HAS your father ever embarrassed you with a fashion faux pas?

You know the sort of thing... you've organised a family treat to a smart restaurant and he turns up with a hole in his jumper or in a shirt which would make the Blackpool illuminations look tame.

Or does he wear his trousers an inch too short, revealing acres of ankle clad in white sports socks?

Perhaps he is a mix and match maestro, happy to combine checks and stripes as if they were going out of fashion, which plainly they are.

If he is a sartorial disaster, then he needs some DIY from yours truly to sort him out in the style stakes.

Why not encourage dad to step into summer with some cool looks from the high street?

Separates should be the mainstay of any man's summer wardrobe. Short-sleeved cotton shirts are a style staple. Perfect for dressing up with a pair of smart trousers, they also look great with jeans or casual gear like chinos, and with shorts for hols.

For sheer value and choice, Tesco is hard to beat, with cotton shirts starting at £11.99.

If your dad is young at heart, you could check out the collection of shirts at River Island. Choose from zany palm tree prints (£19.99), trendy vertical stripes (£29.99), fresh and clean checks (£24.99) or plain linen shirts in stone, black, pale blue or white (£24.99).

For something a bit smarter, you can't beat a shirt and tie. On the value for money front, it's hard to beat Debenhams' shirt and tie sets at under £20.

The Ultimate range features short-sleeved shirts (£9) and long-sleeved ones (£10) in a choice of six colours, with patterned ties (£7).

Available from the Debenhams Direct catalogue (order line 0845 6 099 099). Also, if you buy two Ultimate shirts you can save £2.

If dad's a conservative dresser, he'll have a patterned jumper or two. Why not add to that collection with a classic, short-sleeved Argyle-knit V-neck sweater from Next (£26.99). It's all the more fitting if he's a keen golfer. He'll feel at home in it, and you'll be happy for him to leave home wearing it.

For the action man among dads, go for something active. Austin Reed has a 'going sailing' combo featuring a mac (£59), striped T-shirt (£29.95), shorts (£39.95) and baseball cap (£17.50).

Even if the nearest dad gets to the water is a stroll by the Ouse, at least dressed in his trendy new outfit he'll look and feel top of the pops.