You may be fashion savvy, but dad-wear is a whole new ballgame
We’ve moved on a bit from the days of Crocs and khaki shorts, but there’s a new age of cringe-inducing dad-wear out there, and you don’t want to get caught out on the school run. I mean, what will the other dads say? Don’t worry, we’re not trying to give you the hard sell on a Gok-Wan-esque makeover, but here are a few simple tips on how to look your best when you’re out and about with your kid.
Know your size
The dad-bod may be a trend but that doesn’t mean you can walk about with your belly hanging out the bottom of your shirt. Nobody wants to see that. On the other hand, if you are wearing shirts two-sizes-too-big and drowning in fabric then you might look like a bad Steve Carell character. The same applies for jeans – too big means you look like a Chuckle Brother, too small means you look like Eddie Murphy in Raw. You need to make sure you are wearing clothes that fit you in all the right ways. The big numbers to know are your neck, chest, waist and leg length – once you know what size you should be buying it’s hard to go wrong.
Match leathers
This one might seem a bit naff to begin with, but I swear it makes sense. Basically, if you are wearing brown leather shoes and a brown leather belt, make sure they are the same shade of brown. It makes the outfit look much cleaner and more put together.You may be fashion savvy, but dad-wear is a whole new ballgame. Have a look at our clothing tips so you can be the fittest father on the playground
Grow a beard
This one may be easier said than done for some men, but growing out your facial hair is one of the most drastic changes you can make to your appearance, especially if you have a fuller face or a weak jawline. Most male celebrities have tried their hand at it over the past few years (with varying degrees of success ranging from David Beckham to Michael Cera), so jump on the bandwagon before it’s too late! Just make sure to keep it neat with a trimmer and maintained with regular use of beard oil.
Beard oils can be expensive, so look for bargains and find the best value for money
Avoid heavy branding
Remember those old Henleys hoodies with the massive logo on the front? Well that’s exactly what I’m talking about. Sometimes less is more – in this case it might be worth opting for simpler tops and hoodies. Football shirts and slightly more modest name-brand items work grand for this sort of thing, so keep yourself looking sharp and simple.
Plan in advance
It’s tempting to throw on whatever clothes you find lying about the house, it’s worth it to put that extra bit of time in figuring out what to wear. Don’t match blues and black, don’t mix patterns, don’t wear that puffer vest that makes you look like Marty McFly. Plan out your outfit the night before so you won’t have to think twice when you’re getting your kid ready in the morning.
You’ve got this
Just because you’re a dad doesn’t mean your appearance should take a back seat. Take control and find clothes that you feel powerful in. It’s that confidence that’ll make other people think: “Damn, that dad has it together.”
