Like Father Like Son: How Our Fathers Influence Us

From being tearaway children to growing into young adults, we naturally look up to our parents. As boys, our fathers and fatherly figures are our closest role models for how to be a man. From how they carry themselves, dress and shave, to the life lessons the men in our lives share, it all helps to shape who we are – including our sense of style.

Perhaps your personal style is miles apart from your father's, or maybe you're finding yourself inching closer towards comfy quarter zip jumpers and fleeces. In any case, more than 72% of men say that their father or father figure shaped their approach to style, grooming and presentation.

We wanted to know how much our fathers have influenced our attitude to fashion, style and self-care. Is our sense of style in our genes? Or are our fashion choices tailored by our own tastes?

Featuring key trends and hand-me-down advice, we asked 1,000 people to share their best insights received from a fatherly figure ahead of Father's Day. We ran a survey asking sons from age 18 to over 65 about the most valuable lessons their fathers and father figures have taught them over the years.

As we look beneath the layers of generation style, read on to find out how much our dads leave a lasting impression on men's fashion choices now that they're all grown up. We'll dive into the heart of modern father-son relationships, style preferences and how we might inherit more than just our sense of humour.

In this guide:

• Inspired by Dad: One in Six Men Say Dad Helped Most with Choosing Clothes
• Top Style Lessons Learnt from Dad
• Are We Turning Into Our Dads?
• Style Staples to Pass Down the Generations
• In His Shoes: Honouring Dad's Wisdom

Inspired by Dad: One in Six Men Say Dad Helped Most with Choosing Clothes

When asked, almost a third (28%) of the men in our survey said they had a close relationship with their fathers or father figures, while one in three (31%) said that their fathers were very involved in teaching them life skills growing up.

Like passing trends, our sense of style can change over the years. How we dress is often an offshoot of our personal expression, which like our personalities, may be developed and nurtured from a young age.

We have our friends to share and compare popular styles with, but the way we learn to carry and take care of ourselves often starts at home.

From choosing school shoes and learning how to tie a tie, to wearing the right suit for a special occasion. Learning these essential lessons, fashion customs and faux pas – such as what dress shoes are supposed to go with which colour suits – are just a few nuggets of wisdom we might pick up from our father figures.

When it comes to choosing clothes and style advice, we found that 15% of men said that their dads helped them the most, followed by their partners. And while almost a third (29%) of men said that they have completely different styles to their fathers, one in eight (12%) said that they value their father's opinion of their fashion choices.

Top Style Lessons Learnt from Dad

We all know how dads and father figures can come out with some real gems. When it comes to style advice, here are some of the most important lessons tailored and passed down by dads:

• Always dress for the occasion (13%)
• Grooming matters just as much as clothing (10%)
• Focus on fit and quality over quantity (6%)
• Invest in timeless pieces that won't fade out of fashion (4%)
• Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun (4%)

There's more to looking good than just the clothes on your back. Vital to overall appearance and presentation, almost two-thirds (62%) of men said that their fathers or father figures also passed down essential advice on hair styling, facial hair grooming, and hygiene.

Are We Turning Into Our Dads?

As we get older, some of us may be becoming more like our dads than we'd like to admit. It could reveal itself in hogging the remote, a territorial glare as someone else tries to tend to the barbeque, or wondering why you no longer recognise the hits on the radio.

More than simply filling our father's shoes, how many men are starting to pick up on their dad's fatherly flair – however dull or doddery? Here are the key moments that made people realise that they're turning into their dad as they age:

• When asked, one in three (32%) men said they had their own designated chair in the lounge
• More than a third (36%) said they prefer to fix things rather than replace them
• Over one in four (26%) men said they now make a noise when getting up from the sofa
• More than a quarter (27%) of men said they noticed their nose or ear hair seemed to be growing exponentially
• More than one in six (16%) men found they keep repeating the same jokes – and still find them funny
• Over one in four (27%) men said they never throw anything away 'just in case'
• Almost one in ten (9%) men said they refuse to turn the heating on

Perhaps you're not entering 'dadrobe' territory yet, but an overwhelming 28% of men said that they now realise that their dad was right about a lot of things.

