The hints have been dropped and the all those "thoughtful" round robins noted: the Valentine’s gifts are hidden in the sock drawer or tucked under the bed, and the only things left to do are buy a card and confirm the evening’s restaurant booking. Time then to consider what you might expect in return. Nothing, is the gentlemanly answer. And if that sounds a little “off”? Well, consider whether you are in fact a gentleman….  Recently asked to compile a list of traits that define that ineffable mix of uncondescending charm and pitch-perfect avuncularity, I responded with what turned out to be a catalogue of “dos and don’ts”. (Not very gentlemanly I know, but I’d submit there were some prize berries amidst the briar – “never walk behind a horse or in front of a car” springs to mind.) At the same time, I was composing a few thank you notes for gratefully received stocking-fillers and in doing so, I realised that arrayed before me were the cornerstones of what might be called a "considered life". I share them here simply to suggest that if you are not already in possession of one or indeed all of them, it might be time to drop that hint, or forward a relevant link:  A fragrance of one’s ownNot a bespoke scent so much as an olfactory signature that goes before you. Here, you are served by a vast offering running the gamut from global fashion houses to private ateliers offering one-of-a-kind aromas. The only stipulation is that it should be something you enjoy – and therefore continue – wearing. And if you are truly stumped, then the newly created Sauvage by Dior, would seem a good place to start.  A card holderWallets have their place, but increasingly appear to have had their day: thanks to our cashless/swipe economy, the need to carry a billfold seems eminently retirable. What every gentleman needs, therefore, is a card holder capable of containing the few pieces of plastic we really ever use, and stash the odd receipt. Anything more will not only ruin the line of your suit, but give the impression you aren’t neat and tidy in your financial life. Never a good thing. The American brand Ghurka does a nice line in contrasting leather and fabric; not showy, but certainly up to the task.  Manicure setOne doesn’t have to come over all simian to suggest masculinity. In fact a good grooming regime should be at the root of every man’s confidence. The devil, as always, is in the detail, and neglecting eyebrows or (ladies look away now) nasal hair can be fatal to a less than footsure relationship. A simple kit that allows you to pluck, snip, trim and smooth is therefore an essential. Czech & Speake does a very pocketable set that it claims can survive the attention of airport security. Frankly, it’s too useful (and attractive) to risk finding out…  A watch on a leather strapWith the proliferation of competing wrist-borne technology and the general advancement of watch ownership amongst men, it’s easy to forget that the true mark of a gentleman is a simple, round watch on a genuine leather strap. Usefully, this is also a prevailing trend in the watch industry as a whole, with brands such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, Zenith and Baume & Mercier all offering covetable versions, so the only real barrier to ownership will be the depth of one’s beloved’s pockets. But then, as with even the most temporal of items listed here, a mechanical version is a gift for life.  A tie – preferably raw silk or linenNow that there are so many naysayers suggesting the age of the tie – and even the collared shirt – may soon be over, it might be time to reinvest in the last vestige of male-only adornment. Ties, frankly, aren’t going anywhere and remain a valid and, I’d argue, vital part of one’s wardrobe. Here, an august house lends further stature (try Hermès, Charvet), and if you really can’t bear to wear one all day, well, simply untie, loosely roll and pop in your breast pocket for some time-honoured sprezzatura.  And finally, if the relationship is likely to be a little more "fleeting", why not suggest drily that pampering for pampering’s sake is no longer gender-specific, and request a facial at the new Sisley spa at Josh Wood’s west London studio. Sisley’s male products are amongst the very best, and the private room at celebrity colourist Wood’s superbly discreet atelier in Holland Park is the perfect way to kick off or recover from all of that Valentine’s day entertaining.  Bill Prince is the deputy editor of British GQ
Looking for Valentine's Day gift ideas for him? Bill Prince offers a stylish edit of those sartorial and grooming essentials every gentleman should possess