Dad’s Guide to Reclaiming Personal Style

One day you wake up and realize your closet looks like a corporate dress code had a one night stand with a bunch of performance fabrics.

Five pocket pants, golf polos, button-downs in the same three colors are everywhere. But there’s not much else.

When did your clothes stop saying something about you and start saying “let’s take this offline”?

The Season of Utility
There’s a stretch of life when your kids are young where somehow clothes stop being about expression and start being about utility.

You’ve got a uniform for the office — chinos, polos, button-downs — and since that’s where most of your clothing budget goes, those same pieces pull double or triple duty. Date night, church, dinner with friends, even vacations. The same neutral wardrobe shows up everywhere.

I’m not even kidding when I say I looked in my closet one day in my early 40s and everything was gray. Everything.

Why Dads Get Stuck
That’s the challenge so many dads face: personal style gets pushed to the background. It’s not that you don’t care — it’s that life has a way of narrowing the margins.

And when you finally do start thinking about reclaiming that sense of style? The hurdles pop up quick.

There’s the fear of trying too hard — nobody wants to look like they’re chasing trends or raiding their teenager’s closet.

Then there’s the budgeting mindset. It’s not that dads can’t afford better clothes, it’s that there’s always something else competing for the money: braces, travel ball, car insurance for teenage drivers. Spending on yourself feels selfish.

What Sparks the Change
So what flips the switch? More often than not, it’s a reconnection with your younger self. A college reunion, a milestone birthday, or even a trip that gives you cover to experiment again. Those moments spark something. You remember what it felt like to choose clothes that made you feel like you.

Three Easy Places to Start
If you’re ready to step back into style, you don’t need to overhaul your closet overnight. Start small:

• Fit: If your wardrobe is dominated by slim-cut pieces, try a more relaxed fit. Comfort and drape matter.

• Fabric: Step outside the box of wrinkle-free, stretch-blend polos snd try classic 100% cotton or natural blends. It looks and feels different — in the best way.

• Color: Don’t just default to what feels safe. I always thought blue was my lane, until I discovered pinks and purples lit me up way more.

Style Isn’t About Trying Too Hard
Personal style as a dad isn’t about trying too hard or chasing trends. It’s about reconnecting with the guy you used to be — and letting him show up again in the clothes you wear today.