Father's Day Gifts for Every Dad in Your Life

Fashion and grooming ideas for all the pops on your shopping list

by Lois Joy Johnson, AARP, June 4, 2020 | Comments: 0

CatLane/E+/Getty Images

En español | This year's celebration of the great guys in your life is going to be a doozy. After months of hibernation, social distancing and eating banana bread, men age 50-plus are ready to rock … or at least roll. Here are 10 dad personalities and gifts for each to make this summer all blue skies and balmy breezes (fingers crossed!) or, as the Beatles sang, “Here comes the sun.” And FYI: If you’re shopping online, don’t procrastinate. Due to heavy volume, shipping may be delayed.

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PHOTO BY: Ulta Beauty; Old Navy; Gap; H&M; City Threads

(Clockwise from top left) Clinique Happy for Men Cologne Spray; Old Navy Aviator Sunglasses for Men in Silver; Gap Performance Poplin Shirt in Medium Stripe; H&M Straw Hat; City Threads 100% Soft Cotton Reusable Face Mask in Orange

1. The Social Dad

He's always in media mode, checking his Facebook feed for friendly updates and scanning his iPhone for quizzes and quirky videos to share. After weeks of curbside takeout and self-care (his teeth-whitening, brows-trimming, nail-grooming routine never let up) he can't wait for in-person cocktails and get-togethers with friends and family. Get him started with a classy stretch cotton shirt to untuck, like the Gap Performance Poplin Shirt in Medium Stripe ($23, gap.com), a fresh pair of UV-protected aviators like the Old Navy Aviator Sunglasses for Men in Silver ($12, oldnavy.com), a straw fedora like the Straw Hat ($20, hm.com/us), a reusable face mask in an upbeat orange or bright green like the City Threads 100% Soft Cotton Reusable Face Mask in Orange or Elf Green ($10, citythreads.com) and a buoyant citrus scent like Clinique Happy for Men Cologne Spray ($52, ulta.com).
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PHOTO BY: Kohl's; Old Navy (2); Target (2)

(Left to right) Men’s Nike Training Tee in University Red White; ShedRain Air Vent Golf Umbrella; Goodfellow & Co No. 02 Juniper & Sandalwood Men’s Spray Cologne; Old Navy Go-Dry Cool Odor-Control Core Color-Blocked Polo for Men in Shades of Gray; Old Navy Go-Dry Side-Panel Performance Shorts for Men in Lost at Sea Navy

2. The Sporty Dad

He's always switching to the sports channel (even mid Netflix movie!) and can't wait for baseball season to resume. He's been eating healthy (with a few pizza binges) and doing sit-ups at home but nothing beats a three-mile run or a day of golf (social distancing, naturally!). Make a splash with a pair of moisture-wicking shorts like the Old Navy Go-Dry Side-Panel Performance Shorts for Men in Lost at Sea Navy ($20, oldnavy.com), a sweat-banishing workout tee like the Old Navy Go-Dry Cool Odor-Control Core Color-Blocked Polo for Men in Shades of Gray ($20, oldnavy.com) or Men's Nike Training Tee in University Red White ($21, kohls.com), a big-enough-for-two golf umbrella like ShedRain Air Vent Golf Umbrella ($20, target.com) and an outdoorsy scent like the Goodfellow & Co No. 02 Juniper & Sandalwood Men's Spray Cologne ($20, target.com).
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PHOTO BY: UNIQLO; J.Crew; Walmart (2); Zappos; Old Navy

Uniqlo Men Dry Pique Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt in 66 Blue (top left); J. Crew 10.5” Stretch Short in Dusty Khaki (bottom left); Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette Spray Cologne for Men (top middle); Minnetonka Camp Mocc (center); Amali Men’s Faux Suede Ecker Driving Moccasin in Oyster (bottom middle); Old Navy Soft-Washed Jersey Polo for Men in Babe The Blue Ox (right)

3. The Working Dad

He's happier than ever doing daily Zoom conferences with colleagues and clients from his work-from-home office (retirement is not in his vocabulary!) thanks to no early-a.m. commute. With blazers out of the picture he'll love the business-appropriate screen look of a blue collared polo like the Uniqlo Men Dry Pique Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt in 66 Blue ($20, uniqlo.com) or Old Navy Soft-Washed Jersey Polo for Men in Babe the Blue Ox ($12, oldnavy.com), tailored shorts like the J. Crew 10.5” Stretch Short in Dusty Khaki or Spokane Grey ($70, jcrew.com), comfy rubber-soled mocs like the Minnetonka Camp Mocc ($64, zappos.com) or Amali Men's Faux Suede Ecker Driving Moccasin in Oyster, Burgundy or Black ($50, walmart.com) and a cool energizing scent like the Nautica Voyage Eau de Toilette Spray Cologne for Men ($15, walmart.com).
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PHOTO BY: Gap; Target; L.L.Bean; ASOS; H&M; Ulta Beauty

