Father's Day Gifts For Dads Who Don't Want Anything, According to Esquire's Editor in Chief

Last year, I bought my dad a Slim Aarons photo of boots docked on the French Riviera. He loves boats and waterskiing, and you simply can't go wrong with an Aarons print. It conveys good taste and a sense that the owner knows at least a little bit about photography. There are lots to choose from on One Kings Lane, including this iconic photo of Roger Moore. It's a classic and fits nicely behind a bar cart, though the picture could live anywhere in a home or office. Your dad would be thrilled to have it. Get it framed. He’ll love it.

If Slim’s work or a photo of James Bond isn’t tickling you, I’d suggest something by another legend, Gordon Parks, which you can find on Art.com. One more recommendation: a legendary photo that first appeared in Esquire, “A Great Day in Harlem.” I guarantee every dad will appreciate this one.

My dad has carried a pocket knife for as long as I can remember, and I thought owning one would be the pinnacle of manhood. You need a package opened, a box cut? Allow me. Then I became a man and forgot all about knives—until I saw Esquire's recent story about the seven best small knives. The story was Proustian for me, a remembrance of things past. So I bought this knife, which is made in the French Alps, and now I'm opening packages and boxes whenever I get the chance. The Opinel is also a favorite of Esquire Creative Director Nick Sullivan, who owns several of them. Dad will love this.

It’s hard to buy sunglasses for someone else, but every man (and woman) is more attractive in Wayfarers. Trust me, even if you have doubts, everyone else thinks you look cool as hell in them. Plus, dads love the movie Risky Business, no matter their generation. Tom Cruise running a brothel out of his house while his parents are out of town is essential viewing for men who have helped create life. Fathers see Wayfarers and connect them to Tom Cruise in Risky Business. There have been studies about it, I’m sure. You can try buying Dad one of the newer models, but I strongly recommend sticking with the original in black. Dads like originals.

I’m obsessed with briefcases. They’re stylish, classic, and useful. I have a few, and every time I’m out and about I get a compliment. In the age of canvas totes, leather backpacks, and messenger bags, they’re surprising. They’re also old school. Perfect for a dad, whether he’s still working or retired.

Some options: Leatherology makes the best somewhat affordable briefcase; Filson, Shinola and Coach each have good ones that are a couple hundred bucks more. If you really want to go for it, British company Bennett Winch makes this beautiful briefcase. If you're worried about quick-turn international shipping, Todd Snyder stocks it in brown leather and olive canvas.

A few months ago, my older daughter begged me to take her to Ulta to buy skincare products. In a plot twist, I met a helpful salesperson who persuaded me to buy a range of skincare products. Now I have an evening skincare routine, which I'm told will help me look younger. Maybe don't present this gift to your dad with that language, but modern guys should have a skincare routine, so why not get dad started with something nice, like this face wash Esquire recommends. If this one doesn't right, check out the very best grooming products Esquire endorsed last year.

Last year, Esquire introduced its own cologne in partnership with the fragrance maker Michael Malul. There are four of them, including one called Editor In Chief. It doesn't smell like me, but it is my favorite of the batch. We made this colognes because we knew guys would like them—including your dad.

Dads love history, and few writers working today do historical biographies better than Ron Chernow. His latest, Mark Twain, is a bestseller and coincides with a Twain renaissance. Percival Everett's James: A Novel, which is the Huckleberry Finn story told through the eyes of Jim, just won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. In other words, your dad will be part of the cultural conversation if he's diving into Twain. Plus, he'll be armed with Twain's witticisms, aka, early dad humor and wisdom.

I can’t imagine any dad needs a pen, especially one that costs almost a grand, but this is what makes the Montblanc Meisterstück such a profound pleasure. As Nick Sullivan, Esquire’s creative director, wrote about it: “A fountain pen is like a tie these days. It’s not a necessity but an expression of taste—and a chance to snatch a little extra joy from the grip of everyday existence.” Snatch Dad a little extra joy. Even better: The Meisterstück—which, by the way, Montblanc refers to as a “writing instrument”—celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, a milestone that came with a short film by Wes Anderson.

Like a fountain pen, no one needs a DVD player in the age of streaming, which is why a 4K blu ray player is so satisfying. It's a luxury that can turn watching a movie into a hobby. Plus, dad will marvel at the picture and sound quality. Earlier this year, I bought the Panasonic 4K player shown here—a recommendation from Esquire's Bryn Gelbart—and I couldn't be happier. Dad will love it. Throw in a couple 4K DVDs as well. Risky Business, for instance, is available via the Criterion Collection in 4K. A bonus of buying dad a 4K player is that you now have gift possibilities for his birthday, Christmas, and future Father's Days: more 4K DVDs.

Men love uniforms (see: the military, sports, tuxedos). So—bear with me here—what if you created a footwear uniform with your dad? You could even include your siblings and mom. Buy him a pair of the original American loafers: the Bass Weejuns (which Esquire had a hand in creating). Then buy a pair for yourself—and everyone else in your family.

If you want to go a step up from Weejuns without breaking the bank, check out Grenson, a British shoemaker that offers one of the best values in the business. Plus, dads are big on stories—you can tell yours all about how Esquire helped invent the Weejuns or about this British shoe brand you discovered, which made shoes for the British military during World War II.

Maybe loafers aren’t your dad’s thing. Maybe his feet are too old to tolerate them. If either is the case, buy him a pair of Hokas. Parents love Hokas. Looooove them. But they’re also embraced by the running community, because they’re legit.

As with the loafers, the real impact of this gift is buying yourself one, too. Again, if you’ve got siblings and a mom, consider including them as well. It provides a fun, sentimental story: We all have the same thing on our wrists. In fact, lean into the sentimentality in the card: A timepiece for a timeless guy. If you can afford a Rolex, an Omega, or a Cartier, then go out and buy a few, get them engraved, and delight everyone. (You might need more than a week to procure them, however.) If you don’t have the means to go luxury, or if you lack the desire (no judgment!), try a watch that’s both inexpensive and stylish. I recommend this Swatch, though there’s nothing wrong with a G-Shock, a Timex (especially one of the collaborations with Todd Snyder), or a Seiko.

The best lifestyle is one in which you embrace the highs and lows. This is true in life, in fashion, and in the things you consume. If your dad is a drinker, buy him a nice bottle of Scotch, like the Balvenie 12 Year. Then get him a six-pack of cheap beer. I’m a sucker for Old Style, because I grew up in Chicago, but Bud Light, Rolling Rock, or PBR will do just fine. You could also flip it: Buy him a bottle of Dewar’s (I actually love Dewar’s) and some really nice beer—one of those IPAs that make you feel like shit (I actually don’t love IPAs). Just avoid this practice with wine. Cheap wine is bad.

If your dad is not a drinker but enjoys a non-alcoholic beer, try Visitor, a small NA brewer in Chicago. Highly recommend. Pair it with some sparkling water. Buy him a couple cases of glass bottles of the very best sparkling water: Mineragua.

Buy Dad America’s original men’s magazine. Look, I’m obviously a partisan, but it’s a helluva good deal. For just $35, he gets six print issues a year, access to Esquire.com, and the key to our archive, Esquire Classic, going all the way back to 1933. He’ll love that. But you can really show dad how much you love him by buying him a Premium subscription to Esquire, which includes our Style Guides. These are definitive guides to men's fashion—from suits to socks—so he'll never be at a loss for what to wear.