Growing up on a farm just 65 or so miles from Milwaukee, fashion wasn’t a huge consideration in daily life, especially for my hard-working dad. His usual daily attire was bib overalls and a button-down shirt. Flannel in the winter and fall, and cotton short-sleeved ones in the spring and summer. 
On Sundays, he would “dude up” in a button-down shirt, tie, slacks of some sort and dress shoes for church. Practicality ruled his sartorial experience, and that was just fine by him. Thirteen years older than my mom, he was a WWII veteran and a no-nonsense kind of guy. After he passed away six years ago, I discovered a box of black-and-white photographs from his “single days” before and during his time overseas. It was so great to see him in uniform and at play at home on the farm. The picture of him holding a string of fish, looking quite dapper in his wool slacks, sweater, jacket and jaunty hat really told a story about life for men during that time period and about fashion as well. It is my favorite image of him and one I personally wish more men would emulate.
Today’s dad is a lot more inundated with fashionable images and role models, from sports figures, such as the fashionable father David Beckham, to out-there fashion designer papa Seth Aaron from Lifetime’s “Project Runway.” Just consider, for example, the explosion in male grooming. Sales of male-specific products and services have surged, according to NPD Group, a global market research company. Not only are sales up sharply, but fashion and cosmetic companies also unveiled 800 new men-only products as of 2006, says consulting firm Datamonitor, up from 459 in 2002. Who knows how many there are out there today?
The obvious cliché of Father’s Day gifts is the ubiquitous tie. This stalwart of men’s fashion has gotten a rather bad rap and rep because of this holiday. Even if your dad is a businessman, just how many ties does a guy need? Let’s look at some alternate ways to help dad
stay up to date in the fashion department with my top picks for paternal style.
1. You just can’t go wrong with a good-quality polo shirt. Please try to find one with a more traditional pattern, like stripes, and stick to classic tones like red, navy and black. Avoid, at all costs, anything with ducks, camouflage or neon colors. You can let dad make those fashion faux pas himself!
2. If your dad has trouble staying well groomed or has a mustache, beard or other hair where it shouldn’t be, please get him some sort of grooming tool. You can go high- or low-end price wise with all the choices out there at big-box and specialty stores alike. Just avoid any battery-operated trimmer. The rechargeable ones last longer and are better for the environment. If he’s really in need of a makeover, get him a gift certificate to a male-specific salon that he will feel comfortable going to.
3. Gym dandies might like a gift certificate to an athletic store. Never buy
athletic shoes or gear for someone. Size and fit varies in workout clothing and is a very personal choice, so let him know you care by letting him select his own.
4. A very chic European lady-friend of mine says: “Men’s accessories should be of the highest quality. This alone can say a lot about a man and make him more attractive even if he isn’t an Adonis.” If you want to invest in something, how about a great watch or wallet?
5. If you want to buy dad a fragrance, PLEASE do him and everyone a favor and stick to eau de toilette and not cologne. They are much lighter, and even if he is heavy handed, the scent will dissipate in a short time so as not to overcome him and others in his path.
6. Summer accessories are totally appropriate for the timing of this annual dad fest. Maybe he needs some cool flip-flops in plaid with 
leather detail. How about a new pair of aviator sunglasses? They are good looking with good sun protection, too. Great board shorts that are plaid or a more subdued pattern are always great. The size is adjustable, so you can’t go wrong.
Just what does all this mean to the state of fatherly fashion? Please ditch the tie and all other trite gifts for dad. Be more creative and in tune with who he is. Today’s men know that it is OK to watch sports on TV and be concerned a little about the way they present themselves to the world at large, and especially to those they care about, namely, their wives and families. Men aren’t stupid. They know that the name of the game is balance, but sometimes they might need a little help from their loved ones in not letting their style get to the point of no return.
