14 stylish gadgets and accessories to give dapper geeks
The end of the year is a magical time. Video game companies are releasing their blockbuster titles, cellphone companies are revealing their secret weapons, and Hallmark is selling me more Star Wars ornaments. Plus, everything is on sale! In short, it's time to gear up.
That said, us geeks can be hard to shop for. Every year, I go to great pains to inform my family about my gaming and collectable preferences. Despite my best efforts, I'm far more likely to tear open a box containing cologne or a new sweater than that Nein Numb mini bust I wanted. And when this inevitably results in my throwing a Veruca Salt-esque tantrum, what is their excuse? "You're over 30, son." Pitiful.
Well, no more! This year I've bested them at their own game. I'll grow up all right, but I'll do it on my own terms. After all, there's no rule that says geeks can't look classy. In fact, here are 14 gifts that are not only awesome, but fashionable as well.
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1. NASA-Tech Dress Shirts Founded at MIT, Ministry of Design isn't your average clothier. In fact, before creating the next generation of business attire, these guys were designing space suits. So when they turned their eyes toward the traditional button-down, you can bet it was with a scientific eye. The resultant Apollo dress shirt utilizes NASA heat-regulation tech, water-wicking construction and anti-microbial functionality. On top of all that, this shirt is forever wrinkle-free to keep you looking top-shelf. Price: $105
2. Avengers Assemble Colognes Ever feel like you'd need super powers to survive another day at the office? Have I got good news for you. The same people who brought you the line of Star Trek fragrances have worked their well-scented magic again. This time you get to choose between Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers and Thor. Now, no matter what the day throws at you, you'll come out the other side smelling like a superhero. Got a big meeting? Splash on some Mark VII. Hard day at the Gym? Add a dash of Smash! Frost Giants attacking again? Well, you get the idea. Price: $59.99
3. R2-D2 Flash Cufflinks These are the accessories you're looking for. At first glance, these cufflinks are a subtle, refined nod to the little droid that could. Look a little closer and you'll discover that they double as USB Flash drives. It's a bit like being Luke Skywalker and James Bond all at once. Each cufflink is silver plated and enamelled in the style of Artoo's classic exterior while secreting away 2GB of storage. They even arrive in a swanky black Star Wars gift box. Price: $199.95
4. USB Typewriter Fashion has long been about merging the old with the new, or so Iâve heard. In my mind nothing says classic-yet-contemporary like this oldschool typewriter with USB connectivity. Crafted by Jack Zylkin from actual reclaimed typewriters, these keyboards ring with authenticity, from the clacking of the keys to the ding at the end of every like of text. They'll even take an ink cartridge and make hard copies of your manuscripts. They work with Apple or PC products and just need a camera connector to work with your iPad. Price: $799.00
6. R2-D2 Dress The second of our R2-D2 themed gifts sacrifices the flash drives but makes up for it in spades with old fashioned charm. With a semi-fitted bodice and a swishy, enchanting circle skirt, this dress will stop even the shrewdest of moisture farmers in their tracks. The words "Star Wars" are embroidered on the skirt in silver, just in case there's any doubt as to where the rest of the design came from. Price: $120
7. Parrot Zik Headphones Designed by Phillipe Starck, these headphones are a marvel of both technology and design. Not only that, but the user interface is possibly the most intuitive I've ever encountered. They feature NFC, Bluetooth, onboard capacitive touch, active noise cancellation, head detection for pausing audio when you remove them, a jawbone sensor for detecting and focusing in on your voice, three external microphones and a suite of other features. There's even a companion app for fine-tuning your audio experience. Compatible with both Android and iOS. Price: $399.99
8. Isotoner smarTouch gloves There are a lot of touchscreen gloves out there, but Isotoner's smarTouch gloves are a cut above the fold. With three conductive fingertips to facilitate your swiping and pinching, they also come in a whopping 13 styles and 11 colors, assuring you that there's just the right glove to match your Official Mal Reynolds Browncoat. Another common defect of touchscreen gloves is that they don't actually keep your hands warm. And while smarTouch won't keep you from freezing to death in sub-zero temperatures, you'll be nice and toasty right down to the freezing point. Price: $28+
9. Top Hat Espresso Cup Another swanky way to keep yourself warm through the cold months is with this charming little cup and saucer set. The cup is just right for a 2 oz. espresso and the saucer brim is elegant whether adorned with a feather or spoon. With every sip from this cup you'll be tipping your hat to your company, and what's more polite than that? Price: $11.95
10. The Phonekerchief This. This is more polite than a top hat espresso cup. The Phonekerchief is a pocket kerchief with a tech twist. Made of conductive fabric and silver fibers, this little wonder creates a Faraday Cage for your phone. Thus, if the phone is wrapped tightly inside, you cannot receive any calls or messages. Whomever you are with can rest assured that they have your undivided attention. A supreme kindness indeed. Price: $15
5. Dapper Dan's Grooming Kit For those fuzzier-faced geeks out there who still want to look their best, Dapper Dan has you covered. In booze. There's bourbon pre-shave oil, whiskey aftershave, moustache wax, talc and even Guinness cologne. The whole shebang comes wrapped up in a repurposed burlap sack which is as manly as it is practical. After all, to paraphrase George Clooney, you ain't no fop. You're a Dapper Dan man. Price: $49.95
11. N7 Hoodie Even the classiest individuals need some downtime here and there. Thankfully the folks over at Bioware are aware of this and have designed a simultaneously geeky and stylish hoodie for just such occasions. Modeled after Commander Shepard's N7 armor, the design is subtle enough not to draw leers from the uninitiated. For those in the know, however, there's nothing classier than your own real-world N7 armor. Price: $58
12. Nike Hyperdunk+ Nothing says dapper like the right pair of shoes. And there's no occasion for which these are not the right pair of shoes. The Nike Hyperdunk+ and their companion app give your phone real-time feedback and metrics previously only available once you reached the NBA. Vertical jump, hustle, and quickness are all tracked and synced to your phone or iOS device, then converted to NikeFuel. You can even record videos that match your moves to prove just how much you owned that guy who challenged you at the office pizza party. Price: $160
13. Logan Satchel With all this chic gear, the proper thing to do would be to procure a classy bag to everything around in. Thankfully the Logan by Noon Solar delivers the space you need as well as the power. Noon Solar makes a point to construct its bags from renewable resources, and the solar power the Logan provides assures that your devices will be running green, too. The lithium-ion battery has an output of 7.2 volts, and while you won't be able to charge your laptop with it, your cellphone and headphones should be just fine. Price: $482
14. Pebble The presumptive for smartwatch to beat, Pebble was originally slated for shipping in September. Unfortunately, the darn thing raised too much money during its Kickstarter launch and has yet to fill the $10 million plus of preorders. When it does ship, the Pebble will feature a backlit e-paper display, iPhone and Android compatibility and a bevy of apps and features. The makers of Pebble are taking post-Kickstarter pre-orders via their website, so you can still order one and hand over the receipt come gift-giving time. Price: $150