The Summer Style Gift Guide
Summer style for dads usually gets reduced to a new pair of swim trunks and called a day. These seven picks go a little further, covering the shirt he'll actually wear on repeat, the jean that finally fits right, and a few small upgrades that make the whole season look more intentional.
Outerknown Blanket Shirt
Outerknown's Blanket Shirt has been the brand's best selling piece since 2015 for a reason. Built from a brushed organic cotton twill the brand calls BlanketWeave, it has the weight of a flannel without the bulk, soft enough to wear straight off the surf and structured enough to button up for dinner the same night. The Chroma version trades the original plaid for solid, garment dyed colors if he prefers something cleaner.
Shop the Outerknown Blanket Shirt
Fair Harbor Oasis Textured Shirt
A short sleeve button down built specifically for warm weather, the Oasis Shirt uses a dobby stripe weave and a specialty wash to land somewhere between brand new and already broken in. It's lightweight enough for actual heat, not just the idea of summer, and breathable enough to wear poolside or on a flight without wrinkling into a mess.
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Tommy Poolside Edition
Stretch denim has gotten good enough that there's no real argument for stiff jeans anymore, and The Perfect Jean is one of the brands that proved it. Built with four way stretch and a wash designed to hold its shape instead of bagging out by the end of the day, it solves the actual problem most dads have with denim, which is that it never quite fits right anywhere. Multiple fits are available, from slim to a roomier athletic cut.
TSC SPORTS CAP
TSC SPORTS CAP is the original five panel running hat that built the brand's reputation, a lightweight, low profile cap with a hard flat brim that doesn't crease over time the way a soft brimmed cap does. It's built for people who spends real time outside, which makes it an easy yes for a dad who is outdoors more than he's in front of a mirror.
PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite HYROX
The first shoe PUMA has built specifically for HYROX competition, the Deviate NITRO Elite HYROX pairs a full length carbon PWRPLATE with a high traction outsole designed to hold up across sled pushes, lunges, and lateral movement, not just a straight line run. For the dad already doing functional fitness races or hybrid training, this is built for the exact format he's training for instead of being a running shoe pressed into double duty.
Shop the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite HYROX
Vivobarefoot Tracker Ora Sandal
A barefoot trail sandal built for warm weather adventure, the Tracker Ora skips the insole entirely to keep him as close to the ground as possible, while a triple hook and loop strap system locks the fit in for water crossings and uneven trail. It's the rare sandal that can handle a hike and a beach day in the same afternoon without feeling like a compromise either way.
Shop the Vivobarefoot Tracker Ora Sandal
The Bottom Line
If you're picking just one, go with the Outerknown Blanket Shirt. It's the piece most likely to get worn every week instead of once a season, which is the real test of any style gift.
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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 5:31 PM.