Looking for Christmas gifts that feel a little more Cardiff? This year, ditch the generic online browsing and head straight to the local businesses designing the coolest clothing and wearable merch in the city. From streetwear inspired by skate culture to cosy hoodies from community collectives, gym-ready apparel to branded gear from Cardiff’s quirkiest spots, these spots are creating pieces that let you wear your Cardiff pride – and guarantee gifts that make people say, “Where did you get that?”
Spit & Sawdust
A pillar of Cardiff’s skate and art scene, Spit & Sawdust always nails that gritty-cool aesthetic with its merch drops. Expect bold prints, limited runs, and pieces that carry the same energy as the creative space itself. Perfect for anyone who loves skate culture, independent art, and supporting venues that give so much back to the community.
Matty’s BBQ Chop Shop
For the meat-lover or BBQ purist in your life, Matty’s merch delivers the same personality as their legendary plates – big, bold, and built for flavour fanatics. Think T-shirts, caps, and accessories inspired by smoke, fire, and the cult following Matty’s has built. It’s the perfect gift for anyone who lives at a grill or dreams in brisket.
Pettigrew Bakery
This Christmas, Pettigrew Bakery has gone beyond pastries with a limited run of embroidered caps -four different designs perfect for the croissant-obsessed person in your life. Stylish, subtle and unmistakably “Pettigrew,” they’re a brilliant way to gift someone their favourite bake… without it going stale.
Hard Lines
From playful pink branding to top-tier coffee, Hard Lines has turned its quirky identity into some of the most recognisable merch in the city. Expect fun tees, slick mugs, and bundles for coffee obsessives. If you’re gifting someone who has a favourite mug and refuses to drink cheap coffee, this is your spot.
Matsudai Ramen
For the foodie who has an emotional connection to noodles, Matsudai’s merch hits the mark. Their apparel and kitchen-ready accessories carry the same style and cult energy as their bowls. You can even pair it with one of their ramen kits for the ultimate “Cardiff comfort food” Christmas gift.
Vermut
Cardiff’s vermouth bar brings its effortlessly cool European vibes into beautifully designed bottles and merch pieces. Whether someone loves a Negroni, hosts elegant dinner parties, or just appreciates a well-stocked drinks trolley, Vermut’s offerings make a classy, grown-up gift with a local twist.
Cardiff Skateboard Club
CSC merch has become low-key iconic – instantly recognisable, always limited, and forever rooted in Cardiff’s skate culture. Hoodies, tees, stickers and decks make ideal gifts for skaters, streetwear lovers, or anyone who appreciates a brand with real personality and city pride.
DawnStalkers
Beloved by Cardiff’s sunrise swim community, the DawnStalkers’ merch mixes cold-water camaraderie with tongue-in-cheek fun. Expect cosy hoodies, beanies, mugs and accessories that celebrate sea dips, sunrises and a strong sense of belonging all designed by Embryo Creative. Perfect for wild swimmers or anyone who thinks 6am is a perfectly reasonable time for an adventure.
Knights Vintage
For those who love fashion with character, Knights Vintage curates some of the best pre-loved streetwear and archival pieces in the city. Their merch reflects that same treasure-hunt magic – ideal for anyone who prefers unique finds over fast fashion. Check out their KV Christmas bundles – a gift that’s stylish, sustainable and unmistakably cool.
Brân
Cardiff’s new Belgian beer and board-game bar, Brân, has already become a go-to spot for relaxed drinks and tabletop fun – and their merch captures that same playful spirit. Expect stylish branding inspired by Welsh myth, perfect for fans of board games, Belgian brews, or anyone who loves discovering Cardiff’s quirkiest new venues.
Taffside Sauna
Taffside Sauna offers more than just a riverside wellness escape – their merch range also includes branded T-shirts and hoodies, letting fans carry a little bit of the sauna’s laid-back, nature-adjacent vibe into everyday life.
Studio Tarw
While best-known as a boutique fitness studio in Cardiff, Studio Tarw makes it easy to double up a wellness visit with a little retail therapy – you can pop in, take a class, and then pick up some of their branded merch, or simply browse their online shop at your leisure. Their clothing and lifestyle-inspired pieces are ideal for locals who love the Tarw community and want something stylish to wear beyond gym sessions.
Spillers Records
This legendary record store – often touted as the world’s oldest – is tucked away in one of Cardiff’s historic arcades, and it sells more than just vinyl and CDs. Fans of music and local culture often pick up their merch: T-shirts, postcards and memorabilia that double as gifts and souvenirs for Cardiff’s music lovers.
Whether you’re shopping for a cold-water swimmer, a skate-park regular, a coffee devotee or someone who just loves repping their city, Cardiff’s independents have you covered – literally. With fresh drops, limited-run designs and merch you won’t find anywhere else, you can wrap up a gift that supports local businesses and looks great under the tree.
