With Father’s Day just around the corner, Liz Wootton shares a few of the best ethical and eco gifts to treat the father figure in your life to this year.
Father’s Day has come around again and it’s time to show some appreciation for the number one man in your life. Whether your Dad is into sports, fashion, beer or hair care (Dads, we know how much you secretly love those great smelling shampoos), these 10 ethical presents are the perfect way to show father figures how much you care about them (and the rest of the planet too).
For all the mothers that are also taking on the role of father, see our conscious Mother’s Day gift ideas.
For Active Dads – Carrot Banana Peach
If you have a Dad who’s always on the go, then head to Carrot Banana Peach and stock up on some sustainable activewear for him this Father’s Day. Its products are all crafted from plant-based fibres including bamboo, aloe vera, soybean or organic cotton, as well as being super soft and comfy to boot. Whether your Dad is into running, loves yoga or is a regular at the local gym, the high-performance shorts, sweatpants, jackets and tees from Carrot Banana Peach will not disappoint – versatile, breathable, moisture-wicking and odour resistant, these are the ultimate ethical training clothes. And if he just wants something comfy to lounge about in and wear whilst watching the telly, then that’s also fine – we’re not judging.
For Fashion-Conscious Dads – Osklen
Is your father really into ethical fashion? Or else in dire need of a wardrobe update? Either way, Osklen can help you out with a gift for him this Father’s Day. Founded by artist and sustainable fashion pioneer Oskar Metsavaht, the iconic Brazillian brand is committed to becoming as sustainable as possible, as soon as possible. The designs are contemporary and sophisticated, while remaining understated and minimalist, catering perfectly to the eco-conscious modern day man.
For Dads who Dip and Dive – Ché
Ché marks Oliver Cheshire’s, whose chiselled good looks and effortless style have made him one of the biggest names in male modelling, exciting first foray into the world of design. Thoughtfully created and sustainably made, this is the ultimate range of swimwear for the stylish man. Crafted from ECONYL® regenerated yarn, a technical and sustainable yarn made from waste materials, the fabric is strong, quick-drying and can be recycled over and over again. In three different styles, with a great selection of colours and a surprisingly reasonable price tag (starting at £85), these are the ultimate eco swimshorts for your Dad’s summer wardrobe.
For Fifty Shades of Cool Dads – PALA Eyewear
Help Dad keep his cool this summer with a pair of PALA shades. With a great range of shapes, styles and colours, it’ll be easy work to find him his new favourite sunnies with PALA – see our guide to choosing the perfect pair of sunglasses for tips. What’s more, for every pair of shades bought, PALA gives back to eye care programmes in Africa, which provide vital support and empowerment for the visually impaired. This is the ultimate Father’s Day present for a fashion-conscious man who wants to do good, while still looking good.
For Outdoorsy Dads – Patagonia
Well known for its unwavering commitment to sustainability and ethical production, Patagonia is a one-stop gift shop for outdoorsy dads. Whether he’s into climbing, surfing, fishing, skiing or mountain biking, you’ll find high-performance gear for him here. Escaping to nature is a fundamental part of the sports Patagonia caters to, and the brand is really dedicated to protecting the environment in whatever way it can. It even goes as far as to encourage people not to buy new clothes, but instead to make do with what they have – an applaudable move for any clothing company, but one that clearly portrays its level of devotion to environmental causes. Furthermore, it donates at least 1% of its total sales, as well as its time and services, to projects across the globe helping to save our planet.
For Well-Groomed Dads – Bambaw
Steer clear of plastic gifts this Father’s Day by shopping on Bambaw – completely plastic free and committed to the zero waste movement and achieving carbon neutrality, it provides a great range of bamboo-based essentials. We especially love its bamboo razors, which look beautiful and deliver the smoothest shave, while also being long-lasting and 100% recyclable. A sure-fire win for both the planet and your Dad’s grooming routine.
For Dads Who Like a Tipple – Toast
If your dad is big on his beer, then a mixed case of craft beer from Toast is the perfect gift for him. Not only does the beer taste delicious, the fantastic folks at Toast are also on a serious mission to reduce food waste. And they are already achieving really great things. Food production is the biggest danger to the environment, yet, shockingly, one-third of all food produced is discarded and, in the UK, up to 44% of bread is never eaten. That’s where Toast comes in: by using discarded bread as part of the brewing process, it eliminates bread waste, producing delicious beer instead. So far, it has saved over 1 million slices (and counting). It also gives 100% of profits to food waste charities and is a certified B Corp. The greatest thing since sliced bread? We certainly think so!
For Classic Comfy Dads – Jollie’s
No matter how far and wide you search for a Father’s Day gift, a cracking pair of socks will always be the ultimate foolproof present – 100% guaranteed to make any man smile. The chaps over at Jollie’s make superb socks, but with a big difference: for every pair of socks bought, another pair is donated to a local shelter. The socks themselves are made from 80% organic cotton (your Dad’s feet will thank you, we’re sure!) and are packaged in recyclable tins, to reduce their environmental impact. If you don’t want to just get him a single pair, then you can go one step further and sign him up for a monthly ‘sockscription’ – he’ll never have to worry about scraping the bottom of his sock drawer again.
For Dads Who Put Their Best Foot Forward – Good News Shoes
If your Dad’s trainers are at the end of their life, then why not treat him to a new, environmentally-friendly and socially-conscious pair this Father’s Day? True to its name, Good News Shoes is a piece of refreshingly-good news for the fashion industry, which currently discards 95% of the 20 billion pairs of shoes produced annually. Made from recycled rubber soles, organic cotton and a recycled footbed, and with packaging made from 100% recycled cardboard, the relaxed-yet-stylish aesthetic of Good News Shoes goes easy on the planet and eye alike. The perfect gift for any Dad who loves his sneakers.
For Dads Who Care About Hair – Primal Studs
Help your dad stay plastic-free this Father’s Day with one of Primal Suds’ fantastic shampoo bars. Made from natural ingredients, and with a quirky, tongue-in-cheek attitude, these shampoo bars are completely biodegradable and waste-free, and the packaging is 100% compostable. There’s also only two people in the entire team (Andrew and Jen), so your gift will also be supporting a small business, which is always a bonus.
For more men’s gift inspiration, see Nick Hopper‘s favourite Menswear Brands, and our Men’s Swimwear guide.
If grooming products are what you’re after, see Sjaniël Turrell‘s guide to gender-neutral skincare brands, and our list of the best ethical grooming products.
Browse our full catalogue of recommended brands.