My dad's used this one line with me and my brother our whole life: "Your generation will never know the struggle." He's right.
If you grew up anything like me, you have a dad who quietly sacrificed everything so you could have the soft, comfortable life he never got for himself. His sacrifice meant late nights in the office, missed holidays, and missed birthdays. And after all of that, the only thing the man ever actually asked for in return was probably a foot massage.
Stoic and somewhat incapable of expressing emotion, your dad is who he is, but we are who we are because of him. So this Father's Day, give him a practical taste of the luxury his sacrifices never let him experience.
Here's where I'd start, and what I'd actually buy.
If your dad is anything like mine, his innerwear is his post-work uniform that screams, I am ready to forget about the world.
One small issue: he’s been wearing the same vest and pyjamas since you were born. They’re all worn out and have holes in them, but to him, they’re still in good condition.
So let’s start by fixing that and getting him the XYXX Chambray Pyjamas and a XYXX Coloured Cotton Vest in a deep burgundy. The pyjamas look like denim but feel like nothing, light enough that he can sit through the whole nine o'clock news in June without sticking to the sofa. The vest is soft, micro modal, and stays fresh all evening, adding a little colour to his life.
Remember, we don’t want to shock his relaxation system. We want to elevate it a little.
Picture him in his chair, news on, in a men’s vest that isn't held together by hope. He gave you a soft childhood. The least you can do is give him a soft Tuesday night.
Then there's a gift he doesn't even know he needs.
When your dad dresses to go out, he puts on a regular white vest under his shirt, and the moment he steps into good light, everyone can see it. He's done this for decades without thinking to fix it.
Show him a better way with the XYXX Invisible Vest, designed to disappear under a shirt. It sits flat and stays out of sight, without the outline or the thick collar that usually pokes up at his neck. He'll throw on a light shirt to meet his friends and, for once, there's no sleeveless vest showing through. He won't say anything about it. He'll stop checking the mirror twice.
And finally, let’s talk about going-out shirts. You know the ones. If your dad is anything like mine, he owns four, all linen, all checked, all bought on a single afternoon a decade ago, and he sees no reason to buy more.
Linen's fine until the Mumbai monsoon hits, and then it just drinks up the humidity and is a nuisance all day. This is where a good polo earns its spot in his cupboard. Polo t-shirts for men are the easy fix: smart enough for going out, simple enough that he doesn't feel uncomfortable in them. Get him the XYXX Supima Polo first, the soft, premium one. It's four times softer than regular cotton and pre-shrunk, so it keeps its shape wash after wash. Well-made cotton t-shirts for men survive that. If you're feeling generous, add the XYXX Pique Collar Polo, which comes with a bit more texture and a clean stripe at the collar, the one he'll throw on for lunch without thinking twice.
Two polos, because a man who's rationed himself to four shirts has earned a little excess.
He'll open it, nod, tell you that you shouldn't have, and then quietly wear all of it into the ground over the next few decades like it was always his. That's the thing about dads. They'll never ask for comfort, and they'll never admit they wanted it. But he spent his whole life making sure your world was soft. This Father's Day, you get to hand a little of that back. He won't say it made his year. But I promise you, it will.
FAQs
What makes a Supima cotton polo different from a regular cotton polo?
Supima is a long-staple cotton that comes out noticeably softer and holds its shape and colour better over time. The XYXX Supima polo is around four times softer than regular cotton and pre-shrunk, so it keeps its fit after repeated washing.
What is an invisible vest, and who is it for?
An invisible vest is an undershirt built to stay unseen under clothing. It sits flat against the skin without a visible outline or a collar showing through, which suits anyone who wears lighter or fitted shirts to work or social occasions.
Are micro modal vests good for everyday wear?
Yes. Micro modal is soft and breathable, and the XYXX coloured vest is made to stay fresh through long wear without holding odour. The relaxed fit keeps it comfortable at home or under a shirt.
Are cotton chambray pyjamas suitable for Indian summers?
Cotton chambray has the look of denim with a much lighter, more breathable feel. The XYXX chambray pyjamas are made for warm weather and stay comfortable through long, hot afternoons.
Why are polos a practical Father's Day gift?
Polos are easy to wear, simple to maintain, and work across casual and semi-formal settings. A well-made polo replaces ageing shirts without asking anyone to change their wardrobe.
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BY UMAIRE EFFENDI...
About the author: Umaire Effendi is a writer and film & television professional with over a decade of experience across India and Canada. His cross-cultural background gives him a distinct lens on modern Indian lifestyle, one that understands how India doesn't just follow global culture, but absorbs it, integrates it, and sends something entirely new back out into the world. He writes about men's fashion and culture by taking things apart, the why behind what Indian men wear, and what it says about where we're headed.
