Father’s Day is Not Just for Dad: The Summer Men’s Gift Guide

Father’s Day gifting does not have to begin and end with the obvious. Yes, this is technically a Father’s Day guide, but really, it is a summer edit for the men in your life — the dad, the husband, the partner, the uncle, the friend, the neighbour you actually like, or the gay friend who deserves something excellent during Pride Month.

Not everyone has the same relationship with Father’s Day, and that is fine. Some people celebrate it loudly, some quietly, and some not at all. So instead of treating this as a one-day gifting guide, think of it as a broader summer men’s lifestyle edit: what to buy, what to wear, what to drink, and where to take him when the weather finally starts behaving.

Inside, there is fragrance for the man whose scent stays in your memory longer than his outfit. There are shoes for different versions of summer — formal, smart casual, off-duty and outdoors. There are shirts, jackets, bags, jewellery, ties and caps for men who dress with intent, or at least deserve to. There are drinks for those who like to celebrate properly, and a London pub worth making an afternoon of.

Because really, taking care of the men you love should not just happen once a year. Buy him something good. Take him somewhere nice. Pour him a drink. Let summer do the rest.

The Scent

Sometimes when you think of a man in your life, it is not the clothes you remember first. It is the smell. The scent on his jumper, the fragrance that stays after a hug, the one that somehow becomes part of the memory.

A good fragrance is not just a grooming product. It becomes a signature.

Louis Vuitton LV Lovers (£265) feels like the obvious place to start for someone who likes his fragrance modern, polished and optimistic. It has that Louis Vuitton way of making scent feel like travel — not literally, but emotionally. The kind of fragrance that feels right for summer mornings, linen shirts and city walks that accidentally turn into long afternoons.

Sunnamusk Abid Ambre Elixir (£80) brings something warmer and more sensual. It is richer, deeper and more evening-facing, but still wearable enough for daily life. If LV Lovers is bright and open, this one feels closer, softer and more intimate — a scent for the man who likes something with presence.

Then there is Louis Vuitton Imagination (£265), one of those fragrances that feels clean without being boring. It is fresh, elegant and very easy to understand, but still has enough character to feel considered. For someone who does not want anything too heavy, this is a very good summer answer.

The Wardrobe

Father’s Day or not, summer is a good excuse to upgrade a man’s wardrobe. Not in a dramatic makeover way, but in a way that makes everyday dressing feel better.

The best gifts here are the pieces he will actually wear — the shoes that cover different occasions, the shirt that works for dinner, the jacket that suddenly makes him look like he planned the whole outfit.

Shoes for Every Version of Him

For the formal dresser, Canali’s Oxford in Black Brushed Calfskin at £590 is classic for a reason. It is clean, sharp and built for the man who still believes a proper shoe can change the whole mood of a look.

For something more smart casual, Duke + Dexter’s Caine Brown Suede Penny Loafer (£320) hits that business-casual sweet spot. It works with tailoring, but it also makes sense with relaxed trousers, a polo or a summer shirt. It is polished without looking too serious.

For the off-duty man, Onitsuka Tiger’s GSM SD Trainers at £165 are easy, retro and wearable. They give a clean casual finish without feeling too sporty, which makes them ideal for city weekends, travel days or just everyday summer dressing.

And for the outdoors man — or the man who keeps saying he wants to be more outdoorsy — Ariat’s Skyline Summit Waterproof Boot is the practical one. It is for walks, countryside weekends and those “let’s go somewhere with actual nature” moments.

Shirts That Do More Than One Thing

A good shirt should not just sit in the wardrobe waiting for a special occasion. It should work hard, but quietly.

T.M.Lewin’s Smart Jersey Polo at £50 is an easy win. It is simple, clean and useful — the kind of piece that works for summer office days, weekends and holidays without needing much thought.

For something with more fashion personality, MITHRIDATE’s Appliqué Rugby Shirt at £360 brings a more directional energy. It has the familiar comfort of a rugby shirt, but with a more elevated, design-led approach that makes it feel much more special.

Then there is the Ladurée x Casablanca Long Sleeve Silk Shirt at £790, which is very much the holiday fantasy shirt. It is colourful, luxurious and almost impossible not to notice. For the man who likes summer to feel like a scene, this is the one.

