Say it quietly, but the holiday shopping season has quietly crept up on us once again, signalling the start of another mad clamour for gifts that people actually want, without breaking the bank.
With so much choice on offer, navigating the market can be tricky. To help you on your way, here are ten tried and tested styles that’d be a welcome addition to any and all wardrobes.
Going one better, all of the below picks are currently available at below retail (size dependent), so you can cop some of our favourite drops without breaking the bank.
1. Nike Air Force 1 Low ’07
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Few sneakers are as widely adored and possess a legacy as illustrious as the all-white Air Force 1. The timeless design has remained a stalwart since its inception way back in 1982, making it an essential addition to any sneaker rotation.
2. Apple AirPods Max Headphones
The must-have Apple accessory gets a serious upgrade with the AirPods Max. Crafted with what Apple describes as “acoustically engineered memory foam”, the ear cushions have been designed to create an immersive seal. Inside, high-fidelity audio is combined with cutting-edge noise cancelling tech, designed specially to ensure audio is delivered with crystal clear clarity. Aesthetically, the headphones look just as sleek as we’ve come to know and expect from the tech behemoth, so they certainly look the part too.
3. NikeCraft General Purpose Shoe Tom Sachs Archive Dark Sulfur
Tom Sachs’ link-up with Nike has definitely proved a winning formula for both parties so far, and the recent introduction of the Sulfur General Purpose shoe cemented this even further. The intentionally basic design is built to be worn anywhere, everywhere and by anyone, and when painted in this version’s vibrant hue, it perfectly blends simplicity with effortless attention-pulling power.
4. Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo struck gold with the release of the Switch five years ago, and its popularity has rarely faltered since. The Switch Lite is the brand’s stripped-back, handheld version of the benchmark console, giving gamers on the go access to all of Nintendo’s iconic titles and characters.
5. New Balance 550 White Grey
After debuting on basketball courts back in 1989, the 550 was eventually filed away in the New Balance archives until late 2020, when it reemerged in a series of limited-edition releases. Following its renewed popularity, NB brought the silhouette back into its full-time lineup a year later, a decision that has certainly paid off for the Boston brand.
6. Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless Lightspeed Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Crafted using premium materials, Logitech’s G915 gaming keyboard combines essential durability with sleek, striking aesthetics. Under the hood, the compact setup boasts LIGHTSPEED wireless for super-fast 1 ms performance and low-profile GL mechanical switches that provide all the speed and accuracy of traditional switches—at half the height.
7. Jordan 1 Retro High OG Dark Marina Blue
Earlier in 2022 Nike dipped back into the Jordan archives, reimagining the seminal Jordan 1 silhouette in sleek Dark Marina colour blocking. Although the hues were a new addition to the catalogue, the resemblance to the coveted ‘Royal’ colourway ensured the shoe became an instant hit among Jordan aficionados.
8. Microsoft Xbox Series X Mini Fridge
What once started as a viral meme has proved a serious hit among Xbox fanatics. Created in collaboration with Ukonic, the fridge features eye-catching LEDs and surface features that resemble those of the console itself. The creation holds up to 12 cans and even comes with a USB port so it doubles up as a (sort of) portable charger.
9. Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star 70 Hi Comme des Garcons PLAY Black
A genuine clash of pop culture icons features via one of the most famous sneakers of all time. The hi-top Chuck Taylor is adorned with the unmistakable Commes des Garçons heart logo, breathing new life into a shoe that deservedly holds its own special place in the fashion history books.
10. Beats by Dr. Dre Solo3 The Beats Icon Collection Wireless On-Ear Headphones
With up to 40 hours of battery life, a stylish streamlined design and award-winning Beats audio, the Solo3 is the perfect headphone for everyday use. Fast Fuel tech means a five-minute charge gives the user a whopping three hours of playback too, so no more getting caught out before long journeys.
