the Father's Day Gift Guide: No Dad Left Behind!

My father likes to joke that Father's Day is "nine months before Mother's Day." It would be a little weird to shower your father with gifts on that anniversary, so I'm glad we've settled on a universal date to celebrate fatherhood. This is the very first Dappled Waistcoat Father's Day post, and I've worked hard to search out classy, sassy, wallet-friendly, and slightly left-of-center gifts to please your pops. And of course, I've sourced these goods from classic brands, most of which make their goods in the USA.

PINO Portland ties, bow-ties, and pocket squares/rounds are all handmade in Portland, OR. Their web store is fresh and new, and soon after seeing it I got to talking with founder Crispin about the story behind his brand, his fabrics, and the collaborations he's doing with businesses in Portland. Stay tuned for a PINO feature post very soon! The raw silk and bright Imperial Blue color of this tie ($98) has great texture without being too busy, and the pocket round ($48) complements it perfectly without over-matching. To bring it all together, the Timex Weekender ($45, available online at www.trovegeneral.com) adds a fun pop of color. The straps on the watch are interchangeable as well, giving dad endless options for classic style. 

For those who didn't know, Dubarry of Ireland doesn't just make great boots. Their deck shoes are phenomenal too, with non-slip, non-marking outsoles and their trademark Dry-Fast/Dry-Soft leather that will stand the test of many beach trips, car washes, fishing voyages, and fatherly episodes of moral support. Pair up the Windward decks ($159) with the fresh navy and white striped Kilkee polo ($89) and dad will thank you for the new weekend staples. The folks at Leatherworks Minnesota, from whom I recently got a fantastic black/red camera strap, know their way around rugged leather. Their classic belt ($60) is made of heavy 8/9 oz. leather, and available in five different color options. Beautiful leather goods are always appropriate gifts, and never, ever go out of style. 

For the dad who feels more comfortable shirtless than in a polo, we have some more gnarly gift ideas. Biker dads will love the Venice Address Trucker hat from biking gods Deus Ex Machina ($30). It will keep that perfect dad hair from getting too windswept, or keep that perfectly bald dome from getting sunburn, (either way, it's great). For the hair on dad's face, Otter Wax Beard Oil ($26) is about as manly a gift as you could find. It's made in Portland of the finest base and essential oils, to keep dad's prize beard soft and healthy. Burly dad's will appreciate Izola's sassy "Put Some Hair on Your Chest" flask ($25, at www.petalumasupplyco.com). For a finishing touch, buy him a bottle of his favorite whiskey. No dad should have an empty flask.

Maybe your dad was a hippie, and maybe he's nostalgic for the riotous days of his youth. Show dad that you actually listened to all his stories (that he may or may not have repeated a thousand times). The Locally Grown tee ($39, at Trove General) is retro and suggestive, without the risk of turning too many heads at the next family barbecue. STRONG Brand's "Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em" Zippo lighter ($50) is inspired by hand engraved lighters from the Vietnam era, and comes with a handmade pouch. To complete your dad's trip down memory lane, Karlheinz Weinberger's book "Rebel Youth" ($45) is a collection of photographs of working class youth rebels and style icons of the late '50's and early '60's.

Being mindful about what goods you buy doesn't have to be insanely expensive. Most of these items are under $50, and the few that are more expensive are well worth it. Dads recognize quality and appreciate good style more than they like to let on. 

Lucky for me... General Knot &Co. took over my Father's Day shopping for me. I won their Father's Day giveaway of a GK x Ursa Major gift set. It was only made in a limited run, but is still available on their site for you last minute Father's Day shoppers! (Don't worry... my dad doesn't really know how to use the internet, so there's no risk in spoiling the surprise.)

SHOP!

PINO Portland

Trove General Store

Dubarry of Ireland

Deus Ex Machina

Petaluma Supply Co.

The STRONG Brand

Leatherworks MN

Otter Wax

General Knot &Co.

Say Hello to Hank!

If you haven't already acquainted yourself with the Hank brand, I'm pleased to be the one making the introductions. A few Michigan natives started developing the brand this past fall, and in April they finally launched. I discovered Hank through Twitter, and soon recognized the same enthusiasm for good gear, and quality > quantity mindset that I have myself. Co-founder Adam Rice and I were able to connect over the phone a few weeks ago, and he gave me the scoop on the philosophy behind the Hank brand and what developments are to come.

Adam emphasized that in getting their Spring 2013 Collection together, consistent price points were a priority. The shame about the "made in USA" movement, he explained, is that customers have grown so accustomed to price gouging that they assume all fine quality American goods have to be expensive. When these customers see something more reasonably priced, they automatically assume that the quality isn't there, and that's just not correct. According to Adam, it's really not as expensive to manufacture here as people think. That being said, the Hank folks collaborated with some favorite American brands (Parrott Canvas Co., Pointer Brand, Ebbets Field, etc.) to create some exclusive items. Through their debut collection, Hank has established itself as a marketplace for thoughtfully curated American goods. The people of Hank are interested as much in the story behind a brand as they are in the goods themselves. This emphasis on people and stories turns their collection into a narrative that reads as much more than just a shop with some hats and shirts... it's a conversation about the American experience.

The move that Hank aims to make, however, is becoming a distinctive BRAND all on their own. While the Fall collection will include more collaborations with Pointer Brand (look for a few new Chore coats tweaked just for Hank), they're looking to put out their own shirting and chinos as well, and are enjoying going through the design process for the first time.

The folks at Hank have the right combination of ambition, integrity, and passion for fine men's goods. The Spring Collection includes a bunch of classic must-haves, and as the brand comes into their own I'm sure they'll come out with plenty of new favorites. As an un-femme lady, I have a few Hank picks of my own.

SHOP HANK