Whether they work in the industry, are studying fashion design at college or university, or simply sketch outfit ideas in their spare time, a fashion designer will appreciate a gift that feeds their ideas or ends up in their toolkit.
Prices checked on Amazon UK, 26 October 2026.
Whether they work in the industry, are studying fashion design at college or university, or simply sketch outfit ideas in their spare time, a fashion designer will appreciate a gift that feeds their ideas or ends up in their toolkit. Good choices are books that look at how designers work and the pieces that shaped fashion, a sketchbook printed with figure templates so they can draw designs quickly, and small sewing basics that always seem to go missing. This guide sticks to books and tools that are sold on Amazon UK with a live price, from a double-sided tape measure that costs a few pounds to two illustrated fashion books. This guide covers 5 gifts for fashion designers that were in stock on Amazon UK with a live buy-box price when we checked on 26 October 2026. Our overall pick is the How to Draw Like a Fashion Designer: Inspirational Sketchbooks at £13.19, the budget pick is the Realm Double Sided Tape Measure at £2.99, and our pick for families is the Essentials Fashion Sketchbook, 360 Figure Templates at £13.99. Prices and stock change often in the run-up to Christmas, so check both on Amazon before you buy.
Our picks
How to Draw Like a Fashion Designer
How to Draw Like a Fashion Designer
£13.19
Best overall
Realm Double Sided Tape Measure
Realm Double Sided Tape Measure
£2.99
Best budget
Essentials Fashion Sketchbook
Essentials Fashion Sketchbook
£13.99
Best for families
How we pick
We shortlist products sold on Amazon UK using capacity, features, customer ratings and price band. We do not lab-test every model unless a page says so. The Amazon page is the live price. How we recommend.
Compare at a glance
| Product | Last Amazon price | Buy |
|---|---|---|
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£13.19
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£2.99
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£13.99
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£11.85
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£5.99
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The products
Buying advice
Our top picks
Best overall: How to Draw Like a Fashion Designer: Inspirational Sketchbooks (£13.19). A look inside designers' sketchbooks. The listing describes it as a book of inspirational sketchbooks with tips from top designers.
Best budget: Realm Double Sided Tape Measure (£2.99). The cheapest pick and a sewing basic. The listing describes a double-sided tape measure suitable for body measuring and tailoring.
Best for sketching: Essentials Fashion Sketchbook, 360 Figure Templates (£13.99). For drawing ideas quickly. The listing says it has 360 figure templates to draw designs over, so they can focus on the clothes rather than the pose.
Other gifts for fashion designers
The Fashion Classics (£11.85). A coffee-table read. The listing describes it as a celebration of the most iconic, influential and innovative pieces in fashion.
The Bead Shop Tape Measure Sewing 2 Pack (£5.99). Two soft tailor's tape measures, one for the studio and one for the bag, according to the listing.
What to look for in a gift for a fashion designer
Budget. The picks here run from £2.99 for a tape measure to £13.99 for the sketchbook when we checked.
Student or professional. Students get through sketchbooks and basic tools quickly, while someone working in fashion may prefer an inspiring book for their shelf.
Figure templates. Sketchbooks with printed figures, often called croquis, save time when drawing outfit ideas. Check whether the templates are female, male or children's figures.
Books that inspire. Fashion history and designer sketchbook books are a safe choice because they are about ideas rather than specific tools.
Sewing basics. Tape measures, pins and fabric scissors wear out or go missing. If you buy scissors, keep them for fabric only.
Avoid guessing on big kit. Sewing machines, dress forms and specialist software are personal choices, so ask before buying.
Delivery date. Check the delivery date on Amazon so the gift arrives before Christmas.
How we chose these picks
We only included products that were in stock on Amazon UK with a single live buy-box price in pounds when we checked on 26 October 2026, read with a UK delivery address. We skipped listings showing low stock, long delivery dates or unclear details, and we avoided repeating products already featured in our other gift guides. Descriptions are based on what each listing says; we have not tested these products ourselves, and we have not used star ratings or review counts.
Prices were checked on Amazon UK on 26 October 2026 and can change at any time. Check the current price, details and delivery date on Amazon before you order.
Frequently asked questions
What is a croquis in fashion?
A croquis is a quick sketch of a figure that fashion designers draw clothes over. Sketchbooks such as the Essentials Fashion Sketchbook in this guide come with figure templates printed on the pages.
What do fashion designers use to sketch?
Many fashion designers sketch by hand in a sketchbook with pencils, fineliners and markers, often over printed figure templates, and many also use drawing apps on a tablet.
What do fashion designers use to measure?
A soft, flexible tape measure is the basic tool for taking body measurements and measuring fabric. The double-sided tapes in this guide show both centimetres and inches.