Swimwear for the Man Who Is Already Thinking About the Next Trip

Orlebar Brown continues to understand summer better than most. Its High Summer collection captures that polished resort mood without making it feel too precious. The brand’s swimwear has always worked because it sits between beachwear and proper clothing — smart enough for a hotel terrace, relaxed enough for the pool.

The appeal is simple: this is swimwear that looks good before and after the swim. The High Summer pieces lean into colour, texture and ease, making them perfect for holidays, lon weekends and any man who wants his suitcase to look slightly more considered.

Price range varies by style.

Jackets and Layers

For summer tailoring, Hackett London’s Linen Delavé Hopsack Blazer (£500) is the kind of jacket that makes warm-weather dressing feel instantly more grown up. Linen keeps it relaxed, while the structure still gives enough polish for dinners, events or a smarter day in the city.

If he prefers something with attitude, the Represent x Belstaff Leather Race Jacket at £1,295 brings motorsport energy into a luxury streetwear space. It is bold, masculine and very much for the man who wants outerwear to say something.

For a softer kind of luxury, Orlebar Brown x Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc Mathers Cashmere Zip Through Hoodie at £495 is made for travel days, hotel breakfasts and that quiet kind of expensive comfort. It is relaxed, but it still knows exactly where it belongs.

Bags That Actually Work

A good bag is one of those gifts that becomes part of daily life quickly.

The Kapten & Son Bali Medium Backpack at £134.90 is the practical option: clean, useful and ideal for commuting, travel and everyday organisation

For something more refined, Berluti’s Un Jour De Poche Messenger at £1,980 brings that unmistakable Venezia leather finish. It is compact but luxurious, the kind of bag that feels personal rather than corporate.

Ferragamo’s Hug Briefcase at £3,260 is for the man who wants business dressing to feel more modern. Structured, elegant and unmistakably polished, it makes the work bag feel less like a necessity and more like an object. For a more relaxed version of the same language, the Ferragamo Hug Crossbody Bag at £1,855 is easier for weekends, travel and everyday use, while still carrying that Ferragamo refinement.

Jewellery With Meaning

The Louis Vuitton for UNICEF Silver Lockit 2026 collection, priced around £270–£290, is the kind of jewellery gift that carries more than just aesthetic appeal.

Marking 10 years of the Louis Vuitton for UNICEF partnership, the Silver Lockit pieces are clean, wearable and quietly unisex. The padlock motif feels simple but symbolic — a small object that speaks to care, purpose and connection without needing to be loud.

Ties for the Detail Man

A tie might feel traditional, but the right one still has power.

McQueen’s Men’s Jewelled Mistletoe Embroidery Tie (£320) in black brings a more fashion-forward edge to formal dressing. It is not just a tie; it is a detail that changes the tone of a suit.

For something more classic, Gieves & Hawkes’ Carberry Neat Tie in grey is refined, traditional and very Savile Row in spirit. It works for weddings, formal events and the man who appreciates quiet elegance.

The Father of All Dad Hats

The world calls it the “dad hat”. ’47 calls it the Clean Up.

There is something charming about a cap that looks like it has always been part of the wardrobe. The ’47 Clean Up has that worn-in, broken-in ease that makes it feel personal from the first wear. It is casual, useful and perfect for summer.

For a luxury version of the idea, Brunello Cucinelli’s Linen and Virgin Wool Chevron Baseball Cap at £450 turns a simple cap into something quietly indulgent.

For a more relaxed British option, Aubin’s Dearne Cord Cap brings that off-duty, countryside-meets-city charm. Easy, wearable and not trying too hard.

The Summer Pour

Before the full summer drinks guide arrives, consider this a small preview. Sometimes the best gift is not something wrapped, but something opened, poured and shared.

For Champagne, Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2016 at £71 is the refined choice. Defined by depth and character, it is the kind of bottle that makes Father’s Day, a birthday, a summer dinner or even a very good Sunday feel more intentional.

For vodka, Beluga Gold Line Vodka (£145) brings a more unexpected luxury angle. Produced in Montenegro, it is one of those bottles that feels like a discovery — refined, smooth and impressive without needing everyone to already know the name. For someone who appreciates a proper vodka, this is the one that quietly says: you know what you are doing.

