When we married, I told my husband I would never tell him what to wear unless he asked. And I’ve kept that promise for twenty years, and for twenty years, I’ve turned a blind eye to the many fashion crimes he’s committed. I can no longer ignore such atrocities, so for this Father’s Day, whether he likes it or not, he’s getting a closet clean out and a few upgrades to his wardrobe.
My husband works from home all but a few days a month. Needless to say, his “work wear” is mostly t-shirts and cargos shorts worn around the house. He does manage to pull it together for office visits with khakis, button-downs, and polos. For his closet clean-out, I’m focusing on casual wear and his athleisure pieces.
Like with any closet purge, the first things to go are garments with stains and rips beyond repair. For my husband, this amounts to a dozen or so graphic black t-shirts with sweat marks. The majority of these tees were free or promotional giveaways; not much sentimental value was lost. They served a function, and now that service is at long last over. Also included in this group are old and stained undershirts. To replace these shirts, I’m looking for quality basics. For plain black tees, I like For Days’ Brushed Scoop T in jet black. This 100% cotton jersey shirt is durable, breathable, and soft to the touch. The scooped hemline allows it to be worn untucked without it looking unkempt. Their Crew Neck tee in white is also a viable option for undershirts, made from 95% organic cotton and 5% spandex to be more fitted under dress shirts and polos.
Next up, letting go of pieces that no longer fit. My husband has some extremely baggy-saggy jeans and oversized sweaters. Most men wear their clothing too loose. It could be a comfort thing or a confidence thing, but a proper-fitting pair of jeans can only make you feel more comfortable and self-assured. I’m well aware that my husband is a middle-aged dad, so I’m not looking to push the denim envelope with some flashy modern brand. Instead, I’m looking to Wrangler, specifically their Five Star Premium Performance Series regular-fit jean. They have a straight, slightly loose leg and, more importantly, a comfort flex waistband for all-day wear.
Now, let’s talk about cargo shorts. In general, I’m not a fan; however, recently, my husband bought, on his own accord, some olive-green cargos from Amazon that I don’t hate. He recognized his everyday beige pair was frayed, worn out, and needed to be retired. Good on him! However, I would love him to consider a non-cargo short. At Toad&Co, they feature a Rover II Canvas short that is a baby step away from cargo shorts but still an improvement. They come in a variety of subdued tones and are made from lightweight recycled nylon with SPF 50 protection and are just a bit dressier than your ho-hum cargo variety. This would be a great short, with a short-sleeved patterned button-up, to wear on a summertime date night or casual family dinner.
Speaking of short-sleeved patterned button-ups, my husband has two — and they are of the Hawaiian variety. Don’t get me wrong; I love a good campy Hawaiian-style shirt; I just don’t love it for church or family photos. Instead, come Father’s Day morning; my husband could sport one of Bonobos Stretch Riviera Short Sleeve Shirts. With a comfy stretch for a better fit, this shirt comes in a dozen different colors and patterns. Some, like the Toot Toot Toucan Red prints, are a bit over the top, but the Aqua Striper Seersucker or Navy Geo prints are less loud but still distinctive.
Lastly belts. My husband has a reversible black and brown belt that “lives” in the belt loops of the aforementioned baggy-saggy jeans. I think it’s time for an upgrade. And I’m looking at the Standard Belt in black from Tanner Goods. What I love about this belt, besides its quality and that it’s made in the US, is that you can choose the buckle! Cast brass, black, or stainless are just a few of several options for a truly customizable accessory.
I know you can’t ever really change a man, but you can toss his dirty t-shirts, faded jeans, and scruffy belt and gift him with more stylish and mature replacements. It may seem like I’m putting my husband down, but I am really grateful for the wonderful co-parent and partner he has become. I just want him to look nice, especially when he’s out with me. Happy Father’s Day!
