Because Dad deserves more than a novelty tie and socks (unless they’re cashmere, of course).

Let’s be honest, Father’s Day can be a tricky one. Mums get flowers, spa days, and Prosecco. Dads? Often a last-minute dash to the petrol station for a Toblerone and a card that says #1 Griller.

But this year, we’re raising the bar. Whether your old man’s a style connoisseur, grooming guru, gadget geek or outdoors enthusiast, we’ve curated a sartorially savvy guide to Father’s Day gifting that’s high on taste and low on clichés.

Dublin White trainers from MOSS – No wardrobe is complete without a good pair of white trainers on board.

The Dublin trainer is crafted in Portugal from European grained-leather and set on a contrasting rubber outsole for great durability and support.

The Father’s Day Edit from look fantastic- Discover a full collection of hand-picked man cave must-haves, for him. Featuring 6 full-sizes, with top picks from Jo Malone, Avene, and ELEMIS, in The Father’s Day Edit. Worth £180, yours for just £45.

Family Dressing from M&S – Whether you’re heading to the park or a family gathering, M&S have you covered. Matching your mini-me has never been easier, or more stylish. Co-ordinating outfits in similar tonal shades feels put-together without feeling overly matchy-matchy. Daddy daughter days, family days out will have you looking sharp and at your finest.

Krane & Bauer @ Debenhams – Bass Driver Wireless Headphones & Earphones Excellent Sound Quality. Elevate every moment with the Krane & Bauer Bass Driver Headphones – the ultimate luxury gift. Featuring Dynamic Bass, noise reducing over ear headphones technology, and passive noise cancellation, these headphones & earphones deliver deep, rich audio for music, gaming, video calls, podcasts, or simply relaxing in silence. Ideal for the dad who Knows his Miles Davis from his Dua Lipa.

Mens Ponsa Waterproof jacket from Craghoppers – Take to the trail with confidence in this nimble highly waterproof and breathable shell jacket. The pared-back design emphasises the jacket’s streamlined AquaDry Membrane stretch construction and incorporates specially positioned pockets for easy access, even when carrying a backpack. Perfect for active pursuits in changeable conditions.

CLASSIC MOC TOE BOOTS by Red Wing – I will be very happy on Sunday if with my Breakfast in bed is accompanied with a pair of these beauties. Beautiful and muted Dusty Rose Abilene leather adorns the 6-inch Classic Moc; refreshing the beloved silhouette in a new take on a fan-favourite colourway. First introduced in 1952, the Classic Moc has grown into one of the most beloved lifestyle boots in the world. Built today with thesame pride and process as decades ago, the boots’ iconic Traction Tred outsole, formulated with polyurethane for a lighter, comfortable fit, and moc toe construction lead the way. The Puritan triple stitching and Goodyear welt make this style a legend in long-lasting wear.

Metro Folio Kit by Monos – With a wider, flatter, and more rigid build than the Metro Classic Kit, the Metro Folio Kit is a versatile companion to the Metro Backpack and Metro Duffel – functioning as a wallet/passport folio while on the move, or as an e-reader/tablet kit when you’re out relaxing by the pool. Designed with QuickSnap, the Metro Folio Kit is compatible with both the Metro Backpack and Duffel so you can easily swap kits according to your day’s needs.

Haworth Socks by Gandys – Who said socks are boring ? Proudly made in the UK. The Haworth socks are crafted using twisted yarns for a rich, marled texture, finished with a bold contrast cuff. Knitted in small batches in West Yorkshire to minimise waste, they deliver the perfect balance of warmth, durability, and all-day comfort. Designed with a chunky ribbed texture, they’re ready for woodland walks, crisp city mornings, or simply kicking back at home.

Fellow Stagg EKG Electric Kettle – For the Coffee Connoisseur’s Companion. This Sleek, modern, and perfect for precise brews. Ideal for the man who treats his morning cup like a Michelin-starred affair and perfect for the dad who Says “notes of chocolate” when sipping espresso.

