Gifts for the Style-Conscious

Gifts for the Style-Conscious

Some of the most enduring pieces in menswear and womenswear started as military clothes. Wool peacoats, cut from heavy Melton wool to keep sailors warm through North Atlantic winters, have been a classic topcoat for generations. The M-65 field jacket, introduced by the Army in 1965, has been a cult-classic third layer ever since. A wool watch cap — same spec the military issues today — reads as effortless because it was designed for duty, not trend cycles. This is heritage style: timeless, military-inspired, built to be worn hard for years and still remain in cutting-edge fashion.

Military style is trending, and what could be more military-style than authentic military? Worn as-is, or upcycled and decorated, McGuire is full of stylish fashion options. In fact, just recently, a famous publication's Menswear Hall of Fame list singled out our watch cap as one of its top 100 Items.

Our peacoat selection includes some of the last remaining new Sterlingwear of Boston peacoats — Sterlingwear was the historic US Navy peacoat contractor, and their Boston factory produced the genuine-issue version for decades. Beyond those: M-65 field jackets (a cult-classic silhouette for men and women alike), canvas rucksacks that get better with age, BDU and OCP camouflage pieces for the pattern-forward, wool blankets, and shemaghs that double as the versatile scarf no closet should be without.

Under $25 is where the small style gifts live: a shemagh in subdued or bright colors, a wool watch cap in olive, black, or coyote, a military belt. $25-$75 gets you into the real pieces: a canvas rucksack, to use as a backpack, or a pair of military field pants with pockets that actually work. Over $75 is the bigger Christmas gift: a Sterlingwear peacoat in classic wool, an M-65 field jacket in his or her size, or a pair of surplus combat boots to complete the look.

For him and for her — most pieces work for everyone, and McGuire stocks smaller sizes (XS and S) across many lines. The famed peacoats are available in Mens’ and Womes’ cuts, and are available in classic, navigator and mariner silhouettes in a whole palette of trendy colors. The M-65 is as much a cult-classic women's piece as a men's. The watch cap, the shemagh, the canvas rucksack — all unisex by design. For the style-conscious shopper looking for something that reads as effortless because it has decades of design behind it, this is the category.

McGuire has been in the surplus trade for three generations. Everything we sell is one of three things: genuine issue (actual military-contracted items), MIL-SPEC (made to the military's specification), or practical outdoor gear built to last. We stock what gets worn.

Also worth checking: Gifts for the Adventurous Woman for pieces in smaller sizes with more hike-and-camp orientation, Gifts for Veterans for era-specific surplus with real service history, or Gifts Under $25 for budget-friendly style accessories.

Free shipping on contiguous US orders, no minimum. Weekday orders placed before 1pm Eastern go out the same day. 30-day returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does military surplus work as fashion?

Three reasons. One, the design is honest — every piece was built for a specific use, which translates to a clean, functional look. Two, the materials are real — wool is wool, canvas is canvas, with no synthetic shortcuts. Three, the silhouettes are time-tested — peacoats, M-65 jackets, and canvas rucksacks have been in and out of fashion for decades and keep returning because they genuinely work. Surplus is heritage style without the designer markup. And, well, military-style is huge and growing.

What's a Sterlingwear peacoat, and why is it special?

Sterlingwear of Boston was the historic US Navy contractor for peacoats — their Boston factory produced the real deal for decades. McGuire has some of the last remaining new Sterlingwear peacoats in existence, since the factory closed down several years ago. If you want the authentic peacoat and not a reproduction, this is the one, And when these are gone, they're gone.

What's the M-65 field jacket, and does it work for both men and women?

The M-65 is the Army's all-weather field jacket, first issued in 1965 — a boxy olive jacket with four big pockets and a zip-out liner. It's been a favorite piece for decades, worn by men and women alike as an easy third layer over anything. McGuire stocks it in sizes ranging from XS up. Military-coded at its best.

Which is the famous watch cap that was listed in the Menswear Hall of Fame?

Our wool watch cap, Made in the USA, and available in several colors. A famed publication's Menswear Hall of Fame list recently singled out our watch cap as one of its top 100 Items. It's a simple wool beanie in olive, black, coyote, or navy (or red, orange and burgundy to attract those looks) — same spec the military issues to soldiers for cold-weather duty. The prefect beanie cap to gift – or to wear yourself.

Do you carry smaller sizes?

Yes. McGuire stocks XS and S across many jacket and outerwear lines — the M-65, peacoats, BDU pieces, and field pants come in a size range that fits both smaller-framed men and women. Many surplus pieces (shemaghs, watch caps, canvas rucksacks, military belts) don't need sized fit.

What's a good Christmas gift under $50 for someone stylish?

A wool watch cap (the one that just got named to a menswear Hall of Fame), a shemagh in a color that works with their wardrobe, a military belt, a canvas rucksack, or anything in khaki, olive drab, or camo pattern. All practical, all heritage-coded, all under $50.

Can you ship it directly to the recipient?

Yes. Enter their address as the shipping address at checkout and the box ships straight to them. Our shipments don't include gift notes — if you want them to know it came from you, send a text when the tracking pings.

Do you sell gift cards?

Yes, both physical and digital. Digital gift cards deliver by email right away, which helps if you're running late on your holiday shopping or don't know their size. Physical gift cards ship on our normal schedule.