Dad Upgrade! The Father’s Day Gift Guide

It’s almost Father’s Day, and we’re here with this year’s Father’s Day Gift Guide. Our goal with these Father’s Day gifts is to elevate Dad in every way. Whether he needs a clothing style upgrade, some help in the kitchen, or a new skincare routine, check out our ideas for the best gifts for Dad this year!

Happy Shopping!

Mr. Real Life Style needs no upgrade! A sweet snap from last year’s beach vacation wearing his Warby Parker Sunglasses and Lands’ End rash guard.

A New Jacket

Let’s start with a staple Dad can wear all year long: a blazer! This Uniqlo Men’s Comfort Jacket is a lightweight jersey 2-button blazer that’s perfect for work (especially those work-from-home Zoom meetings), a casual outing, or anything in between. It’s soft, flexible, and comes in 3 colors. All of this at an incredibly affordable price point!

Uniqlo Men’s Comfort Jacket, $80

A New Pair of Jeans

AG Jeans is one of our go-to brands for upgraded men’s jeans. They’re well made and have a cut for every body type. Our favorite pair of jeans for a medium to larger build is the AG Graduate jeans in 360 stretch denim. The Graduate jeans are classic mid-rise, straight-leg, tailored through the leg, making for an incredibly flattering silhouette. They’re also available without stretch. The Graduate comes in many washes, denim, and non-denim styles. Check out the full Graduate line here.

Need a jean for a slightly slimmer body type? Try the AG Tellis Slim Denim. The Tellis cut is a modern, slim-cut jean with a tapered leg. Don’t worry! It also comes in AG’s 360-stretch denim and non-denim pants as well. You can check out the full Tellis line of pants here.

AG Graduate 360 Denim, $215

AG Tellis Slim Denim, $215

A New Pair of Shoes (Or Shoe Accessory)

Perhaps Dad could use a new pair of shoes this summer? The Birkenstock EVA shoe remains our favorite tried and true water shoe for men. Birkenstock popularity has been on the rise the past few years, and the EVA water shoe is our pick for the best pool/beach summer shoe for Dad! (They also come in women’s sizes as well. Just in case Mom needs a pair, too.)

Birkenstock Arizona Eva, $50

Our newest find for Dad’s essential casual summer shoe is the Charix Slip Ons for Men. They come in over 20 colors, have memory foam insoles, and are water-resistant. Wear with shorts or pants to a summer party, to the beach, or on vacation. There’s nowhere these shoes can’t go for the summer! (Thank you to author and podcast host Laura Vanderkam for turning us on to these shoes!)

Charix Slip Ons for Men, $175

Maybe Dad needs a work shoe upgrade this year? Allen Edmonds is our favorite place to take male clients for new shoes. They have work shoes as well as tons of casual shoe options. Head into one of their many store locations, and they’ll measure Dad’s foot to determine the best fit. Most of their shoes come in several widths for the perfect fit, and all their shoes are made in Port Washington, Wisconsin (since 1922!) Our favorite dress shoe for Dad is the Park Avenue Dress Shoe with Dainite Sole, which is a classic dress shoe with a durable and comfortable rubber sole. Hurry over to their website, and you might find the perfect pair of shoes in their Father’s Day Sale section! Also, don’t forget to order some Woodlore Cedar Shoe Trees to keep his new shoes in good condition, even while he’s not wearing them!

Park Avenue Dress Shoe with Dainite Sole, $450

Allen Edmonds Woodlore Cedar Shoe Trees (2 Pairs), $45

I bought Mr. Real Life Style one of these sterling silver-plated shoe horns a few years ago, and it remains one of the most fun and useful gifts he’s gotten in many years. It has several different topper options, from various dog breeds to golf items, so you can pick one that aligns with Dad’s interest. Not into spending $210 on a shoe horn? Check out this nickel-plated duck handle shoe horn option for only $84 instead.

Scully and Scully Italian Sterling Silver-plated Shoe Horn, $210

FootFitter Long Shoe Horn with Nickel Plated Duck Handle, $84

A New Watch

The ultimate splurge for Dad this year could be any one of these Hermés H08 watches. Sporty and urban, their bright colors provide the perfect ensemble contrast! On the slightly more affordable side of a splurge, check out the Hermés Series 9 Case and Band Apple Watch. Coming in multiple band options and widths, this watch is a stylish Apple Watch upgrade that Dad deserves!

Hermés H08 Watch, $7, 450 (price varies)

Hermés Series 9 Case and Band Apple Watch, $1, 279 (price varies)

If the Hermés Apple Watch is still out of your price range, check out this cool Swatch Tangerine Tiger watch. It’s a similar idea but much more affordable. While on the Swatch website, you have to look at their Swatch x Centre Pompidou collection. Honestly, I couldn’t possibly pick just one.

Swatch Tangerine Tiger, $205

A New Pan

Sometimes, it looks like the kitchen has narrowly survived a nuclear accident when Dad makes dinner. Am I right? Enter the Always Pan™! This oven and dishwasher-safe (with beechwood spatula included) pan is the answer to all your messy Dad cooking problems. Our Place has developed a new Titanium nonstick interior technology that allows for a one-pan meal with no harmful nonstick chemicals. It makes cooking and cleaning up a breeze. This one is a win for the whole household!

Our Place Titanium Always Pan™ Pro, $195

A New Skincare Product

I was recently introduced to the Cellcosmet line of skin care products and love the results. It’s not something you might buy every day, but this Cellmen Cellsplash Toner is a fun gift option to help refresh and calm Dad’s skin throughout the day and during travel. Or take a look at the other products in their men’s skincare line for a more personalized skincare option.

Cellmen Cellsplash Toner, $175

Dad is the prime culprit of slapping any old sunscreen on his face when needed, but he is likely neglecting his everyday SPF. Gift him the glory of everyday SPF this Father’s Day to keep his skin protected and young-looking! Mantl Invisible Daily SPF 30 for Face and Scalp is a clear, everyday SPF that can be used on Dad’s face and scalp (with respect to any bald Dads out there). If Dad needs a full skincare routine upgrade, they also have The Complete Skincare Routine set available, which includes the Daily SPF.

Mantl Invisible Daily SPF 30 for Face and Scalp, $24

What will you be gifting Dad this Father’s Day? Let us know in the comments!


Real Life Style is a style consulting firm that teaches busy women to wear their power so they can live their lives fully and confidently. Lani Inlander, Kyle Dunphy and Sloane True are based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and serve clients nationwide. We offer personal styling services, and an on-demand e-course.

Once in a while, you can find Lani Inlander and Real Life Style on Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram. Mostly, they are happily busy serving their fabulous clients, not hanging out online!


1 thought on “Dad Upgrade! The Father’s Day Gift Guide”

  1. I love the sunscreen recommendation. I have been letting my husband use my EltaMD and I am sure he will appreciate his own!

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