When they’re not decked out in their favorite team’s jersey, dads are everyone’s first arbiters of style, grooming, and sophistication. From imparting their knot-tying wisdom to lending out their shiniest watches when we’re in need, dads are every gentleman’s sartorial compass -- which is a reason, among many others, to honor them this Father’s Day. For this month’s “Open to Buy,” we got personal with our menswear buyers and asked them to divulge some of their fondest fashion memories related to their fathers. We also asked which item in their father’s closet they most admired.

To thank our fathers for helping us find our style -- sometimes through the finest pieces in their closet -- we’ve identified items from Mark Shale’s closet that would make the perfect Father’s Day gifts.

Phil’s most-coveted item from dad’s closet: Watches
My dad had a nice collection of watches and I was always asking to wear them. He said, “A watch is a great way to express yourself,” and loved simple, elegant watches. One of his favorites was a Lord Elgin.

Phil’s most-coveted items from Mark Shale’s closet: A great Canali suit and Hiltl khakis
My dad didn’t own many suits but the ones he did were always top quality -- he would rather own one or two great suits than four or five average ones, which is why I’m giving him a Canali suit. He also wore flat-front Chino’s so I will be giving him a pair of  Hiltl SmartCel climate-control pants which happens to be perfect for his favorite activity: golf!



Marc’s most-coveted item from dad’s closet: A green Woolrich Anorak jacket
Growing up in the ‘80s, I was a big fan of the TV show “Family Ties” and the idea that the Keaton family lived in Ohio made it even better. (I grew up in Centerville, OH.) I remember the astonishment I had when I noticed Alex P. Keaton wearing the same coat as my dad. The coat in question was a green Woolrich Anorak jacket with a green and tan plaid wool lining. I wore the coat that next day to school and my best friend Sam, wearing a Phoenix Sun's Starter Jacket, informed me that my green coat was in fact not cool.  Regardless, I wore the Woolrich coat all the way through eighth grade.

Marc’s most-coveted items from Mark Shale’s closet: Samuelsohn travel blazer and an Orciani belt
I'm the youngest in the family which meant I was consistently wearing hand me down clothes from my brother, various neighbors and my Dad. Through this process I acquired a leather belt my dad wore when he was 21 years old and, to this day, it remains one of my most prized possessions. I'd like to get my Dad the Samuelsohn travel blazer and an Orciani belt to replace the belt he gave me.

Additional suggestions: For a range of timeless gifts that are size-irrelevant, trust in the charm of our suggestions below, and bookmark them for the next gift-giving holiday.