Now, we're not saying that ruffles are making a comeback. But when it comes to timeless style advice, we can't disagree with the father figures in our survey. Investing in a well-tailored suit that's made to last, or a classic jacket that you can rely on time and time again, are two time-honoured, dad-approved moves.

Meanwhile, for a sophisticated and high-quality look, consider building your wardrobe on a foundation of neutrals, such as navy, black, grey and linen. Then, among your classic white shirts, add a few blush pink or pale blue shirts for variety. It's fun to experiment with bolder colours, patterns and wool-blend suits, but with a couple of steadfast staples in your wardrobe, you can't go wrong.

Style Staples to Pass Down the Generations

Alongside dressing for the occasion and focusing on fit and quality, it pays to invest in a capsule wardrobe of quality clothes, ready for any occasion. Building a wardrobe of quality basics can help you style smart and timeless looks with multiple variations. We recommend starting with:

A perfectly tailored blazer

A tailored blazer offers a flattering fit, contouring to your body in a way that looks effortlessly smart and expensive. It finishes your look and anchors your outfit, giving you the flexibility to pair it with a range of shirts, ties and trousers. Think smart occasions with matching suit trousers, or more casual events paired with neutral chinos.

A crisp white shirt

As the building blocks of any smart attire, a crisp white shirt is a classic addition to your formal and semi-formal wardrobe. Whether you're heading out for a celebratory dinner or attending a formal occasion, a crisp white shirt is a completely blank canvas that instantly sharpens and elevates your appearance.

Pair white shirts with ties, or bow ties, or leave the tie at home for a more casual, open-collar look. White shirts never go out of style and can be married with just about any style of suit – whether it's black tie, grey, navy or a bold colour.

Timeless dark denim

Adding a pair of quality dark denim jeans is one way to set up your smart casual wardrobe for life. Ever timeless, dark jeans give you a smart, polished look without dressing so formally as wearing dress trousers. Dark jeans streamline your outfit and provide a dark, neutral base with which to pair cotton shirts, plain t-shirts, and blazers to suit a range of dress codes.

Well-crafted leather shoes

No formal wardrobe is complete without a pair of well-crafted leather shoes. Depending on how many suits you own, one quality pair might be enough. But if you'd like to extend your collection for more variety, we recommend:

• Oxford shoes in tan, classic and versatile
• Brogue shoes in black, a signature formal choice
• Chelsea boots, ideal for formal and casual occasions

A durable wool coat for winter

Finish off your formal wardrobe with a smart and reliable wool coat. Whether you prefer a sophisticated longline coat or something that stops at the waist, a tailored coat instantly flatters and upgrades your outfit. Complementing both formal and smart casual outfits, a wool coat is ideal for events, commuting to work, and layering with everything from a sweater to a full suit.

In His Shoes: Honouring Dad's Wisdom

According to our survey, one in 3 (31%) sons still turn to their dad for advice on major life decisions. An overwhelming 50% of the men in our survey credit their fathers for their strong work ethic, while more than one in three (34%) say they learnt honesty and integrity from their fathers.

Whether it's your dad's favourite tie, to life's most important lessons, the legacy of those who raise us lives on in those we share their wisdom with.

As we look to the next generation of men, more than half (52%) of those we surveyed want to pass on their father's advice to their kids. Advice that came in handy when you bought your first suit, learnt to tie a tie for school, and wanted to dress sharp for an interview.

And with one in eight (12%) fathers helping their sons choose their wedding suit, these teachable moments often find us when they matter most. Our father's fashion values, learnings and advice often guides us through important life events like a rite of passage – one poorly-timed dad joke at a time.

Important Life Lessons from Dad

Only one in 20 (5%) men said they have a distant relationship with their fathers – showing growing emotional openness between generations.

Here are a few more threads of wisdom shared and passed down by real dads and father figures:

• "To grow old is unavoidable. Growing up is optional."
• "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.”
• "Persistence in achieving your goals, never give up trying even when problems seem impossible to overcome."
• "A wise man controls his temper."
• "Loyalty is the strongest pillar that has forged my life"
• "Look after the pennies. Always save for a rainy day"
• "Perseverance pays off"
• "Treat everyone with kindness. You never know who might help you in the future"
• "Every action, good or bad, is a seed. It will be processed by time and in due season, you'll reap the harvest. Be careful what you sow now"
• "Always get a round in first...."