10 Fall Staples for the Fashionable Dad
Hooray for the Fall! At last, it’s not boiling hot anymore and we can abandon our purely survival-based shorts and t-shirts and start putting a little more thought into our outfits.
Where should we start? I started by breaking the options into the general style that you want to go for. Keep scrolling down for the 10 staples every Dad needs.
Denim All Day
Double or even triple denim is always a classic and now that it’s cooling down, wearing multiple layers of this hardworking material makes perfect sense. The trick is to mix up the tones so you don’t look like Britney and JT arriving at the MTV awards.
Suited and Booted
Perfect for your 9-5 as well as looking good in the bar afterwards (or heading directly home to play with your kids)
The Outdoorsman
Practicality doesn’t need to be plain. Mix up the materials and the colours to ensure you stay dry while looking awesome.
Just look at that Filson jacket!
Mr. Casual
Jeans, a button-up, and a t-shirt. It’s comfy, easy to wear and re-wear, and you’re going to look awesome. Add a toque, leather boots, and a scarf and you’ll be the best-dressed dad at the office and at school pick-up.
The 10 Fall Wardrobe Staples for Dads
1. Sweaters – block colour for layering under a jacket or wear with jeans if it’s not as cold as you thought was going to be. Steer clear of the patterns or busy colours, though a couple of outdoorsy themes add some character to your outfit.
2. Jeans – good for every style and you (almost) never have to wash them! Unless you need the extra room, avoid straight or boot-cut or baggy jeans as they’ll just make your legs look short. Go for ‘slim’ or ‘skinny’ with ‘flex’ or built-in lycra to the material instead as they’ll sit a little closer and will still give you the freedom to move.
3. Long-sleeved t-shirts – perfect for layering if you’re going out in the cold, or roll up the sleeves while you’re indoors to keep cool. They look more ‘put together’ than regular t-shirts. Black or navy are the most slimming and comfortable, while white or grey ones are good for underneath a thick shirt like this one from Filson:
4. A hat – you know what? If you’ve always kind of wanted to wear a hat but didn’t know where to start or think they look good only if you’re older, just go for it. 90% of pulling off a hat is just wearing it. I got this one at my local Goorin Bros. hat store and love it for camping and outdoor stuff. It keeps my head nice and warm and I feel like a Park Ranger, which is cool (to me).
5. Boots – nobody likes wet or cold socks so you’re going to need something that’ll last you through Fall and well past the long Winter that’s coming our way faster than you think.
Look for:
- Waterproof (“resistant” means nothing when you’re walking through puddles or snow)
- Really good grip – don’t let anyone see you slip and fall on your bum.
- Weight – don’t get anything too heavy as your knees aren’t what they used to be!
- Are they high enough to cover you from deeper-than-you-thought puddles?
I’m really partial to these Kamik Griffon boots – in fact I’ve got a pair on the way!
6. Socks – thick socks are the best for big boots. Look for ones with cotton or nylon as they’ll stop your feet getting sweaty when things turn toasty. Socks are a great place to get crazy with the patterns. Sharks, Santas, Dogs, or just good old bright colours, go nuts. However, if you mention your socks more than once your family and friends will get the hint and only get you socks for Christmas. Better than ties though, so that’s something.
If you’re looking for inspiration, follow @Parenting101 and @CaseyPalmer on Instagram for their #SockMadness ongoing battle.
7. A coat – coats are tricky. Do you go waterproof and thin, waterproof and thick, or just thick and warm? For the chilly days, I love my Duffle coat for the Paddington Bear look (unintentional) but when it’s raining, I’m all about the bright red waterproof and cozy one from One Man, the guy’s line from MiaMelon.
8. Slippers – when you’re home, you’ve got to be comfy. Keep your feet warm with a pair of lovely cozy slippers. If you can teach/ bribe your kids to fetch them for you, you’re winning. I like these ones from Kamik via Altitude-Sports.com they have faux shearling lining, felt and microsuede on the outside for keeping them good-looking for longer, and rubber outsoles for grip on slippery floors, protection from discarded Lego bricks or for quick trips to put the recycling in the lane.
9. A Scarf – keep your neck and face warm with style. Actually, I don’t know why I’m explaining the benefits of a scarf. They’re good and you need one. Just don’t get one that’s too long or you’ll look like Tom Baker (ex-Doctor Who).
10. Your camera – I know this seems like it doesn’t fit in the list, but Fall and Winter are the most beautiful time of year. Take your family out of the house, show off your new threads, and embrace the season with the people you love and take all the photos.
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