FashionUnited Father's Day Gift Guide

Dads are notoriously difficult to buy for, and if you're anything like the rest of us, spending hours running around the shops in a panic and getting the gift that probably never leaves its packaging, is a rather discouraging thought. Gift buying for dads needn't be stressful, if carefully thought out.

Therefore, before you even think about hitting the shops - whimsical visits to departments stores usually end-up in disaster purchases or endless browsing at the beauty counters for one-self - where scented candles and the new Crème de la Mer eyecream is probably not so interesting for a dad - Fashion United recommends finding out which category your dad falls in to determine how to shop. Decide whether your father is a: sports dad, daddy cool, stylish dad or practical dad to find the perfect gift suitable to his interests and eliminate the chance of exchanges, returns, or even worse, false (disappointed) thank-you's.

Whereas a Black & Decker toolkit may have made a dad happy a few years ago, DIY accessories are not the most exciting gift nor should they be repeated in consecutive gift-giving years. If you have a practical dad, buy him a good quality belt or carrier-bag. Most men do not like to carry with them too trendy an accessory, but a bag, such as a leather holdall from Mulberry is both classic and stylish and does as its packaging states, and should last a dad for years.

For the more stylish dads among you, a beautifully tailored shirt from Saville Row will impress him. Just have a look under the collar of one of his favourite shirts for the size and adhere to that. Unless they are too fitted, and no dads are THAT modern, the sizing tends to be universal - at least in the UK. If your budget is a little bigger, take him to any tailor on Saville Row to have one fitted and tailor-made.

For sportsdad, any football merchandise for Euro 2004 will do. A red & white England shirt should go a long way over the next few weeks. Shopping for daddy cool can be more difficult. For the dad who can't live without designer clothes, tastes can be eclectic and difficult to translate into a gift. Perhaps some ultra-stylish sunglass, like Dior or Dolce & Gabbana, will do the trick. Afterall, no daddy cool will leave the house without his eyes covered.

Whatever you buy your dad, don't get him a boring gift certificate or shopping voucher. One thing that all dads seem to have in common is the abhorrence of shopping itself. Taking your dad on a compulsive visit to Oxford Street on his day off to spend a 50 pound voucher is probably not his idea of a happy father's day.