The 2025 Rath-Approved Holiday Gift Guide

Welcome to my 2025 Holiday Gift Guide!

I’ve gathered 12 gift ideas for the man in your life: a mix of hard-working essentials and some splurgy non-essentials intended to delight the aesthete and the aficionado. Choose from three categories: Stocking, In-Between, Splurge. And if all else fails, and you'd like more tailored help, contact me.

Stocking

(clockwise from top left)

1. Compact digital tape measure with fast, accurate readings, easy unit switching, and built-in memory. Simple, precise, and handy for everyday projects. ($37)

2. A clean, masculine candle with a sculptural black vessel and a deep, woody blend of smoke, evergreen, and cedar. Refined, atmospheric, and an easy upgrade to any room. ($40)

3. A classic 2-pack of Polo Ralph Lauren socks with subtle foulard pattern. Cotton-blend, everyday comfortable, and a simple way to add thoughtful, low-key style to his wardrobe. ($24)

4. Compact 9-in-1 multi-tool pen built for everyday use — writes like a smooth pen and packs nine practical functions (LED light, ruler, level, bottle opener, screwdrivers, stylus). Durable aluminum construction makes it a solid stocking stuffer for guys who appreciate functional, well-designed gear. ($13)

Splurge

(clockwise from top left)

1. Ralph Lauren Home Mixologist Bar Set in handsome leather, wool, and brass that combines classic materials with practical mixology tools. It’s a refined addition to his home bar or entertaining space — elevated without being showy. ($4995)

2. A high-performance down Moncler jacket with an unexpected twist — a distinctive corduroy exterior that adds texture and depth. This piece is technically built for the mountain, but refined enough for everyday winter wear. ($3610)

3. This Baume & Mercier Classima Automatic Chronograph Watch is a Swiss-made automatic chronograph that pairs refined mechanics with a clean, classic profile. The stainless case and suede strap give it a grounded, masculine feel, while the neutral palette adds a modern and understated element. This watch is an heirloom-quality piece that works for both everyday wear and elevated occasions. ($3200)

4. A beautifully crafted leather Brunello Cucinelli duffel that blends rugged utility with refined Italian design. The rich grain leather and thoughtful proportions make it equally at home on a weekend getaway or as a carry-on, while understated detailing keeps the look clean and masculine. ($5700)

Somewhere in Between

(clockwise from top left)

1. Billy Reid Coleman Oxford, a rich dark brown suede Oxford shoe that blends timeless dress-shoe roots with a modern, lived-in feel. Made in Italy with subtle burnishing and waxed laces, this is a refined shoe that works as easily with jeans as with tailored trousers, adding quiet style and versatility to his wardrobe. ($498)

2. UGG Robe, a plush, hooded fleece robe that feels like a serious upgrade to loungewear. Warm, relaxed, and effortlessly comfortable — perfect for slow mornings or cozy evenings at home. ($148)

3. This Paul Smith Corduroy Hat has a corduroy baseball cap with a tactile, classic feel and adjustable fit. Its rich texture and subtle detailing add a refined casual edge to everyday outfits. ($150)

4. This Shinola Black Leather Belt is a finely crafted Napa leather belt with a matte buckle and signature lightning-bolt detail on the keeper. This belt has been a fan-favorite for my clients needing a classic black workhorse belt. ($175)

"Before and After" Decoded

Have you seen my latest before and afters? I just added several updated sets to my new website. The before and after section is the most visited part of my site, so this week I’m lifting the hood to show you how it came together for my client in the images above: John Bailey. John is a Management Consultant, and he was looking to create a more appealing image for speaking and presentations. Here's how he described what he wanted to accomplish:“Take the package that is me - height, build, bone-structure, baldness and all - and create an image that says 'authority, approachable'".John is located in Oregon, so we did all our work via Skype and email. Here's how it went down:ColorThe black and silver color combo is too aggressive for business. In addition, because John’s head is bare, the black shirt is overly intense and stark on him – almost making him look like a floating head. Overall, he was coming off too strong in his before look. In contrast, the lavender shirt is more flattering, and in combination with the sportcoat, it’s friendly but authoritative.ProportionJohn is 5’ 8” and slightly stocky, so a main goal was to make him look longer and leaner. The diagonal lines of his sportcoat’s opening “V” are slimming and elongating, and pull him in at the waist. Paired with dark jeans, the jacket creates an overall monochromatic look that also makes him look taller and thinner. We had his jacket cut on the short side to make his legs appear longer.DetailThe peak lapel on John’s jacket draws the eye up toward his broad shoulders and his face in a flattering way. He looks sharp but approachable with his open collar.HairJohn had already ditched the moustache pre-Rath. Good call, John! The shaved head is a confident look (studies have been done on this – here’s a great article on the topic). Making the move from contacts to glasses made sense, as it adds dimension to his face so that he doesn't look so bare.With no head or facial hair, John’s look was vulnerable. He was attempting to strengthen that, but he was doing it in the wrong way. The end result was “trying too hard.” John says, "Men hate to ask for directions - and I think even more so about their appearance. It's an admission of helplessness - and perhaps seems a bit vain as well. I think that holds lots of guys back from success ... [Now] when I present professionally, the difference in how I feel – and therefore, how I carry myself – and the depth of the confidence I can project – is very significant."You can read more about John's work here. A very warm thank you to him for participating in this article!