Gifts for Dad
Father’s Day gifts that a dad can wear outpace other options 2 1/2 to one, according to Ted Kaufman , executive director of the Father’s Day Council, a nonprofit organization that promotes the honoring of fathers. The challenge, of course, is to locate unusual items within the conventional categories.
This year, it seems unusually easy. Even neckties, the old standby, have an air of excitement, thanks in part to a new batch by women’s-wear designer Nicole Miller who made her first tie from a dress fabric she had on hand. She now has ties in offbeat fruit-stand and theater-ticket prints along with sports themes such as basketball, football, boxing, horse racing and baseball, priced at $55 at Kanji on Melrose Avenue.
Fathers inclined toward novelties might also like the vintage silver cuff links and tie clip that resemble a ‘50s camera, $50 for the set at Modern Objects on Melrose. Decorative button covers are another unusual option, particularly for impeccable dressers. A sterling silver, bow tie-shaped button cover by Zina of Los Angeles, is meant to replace a necktie. It is $100 at the Final Touch in West Los Angeles.
Among belts that can inject subtle dash into a dad’s wardrobe are a beaded black leather model with a Western etched buckle, for a citified father with a dude rancher’s soul, and a more decorative, Italian leather belt with elaborate silver buckle, both priced under $60 at the Final Touch.
In the past, men’s cologne was considered a risky purchase. But experts now find that if the woman in his life likes the scent she buys for him, he’ll probably like it too. No. 88, a fragrance by Czech & Speake of London, is an out-of-the-ordinary choice, a “boardroom” scent both woodsy and masculine, priced from $22 and a best seller at Fred Segal in West Hollywood.
Gardeners might prefer the lavender, pomegranate or mint-scented soaps, after-shave lotion and talcs by Santa Maria Novella , a romantic-sounding name for a line of men’s toiletries developed by a 400-year-old pharmacy outside Florence, Italy. Items are $35 each at Studio, in Santa Monica.
Most Southern California men keep a separate stash of “dress” T-shirts year-round, and one with a regal red and gold crown silk-screened on black cotton, by L.A. artist Stanley Desantis, seems particularly appropriate for Father’s Day giving. It is $24 at Modern Objects where custom-made dress shirts are also available from $100. One in emerald green, semi-sheer cotton organza stands out.
Fathers seem particularly appreciative of carefully chosen gifts that don’t involve a huge expense. Unlikely options in that category include a pair of boxer shorts in white shadow-striped cotton voile, $20 at the Bill Whitten store in Los Angeles. Or, the stylish “summer helmet,” a Panama-like hat at Brookstone in Los Angeles is a bargain-priced $14.99.
For dads whose finest hour takes place at the ritual Father’s Day barbecue, character aprons at Roos Linens and Gifts in the Los Angeles Farmer’s Market, $19.50, could be just the right buy. There are styles with the trompe l’oeil trappings of a golfer, cowboy, deep-sea or bass fisherman that carry a matching mitt. The golfer sports a golf glove mitt; the bass fisherman a rainbow trout.
