Doc Martens have been cool for decades! And they are even cooler now. D has a well-loved pair, and hubby just bought himself some. His first pair lasted 20 years. No joke. Mind you, he’s British and back in the day, they were not expensive.
I’m useless with “in” gifts, but aren’t actual headphones really popular? Beatz? Also the earbuds in a little case. Wireless ones.
What about cool clothing brands for young men? Any ideas?
regarding uggs: they are so UGLY. however, the warmth can’t be beat. I love putting mine on during the winter; they keep my feet toasty warm and soft all day. their discounted brand isn’t close; d23 had a pair last year and they weren’t the same.
I have Uggs that look more like a “normal”, more stylish boot (not the ones that look like they leave a Sasquatch footprint). And they are warm!
S21 is so so picky, but likes a few brands, says they are ‘in’…Bonobos (their pants fit him especially well), Vineyard Vines, Nike and Adidas.
I would love more ideas too…he won’t wear anything with stripes or plaid, t-shirts can’t have a front pocket or giant design on the back. ACK!
May not be on younger folks radar as much, and I’m not a person to boycott companies for the usual social outrage reasons, but as an athlete myself I can tell you that Nike is really on the “word we can’t say on cc” list. They have made some serious missteps the past 6 months and have lost huge support from many folks. There were several things that came out about their horrific treatment of their pregnant female pro runners, the treatment of young females in their elite training program (body shaming, etc) and the big illegal drug expose involving the elite training program where their star coach has been banned for 4 years.
Last night when my son got home from college, I asked him for some ideas for Christmas. I almost fell over when he said UGGs! Where we live, men do not wear them, but apparently they are popular on his college campus. And this, after he just got two pair of Timberlands! He kind of laughed it off and said they weren’t high on his list so I don’t think I’ll be getting them,
On a related note, I think the traditional UGG boots are so ugly. Only one of my girls ever wanted a pair. She didn’t wear them for long and they sat in her closet. One day, I grabbed them to walk the dog on a freezing cold day as they are easy to slip on quickly. Wow! I was won over…however, I only wear them to walk the dogs or drive my kids to school when it’s freezing out and I’m not going out in public. They truly are super warm. My other “rated to -4 F” boots do not compare despite the claims.
My kids don’t really have anything on their lists that appear to be “in” things except for maybe a pair of sneakers my daughter asked for. They were not easy to find in the “triple white” color she requested (sold out most places) so I’m guessing they must be popular. They come in all different colors and can even be custom designed. She’s studying abroad at the moment so perhaps they are popular where she is?
https://www.nike.com/t/air-force-1-07-triple-white-womens-shoe-KyTwDPGG/315115-112
Moral of this story: what is “in” is what is “in” for the person you are buying for. Rarely is there a “one size fits all” item that everyone loves!
I think the Goodr sunglasses are fun. For $25 they would be a fun surprise gift - for the person who enjoys wearing/changing sunglasses!
Apparently those “triple white” shoes are what all the “influencers” are wearing… Heard about them from my D also. Love the Goodr sunglasses site and will definitely be ordering those!
OMG Nike Air Force 1’s are IT where we live! Definitely on D’s list. She says Uggs are out! But my son actually loves their slippers! They’re on his list, as are Nike pants. He’s not a political kind of kid, so doesn’t care about the PR surrounding them.
Urban Outfitters is all over my D’s list also.
I also have Uggs on my list - they are sooooo warm and comfy! I work in a casual (and cold) office, so I will wear them out!
@NJWrestlingmom D wanted a size 9 and Nike was out of stock. I looked everywhere and couldn’t find them. I mentioned it to her and she said, the men’s are exactly the same so just get me the men’s in the corresponding size. Sure enough, when I looked on the men’s side, they did have them and were even listed with both men’s/women’s sizes, even though on the women’s side, they didn’t. I didn’t realize it was a unisex shoe or I would have tried that in the first place! BTW, even tho D is currently studying abroad, she goes to school on west coast so I guess they must be in there as well. I haven’t noticed them here in MD but my kids go to private school so I mostly see the kids in uniform, not in casual clothing. I’ll have to pay attention now when I’m out and about.
I love reading all the different ideas and what’s “in” for some and not for others. Some off the beaten path name brands my kids like: Catch Surf, Pull and Bear and Birdwell Britches.
All the high school kids where we live wear the Nike AF 1’s. Well, mostly just the girls. My D has a pair and I chuckle every time I see her in them, they look like white nursing shoes or a pair of white bricks. Compared to them, I think my Uggs look cute!
Where we are the younger kids (middle school and younger) still wear Uggs. HS kids mostly wear Bean boots. Although after skiing, my D loves to put on her Uggs.
My 17 y/o is asking for Doc’s for Christmas. I like them…what’s old is new again 
, they look like white nursing shoes or a pair of white bricks.<<<<<<<<<<<
Right LOL? They are like shoes we were forced to wear. Ugly AF. But I love DMs, they have really never been out of style though.
For teenage boys:
“Air Jordan Retro” basketball shoes are all the rage.
Did anyone mention Lulu lemon yet? We are obsessed with those pants for years now, and they are still in. Both D19 and I have over 15 lulu pants each in our closets lol. I practically live in them. DD still asked for a couple more on the xmas list.
As for my freshman HS boy, he loves shoes, he is obsessed with Pharrell William style (Adidas).
Love this thread, I have to google a few items and get ideas from some.
Our daughter loves anything cozy. I think she would love to live inside an L.L. Bean catalogue… but she would be the one basking by the fireplace with a golden retriever (after a ten-minute romp in the snow), not the one snowshoeing through the forest.
She has asked for a weighted blanket and a sort of wearable blanket called the “original comfy”. Is that a thing? The website was already out of most colors. including the one she wanted so I was relieved to find it on Amazon. She also wants the new kind of Uggs that are shorter, a little more streamlined and have a zipper. Are those the ones that aren’t as warm?
I just asked her about the white Nike AF1s and she said they’re ugly and she’d never wear them. About Doc Martin’s, she said they’re “actually very cool” but the girls at her school that wear them are “so irritatingly trendy” she’s torn about having them herself, lol.
Bought a weighted blanket for one son. The other has only asked for Apple AirPod Pros, so that’s his main gift.
Graduating college seniors could use contributions to a “first apartment” or “relocation” fund. Cash is always “in”.