Buying presents for others is really a hard thing to do, because I've found that buying them simple objects that they currently want, it ends with them not caring about it. I bought my friend things for his truck for his birthday, and he ended up getting a new car not long after.

Sometimes, getting them things that you know they'll appreciate in the long run is what counts. A wallscroll comes to mind - it's a good gift for me, because it'll go on the wall and not come off. Books are good ideas, as long as they are long-standing. My mom bought me one of my favorite books, The Fountainhead, only the bigger, new edition and wrote a note in it. Something that showed that she cared, and it catered to my interests.

Think about your boyfriend - what does he enjoy? If he seems very interested in the way that he is presented, then maybe fashion is the way to go, but I'd suspect that buying him something (considering his interests) in regards to merchandise for an anime may be better. I got a bunch of Evangelion illustrations one year, and I loved that.