Remember, whatever you choose, it’s not about how much you spend, it’s about showing him you seehim. Not just as the guy who taught you how to ride a bike or grilled one too many burgers, but as the legend who does it all with quiet class.

Happy Father’s Day to the unsung style icons. You deserve it, gents.

According to an influential recent report by Watchfinder & Co and endorsed by luxury watch insurance specialist Stanhope, Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) has turned against smart watches. The report reveals a striking shift in Gen Z preferences, from smart watches to classic mechanical models.

When smart watches were first introduced, many feared it would be the beginning of the end for mechanical timepieces because a traditional watch, even a luxury one, would not be able to compete with a supercomputer worn on the wrist. The report, commissioned by pre-owned watch specialists Watchfinder & Co, which made waves in the timepiece community when it was released, shows that Gen Z are now the biggest endorsers of luxury, traditional timepieces and have distinct preferences when it comes to luxury brands with their top three favourites being Rolex (43%), Cartier (25%) and Omega (16%).

The report also found that Gen Z are major players in terms of the money they are prepared to spend in the luxury watch market.  Their average spend is now over £8,234, more than double that of millennials at £4,033 and four times more than baby boomers at £1,993.

According to the report, 41% of Gen Z people came into possession of a luxury watch in the last twelve months and they now favour fashion watches, dress watches and vintage inspired watches from the 1990s. They now see watches as jewellery and a good investment and are quite happy to buy pre-owned luxury watches, which they see as a more environmentally friendly option.

Matthew Ashton, Director at Stanhope, believes that the trend toward more traditional luxury watches will continue: “Sales of traditional watches are showing upward trends in recent times and it’s no secret that Gen Z are more interested in stylish, traditional designs.  They are also markedly more eco and socially conscious than previous generations. Watchfinder & Co.’s report shows that they bring their values with them when purchasing luxury timepieces.  It finds that 54% of Gen Z-ers prioritise sustainability when it comes to fashion, with luxury watches no exception.”

Once, he was the man every other man wanted to be. Today, he might just be the man every therapist wants to talk about. Tailored tuxedo. A luxury Wristwatch with a built-in laser. Aston Martin with missiles and minibar. A drink order so iconic it became a catchphrase. Maybe back then, he’d start the evening at a casino – or a private member’s club in London – before slipping off to thwart some grand, villainous scheme.

From cologne counters to cocktail menus, James Bond’s impact still lingers in how men dress, drink, and even date.

But in 2025, the image of Bond – the original aspirational male fantasy – isn’t so straightforward. In a time of rapid change, increased social awareness, and emotionally available men, we ask: is Bond still a cool, aspirational figure, or has he finally become a relic of outdated ideals?

From Martini-Drinking Relic to Rugged Renaissance Man

When Ian Fleming introduced Bond in 1953, he was the embodiment of mid-century masculinity: hard-drinking, womanising, loyal to crown and country, and emotionally bulletproof. Sean Connery gave him cinematic charisma, Roger Moore made him charmingly aloof, and Timothy Dalton brought glimpses of brooding. But overall, these were tweaks, not transformations, of the ideology of “Bond.”

True reinvention of the character arrived with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale (2006)—a more human Bond who bled, mourned, and made mistakes. This “double 0” wasn’t just dodging bullets; he was confronting emotional scars. He downed whiskey not out of bravado, but to silence grief and inner demons. For many modern men raised on the idea of vulnerability as a sign of real strength, Craig’s Bond felt a stride closer to home.

What We Want from Our Heroes

Once, Bond’s characteristics almost defined the apex male fantasy: untouchable, unfazed, and utterly in control. Today, that fantasy feels increasingly tired. Men are more likely to celebrate success in therapy than how many martinis they can chuck back, and brag about setting boundaries rather than breaking necks. While Bond’s sophistication and courage still resonate, his swagger can sometimes feel performative.

