5 Fall Fashion Must Have’s For Dads

Screw Christmas. Fall is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s the time when we get to dress oh so cozy, look like a lumber jack (despite knot knowing how to use an axe), break out an Ernest Hemingway book, and sip on something lovely like a coffee or your favourite adult beverage. But what if, like me, you’re a dad and you can’t afford this type of luxurious time but you still want to look good? Then what?

Let’s be honest here. A lot of my dad friends fall off when they become a dad, they give up. One day you’re getting dressed up for a night out on the town, and the next you’re doing the groceries in grey sweats and a tee that should have been washed a week ago. Now nothing is REALLY wrong with this, but you can do better and it really doesn't take much. So lets start from the ground up shall we?

1) New Balance 574- $120 - https://www.newbalance.ca/en_ca/pd/574/U574V2-47854.html?dwvar_U574V2-47854_style=U574RBH

I will own my distain up front. I USED TO hate the thought of owning a pair of "dad shoes". But I have since turned to the dark side, or light side depending on how you want to look at it. Not only can you pair these shoes with everything from your aforementioned grey sweats all the way up to jeans, but they will also get better with age/ patina. Not to mention they're New Balance's so you know they are comfy as hell for chasing the little one around the park. Trust me. You need a pair.

2) Illbury and Goose 100% Cotton- $155 - https://www.illburyandgoose.com/collections/clothing/products/victorian-100-cotton-flannel

Nothing says "Hot Hipster Fall" like a damn good plaid shirt and Illbury make the best around. With 5 options to choose from you will never be short on choices or styles to go with your mood or a fun day out at a pumpkin patch. But trust me, you'll also get compliments at your local brewery where the bearded ones will stare at you with envy. These shirts are 100% Canadian, so you know they're good. I own a good amount of them and over the years they have just gotten better. They are the kind of shirts that one day when your kid steals them to take to college you won't be upset about it. Absolutely timeless style.

3) Literally ANY blank t-shirt- $varies

A basic blank tee is a beautiful thing. Ever heard the term “less is more.”? The blank tee is the definition of that. There are a wide variety of colours, textures, prices, styles, etc and all of them can go with items in your existing wardrobe. If you are feeling a bit on the crazy side I would suggest getting one that has a pocket or even a subtle logo on it. Personally I love the dark jeans with a white shirt combo, just watch out for your little ones strawberry juice hands!

4) Flannel Lined Waxed Jacket- $300USD- https://huckberry.com/store/flint-and-tinder/category/p/71015-flannel-lined-waxed-trucker-jacket

This jacket will get you through a zombie apocalypse in the most stylish way possible. Don’t believe me? Watch the show “The Last of Us”, Padro Pascal’s character wears it! But for those of us that don’t have to kill zombies, this will be a piece that you’ll keep. Forever. The jacket is made with a weather resistant fabric that will only get better with age. The tougher you are on it the better. It's the jacket that all the dads at the park wish they could wear while their kid is throwing mud at them. Pair this jacket with your favorite pair of jeans, Blundstones, and dad hat and you'll be good to go. Speaking of dad hat.......

5) Fowl Dad Hat- $35- https://stayhomeclub.com/collections/hats-beanies/products/fowl-dad-hat

I love ducks, so when I found this hat at a local farmers market I had to have it, I was a heat seeking missile to it. Since then I have come to find that Stay Home Club has some amazing dad hat designs to choose from, if I had it my way I would own one of each. I find that hats just allow you to give off a bit of your personality, so why not go for it.