Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Handy Dad

Father's-Day-Gift-Guide

We all love our dads, but come Father’s Day, finding a gift that both shows your appreciation and that he’ll actually use is no easy task – and no, a “World’s Best Dad” mug does not count. So this year, we’re simplifying things for you. Over the next few weeks, we will be sharing several Father’s Day gift guides, each one tailored to your father’s specific interests. So whether your dad is into fixing and building around the house, collecting the finer things in life, or exploring new domain outdoors, we’ve got a gift idea that will get the Old Man’s nod of approval.

Today we offer guidance on the Handy Dad – the man who always has to be tinkering away on a project. Be sure to check back for more Father’s Day gift guides!

Cuisinart Grilling Set

 

Cuisinart 10-Piece Premium Grilling Set $62.97

Father’s Day happens to fall on the Summer Solstice this year, otherwise known as the official start of summer. Help Dad kick grilling season into high gear with the Cuisinart 10-Piece Premium Grilling Set, which includes a spatula, grill tongs, chef’s fork, set of 4 skewers, grill brush, and 2 replacement heads.

Each piece features forged steel construction, so the set will last pops many summer grilling seasons. Handcrafted Pakka wood handles make these tools as beautiful as they are functional.

JCrew Workshirt

 

Wallace & Barnes Distressed Denim Workshirt $148

Just because he’s always getting his hands dirty doesn’t mean he can’t look good while doing so. Replace his ratty old work shirt with Wallace & Barnes’ Distressed Denim Workshirt, which comes heavily distressed and washed for a vintage, faded look. This broken-in denim shirt has ample comfort for Saturday building projects.

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Deejo 15 Gram EDC Knife $24.95

One of Dad’s greatest fears is being caught on the go without his treasured tools. Ensure he’s armed at all times with the Deejo 15 Gram EDC Knife, which at a mere 2.7 inches closed fits snugly into his pocket. And no need to worry about it opening at an inopportune time – a ball-and-groove locking mechanism keeps it in place when closed.

Handyman Repair Guide

Family Handyman Whole House Repair Guide $15.48

An endless trove of inspiration for both little fixes and weekend projects. Family Handyman Whole House Repair Guide includes all the details for keeping the house in good shape, from plumbing to flooring. Plus, Dad will walk away with the pride of a job well done.

Homemade Gin Kit

Homemade Gin Kit $39.99

For dads who are connoisseurs of fine spirits, the Homemade Gin Kit allows them to make truly artisanal gin. The secret is in the special botanical blend of juniper berries, botanicals, spices, and aromatics. Give pops the right to brag when people ask what brewery it’s from.

Ryobi Tool Kit

Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Lithium-Ion Ultimate Combo Power Tool Kit (6-Tool) $335

The Ryobi Ultimate Combo Power Tool Kit epitomizes the idea of working smarter rather than harder. The drill is compact to fit into small and hard-to-reach spaces; the reciprocating saw features an anti-vibration handle to reduce fatigue during prolonged use; and lithium batteries greatly improve battery runtime (up to 35% more than 18-volt Ni-Cd batteries).

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Prospector Co. Wormwood Absinthium Cream $16

Prospector Co. Wormwood Absinthium Cream keeps Dad’s hardworking hands hydrated. A blend of avocado oil, sesame seed oil, grape seed oil, and cucumber fruit extract softens and de-stresses after a long day. Scented like absinthe and packaged in a sleek emerald green bottle, this is a far cry from your mom’s body lotion.

Ultimate Book of BBQ

Southern Living Ultimate Book of BBQ $16.98

Your dad will be the Chef du Jour at all summer get-togethers from now on with the expert recipes and tips he’ll learn from Southern Living Ultimate Book of BBQ. The editors of Southern Living Magazine have compiled their highest-rated BBQ recipes for meats and sides for top-notch BBQ inspiration.

