Let's Get Dressed – "The Ultimate Men's Gift Guide"

Host: Liv Perez
Guests: Stylist Thomas Christos Kikis • Gstaad Guy • Nike Master Trainer Joe Holder
Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

Liv Perez assembles three sharp, style-savvy men—stylist Thomas Christos Kikis, internet personality Gstaad Guy, and master trainer Joe Holder—to compile the ultimate holiday gift guide for men. Across style, wellness, and sentimental gifts, the trio offers practical tips, luxe recommendations, and plenty of stories. Whether shopping for a partner, a dad, or a friend, listeners walk away with inspiration and creative ideas for every type of man (and budget) this season.

Segment 1: Thoughtful Gift-Giving & Style Staples with Thomas Christos Kikis

Timestamps: 01:13–27:53

Thoughtful Gift-Giving Philosophy

• Thomas is known for exceptionally personalized, meaningful gifts—"I always go back to when you...attend someone’s wedding, you have to give them a gift, but if it’s someone you’re working for, what is that?" (03:03, Thomas).
• Story: For Liv’s wedding, Thomas gifted her a rare vintage Elsa Peretti for Tiffany vase, tailored to her home’s palette and their shared fashion memories.

Affordable, Impactful Gift Ideas

• Bulk Gifting (office/friends):
  • Black Intimissimi tops for female colleagues—a basic with style, prompts a year’s worth of “I'm wearing it today!” texts. (05:35, Thomas)
  • For men: "All grey Adidas"—versatile, universally flattering sneaker.
  • Amazon hoodies with monogrammed names: “You’re giving a monogram special gift…cheap because those hoodies are, I think, $19 from Amazon...$10 to monogram.” (06:34, Thomas)
• Kids' Gifts: Monogrammed aprons for nieces/nephews—practical, low-cost, delightfully personal.

Family Traditions & Holiday Memories

• Homemade ornaments from childhood, repurposed for sentimental value (08:43, Thomas; 09:18, Liv).
• Value of turning meaningful childhood items into present-day keepsakes.

Cold-Weather Style Staples

• Transitioning shoes in LA’s “winter” (socks with loafers, Chelsea boots for a versatile look).
• “Cost-per-wear” strategy: Rotate in new, well-priced cashmere and wool sweaters from Cos, Uniqlo, or Lisa Yang—“I’m not a big believer in spending a lot on a cashmere or a wool sweater, because they’re gonna pill...” (11:26, Thomas).
• Crewneck sweaters in staple colors (black, grey, navy, cream): buy a couple of high-end, mostly practical price points for most.

Menswear Event-Ready Outfits—Quick Wins

• Foolproof holiday party/office look:
  “A knit…polo-like sweater, not a crew neck...with a trouser or jean, ideally a trouser, a boot, a loafer. Play up jewelry and eyewear for impact.” (13:32, Thomas).
• Belts: Style essential, but keep it subtle (“I wear this one Celine belt over and over...has a tonal logo but you can’t really see it”). (14:28, Thomas)

Go-To Shopping Spots

• Vintage jeans: RLT, Denim Doctor.
• Suits: Thom Browne, Prada, Tom Sweeney (off-the-rack is affordable), J. Crew (for tuxes).
• ASCAT: Solution-based line for men of all body types, affordable basics (17:23, Thomas).

Host/Hostess Gifts: Understated Luxury

• Santa Maria Novella hand soap ("elevates your bathroom"), sometimes paired with their burning paper.
• Upgrade home convenience: New phone chargers for a host’s house.
• Flamingo Estate soap sets—always keep a few on hand for quick gifts.
• Candles: Loewe’s Palo Santo ("it’s so good"—20:01, Liv).

Perfect Guy Bags & Masculine Accessories

• Backpacks: Prada nylon backpacks—classic, discreet, unbranded recommended for a luxury feel without flash.
• Work bags: Métier (luxury, subtle) or The Row as splurge-y but heirloom investment options (21:17, Thomas).
• Good leather, minimal branding is key.

Outerwear, Tech, and Footwear Gifts

• Every man needs a good trench ("Burberry or any classic"), especially if he wears suits. (24:12, Thomas)
• “Boyish” gifts: Griddle for the backyard, gym kit overhaul (Alo shorts and tees), Solomons for updated sneakers (25:52, Thomas).
• Chic toolbox (by Shop Tinker, $55) for the practical type.