(Clockwise from left) Gap Men's 11” Twill Cargo Shorts with GapFlex in Moonless Night; Mad Engine Adult Bandana in Black; L.L. Bean Men’s Lakewashed Organic Cotton Graphic Tee, Short-Sleeve in Graphite/Yellowstone; Asos Only & Sons Stretch Denim Shorts in Dark Blue; H&M Weekend Bag in Dark Blue; Ralph Lauren Polo Black Eau de Toilette

4. The Cool Dad

He's always wearing AirPods, a three-day scruff and talking about the best craft breweries, CBD gummies or song lists on TikTok that keep his stress down and his attitude up. He used quarantine time to get into cooking and now makes a mean vegan mac and cheese. A x-country bike tour tops his bucket list but for now a weekend sprint to the beach is fine. Keep him on trend with a message T-shirt like the L.L. Bean Men's Lakewashed Organic Cotton Graphic Tee, Short-Sleeve in Graphite/Yellowstone or Shadow Green/Maine Graphic ($30 each, llbean.com), a black bandanna-mask like the Mad Engine Adult Bandana in Black ($5, target.com), edgy black or denim shorts like the Gap Men's 11” Twill Cargo Shorts with GapFlex in Moonless Night ($32, gap.com) or Asos Only & Sons Stretch Denim Shorts in Dark Blue ($41, asos.com/us), a light weekend bag like the H&M Weekend Bag in Dark Blue ($30, hm.com/us) and a gutsy scent like Ralph Lauren Polo Black Eau de Toilette ($50, ulta.com) with mango and patchouli.
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PHOTO BY: UNIQLO; CVS; Walmart (2); Old Navy

(Clockwise from bottom left) Uniqlo UV Protection Sports Hat in 09 Black (also available in 69 Navy color); Adidas Moves for Him Spray Eau de Toilette; Wrangler Men’s Cargo Short with Stretch in Dusty Olive; Independent Trading Co. Water-Resistant Lightweight Windbreaker-A; Old Navy Webbed-Canvas Hiking Sandals for Men

5. The Outdoorsy Dad

He's a nature lover and bird-watcher who photographs sunrises and sunsets and longed for lockdown to end. White-water rafting, kayaking and camping are his dream vacations so help him hit the dock and head for the hills with hiking sandals like the Old Navy Webbed-Canvas Hiking Sandals for Men ($22, oldnavy.com), a lightweight shell like the Independent Trading Co. Water-Resistant Lightweight Windbreaker-A ($25, walmart.com), sturdy cargos like the Wrangler Men's Cargo Short with Stretch in Dusty Olive ($18, walmart.com), a UPF-protected hat like the Uniqlo UV Protection Sports Hat in 69 Navy ($20, uniqlo.com) and a sparkling active scent like Adidas Moves for Him Spray Eau de Toilette ($26, cvs.com).
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PHOTO BY: Lands' End (3); J.Crew; Gap; Target

Lands’ End Men’s Broadcloth Pajama Shorts and Pajama Shirt in Navy/White Gingham (top and bottom left); J. Crew Stretch Pique Polo Shirt in Navy (top middle); Gap Stretch Poplin Short Sleeve Shirt in Navy Plaid (bottom middle); Cremo Bourbon & Oak Men’s Spray Cologne (right middle); Lands’ End Comfort Waist Pleated 9” No-Iron Chino Shorts

6. The Classic Dad

He's a little bit old-fashioned so isolation has been a stay-cation for him — catching up on reading, listening to old records and CDs and tinkering with his car. He still wears a watch and a belt every day (even with jeans!) and carries “business cards.” Acknowledge his back-to-the-future lifestyle with updated summer pjs like the Lands’ End Men's Broadcloth Pajama Shorts and Pajama Shirt in Navy/White Gingham ($30 and $40, landsend.com), chino shorts like the Lands’ End Comfort Waist Pleated 9” No-Iron Chino Shorts ($30, landsend.com), a dress-casual polo (he doesn't wear tees) like the J. Crew Stretch Pique Polo Shirt in Navy ($18, jcrew.com) or a short-sleeve plaid shirt like the Gap Stretch Poplin Short Sleeve Shirt in Navy Plaid ($17, gap.com) and a classic woodsy scent like the Cremo Bourbon & Oak Men's Spray Cologne ($23, target.com).
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PHOTO BY: UNIQLO; Gap; Lands' End; Ulta Beauty; Old Navy; Target

(Clockwise from left) Uniqlo Men Dry Stretch Easy Shorts in 44 Yellow; Gap Short-Sleeve Shirt in Poplin in Pink Palms; Land’s End Men’s Traditional Fit Short Sleeve Camp Collar Hawaiian Shirt in Deep Sea Tropical Floral; John Varvatos Artisan Blu Eau de Toilette; Old Navy Triple Layer Cloth Face Mask for Adults in Blues; Goodfellow & Co Men’s Blue Dial Silver Bracelet Diver Watch Set

