Whether you’re hunting for gifts for Father’s Day or attempting to drag your significant other into a mall for a much-needed wardrobe update, shopping for men can be tough. I know – I have spent many hours wandering around stores and coming up empty-handed. There’s a certain joy in shopping and styling looks for ourselves, and it’s hard to attain that feeling when shopping for men, who are often close-minded and stubborn when it comes to opening their wallet for new clothes.
I must admit, the UAE already has its fair share of dapper gentlemen. While some tend to deviate in their fashion choices, going down the dreaded path where velveteen blazers make suitable outerwear (or worse, clubwear), others have developed the skill to dress stylishly.
On the other hand, if you know a guy who genuinely believes that a sporty hoodie is the only accessory his outfit needs, you need to sit him down and set him straight. Before you get carried away with a full-on lecture, though, take a deep breath. We’re not trying to convince him to start tying scarves around his neck or carry manbags. If all we can convince him to buy at the end of the day is a coloured wallet or some fun footwear, we have still achieved something.
Be careful with your approach. Runway trends, taken as they are right off of the catwalks, likely won't appeal to your average man. Effeminate models with ultra-skinny faces covered in cutesy mops of hair without any sign of a beard, or even stubble, don't resonate well with the typical guy. So don't pull out inspiration pictures from fashion weeks while shopping with your man – he may recoil, run away, scream or just go deathly quiet. When it comes to helping him up his fashion game, whether he’s your father, brother or partner, you shouldn’t try to change his whole style. Rather, the aim is to seek out subtle but still statement-making designs that reflect his personality, but will not make him step too far out of his comfort zone.
Even if he isn’t the athletic type, a spanking-new pair of trainers will revive his style game this season. Or as a more casual option, slip-ons, skater shoes and espadrilles have continued to dominate runways. Try to persuade him that prints – tropical or geometric – are a fun way to channel summer style with shoes.
It may not be revolutionary, but camouflage prints are back in style this season. Dior Homme gave a suave uplift to the usually casual pattern, using it on slim-cut trousers, button-down shirts, belts and even cheeky jacket linings.
Now for a piece that may make you smile – because it has made a big impact on womenswear in recent months. Almost every brand, from Valentino to Louis Vuitton, incorporated bomber jackets in their menswear collections. And while the super-shiny, floral-printed renditions from these designers may not appeal to every guy, there are more wearable options on the high street – start with H&M. Light jersey fabrics with athletic elements and uncomplicated appearances are sure to trigger better reactions.
I know this is a summer edit, but you know as well as I do that the air conditioning in buildings across the Middle East is turned on so high that cardigans or sweaters are essential – even if it's more than 40°C outside. There's also an ulterior motive to be found here – get your guy to invest in a slick bomber, and then borrow it yourself, because boyfriend bombers are the new boyfriend jeans.
hlodi@thenational.ae
