Perfect Father’s Day Gifts from Papo

The family of Papo staffer Vera D' Orey.

Several years ago my husband Pascal asked me to make him adult versions of the Papo d’Anjo polos and swimsuits that our boys wear every day during the summer. Since then, our Men’s Striped Polo, Men’s Surfer Style Swimsuit, and Men’s Swim Trunk have become top sellers.

Longtime Papo kids Sebastian and James head out in their matching swimsuits.

These items make not only terrific Father’s Day gifts but are also great options for older boys who have outgrown Papo d’Anjo but still appreciate the unique color combinations and more refined fit.

I hope you and your families have a lovely time celebrating the special dads in your lives.

Sale Insider: Dressing Older Boys

Like most 12 and 13-year-old boys, my sons Patrick and Edward would probably prefer to spend their free time in track pants, sweatshirts, and sneakers. My husband, Pascal, firmly believes that while that look is fine for sports, it’s not a respectful way to dress when you are out in public.

But how do you convince older boys to buck the prevailing super casual trends? The way we have handled it in our house is to give Patrick and Edward a few options that satisfy both their desire for comfort and our standards. We let them choose whatever they want to wear from their closet–knowing that their options have already been edited.

What do my boys like? They live in Papo jeans, turtlenecks,  cashmere sweaters, soft wool socks, and leather tassel moccasins. Pascal also recently convinced them to take out their quilted jackets. There was some initial grumbling, but both Patrick and Edward soon realized how comfortable they are and now wear them every day.

Other little tweaks that can make a big difference include:  adding a belt to a pair of jeans; wearing a long-sleeved polo instead of a T-shirt; choosing fitted clothes instead of the baggy options that are so popular.

This week’s blog would not be complete without my mentioning the unspeakable tragedy in Haiti. Our hearts are with the people of this embattled nation. Next week’s blog will be about how to help our kids to get involved when these kinds of disasters strike, so if you have any tips or suggestions for aid agencies, please post them here.