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Father’s Day: that compulsory 24-hour period when it’s mandatory for children of all ages to show their unadulterated love for patriarchal figures, when really, it should be a year-round affair. OK, cynicism about its commercialism aside, your dad does appreciate the one-day love fest, so why not make it more than just a boozy brunch this year and splash out on something nice? Forget the standard tie or cologne and peruse our luxury-focused gift guide, each perfectly tailored to a particular dad type.
For on-the-move entrepreneurs
Functionality: that’s the key to a great Father’s Day gift, something your entrepreneurial dad can actually use on a daily basis. There’s Tod’s Eight Bag, named after the number of pockets, with six inside and two outside. It also opens up flat as a makeshift personal desk, for those Starbucks moments when there’s no surface space. There’s also Fossil’s Wyatt Work Bag, available in three colours and big enough to store all his essentials for running around town. Or if the briefcase is a bit too old-fashioned, try Hogan’s backpack, quite fancy with a sleek design in grey leather.
For high-flying jet-setters
We’ll admit it, we’d never heard of a ‘shirt folder’ either. But now that we know, we really want one. They’re perfect if your dad’s the jet-setting type, with Inspired’s lightweight folder allowing him to keep a whole week’s worth of fancy shirts crease-free. Best of all, the shirt folder is made in collaboration with Cambodian social enterprise Smateria, ensuring the product is completely ethical and fair-trade. Supporting sustainable small businesses and keeping your dad looking fresh? That’s double brownie points. inspired-collection.com
For the constantly groomed
We’re pretty certain your dad isn’t into the whole hipster trend – God help you if he is – but that doesn’t mean he can’t take advantage of the bearded folks’ offering to the men’s grooming world, particularly those classic barbershops popping up around town. You’ll find a partial list below and getting him a nice wet-shave might be the perfect bit of pampering. But we say take it a step further with at-home products from Gentlemen’s Tonic: there’s shaving sets of course, but you’ll also find metro-favourites such as cleansers, masks, scrubs and more.
For the comically clean
Giving a bar of soap is generally never a good gift idea, the implications obvious of what you’re trying to tell him. But if you’ve got a close relationship with your dad and he’s got a sense of humour, Lush’s limited-edition Father’s Day line might be your answer. Send him back to his youth with The Jam-inspired Modfather bubble bar (HK$65) or give him a bathtub-based set of special powers with the Superdad bath bomb (HK$70). They’re also available in various gift sets that include shower creams and shampoo, with such ‘dad joke’-friendly names as Wash on the Wild Side and Papa Bear (HK$155 to HK$480).
For metrosexual patriarchs
Jewellery’s rarely a consideration for most men, especially dad types who’d rather watch the game than browse sparkly countertops. But we get it, there’s a whole heap of fathers out there completely in tune with their feminine sides, so it only makes sense that major brands would appeal to shiny sensibilities. John Hardy’s bracelets are actually pretty manly – simple, bold nautically-inspired straps harking back to the massive chained wallets of the ‘90s. Or try Thomas Sabo’s beaded affairs, made from silver, matt obsidian, tiger’s eye and other manly sounding objects.
For normcore dads
Got a young dad? Or more likely, an embarrassingly young-at-heart one? Let him embrace his inner love of modern fashion and save yourself from further awkwardness by getting him some normcore clothing. There’s American Eagle Outfitters latest collection, one that follows a hip yet subtle wannabe-baller approach, through a range of colourful caps, shirts, shorts and shoes. There’s also Cos for simpler fashion types, with a range of monochromatic everyday favourites, from standard T-shirts and dress shirts, to semi-smart blazers.
For the borderline addict
So your dad’s a bit of a rascal? Sure, his wife left him long ago and there’s been a string of increasingly younger girlfriends since, but that’s no reason for an intervention. Instead, choose to indulge him. Indigo Living offers a range of stylish sin-friendly paraphernalia. For lifetime boozers, there’s the classic Olivia Whisky Set & Decanters (HK$1,990), the York Ice Bucket (HK$849) and the Antler Bottle Opener (HK$129); gambling fans might enjoy a range of wooden playing card boxes (HK$349 to HK$499) and a dice Set (HK$379). If he’s a socially respectable high roller, get him a decorative Wall Street Bull (HK$4,290) or Bull Bookends (HK$1,290).
For the perpetually tardy
Watches are a bit of a father’s day cliché, but there are always a couple of dads out there who are constantly late – be it 10 minutes for lunch, or showing up at your door 30 years after he stepped out for cigarettes. In either case, he needs a watch: if you’re pinching pennies, we’d recommend Fossil’s Chronograph Sport 54 (HK$1,350), a classical timepiece inspired by vintage race-cars. If money isn’t an object, try Harry Winston’s Midnight Automatic series, an elegant everyday watch that if you have to ask how much it is, you really can’t afford.
For geeky paterfamilias
Unlike your easily distracted mind, your dad’s the kind of guy who not only buys every new toy on the market, but actually uses them. He’s been desperate to spend a Sunday afternoon flying a drone around a park – whether it’s to indulge in long-gone piloting dreams or peep on high-school sunbathers, we’re not judging. But we will recommend the Parrot Bebop 2 (HK$4,388), a lightweight drone that’s controlled by any smart device and gets nearly 30 minutes of flying time. It’s also compatible with the Skycontroller Black Edition (HK$6,388), an additional device that extends the range to 2km, for all those times he’s been desperate to check in on his ex-wife. parrot.com
For the ‘none-of-the-above’
So none of our clever pigeonholing categories sum up your dad – we get it, some fathers are hard to predict, which demands an equally unpredictable gift idea. This one’s out of left field, but it might just work. Fashion designer Anya Hindmarch was notorious for making stickers back in her school days, and in a fit of pure nostalgia, she’s brought up the old habit in a series of embossed leather stickers. There’s “Dad” obviously, but also a shuttlecock, no-smoking sign, “Boom” and “Batteries Not Included” (HK$385 to HK$2,163). They’re perfect for sticking on phones, bags or anywhere else.
(SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST)