7. The Best-Friend Dad

He's got the wisdom of a therapist, the wit of a stand-up comic and the empathy of a first-responder. At 50 (going on 25) he texts daily jokes and mood-boosting quotes and tells you the best new shows to binge-watch and the smartest podcasts to listen to. Brighten his day in turn with a trendy short-sleeve shirt like Gap Short-Sleeve Shirt in Poplin in Pink Palms ($26, gap.com) or Lands’ End Men's Traditional Fit Short Sleeve Camp Collar Hawaiian Shirt in Deep Sea Tropical Floral ($33, landsend.com), colorful shorts like the Uniqlo Men Dry Stretch Easy Shorts in 44 Yellow ($20, uniqlo.com), a sporty watch and bracelet set like the Goodfellow & Co Men's Blue Dial Silver Bracelet Diver Watch Set ($25, target.com), reusable masks like the Old Navy Variety 5-Pack of Triple Layer Cloth Face Masks for Adults in Blues ($13, oldnavy.com) for those 6-feet apart heart-to-heart chats, and a spicy-citrus scent with hints of lavender like John Varvatos Artisan Blu Eau de Toilette ($72, ulta.com).
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PHOTO BY: Ulta Beauty; L.L.Bean; Kohl's; Zappos; Wayfair; Target

(Clockwise from left middle) Kenneth Cole New York Mankind Hero Eau de Toilette; L.L. Bean Men’s Carefree Unshrinkable Tee Traditional Fit Short-Sleeve in Delta Blue; Men's Urban Pipeline Ultimate Stretch Twill Cargo Shorts in Feather Gray; Arizona Birkenstock Essentials in Black EVA; Napoleon Pro Grilling Apron; Superior Trading Co. 3-pc. BBQ Apron Bundle

8. The Backyard Dad

He's Bobby Flay, Curtis Stone and Guy Fieri all rolled into one and he got through the pandemic thanks to his twin passions: grilling and gardening. He loves a crowd, so meal drop-offs for neighbors and flowers for nurses are now a weekly routine. Light his fire with some comfy but durable tees like the L.L. Bean Men's Carefree Unshrinkable Tee Traditional Fit Short-Sleeve in Dark Sapphire, Ocean Blue and Delta Blue ($20 each, llbean.com), a full apron with pockets like the Napoleon Pro Grilling Apron ($37, wayfair.com), Superior Trading Co. 3 pc. BBQ Apron Bundle ($20, target.com), comfy cargos like the Men's Urban Pipeline Ultimate Stretch Twill Cargo Shorts in Feather Gray ($22, kohls.com), waterproof sandals like the Arizona Birkenstock Essentials in Black EVA ($45, zappos.com) for pool or gardening, and a woodsy/vanilla scent like Kenneth Cole New York Mankind Hero Eau de Toilette ($62, ulta.com) for a yummy finish.
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PHOTO BY: Walmart; Kohl's; Gap; Zappos; Target

Wrangler Men’s Relaxed Fit Stretch Cargo Pants in Elmwood Twill (left); DPC Solarweave Men’s Mesh Safari Hat (top); Reef Fanning in Grey/Black (bottom); Duke Cannon Aquatic & Fresh Woods Seneca Men's Proper Cologne (center right); Gap Pocket T- Shirt in Crisp Royal Blue (right)

9. The Handy Dad

He's happiest solving a fix-it problem, changing your light bulbs or the batteries in your smoke alarm but “broken hearts” are his secret specialty. Often looking scrappy and scruffy in beard and jeans, his garage is his sanctuary. Surprise him with some hardworking updates like the Gap Pocket T-Shirt in Crisp Royal Blue or Flint Stone ($15, gap.com), multipocket cargos like the Wrangler Men's Relaxed Fit Stretch Cargo Pants in Elmwood Twill ($20, walmart.com), contoured flip-flops like the Reef Fanning in Grey/Black ($60, zappos.com) for airy support, a UV sun hat like the DPC Solarweave Men's Mesh Safari Hat ($33, kohls.com) and a clean woodsy scent like the Duke Cannon Aquatic & Fresh Woods Seneca Men's Proper Cologne ($20, target.com) — it smells good on women, too!
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PHOTO BY: Kohl's; Everlane (2); Banana Republic; Ulta Beauty; Gap

Men’s Batik Bay Textured Solid Button Down Shirt in Black (left); Everlane Fatigue Pant (top middle left); Banana Republic Face Mask 3-Pack (top middle right); Everlane The Renew Transit Backpack (bottom middle left); Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette (bottom middle right); Gap All Day Pique Polo Shirt (right)

10. The Urban Dad

He prefers cities to the ‘burbs, with a cultured sense of adventure and travel. After months of home confinement spent journaling, virtually touring museums like the Met and getting online tutoring for his rusty Spanish, he can't wait to jump on a plane (or even the subway), wander through elegant parks, and people-watch at a café. Give him some practical polish with tailored-looking masks like the Banana Republic Face Mask 3-Pack ($29, bananarepublic.com), a collared short-sleeve shirt like the Men's Batik Bay Textured Solid Button-Down Shirt in Black ($25, kohls.com) or polos like the Gap All Day Pique Polo Shirt ($30, gap.com), summer-in-the-city pants with a relaxed fit like the Everlane Fatigue Pant ($68, everlane.com), a stylish sleek backpack like the Everlane the Renew Transit Backpack ($78, everlane.com) and a spicy citrus scent like Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette ($53, ulta.com) that packs a caffeine punch on sweltering days.