Memorable Quotes

• "Monogramming anything is the easiest, quickest way to tell someone, I thought of you, and it's not that expensive." (07:25, Thomas)
• "If you can't get Métier, find something that's leather and unbranded. It just has to feel...not designer, but special." (23:10, Liv & Thomas)

Segment 2: Elevated Basics & Sentimentality with Gstaad Guy

Timestamps: 27:57–43:50

International Man of Style

• Gstaad Guy credits his winter style to navy and brown, favoring “tonal layering” (29:11, Gstaad Guy).
  • “I love navy blue all times of the year...I wear a lot of navy in winter, a lot of layers...even if the shades are slightly off.” (29:02, Gstaad Guy)
• Attention to details: “Socks are an important detail...can’t have these bright white Nike Dry Fit socks ruining an otherwise elegant look.” (30:06, Gstaad Guy)

Luxury, Price-Accessible Alternatives

• Loro Piana is his gold standard for look and feel, but Uniqlo achieves similar style on a budget—especially the Airism cotton tees. (31:53, Gstaad Guy)
• Spring/Fall layering tip: Valence by Arc’teryx for technical urban outerwear.

Gift-Giving Philosophy & “La Poubelle or Fantastique?”

• Gifts enjoyed together (“a dinner”) are not real gifts: “A gift should be for the person...exclusively for the person you’re giving it to.” (34:52, Gstaad Guy)
• Thoughtful > expensive: "Deliver on intention. It should be something the other person likes, not what you think they should like." (35:09, Gstaad Guy)
• Most meaningful gift: A framed photograph of a special moment. "Just having that physical framed photo...is such a special reminder." (36:12, Gstaad Guy)
  • Liv’s agreement: “That is always my move...the emotional response of it...goes a really long way.” (37:17, Liv)

Know Your Recipient: Nostalgia vs. Surprise

• Gifts should match the recipient’s nature—is the person nostalgic or curious? (38:43, Gstaad Guy)
• Example: One sister loves childhood callbacks, another prefers silly surprises.

Host/Hostess & Stylish Desk Gifts

• Etiquette: “You should not [arrive empty-handed], especially during a nice moment at someone’s home.” (39:36, Gstaad Guy)
• Stationery: Personalized pens and notebooks (Montblanc) making a comeback, especially for men (40:08, Gstaad Guy).
• Cufflinks: Vintage Tiffany, or new via his brand Poobelle—sold out immediately, showing men want avenues for expression. (41:45, Gstaad Guy)

Most Wanted Gift (if he had to choose)

• Still prefers framed photos or something with shared meaning (42:43, Gstaad Guy).

Memorable Quotes

• “A gift should be for the person...something they can experience completely on their own. Not something you benefit from too.” (34:52, Gstaad Guy)
• “Deliver on intention. Just think about their type—it really makes gift ideas easier.” (38:43, Gstaad Guy)

Segment 3: Wellness, Practicality & Uniform Dressing with Joe Holder

Timestamps: 43:57–58:40

Holiday & Family Traditions

• Joe celebrates with family, reminisces about his late grandfather’s molasses cake and making spiced apple cider (“cardamom, star anise, cinnamon sticks”). (46:00, Joe)

Style Staples & Wardrobe Uniforms

• Key Pants: Alex Mill denim, Subi (Subie) jeans—dark wash, wide leg for warmth and style.
  • “Denim’s a lot warmer than people realize... right now it’s like three key pairs.” (47:17, Joe)
• Winter outerwear: ACG (Nike) puffer jacket, J. Crew collab workwear, Seven for All Mankind cashmere hoodie, Woolrich jackets.
• Foolproof party outfit: “Issy [Issey Miyake] pleats pants, black or dark button-up shirt; just find a cheap dry cleaner, always be ready.” (49:32, Joe)
• Believes wide-leg pants and dark colors are timeless for men—keep it simple, low on trends, “accent pieces” only.

Practical Shopping & New Menswear Brands

• Focuses on reliable brands: Theory, Todd Snyder, Banana Republic, Buck Mason, Alex Mill, Nike’s premium basics, Uniqlo (Japanese cut).
• New in: “Vintage Heavy” – workwear brand with cute Peanuts collection (52:26, Joe).

