Photo Credit (Pixeles)
The questions that The Jam and The Style Council frontman is asked in interviews these days may have changed for those of us who have been around long enough to be able to declare that we have “grown up” with Mr. Paul Weller. There is now an even greater tendency for profile writers to inquire about Weller’s appearance rather than the timeless attraction of Mr. Colin MacInnes’ Absolute Beginners or left-wing politics.
The hair, of course. And all those garments, too. It is implied that there is something quite depressing about a 65-year-old man who still takes the time to iron his shirts and shine his shoes.
For example, Weller was asked recently if he kept a pair of Crocs by the front door so he could put out the trash. It was obvious that the question was meant to tease—as if the Modfather would ever go to such lengths! Even on bin day, in the seclusion of his own house. “No way,” was his strong reply. “And no slippers. When I’m at home, I wear sneakers. Only adidas, the original kind. One must maintain some kind of standard.
That is the one piece of advice we would give to someone starting their sixth decade or later. One must maintain some kind of standard.
It’s not that difficult at all. And you might be able to accomplish this without actually purchasing anything new. In order to give you, the man who has now securely passed the halfway point, an essential guide to looking your best at fifty, we put together our own mini-style council. What they said is as follows:.
Seek out the simple victories.
According to Mr. Campbell Carey, 50, creative director and head cutter at Huntsman, located on Savile Row, “once you get to our age, you start to become slightly invisible.” Perhaps you are a parent. You begin to acquire a little bit of toothache. You must exert yourself. You are beginning to focus more on essential things that you can use to construct a wardrobe and less on fast fashion.
Making an effort begins with the essentials, according to Ms. Catherine Hayward, fashion editor at The Times LUXX Men and former fashion director of GQ and Esquire. She says, “A proper haircut.” “When you see a man and think, ‘You have really nice hair and you just clipped your beard,’ it’s really nice.”
Other simple victories include cleaning and reheeling your shoes, moisturizing your hands, and taking care of your nails, according to Hayward. “You look really well cared for, and it’s just really simple things like that.”
It used to be a band rule for the Strokes to dress like they were doing a gig every day, even if they weren’t. He always wears a suit and tie “because you never know who you’re going to bump into,” according to Mr. Jarvis Cocker.
Hayward has a similar outlook. She claims, “I never leave the house without makeup.” “I’ve done something to my skin even on days when I don’t wear makeup. I’ve applied mascara. Additionally, I have brushed my eyebrows.
According to her, the effort is worthwhile because of Cocker’s previously mentioned guidelines. “I recall doing the [grooming routine] before running around Limehouse Marina in my running gear, and I ran into [designer] Patrick Grant.”
On his bike, Mr. Grant was pedaling. With sufficient consideration for his appearance as well. “He was dressed like a cyclist,” remembers Hayward. However, it was still “a look.”
By now, you ought to have finished experimenting.
Being older has several advantages, one of which is that you should be over the days of trying to keep up with the hypebeasts or pursuing the newest trends. One hopes that by this point, you’ve discovered your wardrobe and aren’t “changing it up” with the seasons. To be honest, that should be a relief.
According to stylist Mr. William Gilchrist, whose clientele includes Messrs. Jude Law, Cillian Murphy, and Rami Malek, “trends are something one should avoid.” “One should have reached a specific level of style development by a given age. Be it awful or personal, but at least be your own.
The concept of the kid—someone who wears their loyalty to comic books or Japanese toys like a badge—is well known, and we are all aware that barriers across age groups have fallen. Something has gone wrong, though, if you’re dressing like your adolescent son.
Gilchrist asserts that the idea of “just throwing anything on” is ineffective.
More fit, less “fit.“
According to Hayward, “fit is the best factor to take into account when choosing your wardrobe.” In an efficient manner, does my clothing still fit? Going to someone’s closet with them and trying everything on is one of the simplest things I do while styling. Are they able to wear it? No, it doesn’t most of the time.
Normally, we would remind you about modifying your body shape at this point. that you are no longer 25. According to Carey, this isn’t always the case, even though it typically suggests that you might be carrying a little extra lumber around your stomach.
“We observed that waistlines decreased during lockdown,” he explains. It was impossible for people to go out for drunken lunches. Their eating habits were being observed by their partners. They increased their exercise because it helped them stay sane. At our age, people are beginning to think, “All right, hold on a second.” I have a limited number of years left. I’m more than halfway. You begin to consider the long term. Everything in moderation.
According to Hayward, the reason why my clothes don’t fit could be as simple as the ways that men and women have historically shopped differently. “When I go on shoots, I find that males generally don’t know what size they are when you ask them. Just measure yourselves, then! Keep your measurements with you at all times.
(She adds that if you go to a tailor, wearing a low-slung jean with a waist of 32 generally doesn’t suggest you’re also a “waist 32.”)
Tight doesn’t always mean well-fitting.
According to Carey, “it’s actually the opposite.” The precise opposite of what you want it to do is possible. You know how a tight suit looks worse than a big one?
Carey and Mr. Oliver Spencer, the designer, both extol the virtues of pleated pants for those over fifty. They provide greater leg space and comfort when seated. I hope that your life has worked out so that you are in your fifties with at least a little more money than you had in your twenties. According to Carey, that could be evident in your excellent wardrobe selection. “You’re ordering flannel from me today if you’re playing at your best. Flannels made of blue charcoal are really stunning.
We don’t need to remind you that skinny jeans are popular right now. With them, Spencer would discard the “skinny shirt.” He remarks, “That is a really bad faux pas.” When you wanted to flaunt your muscles and had your eye on a coworker, you would wear skinny shirts to work. However, the muscles might not be there presently. In addition, it looks really terrible.