Even now, Bond’s ripple effect runs through every Tom Ford lapel, Omega watch advert, and online guide to ordering the “perfect martini.” He may be emotionally stunted, but the man knows how to wear a dinner jacket.

Even today, there’s still something undeniably magnetic about a man who knows what he wants and doesn’t apologise for it. In a world flooded with uncertainty, Bond’s decisiveness, resilience, and unflappability hold enduring appeal – especially when paired with genuine introspection.

The Feminine Shift

The franchise’s treatment of women has long been its largest sore spot. The “Bond Girl” trope—ephemeral, beautiful, usually doomed—has aged poorly. No Time to Die gave us progress: Nomi (Lashana Lynch), a 00 agent, and Paloma (Ana de Armas) stole scenes without needing to be reduced to a mere “lust interest” of the main character.

Still, critics argue these women orbit Bond’s gravity, noting that real progress means giving them agency outside his shadow. Ana de Armas herself has stated that “there’s no need for a female Bond. […] What I would like is that the female roles in the Bond films – even though Bond will continue to be a man – are brought to life in a different way”.

Who’s the Alpha Now?

In today’s pop culture, Bond competes with emotionally complex figures like Pedro Pascal’s Joel in The Last of Us, Robert Pattinson’s emo-Batman, or even the quietly competent Roy Kent from Ted Lasso. These men are flawed, protective, and introspective—the modern blueprint for true – and still aspirational – masculinity.

Bond, for all his glamour, sometimes feels like he’s reading from a script written in a different decade. But maybe that’s the point: he’s not supposed to be relatable. He’s supposed to be mythic, larger than life. He may not leap from buildings or shoot lasers from his eyes, but in many ways, Bond is a less ‘super’ kind of superhero—flawed and fallible, yet still unforgettable.

The Verdict: Icon or Outdated Ideal?

So is Bond still cool? If we define cool as aloof charm and elite competence, yes. If we define it as emotional fluency and moral clarity, then Bond, though making strides in the right direction, is still playing catch-up.

Perhaps Bond doesn’t need to be reinvented entirely – just recontextualised. Let him be the myth, while the men watching learn to pick the traits worth emulating: the courage under fire, the style, the integrity. And leave behind the misogyny, the repression, the inability to let anyone in.

Bond might be a dinosaur, but he’s a dinosaur in bespoke tailoring, driving a £300K car, capable of saving the world with nothing but a smirk and a sidearm. Is that cool, by today’s standards?

Maybe not, but it’s still hard to look away.

Probably best known for their denim, Guess was founded in 1981 by the Marciano brothers, French immigrants who transformed American denim with their slim, stonewashed jeans and signature 3-zipper design. Their bold, sexy style and iconic black-and-white ad campaigns quickly made Guess a cultural phenomenon, launching supermodel careers and embedding the brand in pop culture.

Expanding into watches, eyewear, and fragrances, Guess blended European flair with youthful American spirit, collaborating with celebrities to stay fresh and aspirational.

But it’s their fragrances we are lamenting on today, principally, the launch of their Guess Iconic for Men. The fragrance harmonises with a classic GUESS design cues as seen in Guess’s fashion lines and the counterpart f male fragrance.

This is an irresistible scent balance an earthy vetiver, warm labdanum and animatic suede accord which serves as a long lasting base to complement any journey. The aromatic notes weave through the heart blending compelling clary sage and geranium for an instantly fresh attraction. A spicy introduction of Sichuan pepper, black pepper and bright mandarin instantly sees the attention.

“For us the fragrance really capsulates, the feeling of freedom, attraction and confidence. We wanted the wearer to feel empowered to be bold and daring.” Stated the perfumers Claude Dir and Gino Percontino of Mane, the international perfumers who draw on over a century of know-how in fragrance creation and extraction technologies, to mix precious, essential oils and innovative molecules into their creations which have included in past for such houses as Hugo Boss, Calvin Klein and Lacoste.