Frye Chukka

Frye Phillip Crepe Chukka $328

It’s hard to find shoes that look good and can transition seamlessly from the tool shop to the coffee shop. Save your dad the fuss of changing shoes between work and play with the Frye Phillip Crepe Chukka. With a buffalo nubuck leather upper and even a leather lining, this shoe is tough and sleek. An easy lace-up closure and super shock-absorbent crepe outsole make these chukkas infinitely wearable throughout the day.

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Inspired Style: Don Draper’s 7 Best Outfits from 7 Seasons of Mad Men

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After seven seasons, the cultural phenomenon that is Mad Men has finally come to an end. Set primarily in the ‘60s, the show was a weekly reminder of the Golden Era of dressing. Each character assimilated iconic period pieces into wardrobes that broadcasted their personalities as much as their ranks within the advertising firm.

Since season one, we’ve been taken with Don Draper’s impeccably tailored suits and low-key accessories. No matter how many duplicities and adulterous entanglements Draper got himself into, he always looked like a class act. Don Draper’s style – and that of Mad Men itself – has had a massive influence on runways and on men looking for style inspiration.

So to commemorate the end of this stylish TV series, we’ve chosen our favorite Don Draper looks from each season and broken them down for you.

The ad exec’s formula for great style? Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant summed it up for Men’s Fitness: Don’t be a slob, get a tailor, embrace color and skinny ties, and pay attention to the details – hats, pocket squares, watches, and ties allow men to show individuality. Tie it all together with some swagger.

There are certainly characters who are far more adventurous dressers than Draper, but what he does so well is he wears what looks good on him – a cue we can all take.

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Season 1, Episode 2 – Ladies Room

An iconic scene from Mad Men. There are so many suits on the show it’s easy to get lost in the sea of them, but if you pay attention to the fabrics, colors, and patterns of Don Draper’s suits, you’ll see he’s quietly manifesting his artistic side. Rather than being nearly all blue or gray like Pete Campbell’s in the beginning of the series, Draper’s suits always have an interesting texture (such as tweed), color, or pattern (here, he’s in pinstripes).

Draper is a businessman but he’s also a creative, a balance reflected in his outfits.

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Season 2, Episode 7 – The Gold Violin

Draper’s skinny tie and skinny lapels are carryovers from the ‘50s, a decade which had an immense influence on early ‘60s dressing. Again, Draper takes the suit away from stark black and white with a blazer made of multicolor thread and a subtly striped brown tie.

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Season 3, Episode 5 – The Fog

Mad Men is set in an era when men wore hats. On the special occasion of welcoming his third child home, Draper is dressed to the nines in a suit and felt fedora with a tapered crown.

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Season 4, Episode 3 – The Good News

It’s the end of 1964, and Don Draper is getting ready for a holiday trip to Acapulco. In the midst of shuffling from work to Los Angeles to visit Anna – the wife of the man whose identity he stole –  he goes into vacation dressing mode, topping his suit with a thick gray coat and even toting around a straw briefcase.

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Season 5, Episode 8 – Lady Lazarus

Draper livens up an otherwise run-of-the-mill dark gray suit with a striped oxblood tie and his signature neat white pocket square.

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Season 6, Episode 9 – The Better Half

It’s midsummer and scorching hot. Draper stays ever the professional with a tailored suit, albeit with a summery taupe blazer and neutral brown tie with contrasting azure blue stripes. It’s got a slightly groovier factor that we see increasingly on all characters as the show approaches 1970.

Jon Hamm as Don Draper - Mad Men _ Season 7, Episode 5 - Photo Credit:

Season 7

Draper’s ties get wider and more colorful during Mad Men’s last season. Colors like brown and blue – staples of the ‘70s – surface often. Lapels and pants follow the widening trend, and the mod influence is obvious.

Did we leave out any Don Draper outfits? Let us know what your favorite Draper outfit is in the comments!

(Images): GQ

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The Gentleman’s Summer Travel Packing List

Europe beckons. But first, you must pack.

