by World War II officers with a mid-century work shirt sensibility.

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More His & Her Gift Ideas

Carmy-Approved Black Birkenstocks (from The Bear)

This is probably the third year in a row I’ve been reading about the surprising renaissance as clogs, though it may not be too surprising, given the resurgence of comfort over fashion during the pandemic.

Longtime clog purveyors Birkenstock received a boost on The Bear, where fictional Chicago chef Carmy Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White) took a page from real-life restaurant kitchen style by sporting Birkenstock Tokio Super Grip shoes, all black except for the signature shock-absorbing cork footbeds… perfect for stress-packed back-of-house duties or stress-free days lazing around the house.

Read more about Carmy’s style on The Bear, crafted by costume designers Cristina Spiridakis and Courtney Wheeler.

Tissot Powermatic 80 Watch

One of the watches that grabbed my attention this year was inspired by only a few focused seconds of screen time. Returning to The Bear for sartorial inspiration, the final two episodes of the second season saw good-natured pastry chef Marcus (Lionel Boyce) recently returned from Copenhagen, armed with new skills, new confidence, and a new watch.

Shining from his right wrist, the stainless timepiece with its dark green dial and 3:00 date window appears to be a Tissot Powermatic 80 (ref. T1274071109101). Whether that’s the actual watch that Boyce was wearing or not, my interest was piqued as I began noticing more smartly dressed folks wearing stainless watches with green dials. In my experience, Tissot has always been a great brand for getting quality in exchange for a reasonable investment that won’t break the bank.

Sunski Shoreline Sunglasses

With their translucent rust polymer oversized frames, the Sunski Shoreline sunglasses reimagine the sporty aviator shape with a retro cool sensibility that could have been worn by the likes of Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, and Sidney Poitier during their swinging ’60s heyday.

Heart & Hand Clay Co. Earrings

The jewelry-wearers in your life will appreciate the one-of-a-kind handmade (and hypoallergenic!) polymer clay earrings crafted in my hometown by Heart & Hand Clay Co., specializing in “joyful earrings” like the array of Christmas studs in addition to other seasonal offerings.

JISULIFE Handheld Fan

I don’t think my wife and I own a single product that inspires as much awe as the JISULIFE handheld fans she bought us several summers ago. These light and supremely portable handheld fans have been a godsend whether in line for boardwalk fries at the beach or cooling down at the office. It may be hard to think about needing extra cool air in the middle of the chilly holiday season, but this is the kind of gift that will pay for itself in seven or eight months.

RovyVon A1 Rechargeable Mini-Light

Classify this as another one to never leave home without! A constant part of my EDC kit is this extremely small but deceptively powerful little flashlight, the USB-C-powered RovyVon A1.

Not long after I bought it, my wife and I were walking (okay stumbling) back from a bar in Woodstock, New York, an area we were relatively unfamiliar with and the darkness became somewhat intimidating. Not to fear, as I had my RovyVon in my pocket—as always—and it cast a surprisingly strong light that helped guide us back to our motel.

There may be stronger or longer-lasting EDC pocket flashlights out there, but the affordability and portability of this little RovyVon ensures that I’ll never leave home without it.

TableTopics

Whether you’re looking to get a group talking at a party or liven up a road trip, TableTopics are a go-to for getting conversations started. For our wedding, my wife and I even bought a few extra decks and scattered different cards at each table to help people break the ice (and it worked!)

There are many different brands and varieties of these conversation cards, but TableTopics are the OG, introduced almost 20 years ago.

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Books

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer
by Kai Bird & Martin J. Sherwin

This Pulitzer-winning definitive biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer served as the basis for Christopher Nolan’s epic Oppenheimer released this summer, starring Cillian Murphy in the title role.

Black Gun, Silver Star: The Life and Legend of Frontier Marshal Bass Reeves
by Art T. Burton

I’ve long been fascinated by the story of Bass Reeves, the famed lawman of the Wild West who was born into slavery and became one of the most prolific Deputy U.S. Marshals in American history. Earlier this month, an eight-episode series starring David Oyelowo as Reeves premiered on Paramount+, for which Burton’s well-reviewed biography would provide smart companion reading.

Colorstrology: What Your Birthday Color Says about You
by Michele Bernhardt

This one has been around for a while but only on my radar through the last year after my wife received it as a gift. Blending astrology, numerology, and color theory, Michele Bernhardt’s book assigns a color to every birth date and presents the traits associated with those born on that day which informed the color selection. (Mine is amberglow, a ’70s-esque shade of orange.)

The color theory is fun and thoughtful, but the book also serves a practical purpose for if I’m stumped trying to figure out what to wear so I’ll flip open the book, see that November 26th is “valerian”, and decide to wear that comfortably faded purple T-shirt I bought for my Big Lebowski Halloween costume two years ago.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir
by Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry was much deeper than just his well-known character of Chandler Bing, as the late actor outlined in his memoir released last year. As many continue sharing stories and tributes to Perry’s legacy across social media, the actor’s own candid words provide even more insight into his complex life.

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
by David Grann

Martin Scorsese’s latest masterpiece adapted David Grann’s sobering and horrifying chronicle of the murders that plagued the Osage community in 1920s Oklahoma.

Succession: Season 1 — The Complete Scripts
by Jesse Armstrong

The final season of Succession this year concluded a favorite TV show for many (including yours truly), but you can continue spending time with the dysfunctional and disturbing wealthy Roy family by reading creator Jesse Armstrong’s original scripts for the series, starting with the first season—though volumes have also been published for seasons two, three, and four.

Wear It Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscover the Joy of Getting Dressed
by Allison Bornstein

Wear It Well seems more marketed toward female readers (for what it’s worth), but author Allison Bornstein’s personal styling philosophies seem universal toward guiding people toward aligning their style toward their authentic selves… which can and should be done, even when you find inspiration from movies and TV character costumes!

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Movies

Oppenheimer (2023)
dir. Christopher Nolan

I can’t make a better case for owning physical media than Christopher Nolan did when describing the Oppenheimer Blu-ray release to Zack Scharf for Variety earlier this month:

In the case of Oppenheimer, we put a lot of care and attention into the Blu-ray version… and trying to translate the photography and the sound, putting that into the digital realm with a version you can buy and own at home and put on a shelf so no evil streaming service can come steal it from you.

The Silent Partner (1978)
dir. Daryl Duke

Perfect for someone who either loves or hates movies set at Christmas. There’s little more to say without spoiling this great, offbeat, and oh-so-’70s Canadian thriller that features Christopher Plummer dressed alternately as Santa Claus and in drag while Elliott Gould stymies his attempts to rob a bank. Oh, and a young John Candy shows up in it.

The Sting (1973)
dir. George Roy Hill

This Christmas will be the 50th anniversary of when The Sting was released on December 25, 1973, commemorated with a new 4K/Blu-ray release!

Long-time BAMF Style readers may know that Edith Head’s iconic costume design from this classic starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, and Robert Shaw is one of the reasons why BAMF Style exists in the first place.

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All prices and availability current as of November 26, 2023.

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The post BAMF Style’s 2023 Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on BAMF Style.