For Father’s Day, Buy Him Something He’ll Actually Wear

Uniqlo’s Colorful Socks have held the title of best men’s socks overall for several years running, and now I’m declaring them perhaps the best boring gift overall. They’re very affordable (just under $4 for one pair, or $12.90 for four), come in 50-plus solid colors, and hold up amazingly well against very regular wear. They are my husband’s go-to sock, and their simplicity, variety, and longevity are why I’ll never hesitate to give them to the other dads on my list.

All that said about Uniqlo socks, they aren’t the most exciting pair. I’m a little getting tired of refilling my husband’s sock drawer with the same solid red, dark-green, andcharcoal-gray socks year after year. I need a new pair that’s not too out of left field — and Tabio’s Striped Silky Cotton Crew should do it. This red pair in particular is a pretty close swap for hisbeloved Uniqlo 15 Red, but with a wide rib and navy accents that add some much-needed interest. The Silky Crew also comes in an even more daring houndstooth style (maybe for next year?) and an above-the-ankle quarter height.

[Editor’s note: Orders ship from Japan within one to two business days, and delivery takes three to seven business days.]

I can’t remember a time when my dad’s sock collection wasn’t at least 50 percent GoldToe — specifically its Canterbury style, a classic ribbed-leg dress sock that’s been around for more than half a century. He likes them because they are zero percent flashy, they’re not too thick or too thin, and they stay up. And while they come in a few different colors, he will only take them in solid black (with the requisite gold toe, of course). I make sure he gets a refresh every couple of years.

I’d like to affect some change in my dad’s essentially all-black sock collection. These very basic Mid Calf Dress Socks from Boardroom (maker of the Strategist pick for best wool dress socks) feel like a good jumping-off point: They have the same standard dress-sock shape as his beloved GoldToes but come in 14 shades that are not black, and in either a cotton or wool blend. I’ll be starting off safe with burgundy and olive green, but I’m hope they serve as a gateway to a pink pairin a few years.

Muji’s Right Angle Socks come in multiple colors, patterns, and cuts. Fans include Naomi Watts, Thakoon Panichgul, and my dad — who has yet to stray far from a solid black pair but has been happy to receive its Patterned Business Sock iteration on a few separate occasions. (The Lustrous Wool Mix Thin Socks also feel promising.) Like all Right Angle styles, they’re inexpensive, well made, and perfectly boring enough to fit into any regular sock rotation.

Darn Tough are Strategist picks for the best men’s boot socks, the best men’s hiking socks, and best wool socks overall, and it’s pretty easy to see why: They’re made of temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking wool; are pre-shrunk and cushioned underfoot; come in ton of colors, patterns, lengths, and thicknesses; and are so durable they come with a lifetime warranty.
They’re perfect for the great outdoors, but they’ve also made great gifts for my father-in-law, a staunchly indoor dad who loves warm, comfy socks and doesn’t mind some minimal color-blocking. (I’ll be giving my brother a pair of its running socks when the time comes.)

I wear compression socks every time I fly. I got my mom into the habit several years ago, but becausecompression socks are somewhatawkward to put on and often come in flashy patterns, it took a lot of cajoling to get my dad onboard. This all-black pair from one of my favorite brands, Comrad, did the trick. They’re lightweight, effectively snug but not uncomfortable, and don’t attract attention. (This equally simple but somewhat thicker Bombas pair, which I own and find excellent, is also worth considering.)

My husband recently got into no-show socks. He’s only ever worn (and is very happy with) thisbulk-pack pair from Amazon, but it’s time he leveled up. I personally love these Bombas no-shows, which are infinitely more comfortable than anything else I’ve tried. They’ve never slipped off my heel, even when I’ve taken them on long runs. They can be bought in bulk, so I’ll be gifting a few pairs this year.

Based on what I’ve seen in my husband’s closet, GoodFellow & Co.’s basic tees are truly (and somewhat surprisingly, given their price point) excellent: They’re decently thick but not heavy, fit well, keep their shape even after a few years of regular wear, and, despite all this, are very affordable. Every dad needs some nice white tees, and I like to give this four-pack because they look great but are also easy to replace when they attract the inevitable stain.