For many of us who are currently seeing more rain than sun, summer vacation is like a lofty dream. While you probably can’t hop a flight out of town fast enough, you need to deal with the logistics of packing the luggage. It’s not exactly a part of traveling anyone looks forward to, but we’re here to make things easier.

Read on for a streamlined packing list that emphasizes multifunctional pieces so you can spend less time packing and more time actually enjoying the vacation. Because a big part of traveling in style is getting from point A to point B succinctly.

Happy Travels!

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1. A sturdy dopp bag filled with the essentials for good grooming

Pack pint-sized versions of everything you usually use at home. In addition to obvious essentials like toothpaste, a toothbrush, mouthwash, and a comb, don’t forget the gentleman’s essentials – a razor, brush, and shaving cream. We like Baxter of California Travel Kit with Dopp Bag because it packs everything we need into TSA-friendly containers, from face wash to shaving cream and after shave balm. We recommend a travel razor like the Merkur 45 Bakelite Safety Razor, and a boar bristle brush made specifically to fit neatly into your luggage, like Kent BK4 Traditional Small Silvertip Brush.

Nike Free

2. Comfortable shoes and running shoes

Traveling is hard on your body. Even if you’re used to eating well and working out, chances are during a trip you’ll change your diet and exercise regimen (i.e. there will be none). Carve out just half an hour every day to take a morning jog around the city in these Nike Free 4.0 Flyknits, developed with Stanford athletes for fast, easy movement. In gray and black, they’re pretty slick, too.

For the rest of the time, stay stylish yet comfortable in some low-profile chukkas. Wear these during your flight to pack one less thing in your luggage (or to make room for your running shoes).

Club Monaco T-Shirt

3. A basic T-shirt

Summer vacation packing necessitates considering the weather. Less is more if it’s warm where you’re going, and when it’s 89 degrees and humid, nothing beats a T-shirt. This gray Club Monaco Cotton-Blend Melange T-Shirt literally goes with everything, and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

Sunspel Bengal Stripe Boxers

4. Underwear and extra socks

While we’re advocates of packing light (and thus minimizing frustration), you should always have a few extra pairs of socks and underwear. If you’re bringing dress shoes, consider Mr. Gray Loafer Socks in Charcoal, which keep feet dry and go invisible under loafers.

For underwear, stick to breathable fabrics like cotton, silk, and linen. We’re fans of Sunspel’s superbly fitted boxers in Begal Stripe.

Fun Fact: Sunspel has been making underwear since 1860 and crafted Daniel Craig’s t-shirts for the James Bond movies.

J. Crew Ludlow Shirt

5. A neutral dress shirt

For those fancy nights out your significant other is surely to schedule, J. Crew’s Ludlow Shirt in Japanese Chambray can do no wrong. Made from Japanese cotton denim, this shirt is tailored enough for a Michelin Star restaurant but casual enough for grabbing lunch at the deli the next day. The stiff spread collar and sleek Ludlow silhouette keep you looking classy even in the most unfavorable conditions.

GAP Slim Fit Jeans

6. Jeans and khakis 

You really only need two pants – dark-wash denim jeans, and khakis for special occasions. Gap makes a nice pair of straight fit dark wash jeans. These cotton jeans are sharp and comfortable for large bouts of walking.

For khakis, we like Banana Republic’s Modern Slim Non-Iron Cotton Pant, with non-iron technology that keeps them wrinkle-free and worry-free.

J. Crew Barbour Ashby Jacket

7. A multipurpose lightweight jacket

If you’re visiting an area with unpredictable weather (here’s looking at you, Birmingham, UK), dress light but prepare for the worst. J. Crew’s Barbour Sylkoil Ashby Jacket keeps you dry without adding too much insulation or bulk. That means you can throw it on in the morning and not have to worry about shivering come nightfall.

