Tag Archives: Men’s Apparel

2015 Father’s Day Gift Guide

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Father’s Day is fast approaching and, chances are, you’re having a hard time trying to figure out what to get the man who seems to already have everything he wants. Well we’ve got you covered. Here are few great gift ideas for that distinguished gentlman in your life.

Aeropress

A couple of days ago, I walked into the small kitchen/break room on our floor at work and caught a co-worker cleaning a french press. Admirning his dedication and appreciation for properly brewed coffee, it reminded me that I really need to get an Aeropress for work. If the dad in your life appreciates a great cup of coffee, you can’t go wrong with getting him an Aeropress. If he already has one, get him a spare for travel or work.

Tie

Yeah, it’s cliche, but most of the time cliches are cliches for a reason. Tried and true, I like to call it and I don’t think I will ever tire of getting a nice tie as a gift for any occasion. NEED, a monthly curated shopping site for men, has a special Father’s Day catalog up on the site, and there are a couple of great options for ties. If you’re not down with the monthly newsletter shopping game, then just use this a guide – you can find similar or otherwise great options elsewhere. Whatever you do, don’t let tradition deter you, especially if that special guy in your life wears a tie every day for work. A great new tie will freshen up his daily tie-selection routine.

Cotton Bureau T-Shirt

It’s probably too late to get one in time for Father’s Day, but a great, unique t-shirt can be a great way to help ease the transition from the boardroom to board shorts. Cotton Bureau is hands-down my favorite place to browse and grab new t-shirts. I love it so much, I have to put a block on my credit card just to make sure my family still has money for food on the table. Cotton Bureau sends out a weekly newsletter so sign up today so you don’t miss out on great designs and help prepare yourself for the next gift-giving occasion.

Flip-flops & Boat Shoes

I recently revamped my footwear collection and Father’s Day is a great time to clear out that closet full of old sneakers and worn out sandals. Check out our recent summer shoes post for ideas to help make a summer full of festivals, cook-outs, and boat outings a little bit more comfortable for dad.

Cocktail Kits from Studio Neat

Neat Ice Kit and Simple Syrup Kit by Studio Neat are great additions for that cocktail slinger in your life. Neat Ice Kit promises a perfect cube to keep your beverage cool without watering it down and Simple Syrup Kit gives you a fast an easy way to make simple syrup without boiling water. Just fill to the pre-marked lines, shake a few times and serve. Both tools bring maker sensibilities to the craft of making and serving drinks and are a great way to give you and your friends a unique experience.

Harry’s Razors and Accessories

I kissed the traditional disposable shaving razor song and dance goodbye a couple of years ago and haven’t looked back. Instead of the hassle of locked down, expensive purchasing experience of disposable razors at a brick and mortar store, I get my razor refills in the mail directly from Harry’s. Harry’s has a great Father’s Day set that includes a Winston razor handle (my personal favorite), 3 blade cartridges, a travel blade cover, your choice of shave gel or cream, and their all new razor stand, all for $40. If you already know the joy that is the Harry’s experience, check out some of the new accessories or colors. I can’t wait to try out the new razor stand. And don’t forget to setup a shave plan so you never have to remember to order or buy blades ever again!

Apple Watch

Available for pre-order online since late-April, but now soon to hit the stores, the Apple Watch is an uber-gift for the Apple or technology enthusiast in your life. It’s pricey and there are a lot of band and finish options so you may not be able to keep this one a surprise. It’s a great option if you’re going for wow factor and it’ll be a great way to stay in touch with him even when you’re apart. Not to mention, you can also use it to remind him to pick up some stuff at the grocery store on his way home from work. Win-win.

Apple TV

Despite rumors of an impending hardware refresh, the current Apple TV is still a great product at $69 and soon-to-expire exclusive access to HBO Now. Channels are added frequently, and with iTunes, Hulu Plus, Netflix and the aforementioned HBO Now – the current offering is a great package for on-demand TV viewing. AirPlay and the rumored upcoming HomeKit integration add even more to the device that seemingly started the small, puck-like set top box revolution. Grab one today for every TV in the house or just for daddy’s man cave.

Samsung Galaxy S6

After a bit of a sales dip and somewhat disappointing quarterly results, Samsung refreshed their design and materials approach to the Galaxy line of phones and released an impressive Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge. I’d have a hard time deciding between Moto X and the Galaxy S6 Edge if I went Android, both seem like great options and they are undoubtedly pushing the opposing manufacturer into great new innovations.

Shoes That Shine for Summer

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I need help. Honestly, I’ve needed help for a long time, I was just too scared to admit it. But here I am, admitting to the world that I’m addicted to cargo shorts and flip flops. This was not a problem ten or fifteen years ago when such an ensemble was acceptible attire for any time and place for someone of my age and sensibilities. But not only are these different times, but I am different as well, aged and, hopefully to some degree, more distinguished. Thus it is time for me to shed the utility of extraneous pockets and thonged footwear and transition to something more befitting of someone of my seasoned age.

Typically when it’s time to add some new life to my closet, I turn to end of season sales or tried and true traditional wear. This time, I turned to the close friend who pointed out my cargo-pocket addiction to provide some suggestions for summer footwear. The specific charge: send me a few notes on something I can wear casually but can also transition to a nicer setting should the need arise. Take a look at what he sent and then keep reading to discover what I settled on.

Chacos
“The outdoorsman’s companion.”

My wife loves her Chacos but I never really considered a pair for myself. Maybe that’s because I gave up on strap-in sandals after a long love affair with Reef convertible sandals in my late teens / early twenties. These probably aren’t on the shortlist for me, but they’re a great option for casual wear or short hikes on weekend trips.

Sebago
“Every man should own some boat shoes and I choose to go against the grain.”

I don’t know if I agree that every man should own boat shoes, but I’m starting to warm up to the idea. In fact, I’m warming up to it so much that I decided to take the plunge and grap a pair of these Sebagos. It’ll be interesting to see if this will be a style that sticks for me, but I’m at least excited about the endless possibilities that come along with being set adrift on the open waters.

Brooks Chariot
“A nice kick-around shoe for those more active days”

A couple of years ago I picked up a pair of New Balance Minimus shoes on clearance and they are my go-to pair for errands or weekend events that I know will involve lots of walking or standing around. The Brooks Chariot are a great option for similar situations and they’ll provide a little more comfort than the Minimus.

Sanuk Casa Barco
“Casual shoe that could be worn to dress up an evening out.”

I haven’t owned a pair of canvas shoes since my Keds in elementary school, so this would certainly be a leap for me. I prefer the nicer look of the Sebagos, so those win out for me, but this also looks like a nice and easy casual option for those breezy weekend errands.

Sanuk Beer Cozy Flop
“They come in many styles, but I think the Beer Cozy is one comfortable flop.”

These are a little out of context because my original charge asked for something other than flip-flops. I’m including them anyway because I actually decided to grab a pair. Even though I’m trying to rely less on flip-flops, my 2 year old (maybe 3?) are on their last leg and I’ve decided that maybe it’s time for a break in my 10+ year relationship with Reef flops. These Sanuk Beer Cozy Flops sound, well, very cozy and they’re not so astronomically priced that I would feel bad ditching them mid-summer to return to my old standby.

There you have it, a plethora of options to get you through a summer full of beach trips, boat outings, and outdoor music festivals.