These Are the New Dad Status Symbols to Buy This Father’s Day
In the past few years, I have been sucked into certain dad-friendly activities like cooking meat outdoors, playing golf, making pour-over coffee, and fly fishing. That is, when I’m not researching baby things on the internet. The timing of my newfound affinity for dad-like leisure couldn’t have been better, because thanks to my daughter, Miya, I became a father for the first time this year. Luckily I had a graceful transition from a life of travel and late dinners to bottle washing, diaper changing, and standing meals at 6:00 p.m. And it made me realize the importance—for new dads in particular—of maximizing any and all extracurricular pursuits.
My “Buying For Value” columns focus on how to stretch your hard-earned dollar the furthest you can—how to make sure your new watch or cashmere sweater do more for your life than tell time and keep you warm. And for a dad at any stage in fatherhood, it’s important to get as much out of your baby-less experiences as it is to live fully with your family. Once you’re only spending five days on the water a year, rather than going on regular fishing sprees, those five days are mission critical for maintaining your personal identity and, crucially, being the best dad you can be the rest of the time. Here’s the “Buying For Value” father’s day gift guide for doing just that: all the gear you need for your passions outside of baby-proofing mid-century modern furniture, plus the new dad status symbols of the moment.
Clothing
You can wear sneakers with everything now—Ralph Lauren said it was cool. Which is great news, because Dads love sneakers. Here are some cool ones that not every guy on your block won't be wearing to your kid's birthday party.
Dads need good dad shirts that are versatile and can work in all sorts of different situations. Rivay is my go-to for fishing or just hanging out at the park. They recently collaborated with author David Coggins on this great utility shirt that's perfect for wherever you go.
Northwest Knitting Co simply makes the best sweatshirts. They're made from a merino wool and cotton blend that is the best possible combination of a sweater and more casual jumper. They look flat and dressy, hold their shape really well and can be worn with almost anything.
Some weekends I wear these for 48 straight hours. They're the perfect summer short/bathing suit/cookout uniform.
Aloha shirts are the bedrock of dad fashion. You don't need to be in Hawaii or driving a Ferrari 308 like Magnum PI to pull this off. Just add light beer and you are good to go.
Travel / Adventure / Gear
This was recently brought back from the Filson archives. Most fly rod cases are technical and logo-heavy; this thing is classic and pure.
This is simply the coolest adventure cam. Perfect for an instaflex or for documenting the kiddos.
Cone Mills denim, New Era, and the New York Yankees—does it get any more classic? (Comes in dad’s favorite team, too.)
Only available starting in June, the new "Pepsi" GMT gets the updated Cerachrome bezel treatment. Be the first guy on your block with the world's most iconic travel watch.
A handsome way for the watch collector to store and transport all of his timepieces.
Kitchen / Backyard
Because there’s nothing like being king of the grill.
Meet the new generation of cast iron skillet. Lightweight, easy to use, and guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Backyard Pizza FTW.
From the folks behind your favorite indestructible coolers comes your favorite indestructible lawn/campsite/kid’s soccer game chair.
The best looking coffee maker on the planet. World's Best Dad mug not included.
Michael Williams is a dad and the founder of the blog A Continuous Lean—and many other stellar menswear-related projects.
