Stock his wardrobe: The sporty guy


Whether he’s heading to the beach, the coffee shop or the gym, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do “sporty.” Toss his holey sweatpants and pit-stained tees in the trash and give him a sporty look you (and he!) will be proud of.

1

Around town

Men's look for around town

Life is all about compromise, so when it comes to getting your guy to look both sporty and stylish, you have to give a little to get a little. You may cringe when you hear the term “convertible pants,” but your guy will thank you for them! A comfy pair of The North Face pants that double as shorts (Sports Authority, $75) will prove you’re not trying to change him — just make him better! Pair them with accessories he can’t possibly argue about, like the Mission Belt Company Iron belt (Mission Belt Co, $40) and Steve Madden Zinggdd shoes (Steve Madden, $80), then finish him off with some extra style. Plaid shirts and blazers are hot right now, so pick up a few options from the fashionably affordable 20Jeans line. Most of their apparel costs around $20, so you can stock up without worrying about the expense. We love the Tahoe Plaid Fleece Shirt Jacket (20Jeans, $15) topped with the {Nigen} Dual-Layered Hoodie Jacket (20Jeans, $30).

2

While working out

Men's look for working out

This part’s easy… and necessary! The problem with the sporty guy is that he’s always wearing out his gym clothes! To keep him from looking dirty and ragged, surprise him from time to time with a new shirt, a pair of shoes or a great accessory. When it comes to workout staples, we love the Nike Men’s Fly 2.0 Shorts (Sports Authority, $34) and the Redington RediBalance Crew (Redington, $55). Featuring high-performance fabrics and multiple color options, they’re great for every active guy. You can even choose from short- or long-sleeved options when choosing the RediBalance Crew.

Once the basics are taken care of, make sure he’s got the “extras” he really needs:

  • A fantastic all-weather jacket, like the Marmot Leadville Jacket (Marmot, $160), will take him from cross-country running to alpine climbing and will last for years.
  • For the active guy, new shoes are a must every three to four months. If he spends lots of time outside, go ahead and get him a pair of high-quality trail runners, like the Ahnu Men’s Greenbrae (Ahnu, $120).
  • And finally, to really train for a race or event, your guy needs to be able to accurately track his time, distance, effort and more. A time-tested, GPS-enabled watch is the gift that will keep on giving. We love the Garmin Forerunner 210 with the optional heart rate monitor (BuyDig.com, $250).

3

Out on the links

Men's look for golf

Believe it or not, argyle socks and plaid pants have made a huge comeback in golf attire, but not in the same way your grandpa wore them back in the day. Give your guy a great new look to wear while hitting a round with friends by treating him to a high-tech polo and well-cut shorts. We’re digging Fila Golf’s entire men’s line, especially the Le Mans Polo (Fila Golf, $80) and Plaid Bermuda Shorts (Fila Golf, $80).

Finish off his fashionable look with a pair of sunglasses and well-built golf shoes. Oakley Flak Jac sunglasses (Solstice Sunglasses, $210) are practically a staple in outdoor sports attire and are a natural accessory for hitting the links. What may surprise you (and your man) is that there are some really great hybrid golf shoes on the market. We love the ECCO Mens BIOM Golf Hybrid — you can wear them on the course or while out with friends, and with seven different colors and styles to choose from, there’s one for every type of man (ECCO, $190).

4

Kickin’ it

Men's look for relaxing

There are times when your guy just wants to be comfortable. Instead of letting him reach for his favorite T-shirt that somehow survived college, give him a few great pieces that he’ll love wearing around the house or while heading out to the lake.

  • Greenlines Glide Boardshorts are made from 100 percent recycled polyester that is brushed for a super-soft finish. Even though they’re built for the water, there’s no reason they can’t make a splash on land, too. (Greenlines, $60)
  • Fruit of the Loom Men’s Muscle Shirts are inexpensive, come in lots of colors and make the perfect accompaniment to any pair of casual shorts. At less than $4 a pop, you can replace them whenever they start to show wear. (Walmart, $8 for a two-pack)
  • Sweatshirts should be comfortable while also telling a story. We love the No Mas brand because all of its apparel is dedicated to preserving sports culture and heritage. The Cosmos Popover commemorates the New York Cosmos soccer franchise, which had its heyday in the 1970s — and Pelé, the king of U.S. soccer in those days. Any sports fan will love the story and the comfort of this wear-anywhere popover. (No Mas, $70)
  • Your man can ditch the fancy shoes on the weekend and opt for comfortable slip-ons like the Okabashi Surf sandals. These 100 percent recyclable, vegan-friendly, USA-made flip-flops are comfortable, stylish and affordable — something everyone can agree on! (Okabashi, $20)

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