Before you buy him a shirt for Christmas, picture the one he puts on without being asked. Is it the soft blue button-up he wears to dinner, the green shirt he takes on every weekend trip, or the loud one he saves for the family party? That tells you more about a good gift than his age or whether you call him Dad, husband or brother.
Start with a color he already wears. Then decide how much surprise belongs in the details. Here are three Anton Alexander shirts, from a year-round favorite to a Christmas party pick, and a way to choose the right fit without spoiling the surprise.
Three shirt gifts, matched to his closet
He wears the same blue shirt on repeat
Light blue Italian Supremo cotton feels familiar. The deeper blue inside the collar and cuffs gives him a detail he can show when he rolls his sleeves.
He’d choose a cabin weekend
Green cotton with metallic pine needles and pinecones at the collar and cuffs feels right for Christmas dinner and still makes sense on a January weekend.
He volunteers to host Christmas Eve
A black shirt keeps the red-and-white peppermint accents in focus. Moisture-wicking polyester makes this a practical pick for the host moving between the kitchen and the dining room.
Give him a shirt he can wear twice
Think of the first outing and the second. If the first is Christmas dinner and the second is a client meeting, choose the blue shirt. With navy trousers it looks at home at either table. If both outings are casual, picture the green pinecone shirt with the dark jeans or brown boots he already owns. If the second outing will be next year’s Christmas party, go ahead and choose the peppermint. For someone who collects holiday shirts, wearing it once a year can be the whole pleasure.
For the man who already owns plenty of shirts, look at what stays on the hanger. If every bold print sits untouched while his white and blue shirts go through the wash, keep the body simple. A contrast cuff lets him decide exactly how much of the pattern shows.
How to find his shirt size without asking him to try one on
Borrow a button-up he actually wears, ideally one he can sit in comfortably with the collar buttoned. Photograph the label. If it gives two numbers, such as 15½ and 34/35, keep both. They tell you more than a generic medium.
- Check the collar. Lay it flat and measure from the center of the collar button to the far end of its buttonhole.
- Check sleeve length. Start at the center back of the neck, run the tape over the shoulder, and follow the sleeve to the cuff.
- Compare the cut. Anton Alexander’s Modern Fit gives him more room through the body and upper arms. Fitted sits closer. Neck and sleeve ranges stay the same within the same labeled size.
Use the Anton Alexander size chart to compare the numbers. A shirt laid flat includes room to move, so label those numbers as garment measurements if you ask us for help. Our illustrated measuring guide explains the difference.
When to choose custom and when to keep the gift exchangeable
A custom detail works best when you know what matters to him. A husband who always asks for a longer sleeve gives you a clear starting point. If you’re picking a surprise for a brother whose size you only remember from last winter, a standard-size shirt leaves him the option to exchange it. Unworn, non-custom shirts in their original condition are eligible for return or exchange within 30 days. Custom-fit and custom-designed shirts fall outside the standard return policy. Check the gift return and exchange terms before ordering early.
Questions Christmas gift buyers ask
What’s a good Christmas gift for a man who buys his own clothes?
Pick a variation on something he already owns. A different cuff on his favorite shirt color shows you noticed his taste. Add a note naming where you imagined him wearing it.
How much should I budget for one of these shirts?
At the time of writing, the blue cotton and green pinecone shirts are $135 each. The black peppermint shirt is $145. Check the product page for the current price and checkout for delivery charges.
Can I make a custom shirt a surprise if I don’t know his measurements?
Wrap a card inviting him to choose the fabric and cuffs together. That keeps the gift personal and lets him confirm the fit before production. See the custom shirt studio for design options.
Will a shirt arrive before Christmas?
Most orders leave our Fort Wayne studio the next business day, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Carrier transit begins after dispatch. If you need it for a particular dinner, check the delivery options at checkout and ask us about your date before ordering. See our shipping policy for details.
Where can I compare more festive designs?
Browse the Christmas shirt collection for snowflakes, pinecones and candy-cane accents. If he already has an invitation, our Christmas party outfit guide pairs shirts with the occasion.