There’s long been a myth that coolness and fatherhood are not capable of coexisting, that, when it comes to clothes, dads are preternaturally drawn to sloppy fits and unnecessary bulk. And yet dad fashion has simultaneously been on trend for a few years now, as chunky New Balances and light-wash, high-waisted jeans have become increasingly ubiquitous among young people who manage to look chic and coolly ironic in the very same clothes that have traditionally made dads look anything but. So what’s a dad to do and more importantly, how’s a dad supposed to dress?
So how does a dad manage to strike the perfect balance there? To remain at least somewhat on trend while neither looking like he thinks he’s still 22 nor like he’s fully given himself over to bad dad style?
Well, we’ve got to start by dispeling the notion that dads can’t be cool, and then it’s time to look toward the fashion of dads who continue to express themselves stylistically. Below are five cool dads who are rewriting the rules for how men can and should dress after becoming parents.
Matty Matheson
Matty Matheson has amassed a wealth of devoted fans in recent years, not simply for his cooking skills and outsized personality but his personal style, too. The heavily tattooed chef and father of three has established a dress code for himself, a uniform that subtly varies from day to day but ultimately consists of the same base pieces — t-shirts, jeans, a pair of clog-like shoes that lend themselves well to the lifestyle of a chef, all topped off with some type of hat. It sounds simple enough, but the key to Matheson’s style, and what makes it so interesting, is his penchant for workwear-inspired pieces and vintage tees, the former of which offer details like patch pockets and the latter of which are typically thrashed within an inch of their life. When paired with Birkenstock Bostons or the Yeezy-esque Merrell water shoes, plus a retro trucker hat or beanie perched slightly atop the head, it’s a look that emanates an effortless cool that many go to great lengths to try and achieve.
Adam Pally
Like Matheson, actor Adam Pally, also a father to three, gravitates toward workwear styles and brands, whether it’s a heavy-duty canvas jacket or Red Wing boots. But the actor isn’t afraid to occasionally throw some hypebeast elements into the mix, typically in the form of a highly-enviable pair of sneakers. For the dads that have always been curious about Jordans but felt they didn’t have what it takes to pull them off, Pally demonstrates how to wear them without looking like a poser, pairing them with practical pieces like jeans or chinos and a classic blue oxford, a look that’s achievable without being boring. Never leaning too far in any stylistic direction, it’s evident that Pally simply abides by the rule of wearing what he likes, making the pieces work to fit into the confines of his own personal style, whether that means pairing Wallabees with a minimalistic suit or Air Jordan 1s with a blazer. We also commend his recent decision to bleach his hair at 39.
Blondey McCoy
What happens when a Palace-approved skateboarder becomes a father? You get the coolest of cool dads. Having previously modeled for the likes of Supreme and Burberry, McCoy is currently creative director at Thames, largely inspired by skatewear and British culture, in addition to holding the important title of father. Long lauded for his personal style, McCoy really seems to have come into his own in recent years, his manner of dressing no doubt influenced by fatherhood. Still keeping the occasional boyish elements like knee socks worn with shorts and Addias trainers, his style is infused with classic menswear pieces like crisp striped button-downs and navy crewnecks, pieces that are styled in reflection of his youth (he is only 24 after all) and background, the addition of a heavy gold bracelet and chunky rings or a pair of sleek rectangular shades making them feel fresh again. For all those classic menswear pieces you have lurking in your closet but are loathe to wear because they feel overdone, McCoy’s style is a masterclass in reinvention.
Adonis Bosso
The fact that Adonis Bosso is one of the most sought-after male models certainly doesn’t hurt when it comes to his coolness factor, but that’s not what solely makes him cool, especially when you learn he frequently dons matching outfits with son Saphir, outfitting him in mini leather jackets and sweatsuits that mirror his own. When he’s not matching his son, Bosso takes a laidback approach to dressing, which is understandable given the more ostentatious designer pieces he has to wear for a living. This isn’t to say Bosso’s style is lacking interesting elements, as he frequently gleans inspiration from his African heritage, and he isn’t afraid to throw vintage pieces into the mix, like a Harley Davidson leather vest worn over a Bob Marley tee with a fuzzy houndstooth jacket and a cowrie shell dangling from his hair.
Mordechai Rubenstein
Mordechai Rubenstein, known by most as Mister Mort, has long been highlighting other people’s style, but it’s time we give him the recognition he deserves for his own. A frequent fan of gorpcore pieces (think L.L.Bean pull-overs, Birkenstocks and hiking roots) Rubenstein incorporates the pieces with his other preferred wardrobe essentials — oxford shirts, patterned ties, colorful berets and corduroy pants. The result is an often a colorful amalgamation of clothing that only someone with Rubenstein’s expert hand at styling could pull off, the seemingly disparate colors making sense as he layers a pink v-neck sweater over an olive collared shirt (with the collar popped, of course) paired with ’90s jorts and Birks. It’s style part preppy, part granola, part yuppie, part Deadhead and definitely kooky, but it’s never boring.
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