- It’s that wonderful time of year where you honor the most influential man in your life. The man who taught you how to tie your shoe laces like bunny ears, let you stand on his feet for your first dance, put shiny new pennies in your loafers and taught you how to behave like a lady or gentlemen on a date. Of course, I’m talking about dad. For my first men’s style column, <strong>Suit Your Life</strong> with <strong>BlackEnterprise.com</strong>, I focused on <strong>Father’s Day</strong> and selected seven stylish gift ideas to show your dad how much you love, appreciate, and want him to look like the superhero you always knew he was. Note: No ties allowed! <em>—Gardy V. Guerrier</em>
(Image: ThinkStock)
- <ul> <li><strong>Vintage Cufflinks</strong></li> </ul> Cufflinks allow for a bit of your dad’s personality to shine through under that grey business suit. But add a personal touch by going vintage, which allows your father to have not only a great story about his kid’s great gift but also about those cufflinks’ origins. Keep in mind that vintage shopping is all about exclusivity, which mean you usually won't find the greatest deals online. Visit your local vintage shop, Salvation Army, and/or estate sale for the best deals and secret treasures like the <strong>Bourne & Hollingsworth</strong> set above. Happy hunting.
- <ul> <li><strong>Leather Billfold</strong></li> </ul> There’s something elegant about when a man pulls out a slim shiny leather billfold from the inside pocket of his suit to pay for an item. Another benefit is, due to its slenderness, it forces your dad to not horde every receipt he’s ever received in its sleeves. If you have the funds the <strong><a href="http://www.louisvuitton.com/" target="_blank">Louis Vuitton Nomade Porte valeurs organizer</a></strong> (<em>pictured, left</em>) retails for about $705, but an equally impressive and slightly more affordable investment is <strong><a href="http://www.barneys.com/" target="_blank">Salvatore Ferragamo Apogeo Pocket Wallet</a></strong> (<em>pictured, right</em>) which goes for about $239.
- <ul> <li><strong>Sports Watch</strong></li> </ul> Your father likely already has and loves his leather strapped timepiece that he wears Monday to Friday. Go a different route and get him a sturdy, colorful sports watch for your weekend bonding time? Something that won’t break when you finally beat him in on the basketball court or golf course. If you want to go high end, this <strong><a href="http://www.technomarine.com/" target="_blank">TechnoMarine UF6 Magnum (45mm</a>)</strong> (<em>pictured, right</em>) is an option at $1,350, but if that’s too steep for your pockets the <strong><a href="http://www.tourneau.com/" target="_blank">Tissot T-Race MotoGP Limited Edition 2010</a></strong> (<em>pictured, left</em>) is slightly more affordable at $595.
- <ul> <li><strong>Driving moccasins</strong></li> </ul> In a past life your dad may have thought about being a racecar driver like <strong><a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/05/26/7-african-american-racecar-drivers/">Bill Lester</a></strong>, even if for only a couple of hours, while watching a Steve McQueen movie with your mother. Then, he became a father and realized he had something greater than himself to live for. Allow him to at least dress the part with a pair of suede driving shoes like <strong><a href="http://www.tods.com/" target="_blank">TOD’S for Ferrari Gommino Shoes</a></strong> [$495] (<em>pictured, left</em>) or <strong><a href="http://www.zara.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/worldwide" target="_blank">Zara’s flap moccasins</a></strong> [$80] (<em>pictured, right</em>). Every time he puts them on and presses down on the gas, he'll feel as if he's doing 150 MPH on the autobahn, even if he's really only doing 40 MPH on the way to the supermarket.
- <ul> <li><strong>A Day of Pampering</strong></li> </ul> He worked HARD to give you better tomorrows, now give your dad a day for just him. Men’s spas are opening all over the US like <strong><a href="http://nickelspanyc.com/newyorkspa/" target="_blank">Nickel Spa</a></strong>, spend a few dollars and treat your dad to a day at the spa, with a straight razor shave, manicure, and pedicure (buff, no polish), and a massage from a masseuse that hopefully won’t make your mother made enough to make him sleep on the couch.
- <ul> <li><strong>Cologne</strong></li> </ul> Sure you want your dad to smell good but let's face it, this is really a gift for your mother. Men tend to be creatures of habit, so when they find something they like they stick to it… sometimes for life. Once your mom catches a whiff of your dad's new aroma—that's invigorating and pleasant without being overpowering—she’ll feel like she’s married to a new man and everyone will be happy. Try <strong><a href="http://www.johnvarvatos.com/" target="_blank">John Varvatos Vintage</a></strong>, which runs about $58 – $78 a bottle.
- <ul> <li><strong>Cashmere Sweater</strong></li> </ul> He has been wearing that same college sweatshirt for as long as you can remember and probably for longer than your mother would care to remember. Style your dad’s loungewear up a bit with a lightweight sweater that’s just as comfortable, but not as embarrassing for when he wears it to meet your significant other for the first time at brunch. The <strong><a href="http://www.jcrew.com/index.jsp" target="_blank">J. Crew cotton-cashmere shawl-collar sweater</a> </strong>[$88] is a good option.