J.Crew makes up the majority of my husband’s T-shirt collection, and I’m responsible for several. Multiple styles are represented, but his favorite (and mine, too) is the garment-dyed Broken-In Pocket Tee, which looks lived-in but not at all sloppy, washes well, and has a soft vintage feel that only gets better with age. It comes in multiple colors, and you can also get it without a pocket. (Italso happens to be a Strategist favorite.)

I’ve never gifted this Uniqlo tee, and I have no idea why. It’s no-frills, highly rated, made of 100 percent cotton,and comes in a nice variety of colors at a very reasonable price. Considering it’s a Strategist best-in-class white tee and also one of Chris Black’s favorites, it’s about time I tried it out.

For the dad who sees clothes as strictly functional, I stick with smooth, mid- to heavyweight cotton. But for those who want to add even the slightest hint of fashion to their look, you’ll never go wrong with slub — specifically, the Slub Classic Tee from Buck Mason, which has been a hit with both my dad and my husband. Slub cotton can feel flimsy, but this one is sturdy, and it stays that way even after countless rounds of washing and drying. Buck Mason also makes a curved-hem slub tee that’s very nice (and is the Strategist’s favorite white tee), but I’m going to go out on a limb and say the straight hem and slightly boxy fit of the Classic Tee has more universal appeal.

Jungmaven’s hemp tees (and its sweatshirts) are a mainstay in my wardrobe, but they’re an inaugural pick on my Father’s Day gift list. I’m not sure why I waited this long: If its Original Tee is anything like my Jungmaven shirts (which I bet it is, because it’s the original), it’ll be luxuriously soft right off the rack and will keep its feel and fit no matter how many times you wash it, dry it, or even dye it (I speak from experience). It’s the T-shirt equivalent of relaxing in a hammock, and I can’t wait for my husband to put it on.

My dad has a thing for Banana Republic clothes, and that includes these tees. He likes them because they’re soft, have a slightly easy fit, and don’t shrink when you throw them in the dryer. I like them because the saturated color (the navy is especially rich) and notched hem look more polished than your basic tee, and because I can buy them in a handy two-pack.

I’ve been a fan of Merz B. Schwanen shirts for a while — long before I realized they’re what Jeremy Allen White’s character wears on The Bear. They’re made of a mid-weight cotton that’s soft but still has a bit of natural friction to it, and they have a straight fit, medium length, and perfectly rounded neckline that feel altogether … perfect. It’s how I always want a Hanes tee to look and feel, but never does — which makes sense, considering the Schwanen shirts are about ten times the price of your average Hanes three-pack. In other words, they’re not cheap, but worth the splurge if you what the epitome of a plain white tee.

Once again, Uniqlo comes through with a perfect boring gift. Its Cotton Boxer Briefs are made of a pill-resistant cotton-jersey blend with a hint of stretch, have a lie-flat elastic waistband, and come in a relatively limited selection of neutral colors and minimalist patterns. In short, they’re nothing more than a well-made, no-nonsense pair of men’s undies. Not only are they a Strategist pick for best boxer briefs, they’re also the only style my husband has worn for the entirety of our relationship, so I feel very confident giving them as a gift. If you think he’d prefer an ultralight pair (that the Strategist also recommends), Uniqlo’s AIRism Boxer Briefs are an excellent choice.

Per my mom, my “boxers only” dad is pretty devoted to these Fancy Woven shorts from classic Swedish brand Hanro — and honestly, I can see why: They’re made from a linen-cotton blend that looks downright breezy; the cut is simultaneously modest and streamlined; and the elastic waistband looks thick and sturdy but not at all bulky. I also like their colors — the five “core” options are subtle but not boring, and even their “trend colors” could be considered classic. That said, they are the priciest pair on this list. If you’re buying for a “boxers only” dad but want something a little less dear (because it’s just underwear, after all), J.Crew also makes a great pair.

If you feel weird personally selecting underwear for the dad(s) on your list, try a subscription. Stance makes socks, T-shirts, and underwear in both neutral colors and funky prints — and its subscriptions options allow for monthly delivery of up to 12 pairs. All you have to do is choose the plan, purchase online, and never think about it again.