Wellness and Fitness Gifts for Men

• Home run wellness gifts:

  • Massage gun, Hyperice Venom 2 (or 3) back heater massager.
  • Attractive blue light blocking glasses: “Really hard to find good-looking ones for men.” (54:08, Joe)
  • At-home blood tests (Function Health, InsideTracker, Life Force).
    • “Men, of course, die earlier...a lot of guys don’t know until it’s too late.”
  • Oura ring for sleep/health tracking: “Oura’s more stylish, less intense than Whoop.” (56:07, Joe)

• Dream gift:
  “Ten-pack of massage and acupuncture sessions—I want a massage membership club!” (58:04, Joe)

• "If you can’t measure it, you don’t know. And a lot of guys don’t know until it’s too late.” (55:20, Joe)

Quick-Tip Systems

• Keep a notes app for gift ideas as loved ones mention them (“Let this be a moment where we all go type in gifts...when Christmas rolls around you’re not lost.” 27:32, Liv)

Notable Moments & Quotes

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |-----------|-------|---------| | 03:01 | “I had two hats on with your wedding...By the end, I was not just there as an employee or a team member. I was there as your friend. So I had to give you, you know, I had to find the perfect thing.” | Thomas Kikis | | 07:25 | “Monogramming anything is the easiest, quickest way...not that expensive.” | Thomas Kikis | | 13:32 | “Play up the jewelry and eyewear...that can make you look extra dressed up tonight. That’s my go-to.” | Thomas Kikis | | 29:02 | “There’s two colors I lean into in winter: brown and navy blue. Not together, separately. I wear a lot of navy in winter, a lot of layers...it doesn’t have to be this matching tone.” | Gstaad Guy | | 34:52 | “A gift should be for the person… exclusively for the person you’re giving it to.” | Gstaad Guy | | 36:12 | “The most sentimental gift is actually a framed picture…such an ignored gift, but I find it so special.” | Gstaad Guy | | 47:17 | “I’ve been much of, like, a uniform state…big brand I’m a fan of is Alex Mill, their denim is great.” | Joe Holder | | 49:32 | “Go to for me: Issy pants…pleats are always in to me...Black always looks good. Throw that on, it’s quick and easy.” | Joe Holder | | 54:08 | “If you could find, if you as a woman could actually find your man an attractive looking pair of blue light blockers…that’s really hard to find.” | Joe Holder | | 58:04 | “The biggest gift I would like—a ten-pack of massage and acupuncture sessions. Why is there a membership for everything but massages?” | Joe Holder |

Recap: Top Takeaways

1. Personalization over Price Tag:
Monogramming, framed photos, and thoughtful upgrades (like new chargers or gym kits) leave a meaningful mark, often more than expensive options.

2. Stylish Practicality Rules: Go for versatile, well-made basics: navy and brown layering, dark denim, sweaters from cost-friendly brands, and minimalist, quality accessories.

3. Wellness Gifts = Useful Gifts:
From smart trackers and at-home health kits to cozy loungewear and massage memberships—function galvanizes fashion.

4. Host/Hostess Etiquette:
Never show up empty-handed—soap, candles, stationery, or affordable, aesthetic upgrades always hit the right note.

5. Be Attentive Year-Round:
Track hints and requests throughout the year to become an unexpectedly great gift-giver.

Quick Gift List Cheat Sheet

• For Men: Unbranded leather bags, Métier or Ralph Lauren weekenders, Prada nylon backpack, Solomons, new gym wardrobe, Issey Miyake pleats pants, stationary (Montblanc), framed photos, toolbox (Shop Tinker), massage/acupuncture vouchers, Oura ring, Hyperice Venom back warmer, blue light glasses.
• Host/Hostess: Santa Maria Novella soap, Loewe candle, Flamingo Estate set, upgraded chargers, over-prepared candle/soap cabinet.
• Cold Weather Staples: Cos or Uniqlo cashmere sweaters, Alex Mill denim, ACG puffer, Woolrich jackets.

For every man and every budget, this holistic guide covers fashion, function, and fun—ensuring your holiday gifting is inspired, impactful, and totally dressed up.