What to Wear to a Father’s Day Brunch or BBQ

June 15, 2017

Hopefully you’re sent on the gift/card front (but if not, check out my Father’s Day gift recs here), and all you have to worry about is putting your happy face on and figuring out what to wear. The tricky part about family get-to-togethers for many of us is avoiding the critical eye of an opinionated relative, whether it’s your own other, your mother-in-law or maybe one day mother-in-law, your grandpa, or even just your own sister. Even if you decide to dress to offend or provoke rather than to avoid unwarranted criticism that makes your blood boil, inevitably, your family (or your S.O.’s family or whoever’s family you spend the day with) is going to affect how you dress. My take? Go with something appropriate for the venue and activity but still totally you, and let them take issue with your hair or your lack of husband/children/direction/everything else. In other words, don’t put on a preppy Lily Pullitzer sundress if the other 364 days of the year you’re in head-to-toe black just because you’re going to the club where everyone else will be in preppy Palm Beach prints. A classic black sheath or A-line LBD is equally country club- and parent-friendly and will make all those Lily-wearing blonde bitches jealous of your chic sophistication without making you hate yourself when you look in the mirror. Whether you’re barbecuing in the backyard or at the beach (I know it’s cliche, but dads/guys really do love to man that bbq, probs because it combines their love of fire and meat… neanderthals.), dining at the club, or brunching in the burbs or city, here’s how to do you without inciting the outfit/appearance/life choices police from doing them this Father’s Day. After all, isn’t it all about dad, not what you’re wearing? Wink wink. Here’s what to wear for every type of Father’s Day plans and venue.