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Men of all ages ought to pay attention to what is deemed “old men’s fashion.” Even if your 40s and 50s aren’t exactly “old” anymore, those and later years can be considered great fashion years.
I volunteered at the LA County Museum of Art in the past. The senior discount age was raised twice while I was there. And the meme about being in your 30s is one we’ve all seen.
Being in your 30s in the 1980s meant looking like a bald George Costanza from Seinfeld. Today, it refers to Timothee Chalamet, who is nearly but not quite thirty years old.
In light of all of this, what does old man style signify today?
An older gentleman, in my opinion, is a man who is fortunate enough to live into his mid-60s and beyond. However, you don’t have to throw out everything young in your closet just because you’re in that age bracket.
Furthermore, your 40s are even considered young-adjacent, and your 50s are the new middle age. And that doesn’t mean you should put off assessing what clothes you wore in your thirties but might no longer fit.
It’s crucial for adult men of average height to navigate fashion in their latter years. Being short is a sign of youth. We must make that more balanced. Men’s fashion and attire are reflections of individuality, fusing comfort and style to provide a distinctive look that conveys individuality and works for a variety of settings.
Your 40s and 50s aren’t old, to reiterate. The word “incredibly” is being used quite loosely. But why not begin early, given that your closet is a live, breathing, dynamic entity?
Locate Your Elderly Gentleman Look (or looks)
Manhattan’s Upper East Side is where I call home. I notice lots of stylish Brooks Brothers blazers worn with old-fashioned Ivy League baseball caps when I wake up early enough to witness the early bird special throng. If and when I become a senior citizen, I feel like that will be me.
I am not advocating for self-segregation. By the time you were in your late thirties and early thirties, however, you most likely already had a style. What is that in a more mature form?
If you’re a rocker, you might wear old band tees with some Americana instead of torn tight jeans and leather platforms. You’ve earned the right to relax a little if you’ve always been a really formal suit guy. Add some man-of-leisure elements to your ensembles, such as old baseball caps that have faded in the sun, cardigans, and loafers.
These are only a handful of options; you will need to determine your own course. Thankfully, we have some temporary visual samples to help you get started.
Think About Your Lifestyle
Style and functionality frequently go hand in hand. Your lifestyle is a terrific north star if you are unable to identify your older gentleman look.
Maybe you work as a construction worker or logger. Or perhaps you were retired and are now retired.
The category of workwear is a mainstay and classic in menswear. You can effortlessly blend the jeans, cargos, denim, and utility outerwear you wore to work into timeless, laid-back ensembles.
Maybe you live on a farm if you’re a country guy. An excellent source of inspiration is the English rural style.
Of course, military attire, nautical pieces, and suit separates are always a good choice.
So, how might these functional items be transformed into stylish, body-flattering clothing? It all depends on the fit, though.
Alright, so I honestly believe that you should simply wear anything you want.
As an older man, however, you would be better off sticking with a classic fit that fits your body shape, especially if you are of moderate height.
Furthermore, you may pretty much wear anything you want as long as it fits well and is timeless.
Slim, but not slender, and relaxed, but not baggy, but clean-lined, are examples of classic fits.
The latter implies that the waist should be slightly higher if you choose looser-fitting pants, such as slacks.
The fit is what separates functional workwear from fashionable workwear.
Imagine cargo pants with large pockets that can accommodate the equipment you’ll need on the job site. Now picture a thinner version wearing an unstructured jacket and a button-down shirt.
The latter demonstrates how fit may turn your leisure items into things that you can wear every day.
Everything from your childhood doesn’t have to be lost. Printed Field Jacket and Hoodie 1
Listen, it’s probably time to part with your distressed skinny jeans if you’re over 40. The same goes for most graphic tees in general and any t-shirts featuring cartoon characters.
Brightly colored highs and loose-fitting sweatshirts are also bad choices. When everything is taken into account,.
However, if something is subtle, well-fitting, or vintage, you can typically get away with wearing something more juvenile. Classic vintage tees and sun-faded baseball caps are already described.
Another example would be a well-worn, patinated leather jacket. All you need to do is put them in perspective and counterbalance them with more neutral pieces.
Your advanced age does not preclude you from being authentic.
Although I loved wearing primaries in the past, my stylist advised me to wear more mature styles as I grew older. Instead of red, use crimson, oxblood, and burgundy; instead of too bright blues, use slate blue or dark navy; and instead of yellow, use mustard or honey.
Likewise, choose footwear that isn’t overly athletic or trendy. Neutral-colored models such as the Nike Internationalists or Waffle Nav are vintage yet current.
Since you’re sort of paying homage to your generation, anything a little bit retro softens the naturally youthful vibe of items like shoes. You’re not making an effort to stay up with the children.
In essence, you’re looking for more sophisticated renditions of the styles you enjoyed as a child.
Observe dress codes at all times.
Wearing Air Jordans in patent leather to your prom could have seemed endearing to you. Anyone over 40 must, however, be able to summon his inner gentleman when necessary, regardless of personal style.
You want to show respect to the person who invited you to an event, whether they are a friend or an organization. Part of that respect is dressing the part. Keep in mind that a man’s confidence is greatly influenced by his attire and sense of style, which also helps him leave a lasting impression in both formal and informal contexts.
Accept Your Changing Hairstyle
Don’t feel guilty about balding or turning gray. Both can appear completely different.
Yes, there has been significant progress in the hair plug market. Indeed, you may achieve a natural color on yourself if you choose the correct hairstylist. If they don’t match the color of your eyebrows, look for another one.
However, based on my observations, only the greatest treatments ever have positive results.
I’ve witnessed extremely wealthy people appear unconvincing after undergoing extremely costly procedures. Furthermore, not everyone has access to the greatest of the best.
Take good care of your beard, get attractive haircuts, and accept your changing hair with pride.
Fast, Easy Style Tricks From Professionals
Hey, don’t follow my advice alone. Additionally, The Modest Man crowdsourced some excellent style advice from professionals.
According to John Galfano of 40 Over Fashion, one universally flattering style suggestion is to use dark, solid hues. Patterns are not necessary, and as Galfano points out, they give you a more upscale appearance. Furthermore, he suggests dark-on-black compositions over dark fabrics with stark white stripes, even if you decide to use patterns.
I absolutely agree with him, even though I like lighter hues. Darker suits are seen as more formal than lighter ones for a reason. Compared to a white T-shirt, even a black one seems far more stylish and deliberate.
Choose basic leather sneakers instead of dress shoes when you’re not wearing them.
Minimalist sneakers in black and white
I’m happy that Dr. Bret Hoffer, the outstanding fitness expert, cosigns, even if I have expressed this.
Hoffer suggests using simple leather sneakers instead of genuine running shoes. Choose a plain black one and a plain white one. Your T-shirt and jeans ensemble will seem considerably more put together only for that.
You may choose high tops or low tops. Low-tops appear slightly more adaptable, while high-tops appear somewhat more youthful. Even white or off-white minimalist leather sneakers go well with suits.
Keep your closet anchored on high-quality classics while keeping an eye on trends.
The Style OG, Jeff Morgan, advises investing in classics. Get yourself a nice pair of jeans that you will wear before you wear them out, a blazer, and some nice dress shoes. This quality over quantity strategy is one that I support.
But don’t disregard patterns entirely. By keeping an eye on them, you can make minor, inconspicuous adjustments to your attire that won’t have a significant impact over time.
“You will look well-seasoned and in season if you adopt the subtle fluctuations of silhouettes, colors, and small details,” he advises.
Being aware of the trends does not mean mindlessly adhering to them. It’s about exhibiting your individual style while avoiding an unattractive appearance.
