Pint Size Social

June 16th, 2010

FATHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Hand picked by Jim Shi, quite possibly the most stylish guy we know

Men are sometimes the hardest of the family to get gifts for. We even need a little help in that department. Which is why we turned to Jim Shi, the stylish fashion and lifestyle writer whose rolodex reads like a who’s who of the fashion industry. He’s written for practically every glossy you’ve ever read and seems to know insider news just as it’s happening. We asked Jim to put together a list of great gifts for the men in your life. Here’s his take in every price point:

The Laundress New York for J.Crew collar & cuff bar
Completely nontoxic, biodegradable, dye and allergen free and animal cruelty free, keep shirt cuffs and collars looking, well, perfect with this ultra-gentle 3.5 oz stain bar formulated from 100 percent vegetable soap with natural borox. It fights stubborn stains and everyday grime and grease so well it’ll easily become the laundry-shelf MVP! $7.
www.jcrew.com

Kiehl’s Cross-Terrain UV Skin Protector with SPF 50
Furthering its adventurous heritage, Kiehl’s “Cross-Terrain” collection offers the skincare brand’s first line of active body care for men, with head-to-toe formulations made for ultra performance. The Kiehl’s and National Geographic Cross-Terrain Team of Young Explorers are chronicling their experiences through blogs, photography and video, which will be launched on Kiehls.com later this month. Perfect for summer, this cream offers a high-level UVA/UVB sunscreen combined with a wax texture that is water and sweat-resistant against sun and wind burn even in the most extreme weather conditions. $25.50
www.kiehls.com

The Cultivated Life: Written and Illustrated by Jean-Philippe Delhomme
A humorous, and illustrated, narrative of life’s adventures—interior design mishaps, art world snobbism and literature elitism—is portrayed with tongue in cheek humor by Delhomme through his 100+ gouache painted cartoons. Poking fun at those that take themselves too seriously, he provides a witty perspective on a variety of things, such as living with modern furniture in modern culture. Have a laugh and live a little! $30.
www.amazon.com

Smythson “I Love My Dad” Panama Notebook
Nile Blue gift boxes aren’t reserved just for women. Fancy your father this year with Smythson’s classic pocket-sized notebook featuring a new, fun, gold-stamped title. Slim and light to fit in a pocket, the featherweight paper is bound in grained lambskin in navy blue while the title is gold-stamped. Take it up a notch and personalize it with his initials. $69.
www.smythson.com

Sperry Top-Sider Authentic Original 3-Eye by Band of Outsiders
Put the brown leather loafers aside for the summer and get dad a pair of nifty blue and white linen Sperry Top-Siders designed by Scott Sternberg of indie cult label Band of Outsiders. Granted, Sperry’s are the original American boat shoe (celebrating its 75th anniversary this year), so indulge in some classic nautical style and comfort. A stain and water resistant leather provides durable and lasting wear (the beat up ones are my favorite) while rust proof eyelets and shock absorbing heel cup ensure secure comfort. Best of all? Their rubber outsole provides the ultimate in traction. $195.
www.sperrytopsider.com

Editions de Parfums “Geranium pour Monsieur” by Frédéric Malle
Fragrances is one category I don’t normally advocate buying for men as it can be a highly personal process, but I’ve yet to meet a guy—young or old—that hasn’t given in to this scent. A gorgeous, yet masculine, mix of geranium, mint, and anise infused with a cocktail of incense, vetiver and musk, it is complete freshness paired with an ocean of sophistication. The mint is incredible to say the least. Trust me: he’ll love it. $210.
www.barneys.com

Louis Vuitton iPad Case
Have an on-the-go dad who’s into the latest gadgets and toys? Complement his tech-savvy side with some style in the form of Vuitton’s iPad case. It’s a small price to pay for a stylish yet durable cover—and it’s only fitting that he has something equally as stylish to house a tool that they will undoubtedly use a lot of in the presence of others. I love the masculine vibe of the Damier Graphite cover, which is also scratch resistant. The iPad slips right out from on top to prevent accidental spills. If quality mixed in with some ostentatious style is your cup of tea, then this is worth your consideration. $390.
Louis Vuitton boutiques or 866-VUITTON

Box set of 24-Carat Gold Toy Soldiers
Looking for something with a bit of whimsy and eccentricity? In tune with the men’s wear military trend, Richard Christiansen, creative director of Chandelier Creative, in collaboration with Partners & Spade, created this set of gold toy soldiers perfectly suited for high-design interpretations of old classics. Available either as a box set for $500 or individually at $125 a piece, this very New York-centric collaboration is ideal for the design-inspired man. $500.
Available exclusively at Partners & Spade, 646-861-2827

Coach alligator wallet at the new men’s store
Because most men don’t know when it’s time to give their bulging, unsightly wallets a rest, might I suggest Coach’s slim billfold—slim being the operative word—that will hopefully keep his hoarding to a minimum. Fashioned in exotic alligator with a stunning natural vachetta lining, six card slots should tame any excess card carrying. The colors—gray and apple green—are terribly chic and go a long way in making a discreet and distinct statement of style. $598.
Coach Men’s Store, 212-675-3045

Michael Sanderson Portrait
Having recently come across this illustrator on Facebook, I must admit I am head over heels in love with his work. Colorado native Michael Sanderson, who started drawing at the age of 2 and studied for a time at The Art Institute of Chicago before dropping out, pursued a career in illustration that has led to some lucrative projects with top-name clients. What I love about his work is the ease and simplicity at which the illustrations come across—yet they have a fascinating vibe that stretches from the 1970s to current contemporary art. Sanderson doesn’t use ink for his drawings; rather, they’re all pencil sketches which are they scanned and colored using Photoshop. $1,250 and up.
www.michael-sanderson.com

follow Jim on twitter @jimshi809

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