Plenty Of Alternatives To Shirts, Socks And Ties

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30626, 17 December 1964, Page 2

Plenty Of Alternatives To Shirts, Socks And Ties

The tradition that gifts for men are always the most difficult to choose could well receive a heavy blow this year. The range of men’s gifts could be the best there has been in Christchurch shops.

The hardy annuals such as ties, handkerchiefs, socks and shirts might remain the standby for some, but those wishing to give more original and personal—but still useful—gifts should have little difficulty in finding something to suit both their tastes and their purse, with a little careful shopping. Men almost universally prefer “something useful,” and manufacturers and importers have obliged, with the result that a gift, to be different, need not be just another gadget to add to the rarely used collection in the sideboard drawer.

Imported goods from Europe, Britain and the

United States show overseas trends. One men’s store has brought in a range of German leather goods, including men’s manicure sets for varying prices, and teak and leather boxes, lined, and with a rack for dress rings and spaces for dress jewellery. These cuff links, tie-tacs and matched sets are available in an almost infinite variety of styles, sizes and prices. Very large dress jewellery was being worn by men in some countries, one buyer said, but for New Zealand tastes, less extreme styles had been adapted. One mother-of-pearl set of cuff links had a small Oriental face engraved on each one and prices were as high as £8 and £9. A leather and brass boxed bridge set was in the luxury range of over £B, and an Italian tooled leather desk set cost £ll.

But there was plenty of choice available at much less than that. Clothes brushes appeared in a number of guises. One was anchor shaped, and its wall hook was decorated with a coiled rope. Another was incorporated in a coat hanger. When wanted for a brush, the hanger handles folded round to form a long firm handle for it. One hairbrush had nail clippers and file in its leather back. “Like a Bomb” Men’s toilet goods were “going like a bomb,” another store’s buyer said. A wide range in a number of brands is now available. Diffident at first of entering this field, men, encouraged by gifts from their womenfolk, are becoming increasingly toilet conscious. Aftershave lotions, talcums and colognes are big sellers. Soaps are also available. One most useful novelty is a tablet of shower soap, in the form of a ball, with a looped cord threaded through the centre. It would eliminate groping round the floor of a steamy shower cabinet, after dropped soap. Jaunty grass or linen hats for holiday wear can cost from under £1; inflatable plastic coat hangers, ideal for travelling, are only a few shillings, and metal money clips, an idea from the United

States which should appeal to all men who spurn wallets, and prefer to carry notes loose in a pocket, are 12s 6d.

Problem Solver A “gag” gift, also from the United States, is for the executive who has everything. It is a slide rule “problem solver.” A number of hypothetical situations are listed, and by the silde, a number shows the correct solution.

One problem included is “The office boy catches you with the secretary.” A little manipulation of the slide brings the answer. “Give him a raise.”

A copper hunting horn might not have many uses for the average man, but one (for £6 6s) has been thoughtfully provided with a shoehorn on the other end.

Cigarette lighters come in all forms, including miniature ski boot, complete with ski. Even those who really do wish to keep up the socks, shirt, tie tradition have something special at their command. Pure silk ties can be had for just on £2 apiece; modern variations on the shirt theme come in smart jacket-overshirt styles in varying tonings, and coordinated sock and tie sets are also available.