Fashion Intervention for Dads and Grads: Top 10 Summer Trends for Men by Sharon Mosley on Creators.com

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Fashion Intervention for Dads and Grads: Top 10 Summer Trends for Men

Think the man in your life might need a little fashion help this Father's Day? Or do you need to buy a special graduation gift for your nephew? Or are you planning a vacation for you and your husband? And you know who will get to pack for both of you!

June is a great time to plan a fashion intervention for the guys. And Father's Day, in particular, is the perfect occasion to help "upgrade" your man's style through "strategic gift-giving," according to fashion expert Tom Julian, author of the recently released "Nordstrom Guide to Men's Everyday Dressing."

"Consider thoughtful gifts that can make a marked difference in his everyday style," says Julian. His top fashion choices include a lightweight cashmere-blend cardigan or a slim dress shirt in a bright gingham check.

Julian also notes that June is a great time to help new grads learn the in's and out's of business casual dressing and build a "workproof" outfit. "You can't go wrong with a cotton oxford shirt, a pair of trim flat-front trousers and a lightweight hybrid blazer," he says.

As defined by Julian, the "hybrid" jacket is a "catch-all" term for jackets that serve more than one purpose with multifunctional details, varying from smartphone pockets to convertible collars. He also suggests investing in polished accessories, such as burnished brown loafers or thin cotton ties in bold patterns to dress up a professional look.

And if you're scoping out a gift for that traveling man, consider buying "wrinkle-free" pieces for carefree packing. Flat-front twill shorts and trim linen shirts are other great ways to be comfortable on vacation, yet stylish at the same time.

Another trendy shirt, according to Julian, is the utility shirt, which "can be worn for work or play and can double as outerwear for summer trips."

But whether you're buying a gift for your favorite man or you're a guy who wants to spiff up your vacation wardrobe this summer, here are some of Julian's key items to update any man's closet:

— An unconstructed two-button blazer.

Most likely in a cotton, it is to be worn as an outerwear piece or tailored jacket for casual office days.

— Cotton "slub" (textured cotton) T-shirt or polo shirt or V-neck pullover. "Think of this as an add-on to cotton pique polos or cotton pima T-shirt wardrobes," says Julian.

— A five-pocket pant (not in denim), but in either cotton or cotton/Lycra or cotton/linen. "This pant is designed like a jean, but works very well for casual office days when worn with a woven shirt," says Julian.

— The summer novelty "date night" shirt in a subtle pattern, such as a check with contrast collar, cuffs and novelty buttons. Colors tend to be more muted and sunset-inspired from apricot and melon to lilac and sky blue.

— Flat-front walk shorts in cotton (possibly a 7-inch inseam). No pleats, please guys.

— The expedition or field shirt with epaulettes and two patch pockets, which can be worn alone or as a shirt jacket layered over the cotton slub T-shirt.

— Dark dressy denim jeans. For a romantic getaway, Julian suggests pairing classic pieces like a white button-down shirt with the dark, slim jeans, which can become more formal with a distressed trench and tan buck shoes. It can be casual with a lightweight knit cardigan paired with driving mocs.

— Driving shoes without socks.

— Sunglasses (maybe updated aviators).

— Woven leather belt to wrap it all up and go with everything.

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.