With Father's Day around the corner, it's time to apply some of our scrutinizing taste to the shopping we do for the fellas in our lives. Whether you're shopping for your dad, husband, boyfriend, brother, or uncle, we've got some fab gift options for those guys who never seem to lose their cool (and we don't mean their temper!).
Nike Auto Flight High in Bluegrass, $90. Available at NikeStore.com
If you've got a sneakerhead on your hands, he'll love these new Nike Auto Fight kicks, which feature a summery teal shade and orange accents along the tongue and near the sides of the toe.
Sobral Flash Gordon Collection Zen Hypnotic Wristwatch, $190. Available at SobralUSA.com
I've often raved about Brazilian jewelry designer Carlos Sobral's offerings for women, but I figured it was time to spread the wealth and let the boys in on the fun. This Zen Hypnotic Watch features a dial made of recycled computer circuit boards and attached to a brown leather strap. Of course, you can't actually keep time with this watch but, in terms of style, your guy will know what time it is.
Lacoste for Barneys Tennis Sweater in Navy, $165. Available at Barneys.com
For Summer 2010, Lacoste produced a limited edition collection of polo knits and sweaters for Barneys, including the above-pictured V-neck sweater, which features country club-ready green-and-white stripes along the cuffs and neckline.
Lego Architecture Series Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, $44.99. Available at DiscoveryStore.com
You know that saying about the difference between men and boys being the size of their toys? Well, it's not too far from the truth! When they're in elementary school, they'll build miniature Star Wars spaceships or the Krusty Krab in "Spongebob Squarepants" and, when they hit "adulthood" (a relative term when it comes to males), they'll turn to model cars, flossy remote control cars and helicopters, and more intricate Lego projects. This particular model, developed by architect Adam Reed Tucker, celebrates the genius of the late architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the mastermind behind New York City's Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
Cole Haan Air Vance Venetian Shoe in Salt Canvas/Oak, $178. Available at ColeHaan.com
These slip-on shoes, which bridge the gap between casual and elegant footwear, feature beige canvas uppers with camel leather trim.Even better, they were constructed with the intent of maximizing comfort through the cushioning, which incorporates Nike Air Technology in the heel and forepart.The herringbone rubber tread sole, meanwhile, provides a good amount of traction, so you don't have to worry about your fella slipping and falling.
With their emphasis on function and military-influenced, slightly rugged aesthetic, Kai D Utility's woven shirts will make dressing up seem like less of a conformist move for those rule-breaking, fight-the-power, work-against-the-system types. Take, for example, the Wyatt Linen Pinstripe Shirt Jacket pictured above, a 100% cotton, long-sleeved shirt with a flap pocket on the right side, a patch pocket on the left, and a smaller patch pocket below the aforementioned pocket.
Calvin Klein CK Free For Him 2 Piece Gift Set,$64. Available at CalvinKlein.com
This gift set features a 3.4 oz. CK Free For Him eau de toilette and a 2.6 oz. deodorant stick. Perfect for an outdoorsy guy, the CK Free scent features: top notes of anise, absinthe, and juniper berry; a heart of tobacco leaves, coffee absolute, and South African buchu; and base notes of patchouli absolute, oakwood, Texan cedarwood, and Costa Rican ironwood.
Lanvin High-Top Plaid Sneakers, $835. Available at NeimanMarcus.com
In form, this hi-top sneaker looks much like a Nike Blazer style, but there's an asymmetrical slant along the ankle region and the moody, gray-and-black plaid print is pure Lanvin. The leather trim along the seams, meanwhile, adds a sophisticated edge to the casual sneaker style. If your Big Poppa dreads dress shoes but you need to upgrade him from his low-top Dunk routine, this may be the perfect way to do so.
Sedgwick & Cedar Jamel Shabazz Signature Series "Only In New York" and "Radio Man" tees, $35.73 each. Available at Shop.SC73.com
The New York City-based clothing line Sedgwick & Cedar seeks to celebrate the excitement surrounding the dawn of hip-hop culture via images and prints of pioneering MCs, DJs, b-boys, graffiti writers, and more. The brand's name itself commemorates the famous parties DJ Kool Herc would throw in the rec room of his building on Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx. Pictured above, you'll find two designs from the Jamel Shabazz signature series, which features iconic images from the famed photographer.
Redken for Men Grooming Essentials, $21. Visit Redken.com to locate a salon near you.
Pauly D. isn't the only guy who spends an extraordinary amount of time on his hair. If you're shopping for a "don't touch the hair" type of dude, he'll appreciate this Redken for Men gift set, which includes a daily care shampoo, ultra hold air gel (for all those spiky 'dos), and even a balancing cleansing bar for his skin.
Nixon The Rotolog Belt in Black & Cork, $50. Available in Karmaloop.com
Sure, Nixon watches are the hotness, but did you know the brand has branched out into other milieu, including street-flavored belts? Just peep the Rotolog belt pictured above features four horizontal stripes -- 3 made out of brown cork and 1 made out of black leather.
Oliver Peoples Limited Edition KVA Sunglasses, $495. Available at OliverPeoples.com
These sunglasses are part of a limited edition collaboration between Oliver Peoples and Kris Van Assche, the current Creative Director of Dior Homme. The coin-edge mechanism allows wearers to switch the lenses on the frames.
Vilebrequin Coral White Swim Trunks, $200. Available at Barneys.com
With the summer months looming ahead, every guy needs a good pair of swim trunks — these drawstring Vilebrequin trunks feature a whimsical (and seasonally appropriate) beach-inspired print featuring light blue coral reefs, sea turtles, fish, and sand dollars against a white backdrop.