Knitwear is a perennial Christmas-gift favourite when buying for men, and with good reason - it's freezing outside; last year's most loved jumpers are looking moth-eaten and threadbare; and you just know your boyfriend, brother or son would hate to spend his own hard-earned pennies on anything as sensible as a new one. Thankfully, though, this season the shops are heaving with cool, slim-fit knits meaning that your loved ones don't have to be bundled up in something Captain Haddock gave to Oxfam, or worse, the dreaded granny-knit. Bulky, scratchy, shapeless, oversized snowflake sweaters are surely a feature of nobody's Christmas list, so steer well clear of those.



The well-dressed chap about town right now is looking for a dressed-down, layered style which draws inspiration from the fashion happenings of 2007 - the hipster/emo look, foppish elegance, and geek chic, the trend that will not die. Horizontal stripes, whether thick, thin or multi-coloured, are massive, and an understated striped jumper is really versatile, fitting beautifully into both the winter's hottest looks. Worn with a printed t-shirt, straight distressed jeans and canvas hi-tops it brings a British, streetwise edge to the ever-popular grunge trend; or smarten it up with a blazer, slim-leg trousers, pointed shoes and a skinny scarf and it's all about the dandyish, new mod style. Just add an artfully messy hairdo and punk-rock scowl to complete the 'teenage rebel' effect.

The humble cardigan, once the knit that dared not speak its name in fashionable circles, is back thanks to the retro styling of many bands, such as Klaxons, Arctic Monkeys and The View, and has become a staple of geek chic wardrobes across the nation. Jumpers with Y-necklines and button details are a subtle nod to this too. A new look which looks set to last into spring-summer 08 brings these trends together with a casual, 'back to school' feel - inspired by the 80s and 90s and the rebellious bad boys of teen movies like The Lost Boys. Think preppy, but off-campus; think the class troublemaker; think how your mate's older brother had a provisional driving licence and was the coolest person in the world when you were about 14, and dress like him - a couple of steps down the smartness ladder from Sunday best.

Checks and geometric patterns are the other style to watch for this season - layer these with plain, bold pieces to avoid pattern overkill, and team a patterned top half with very plain trousers. Moleskin and wool mixes are perfect for winter and because they're not as heavy as jeans, you can get away with more pieces, as well as a few accessories without being overdressed. In terms of accessories, monochrome scarves are still massive and look out for luxurious silk scarves and cravats coming back in to eveningwear. Pete Doherty pork-pie hats are, thankfully, on the way out; military-inspired caps and 'Castro hats' are in. Viva la revolution!

So, the buzzwords for Christmas lists to get your man a late place in this year's best-dressed lists: stripes and checks, trousers not jeans, and men's light weight knits which go with everything.

Maybe some classic punk albums and DVDs, for inspiration, wouldn't go amiss either though!