The Perfect Gift For the Stylish Father

Milano Navy blue by Franck Michel

If you’ve got a father with a lot of style (or maybe one that needs a little more style), consider moving on from the typical necktie gift for Father’s Day. The necktie, while an essential piece in any working man’s wardrobe, can be hard to pick out for a man who is up there in his years, and may have many neckties already. However, what your father probably doesn’t have, and would love, is a beautiful European dress shirt. European dress shirts are unlike the American dress shirts that he probably currently wears.

First of all, European dress shirts fit much slimmer. This can make picking them out a bit tricky, but if you consult the size chart you’ll be fine, and your father will love the way that it makes him look after years of wearing shirts that aren’t meant for his body. They will sit differently, enhancing his shape and most importantly enhancing his confidence.

Secondly, European dress shirts like those from Franck Michel are made with the highest quality Italian cotton. Your father will appreciate the way the cotton feels, as well as its durability; it will look great through years of wear. Franck Michel shirts are also constructed in Europe, further speaking to their high quality and long-lasting qualities. Designed in France, materials from Italy and constructed in Europe, they’ll match perfect with his fancy European luxury car.

Lastly, for a father with style these fashion dress shirts will allow him an opportunity to stand out from his friends. Though he may seem stuck in his ways, or without interest in fashion, it’s likely he’s doing his best to look good he just needs your help. For a man who may have an interest in fashion but might not be following the latest fashion trends as well as you are, it can be the perfect chance to show your dad what the coolest fashion shirts look like these days. Be careful though, once you get him started it’s unlikely that he will stop after just one designer French shirt. Between the luxury details and the enhanced quality compared to what he is used to, he’ll definitely be asking for more gifts in the future!

Designer Men’s Dress Shirts for Wedding Season

One of my favorite parts about summer is going to weddings of friends and family members.  Not only is it a great time for the couple being married, but of course it also comes with a great party to celebrate their vows.  As a fashionable guy who likes to have fun I always look forward to the chance to bust out a new look and hit the dance floor.  Weddings are a unique venue to try out new styles and looks.  For me, there are two main style tips to consider when selecting a dress shirt to wear to a wedding. 

First, you’ll want to pick something that looks good with your suit and tie but also will look good later in the night when you’ve taken your coat and tie off to take a turn on the dance floor.  Weddings are the prototypical situation where your outfit must easily transition from daywear to eveningwear.  You’ll be at the ceremony during the day, and then head to the dinner and after party where you might be long into the wee hours of the night, and you know you won’t have a time to change, so make sure you pick something that will be able to adapt.

Secondly, you don’t want to pick anything too bold that will turn too much attention to you, and upstage the bride and groom.  It’s their night and they should be the center of the attention wherever they are, be it during the ceremony, the dinner, or the dance floor.  You don’t want to do anything that could be construed as trying to attract attention away from them, a major wedding etiquette faux pas. 

With these tips in mind I would recommend a white or muted tone shirt like a beige or pastel pink or yellow (these pastel colors are especially great for outdoor weddings).  However, I wouldn’t pick any old white dress shirt of the rack at the local department store.  I would go with a shirt with a little bit of flair, a little bit of a twist on the original, and one that is more fitted and as it will look better than the alternative once you’ve removed your jacket.  Something like Franck Michel’sMilano White (available at fashion-shirts.com for $99) is the perfect mix of a fashion forward designer dress shirt and a timeless classic.  Franck Michel’s designs are made to fit very slim so it will look really great once you remove your coat, no billowing or baggy fabric.  The contrast color lining will show more and more as the night goes on and you loosen your tie and start to undo the buttons.  It’s like having a new shirt once you take off your tie!