Synthwave Gift Guide 2026: 80s Retro Gift Ideas for Every Kind of Fan
Shopping for someone who has The Midnight and Gunship on repeat? For a synthwave fan in the US, our picks for 2026 are VHS sneakers ($89.99 to $129.99), a color block windbreaker ($59.99), sunglasses from classic 80s squares to retro futuristic shields ($24.99 to $29.99) and digital watches with glowing displays ($22.99 to $199). If you don't know their size, stick to sunglasses, a watch or a gift card.
Full disclosure: this is our shop, so every pick below is something we sell. Prices, sizes and stock were checked on October 30, 2026. If you'd rather browse than read, all twenty picks sit together in our Synthwave Gifts collection.
Quick picks by budget:
- Under $25: California Sunglasses 1981 ($24.99), Black Digital Watch 1982 ($22.99), a gift card from $10
- $25 to $50: New Retro Futurism Sunglasses ($29.99), Iron Watch 1986 ($29.99), Futuristic Waterproof Watch 1986 ($44.99), VHS T-120 T-Shirt 1983 ($44.99), Vercetti Shirt 1986 ($47.99)
- $50 to $100: Color Block Windbreaker 1984 ($59.99), Retro Winter Jacket ($84.99), Retro Biker Jacket 1984 ($89.99), E-180 VHS Sneakers 1988 ($89.99)
- $100 and up: VHS T-120 Sneakers 1988 ($119.99), Retro VHS Sneakers 1985 ($129.99), Downshift Varsity 1985 ($159.99), Retro Futurism Watch 1989 ($199)
For the VHS and tape collector
If they still keep a shelf of tapes, start with shoes. Our VHS sneaker line started in October 2020, and each design borrows the label of a blank videotape.
The VHS T-120 Sneakers 1988 ($119.99) are our best-selling shoe: white and grey high tops with the T-120 sunset stripes on the side. They have a non-marking rubber outsole and a perforated toe box, and they come in men's and women's sizes. A pair of 1988 VHS sneakers appears in synthwave band Doom Flamingo's video for "Happy Boi", which is embedded on the product page. If they'd rather wear black, the VHS T-120 Black Sneakers 1988 are the same price.
The E-180 VHS Sneakers 1988 ($89.99) are black and gold low tops with the E-180 tape band, for someone who never wears high tops. The Retro VHS Sneakers 1985 ($129.99) go the other way: cream high tops with a magenta and purple stripe.
To go with the shoes, the VHS T-120 T-Shirt 1983 ($44.99) is a 100% cotton ringer tee with black rib at the collar and sleeves and the T-120 label on the chest. White or natural, XS to 3XL.
For the friend who dresses up for the show
Jackets work best when you know their size. If you do, start here.
The Color Block Windbreaker 1984 ($59.99) gives them the 80s track jacket look without a trip through vintage racks. It's a lightweight, windproof shell with a full zip and a stand collar, and the color block panels sit on the shoulders and sleeves. Six colorways, S to 2XL.
The jacket we sell the most of is the Retro Biker Jacket 1984 ($89.99), a slim biker cut with racing-style panels, quilted shoulders, a stand collar and a wool liner, in six colorways from XS to 3XL. The Synthwave Leather Jacket 1986 ($89.99) is the varsity option, with a leather-look body, contrast sleeves, striped rib trim and a varsity patch, M to 2XL.
For colder states, the Retro Winter Jacket ($84.99) is a heavier denim-style jacket with a sherpa lining, in blue or dark blue, M to 4XL. New this fall is the Downshift Varsity 1985 ($159.99), a black varsity bomber with a stepped purple-to-gold sunset stripe across the back, a nylon shell, light padding and a snap front, S to 3XL.
Shirts are the cheaper way in. The Vercetti Shirt 1986 ($47.99) is our best-selling shirt, a teal short-sleeve button-up covered in palm trees, S to 4XL. The Geometric Shirt 1982 ($39.99) is quieter: cream, with navy, teal or orange stripe work, XS to 4XL. Our synthwave outfit guide shows how the pieces go together.
