Calling all the wise men! Here’s our shortlist of conscious and eco-friendly brands creating unique and special gifts for the men in your life that will make Christmas shopping a piece of (Christmas) cake.
Why is it always so hard to find gifts for men?! If you’re bored of buying another shirt for your boyfriend, husband, Dad, Grandpa, or Jeff next door, don’t get your tinsels in a tangle just yet. Here’s our handy conscious gift guide for him that’ll take the heavy lifting out of gifting this Christmas.
Indosole
The problem: there is a massive amount of tyre waste in the world and it is nearly impossible for tyres to decompose. The solution? Indosole; by repurposing tyre waste into durable soles for footwear, it’s created cute kicks that help save the planet. In case you wondered, since launching Indosole has prevented 80,000 tyres from entering landfill. Specialising in sliders and flips flops in a variety of colours that are chic, comfortable, and conscious, each vegan-friendly pair is responsibly made in Indonesia. Indosole has also recently collaborated with local community groups in Bali to help feed people in need by donating a percentage of its profits. Buy one pair of flip-flops and you’ll help feed three hungry people. Or buy one pair of sliders and help feed five.
The Powder Shampoo
Men often claim they’re less high-maintenance than women, and for those who resonate with that sentiment, there’s The Powder Shampoo. This groundbreaking brand, committed to a planet-first approach, aims to revolutionise the personal care industry. With a focus on simplifying sustainable shower swaps, The Powder Shampoo offers vegan, cruelty-free powder-to-foam formulas that embody effortless and eco-friendly choices.
Caval
The question behind Caval footwear is this: we have two different feet, so why wear two identical shoes? The French sneaker brand is all about stylish mismatching that draws attention without being clowny. They’re not just passionate about making a statement, though; their mission is to build trainers that endure. Their footwear is made in Portugal, much of it using Italian leather and all of the trimmings that count – wax shoelaces, untearable soles, breathable lining. For vegan fellas, they also make PETA-approved, leather-like trainers from recycled apple peels, and GOTS-certified organic cotton kicks.
Crust
With the noble mission of reducing global food waste by 1% over the next ten years while producing beer, who wouldn’t want to support CRUST? The Singapore-based brewery ‘reincarnates’ fresh surplus bread to create their beers, giving a new lease of life to bread that might not make it out of the bakery. Basically, they’re saving bread (and the planet) to make beer. And not just any old beer. We’re talking stouts and IPAs in different flavours (mango, anyone?) and made in collaboration with local markets and bakeries.
Asphalte
The men in your life don’t have to be tough to appreciate tough trainers. The gang at Asphalte have created the Solid Sneaker – a hardy, made-to-last pair of trainers that’s built to handle everything life throws at it. Its mission is to make quality items that are resilient, sleek, and accessible. They pre-order everything meaning they can reduce waste and put their finances towards the things that matter, like quality, service, and continually improving their sustainability agenda. Their sneakers have it all – durability (all of its products are created to last), waxed-cotton laces that are easy to keep clean, air ducts to keep feet fresh, and removable natural-dyed insoles for comfort. The perfect gift for men with feet! Or, take a gander at the other limited items available for pre-order, like the perfect jumper, T-shirt, or pair of jeans.
ZEEL SUPERTEA
Do you have someone in your life who abstains from alcohol? Non-alcoholic beverages are often unexciting or, frankly, disappointing, as many places simply offer sugary drinks disguised as mocktails. That’s where ZEEL SUPERTEA comes in. Your drink should not only taste fantastic but also be good for you. ZEEL SUPERTEA is an innovative range of 100% natural, non-alcoholic, cane sugar-free, sparkling ready-to-drink beverages. ZEEL SUPERTEA is making its debut with its first beverage, ELEVATE – a sparkling mango green tea infused with botanical ingredients such as butterfly pea flower, cacao husk, St. John’s wort, and rhodiola. Each ingredient has been thoughtfully selected for both its flavour profile and well-known positive mood-boosting properties.
Finix Wear
Let’s be honest about it: the men’s athleisure department often lacks excitement in terms of clothing and options. Leonard, the founder of Finix Wear, shares this sentiment, and it inspired the creation of Finix Wear itself. Hailing from Singapore, Finix is a contemporary athflow label that combines “ath” from ath(leisure) with “flow,” representing comfort and fluidity. The brand is dedicated to celebrating individuality, comfort, and authenticity. Through their designs, they seamlessly merge elements of active, street, and lounge wear, resulting in a sophisticated and fluid look. This aesthetic allows you to effortlessly navigate through your day, from daily activities to your next holiday destination.
Talking Toes
Socks, being a wardrobe essential, have undergone a transformation thanks to Talking Toes, a brand dedicated to redefining this often overlooked daily necessity. No longer just a source of foot comfort, socks have evolved into stylish accessories that add a touch of fun to any outfit, providing a canvas for expressing wild ideas, unique personalities, and cherished interests. Talking Toes is committed to taking the humble sock one step further, turning it into a symbol of positive change.
Furthermore, with every pair of socks purchased from Talking Toes, 10% of the gross profits are donated to partner non-profit organisations. Each purchase contributes to meaningful social and environmental causes, allowing individuals to align their fashion choices with a commitment to positive impact.
Wolf & Badger
As everyone knows, shades are the ultimate cool accessory. What’s cooler though, are shades that save the planet. British online marketplace Wolf & Badger stocks a diverse array of sunglasses from international sustainable brands such as RAIE (planet-saving mavens) and Urican (French eco-friendly titans). They also have every style under the sun, meaning there’s a pair for every fella’s personal style (Tom Cruise in Top Gun? Neo in The Matrix? Ferris Bueller in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?). Best of all, in shopping with Wolf & Badger, you know you’re consuming sustainably and ethically, and supporting independent brands.
Raja Rani
Music and fashion are inseparable, especially in the case of Raja Rani. This DJ duo revitalises neglected silk sarees, ingeniously converting them into a range of stylish outfits, including kimonos, crop tops, hair bands, skirts, and pants. For those who appreciate monochrome aesthetics, they present trendy, lightweight cotton kimonos that effortlessly transform a basic t-shirt-and-jeans ensemble into a fashionable statement. It’s the ideal destination for individuals looking to venture beyond their usual style and experiment with new looks.
Dagne and Dover
U.S. bag brand Dagne and Dover are the masters of bag organisation. Their popular waterproof neoprene Dakota backpack offers endless smart storage compartments and comes in small, medium, or large and a variety of colours. It’s also vegan. The brand, founded by three women, is also friend to Mother Earth: it avoids hazardous chemicals in its dyes, uses all of its scrap materials, and donates excess inventory to charities and upcycling companies. This Christmas, help a loved one say goodbye to backpack chaos!
Desi Hangover
Looking for a stylish pair of shoes to gift the man in the family? Desi Hangover brings you a perfectly handcrafted pair of leather footwear; designed for style and engineered for comfort. Made from ethically sourced upcycled leather while bringing life to a village of traditional artisan cobblers who had lost their livelihood to the mass production revolution. Every Desi Hangover shoe creates new opportunities, new hope and helps a community stitch their life back together. Plus they are downright beautiful shoes.
Arthur Zaaro
Arthur Zaaro makes BEAUTIFUL serving boards from sustainably harvested wood that you’ll find in several Michelin-starred restaurants in Singapore. They’re are also lean, green and locally crafted. From planting to final sanding, their production cycle requires little transportation, and they employ local talent for their fine carpentry work. They also craft tables and other pieces of furniture from exotic woods that leads to no loss of habitat.
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