For gin, Cotswolds No.1 Wildflower Gin at £38.50 is bright, fragrant and made for summer. With orange blossom notes and an infused London Dry base, it works beautifully with soda for a refreshing spritz. It is not trying to be complicated; it just tastes like something you want in the garden when the sun finally appears.

Lanson Le Black Création Wimbledon Limited Edition⁠ at £45 is the bottle for the man who likes his summer with a touch of tennis-club polish. Presented in a Wimbledon-themed gift box, it brings citrus, orchard fruit, honey, toast and brioche notes — ideal for Father’s Day lunch, garden drinks or anything that deserves a more British kind of celebration. 

Where To Take Him: The Lighterman, King’s Cross

You have the clothes. You have the pre-drinks. Now take him somewhere.

The Lighterman in King’s Cross is the kind of pub that works because it understands what a good London afternoon should feel like. Set by Regent’s Canal, with wraparound terraces across two levels, it has the water, the trains, the people-watching and the sunny-view energy that makes it feel like more than just a pub.

It also works especially well if the man you are taking likes trains, King’s Cross, or even a bit of Harry Potter nostalgia. You can do the station, the platform moment, then move straight into a pint, a cocktail and proper pub food by the water.

Drinks-wise, the Electric Passion is the one for someone who likes something refreshing, summery and on the sweeter side. For beer, Camden Hells and Camden Pale keep things easy and familiar.

Food is where The Lighterman becomes a proper plan. The firm tofu salad is fresh and balanced, with a hummus-style dressing that brings everything together. A squeeze of lemon is all it needs — simple, bright and surprisingly satisfying.

The scampi is the must-order pub classic, especially because it comes with king prawn. It is exactly the kind of dish that reminds you why British pub food works when it is done properly.

The fish and chips also takes a slightly lighter approach, using a breadcrumb-style coating rather than a heavy traditional batter. Think more Japanese tonkatsu in texture — crisp, golden and comforting without feeling too much.

And then there is the steak and chips. Ordered medium rare, it comes out juicy and beefy, paired with rosemary chips and even better with extra béarnaise sauce. The rosemary is subtle rather than overpowering, which makes the whole plate feel properly satisfying without trying too hard.

This year, The Lighterman also celebrates its 10th anniversary, marking a decade as one of central London’s standout canal-side pubs. It works for a relaxed afternoon, a long dinner, a Father’s Day plan or simply an excuse to make summer in London feel a little more special.

The Home Edit

For the man who likes his pleasures closer to home, this is where the guide moves into kitchen counters, dining tables, travel bottles and the kind of things that quietly improve daily life.

Gordon Ramsay’s Krude Olive Oil at £22 is for the man who likes to cook — or the man who wants to look like he does. It is multitasking in the best way: for cooking, finishing, cocktails and even ice cream if you want to be that person. More importantly, it makes everyday food feel more intentional. Pasta, eggs, grilled vegetables, bread, salad — suddenly it all feels a bit more chef-led.

The Smeg x 24Bottles Urban Stainless Steel Bottle at £39.95 is a practical summer essential. Good for hiking, walking, travelling or just remembering that hydration matters. It is simple, useful and good-looking enough to actually carry.

For something sweet, the Ladurée x Casablanca Assortment of 12 Macarons Gift Box at £44 is pure joy. The packaging is lush, the collaboration feels fashion-adjacent, and honestly, it is just delicious. Sometimes that is enough.

And for the man who takes home comfort seriously, Richard Anderson’s Fran’s Silk Dressing Gown at £1,208.33 is the ultimate final note. Comfy, stylish and quietly dramatic, it brings Savile Row energy into the house. Very much for the man who deserves to float around the home like he owns the whole weekend.

Final Thought

A good gift does not have to be predictable. It can be something he wears, drinks, cooks with, travels with or simply enjoys on a slow summer afternoon.

This guide may begin with Father’s Day, but it does not need to end there. The best parts of summer are often the small rituals: a fragrance before leaving the house, a shirt that feels right, a drink shared outside, a pub lunch by the water, something good waiting at home.

Call it a gift guide. Call it a summer edit. Either way, the message is simple: take care of the men you love, and do it with taste.