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By Christian Rose-Day

Ah Dads, bless ‘em. Toiling away in the sheds of this great nation on something we can never quite understand. Actually, what am I saying? I’m a Dad and I don’t even have a shed (actually, I do, but I choose to ignore it in order to prolong my youth).

Let’s face it, Dads aren’t usually seen as a fashionable bunch. They seem to reach a point in their existence that simply doesn’t want to care. Well, we care. We care about the image our Dad’s portray (especially us blokes, who see him as a window into the future). We care that the perception Dad exudes can speak volumes about his personality to strangers. We care that our friends might laugh about him behind our backs, even though neither we nor our friends are 5 years old any more.

We care enough to spoil Dad rotten on Fathers’ Day, so to help you care just that little bit extra on June 20th, here’s a nice easy Top 10 of cool stuff your Dad might possibly wear, as long as someone else buys it for him (that means you!). I shall be forwarding this to my own son in due course.

1)   Creation Recreation Cesario Vintage Hawaiian leaf print shoes. The days of awful Dad-sandals are long gone and this hot little American brand has casual, tonal combinations that are subtle enough for any level of Dad dorkiness.

2)   The National Gallery Hip Flask (£30). Ancient paintings and Scottish Whiskey: two of Dad’s greatest passions. This handmade leather hip flask – exclusively designed for the gallery by Daines and Hathaway – is embossed with the National Gallery logo. Total gift harmony. I wonder if Dad is allowed to use it when he visits the Gallery perhaps?

3)   Kimberley Selwood Torn Men’s Collection ‘Structure’ ring (£156). Much like Dad, this ring is clean but rugged. Kimberley Selwood is an independent jewellery designer from Buckinghamshire and has created a blackened fracture through this chunky sterling silver ring using oxidisation. Dads love science accessories.

4)   Angelo Galasso Blue Watch-cuff Shirt (£230). Angelo Galasso has a store in Knightsbridge so probably knows a thing or two about dressing Dads in a smart, yet functional/creative way. This shirt is one such signature piece and was inspired by 1980s Italian style icon Gianni Agnelli (the former president of Fiat) who would wear his watch over his sleeve. Sometimes the simplest things in life are the most magnificent. It just makes sense.

5)   Conran Leather Satchel (£99). Two things you need to know here: firstly, that it’s designed by Barbara Wiggins who is known for selling her paper and leather purses, passport holders, luggage tags, key fobs, and stationery in stores like Liberty, Selfridges and Fortnum & Mason; and secondly, it’s got the word ‘Conran’ on it. Maybe worth buying two so you and Dad can match.

6)   John Lewis Antique Leather Belt (£25). Indeed, it is John Lewis but let’s not forget, Dad’s like John Lewis. Plus, this mahogany Italian-made belt is both durable and fashionable, not to mention affordable. Tell Dad they’d go well with a pair of long, dark wash, denim blue shorts. He’ll work it out.

7)   White Stuff Dyer Sunglasses (£39.95). Picture the scene: Dad pulls into the driveway in a new sports car; he opens the glove box, whips out a hard brown case, and casually throws on these little beauties – gunmetal frame, modern aviators with graduated tint lenses. Cue swooning Mum. You’ve just made two parents very, very happy. Now congratulate yourself with a pat on the back and a pork pie.

8)   Grosvenor England Shirts. This is a footie Dad’s wet dream. Grosvenor Shirts were commissioned by FIFA’s exclusive worldwide master licensee to create a collection of limited edition luxury shirts in honour of this year’s FIFA World Cup in South Africa.   Only 210 of these white, 2-fold Royal Twill shirts are to be made and each will be individually numbered through discreet embroidery on the under cuff of the right sleeve. ‘ave it!

9)   Christopher Ward C70 Grand Prix BE (£299). Staying with sport, but with a little more grunt. The ‘BE’ here doesn’t stand for “Bleedin’ ‘ell”, although it could do. It stands for Belgium, which this particular version on the Grand Prix series represents with its chassis colours and reverse engraving of race track, race winner, and year of victory. Only 500 are in circulation, so another collector’s item. And is it a coincidence that the British Moto Grand Prix takes place at Silverstone on June 20th? I think not.

10)    Socks for Happy People (£15). Of course, there’s no escaping the perennial sock gift because as Dad wears through them, so the cycle self-perpetuates. If it’s to be socks, then a refreshingly ethical pair will be well received. Organic cotton, Soil Association certified, thrown in with a charitable donation given on Dad’s behalf. You basically buy a pair, and the nice Socks for Happy People people send a second pair of warm, locally-made, camel wool socks to the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation in Mongolia. Oh, and they have a ‘seamless toe’. Got to love a seamless toe.