For the gadget fan who wants a glowing wrist
A digital watch has no clothing size to get wrong, which makes it one of the safer gifts here.
The Futuristic Waterproof Watch 1986 ($44.99) is our best-selling watch. It has a square stainless steel case with a 45 mm dial and an LCD that shows hour, minute, second and date in stacked colored digits. The strap is silicone and the battery is rated for about two years. It's water resistant to 30 m and comes in black or silver.
The Iron Watch 1986 ($29.99) puts red LED digits behind a black window on a steel bracelet, in a case 8.5 mm thick. Under $25, the Black Digital Watch 1982 ($22.99) hides its red LED readout in the links of a black steel bracelet.
The splurge is the Retro Futurism Watch 1989 ($199). It runs on solar power, the OLED display wakes when you raise your wrist, and it adds a perpetual calendar good to 2099, an alarm, a stopwatch, a countdown timer and a temperature readout. Silver, black or gold. If you can't tell whether they're a digital or an analog person, this watch guide helps.
For the one who already owns three pairs of sunglasses
Retro futuristic sunglasses are the easy upgrade for someone whose drawer is full of aviators.
The New Retro Futurism Sunglasses ($29.99) stack two layers of metal frame with full side shields and spring hinges. The UV400 lenses measure 74 x 45 mm, and there are five colorways. The Oversize Shield Visor ($29.99) is a single wraparound mirrored lens under a flat brow, closer to a visor than a pair of sunglasses, with UV400 protection and eight colors.
For a classic square shape, the California Sunglasses 1981 ($24.99) outsell every other pair we stock. They have polarized, mirrored UV400 lenses (55 x 44 mm) and come in four colorways. Our guide to which retro sunglasses fit your face helps if you're unsure about frame shape.
If you don't know their size
Sunglasses and watches are the safe list. Two more ideas: the LED Neon Flamingo Sign ($28.99), a 32 cm pink neon flamingo on a stand that runs on batteries (it also comes as a palm tree or a cactus), and the NewRetro.Net Gift Card, from $10 to $200. The card works across the whole store and doesn't need shipping, so it also covers a late order.
If you'd rather buy clothes, our shirt and jacket size charts measure the garment itself, and the Find my size button next to the size selector takes height into account. On sneaker pages, the size guide explains how to measure foot length in millimeters and pick the matching size.
When it ships
From our shipping policy: orders are usually dispatched within 1 to 2 business days of payment, and you get a tracking link as soon as the order ships. For a holiday gift, order early and you're set.
Questions we get
What is a good gift for a synthwave fan? Something they can wear: VHS sneakers ($89.99 to $129.99), a color block windbreaker ($59.99), retro or retro futuristic sunglasses ($24.99 to $29.99) or a glowing digital watch ($22.99 to $199).
What synthwave gifts cost under $50? California Sunglasses 1981 ($24.99), New Retro Futurism Sunglasses ($29.99), Iron Watch 1986 ($29.99), Futuristic Waterproof Watch 1986 ($44.99), the VHS T-120 T-Shirt 1983 ($44.99) and the Vercetti Shirt 1986 ($47.99).
What if I don't know their size? Choose sunglasses, a watch or a gift card ($10 to $200). For clothes, use the size chart and Find my size on the product page.
Do you sell synthwave records or band merch? No. For vinyl and official merch, the artist's own store or Bandcamp page is the place to look. A T-120 tee or a pair of sunglasses sits fine next to a record under the tree.
How fast do orders ship? Orders are usually dispatched within 1 to 2 business days of payment, and you get a tracking link when it ships.
Explore the collections: Synthwave Gifts · VHS Sneakers · 80s Jackets & Windbreakers · Retro Sunglasses · Watches
Four picks for a synthwave fan
VHS T-120 Sneakers 1988
Color Block Windbreaker 1984
$59.99
Shop
New Retro Futurism Sunglasses
Futuristic Waterproof Watch 1986
$44.99
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