Filson Small Duffle Bag

8. A high-quality weekender

Traveling light means packing smarter. Invest in a solid weekender bag to avoid throwing in extra baggage. Keep it classy by not going for rolling luggage.

This green Filson Small Duffle Bag is made of cotton canvas with 100% bridle leather straps for durability.

Faribault Wool Blanket

9. A warm blanket

Never settle for those paper-thin airplane blankets again. Integrate some of the comforts of home with a warm blanket like the Faribault Mill Military Navy Gray Wool Blanket, which has been made to the same specifications as the original in 1917. This blanket accommodates a wide range of temperatures, and double cloth construction keeps it light yet breathable. It’s also easy to spot clean in case you spill some in-flight tipple.

Timex Watch

10. A world time watch

A watch is always a good call. But if you’re travelling, it becomes an essential. Going to a different time zone can be disorienting, so a watch with multiple time zones can help you keep track of time where you’re vacationing and at home. The Timex Intelligent Quartz World Time Watch can display the time at up to 24 major cities, which is enough for even the frequent traveler.

 

 

Interview: Mr King’s

Mr King's Headshot

Mr King’s Instagram posts are of the kind that adds a bit of cheer and whimsy to your feed. Some days, he’s at the Wessex Beardsmen competition sporting his signature Dali moustache; other days, he’s heading to a beer festival in a kitschy purple wig. And then there are the posts of his adorable little kids – the Mr King brood.

We’ve been carrying Mr King’s Royal Oil and Moustache Wax for a while now, and wanted to delve a little deeper behind the man and his Reading, UK-based line of men’s grooming products.

Read on for our interview with Johnny King (aka Mr King). We discuss the story behind the naming of his regal brand, his humble start on eBay, and his advice for entrepreneurs.

Oil

Where are you located?

Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom.

When and why did you start this business?

April 2012. I started making moustache wax as I couldn’t get on with the various different brands I had tried. Some of them were too hard to extract from the tin, others didn’t hold for long enough. I wanted a wax that would be easy to apply, hold all day long, and stay waterproof but wash out with ease. I also didn’t want anything with an overpowering scent under my nose.  As time went on and the beard became very popular, I decided that it was time to develop a beard oil.

How did you come up with the name of your company? 

That was easy. My surname is King and the word “marvelous” sounds nice with “moustache.” So I decided on Mr King’s Marvellous Moustache Wax. When naming my beard oil I wanted to keep with the royal theme. Since “royal” rhymes with “oil,” there it was…. Royal Oil. Mr King’s Royal Oil.

What inspires you?

Other brands that have been doing this longer then me. They drive me to try and make my brand bigger and better.

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Moustache-Wax-and-Royal-Oil

What are some of your accomplishments as a business?

Actually selling my products is an accomplishment. When I first made the wax, I never thought I would make a name for myself or even sell many tins, let alone have a website. When I started I only used eBay.  Three years on, and I’m selling the wax and beard oil via my website and on a wholesale level.

What do you believe makes a quality product?

I believe that if you have put in enough time and effort to make your product it will have quality.  I don’t think that my brand is very popular (compared to some), but I know that I have top-quality products. I use the best ingredients that are all natural and sourced from the UK. They are handmade with love and care by myself. I try and test every batch I make to ensure that they are the best products available.

What is one Mr King’s product every man should own and why?

I would have to say that every man with facial hair should own my Moustache Wax. You never know who you will bump into, so looking your best is a must.

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?

Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing – keep doing what you’re doing and stick with it.

What do you have coming from Mr King’s in the near future?

I don’t want to give too much away, but there will be some new products online soon.

Where can readers find out more about your company?

You can see the everyday goings-on of Mr King on:

Website: MrKingsWax.bigcartel.com

Facebook: MrKingsWax

Instagram: @mrkingswax

Twitter: @mrkingswax

You can shop for Mr King’s products at RoyalShave and our brother site, TheStache.

Mr King's Beard Competition

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