Welcome to Ape to Gentleman’s Top 10 of the Month feature! Each month, we gather the latest trends, insights, and smart enhancements that simplify modern living. Think of this as your monthly guide to elevating your lifestyle, improving your wardrobe, and staying in tune with cultural shifts.
In this edition, we’ve curated a list of 10 must-have items that encompass the latest winter fashion releases, essential grooming habits to adopt before the year concludes, and the exciting tech, entertainment, and lifestyle launches making waves right now. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle style revamp, refining your self-care routine, or seeking value for your time and investment this month, you’ve come to the right spot.
Let’s dive into how to make December your most stylish, productive, and fulfilling month yet!
Blake Mill Midnight Garden Shirt
The festive season is an excellent opportunity to experiment with your wardrobe, making Blake Mill’s bold Midnight Garden shirt a must-have this winter. Its vibrant print strikes the perfect balance—lively yet sophisticated—allowing you to transition effortlessly from office gatherings to evening celebrations.
Constructed from 100% premium organic cotton sateen, this shirt boasts a smooth texture, a tailored fit, and a sleek cutaway collar that works well under a blazer or worn solo. Pair it with tailored trousers and classic leather shoes for a polished yet eye-catching ensemble.
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Headphones
Bowers & Wilkins has introduced its most advanced wireless headphones yet: the Px8 S2. As a refined update of the popular Px8 model, this second-generation flagship features enhanced 40mm Carbon Cone drivers, a reimagined acoustic architecture, and a dedicated headphone amplifier for extraordinarily clear and expansive sound.
With support for aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, these headphones ensure high-resolution audio, regardless of the source. The internal DSP has also been meticulously fine-tuned for enhanced precision.
Comfort takes a front seat with a luxurious Nappa leather finish and a sleeker, more ergonomic design. With 30 hours of battery life, rapid charging capabilities, and top-notch noise cancellation adept at tackling low-frequency disturbances found on trains and flights, these headphones are made for long journeys and focused work sessions.
With exquisite aluminum detailing, they embody a true premium listening experience, worthy of the Bowers & Wilkins legacy.
Lululemon Outerwear Collection
Now is the perfect time to invest in outerwear that will keep you cozy during the coldest months of the year. Staying true to their mantra of ‘when winter does its worst, we do our best,’ Lululemon presents a collection designed for real-world challenges, rather than ideal conditions.
The standout piece is the Always Down Puffer—an exceptionally warm 600-fill goose down jacket. This jacket balances effective insulation with a lightweight, technical shell that repels wind and light precipitation.
Engineered for mobility, this piece features a relaxed fit, articulated sleeves, and a softly contoured design, perfect for layering, running errands, or commuting without feeling restricted.
With thoughtful additions like fleece-lined pockets and an adjustable hood, it becomes a practical yet stylish winter staple.
Oakley Flow Scape Ski Goggles
Oakley has redefined mountain visibility with its new Flow Scape ski goggles, which increase your field of vision by roughly 60%. Thanks to innovations from the brand’s Visual Performance Lab (VPL), the new conical lens and frame design bring the lens much closer to your face, minimizing obstructions and maximizing your peripheral view as you tackle varied terrains.
Comfort is also enhanced, featuring Oakley’s Vision Rapt Face Foam for a secure, pressure-free fit that remains comfortable even during extended use. The adaptable Switchlock system allows for easy lens swaps, even with gloves on.
Coupled with the brand’s Prizm Technology for increased contrast and definition, these goggles are engineered for serious days on the slopes.
Marty Supreme
For December’s film of the month, we spotlight the captivating biopic “Marty Supreme,” directed by Josh Safdie, whose brother Benny earlier released “The Smashing Machine.” This film features Timothée Chalamet as Marty Reisman, an exceptionally charming self-proclaimed showman of American table tennis whose chaotic journey toward greatness in 1950s New York is simply riveting.
Reisman embodies a fascinating character—a blend of hustler and sportsperson—obsessed with transforming ping pong into high entertainment, making him an ideal subject for the Safdies’ unique storytelling style.
A24 is fully embracing the film’s quirky charm—expect to see merchandise fly off the shelves just as fast as Chalamet delivers his on-screen spin shots. Early festival buzz indicates that this could be one of the season’s unexpected hits.
In cinemas 26 December
Soho House Manchester
The long-awaited Soho House Manchester has finally opened its doors, marking a significant milestone for the private members’ club and its inaugural location in Northern England. This new house occupies five floors of the iconic former Granada Television building in the St John’s district, steeped in cultural significance and industrial flair.
Within, you’ll discover three floors of eclectic club space alongside a dedicated lounge, restaurant, and club bar, all designed with the brand’s characteristic blend of mid-century warmth and modern comfort.
A rooftop pool and a two-floor Soho Health Club will be added in the coming months, enhancing the venue’s offerings. The opening events have already made a profound impact, featuring performances from notable artists like Primal Scream and Loyle Carner, securing the new House’s position on the city’s cultural scene.
Membership starts from £287.50, and naturally, there’s already a waiting list.
Articles of Interest Podcast
The latest series of Avery Trufelman’s acclaimed podcast, Articles of Interest, delves into outdoor apparel—arriving at a perfect time as functional clothing transitions from niche interest to everyday necessity.
This season, the show traces the evolution of outdoor gear from indigenous hunting practices to mid-20th-century military innovations, examining how materials like Gore-Tex and design elements like camouflage became entrenched in our everyday wardrobe. Trufelman’s meticulous research and engaging narrative style make the history surprisingly captivating.
If you’re a newcomer to the podcast, the rich archive offers a wealth of fashion history, subculture exploration, and textile information that will draw you in.
Listen now at articlesofinterest.co
Diptyque Sapin (Pine Tree) Advent Candle
Forgo the usual chocolate treats this festive season and indulge in Diptyque’s limited-edition Sapin (Pine Tree) advent candle. It presents a small daily luxury that makes a profound impact—each day reveals a hand-painted number, and the candle concludes with a golden seal, highlighting the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship.
When lit, it releases a fragrance of fresh pine, cedar, moss, and resin that encapsulates the essence of winter woods, adding an elegant touch to the longer December nights—far more sophisticated than traditional advent offerings.
Tekla Store, London
Danish home textile brand Tekla has launched a flagship store in Marylebone, its first outside Copenhagen, perfectly capturing the inviting atmosphere fans have come to expect. The store’s design feels like a welcoming home, blending minimalist Danish aesthetics with cozy British design elements to create a relaxed, tactile space.
Beautifully arranged shelves showcase bath linens, robes, bedding, and lounge wear, exuding the detailed precision that has made Tekla a favorite among design enthusiasts—all while welcoming the seasonal spirit of gifting.
It’s more than just a store; it’s designed to feel like a living space, resonating with Tekla’s focus on comfort, craftsmanship, and contemporary simplicity.
10 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4BT; teklafabrics.com
Bodum x MOMA Bistro Programmable Coffee Maker
As coffee prices inch closer to that of a pint, investing in a stylish home coffee maker becomes increasingly appealing. Enter the Bodum x MOMA Bistro coffee maker—an eye-catching, design-driven machine that brings a touch of museum elegance to your kitchen.
Simple to operate, it features a programmable 24-hour timer, ensuring that your morning brew is ready when you are. The fine-mesh stainless steel filter eliminates the need for disposable paper filters, and the built-in heating plate keeps your coffee warm for up to 25 minutes—ideal for those slow mornings or moments of distraction.
This coffee maker is practical, fun, and a far more economical option compared to your daily coffee shop expenses.
