Donnell Enns, owner of Uncle Otis, a go-to men’s shop in Toronto’s Yorkville for over 20 years, strikes a pose in his own casual mix: Wear-anywhere button-down, the new ‘carrot-leg’ khakis (more on that later) and a revamped boat shoe in dove grey.
*This contest is CLOSED, but enjoy the article!*
I’ve had seventeen years to turn my plaid shirt and cargo-pant loving husband into a stylin’ dude and I’m sad to report that I need help (you’d think I’d have more success since, you know, I was a fashion editor at a magazine, but he’s stubborn…). While he no longer wears pants with pleats, he buys shirts that actually fit him and owns a pair of retro-style kicks that elevate his standard T-shirt and jean combo (it’s about small miracles, right?), I’d like to step up his uber-casual uniform. But where to begin?
While a full-blown makeover for the hubby isn’t in the cards for Father’s Day, it’s the perfect time to gift him with something that will lend him more style. There are ways to update his wardrobe without turning him off, says Donnell Enns, owner and purveyor of upmarket menswear at Uncle Otis, a hip, men’s shop in Toronto. “You don’t want to buy him something that’s totally out of his comfort zone. Instead, figure out what he really likes—whether it’s crazy colours or the same khaki pants, and get him something more modern,” he says. “This way, he’s likely to be more open to wearing it.”
5 gift ideas that will step-up his style on Father’s Day
1. For the dad who loves cargo pants
Traditional fit cargos or the ones you’ll find in army surplus stores are usually straight and baggy (read: not the most flattering). If this is the item of clothing he’s set on wearing, he’s in luck. Cargos are still popular on the street, on celebs and beyond. “A modern version is a tapered-leg style. Even those sack-style pockets have become refined since today’s man is more likely to carry a smartphone in his cargo pocket than a flashlight,” says Donnell. And don’t misinterpret this modern, tapered-style as skinny. This streamlined shape (also known as the carrot leg because it gets narrower as it reaches the ankle) tops the comfort scale. “Even my clients who are hockey players can wear this style and move around because of the roominess in the thighs,” he says. If dad has enough cargo pants, upgrade his wardrobe with a just-as-comfortable chino with the same tapered leg.
STYLE FORMULA: OrSlow 6 Pocket Cargo Pant + Adidas Originals. Made of lightweight soft cotton, this pant touts details like a tapered pocket panel on the side and downsized back pocket to reduce bulk. Classic kicks from Adidas or New Balance add street style to any outfit.
2. For the dad who collects plaid shirts
Try another pattern like a floral, for example. “Essentially, they’re already wearing a print, so it shouldn’t be a huge stretch for them to experiment and explore another decorative print,” says Donnell. Tone-on-tone guys can try a graphic two-toned floral, while the more adventurous can go for a bold, multicoloured garden of blooms. “If the shirt comes across as too loud, add a solid layer like a light jacket overtop. The idea is that it’ll feel like a tie and act as an accent to the jacket.”
STYLE FORMULA: All Around Shirt in Circular floral, or Rough + Tumble Studio shirt in purple + Maharishi custom pant. If he’s going for it with a bold print on top, it’s best to balance it out with a solid pant. A solid-hued jacket will tone down any print and make it wearable.
3. For the dad who only wears golf shirts
If his golf shirts came courtesy of a corporate conference, we beg you: toss ’em. Likely the fit will be too long and too wide, plus it’ll have an unattractive logo. Instead, invest in a proper polo from a reputable company known for their exceptional polo fabrics and fit like Fred Perry. “I prefer solid hues but the Raf Simons for Fred Perry collection is an exception,” says Donnell. “The graphic colours gives it a bit of an ‘80s vibe that I can appreciate.” Or, swap the golf shirt for a basic T or henley. Donnell says that while they may seem too casual, versions in textured fabrics or with details at the seams look more upmarket than you think.
STYLE FORMULA: Fred Perry polo or Wings and Horns henley + Post O’Alls shorts. Dad should have at least one polo that literally fits to a tee in rotation. Too many polos? A 3-button henley is casual style (it’s slightly fancier than a basic T-shirt) that we guarantee he’ll love. A simple pair of shorts complete his weekend wardrobe.
4. For the dad who wears jeans 24-7 (but they’re the wrong kind)
Dad jeans are usually straight-legged and a bit too relaxed (you KNOW what we mean). Update dad’s denim with a dark wash, or ‘one’ wash (it looks like they’ve been worn for a couple months but remain a consistent colour), and the much-talked about, tapered fit. “Trust me, the tapered fit in denim is just as comfy as a khaki,” says Donnell. “We don’t do spray-on jeans here, we want to fit a selection of body types and the tapered fit does just that.”
STYLE FORMULA: Tapered-leg jeans + Owen boat shoe. If dad’s jeans already get a thumb’s up, another easy style update is to roll the cuffs (2-3 rotations is all they need) to add a bit of style. “That and wearing it with a sneaker or shoe with no socks instantly changes the look of the jean.”
5. For the dad who covets his K-Way
Any fan of this traditional windbreaker will no doubt need an update (the originals are light, get extremely wrinkled and are boxy in shape). Treat him to a layering piece like a chore jacket or denim jacket that’ll keep him warm on those cool spring/summer nights, but is also slim and stylish enough to wear during date night.
Universal Works parka + Porter briefcase. With a reinforced shoulder panel, adjustable hood and quick dry cotton blend, as well as hidden and streamlined storage such as interior pen sleeves, this parka has a few more bells and whistles than your traditional windbreaker. Donnell says the work bag is an accessory every dad should have. This one can do triple duty: work, travel and diaper bag.
HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A GIFT CARD FROM UNCLE OTIS
Win a $75 CAD gift card to help you spoil him for Father’s day. There are three ways to win:
- Follow Love, Emoem on Instagram and like the Uncle Otis contest post on our feed
- Like the Uncle Otis contest post on our Facebook page
- Subscribe to Love, Emoem’s newsletter. See the sign up button in our sidebar.
Contest closes on Monday June 13, 2016 at 6pm EST. For full contest details, click here.