Q. My significant other definitely could use a new wallet and Father's Day seems like a good time. I'm not sure if there is a variety that is more professional today. Growing up, my father had a billfold, and a credit card holding wallet, which always seemed manly, but with cellphones and other items filling pockets, I'm not sure what the well-dressed man would use today.
A. I have always found that women think very differently from men when it comes to gift giving. Men think of the word "need" as going with the idea of a gift. Women, on the other hand, don't often think of something that a person "needs" as the perfect gift.
I enjoy giving a gift that has two elements that make it special:
• It is a little bit different so that in addition to being right for the person, it expresses their personality.
• It is something that person would like to own, but may not have ever thought to buy for himself.
So, for example, if I were giving a man a sweater, it is likely to be an unusual color, such as white or red or yellow rather than a more typical color, such as navy or gray. Or it might be a handsome pattern, such as an argyle or a good-looking geometric design.
Once, when I gave my husband a scarf, it was a beautiful white silk that he could wear for dressing in black-tie attire rather than a nice burgundy wool that he could wear every day.
So, when looking for a wallet for a gift, I would want it to have some special feature that sets it apart from all the ordinary wallets out there. If money were no object, it might be made of a luxurious skin -- alligator or crocodile. But, without spending anywhere near as much, you still have options. One is a well-designed, very slim wallet that is shaped to fit neatly in a front trouser pocket, from Rogue Industries (rogue-industries.com).
It is almost a traditional rectangular shape, but with one corner cut off and rounded so it slips snugly in place in a man's front pants pocket. The design is patented, made in Maine of bison, cowhide or moose leather; it comes in several colors and a wide price range. These front-pocket wallets last for years. Other wallet ideas include zippered designs, if you like to carry change in your wallet. Even a man who would not want his shirts to be monogrammed might like the quiet personalization of a monogrammed wallet. Another recent innovation is the safety feature that prevents someone from gaining access to your credit card information: these identity radio frequency identification (RFID) safe wallets protect against electronic pickpocketing or identity theft.
Even if you decide to go with the old "necktie-for-Father's-Day" route, you can still choose one that is interesting and offbeat enough for you to enjoy giving and for him to enjoy wearing. A company named Josh Bach makes silk ties in traditional colors that look rather conventional from across the room but with designs that, when viewed up close, are playful, unique, and become conversation starters (JoshBach.com). Many of these designs reflect a man's profession or his interests. They cover a wide range of subjects from math formulas to puzzle pieces. One of them looks, at first glance, like a classic navy blue necktie with yellow regimental stripes. But, the pattern is actually a series of yellow rulers placed diagonally on a navy blue background. Though they're offbeat, the designs are still subtle and handsome, not loud or exhibitionist.
This list could also be useful for anyone who is buying a gift for a man, whether it is for graduation, a birthday, or any other special occasion. They can add to the fun of dressing ... and gift giving.
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High Profile on 05/22/2016