Help dress a desperate man!

[wigglybeezer]

DH is having a fashion crisis. DH is 44. He does not have middle aged spread and is reasonably tall (although balding).
He has a new role at work (he is an art director) and needs to dress more smartly without wearing a suit.
He works in a creative industry with lots of younger people who wear cool clothes.
He does not want to copy them or look trendy but has to look stylish and smart
He never finds anything on the high street.
He is fussy about fabrics and finish.
He hates chinos.
He is willing to spend quite a bit for a base wardrobe as long as it will last.

I have run out of suggestions, does anyone else have any ideas?

Well, my sister spent 3 hours in tk maxx with her dh getting a new wardrobe- how patient are you/he? Lots of trying on was required.

Not patient enough for TKMaxx!

i would love suggestions for an online retailer that is not too trendy or too "Dad",I have nobly volunteered to do any returns etc.

Has he been to white stuff- or he has lots of money try Paul Smith

How does he feel about "Geek Chic". My DH does this quite well, though definitely more geeky than chic-y. He is almost 38, nearly 6ft, slim but not skinny and totally bald.
I'm thinking flat fronted trousers (suit fabric, moleskin, cords possibly).
Shirt (probably no tie, but depends on what is appropriate) either with a very subtle pattern, or plain.
And a knitted tank top or waist coat.

Alternatively, or perhaps in addition, a suit in a trendy cut with one of the aforementioned shirts and no tie. If DH had the sort of job (and income) to justify it, he would probably be buying suits in unusual fabrics like velvet, needlecord.

Or have I got it all wrong? It might be worth him getting some magazines for a look, GQ might be a good place to start. Its hard to shop on line if he is fussy about fabrics.

I think he could do worse than some interesting shirts, ties and long cardigans. And tightish trousers.

TKmaxx does have menswear online. Have a gander and see if you like the look of anything, then grab the name of the designer and see what shops you can get it in.

My dh gets lots of his clothes from Uniqlo.

Has he looked at Pretty Green for ideas? It's a Gallagher brother's clothing line (one in Covent garden) and it's cool/modish/Paul weller-ish stuff that suits that type of job.

Gap has some good flat fronted trousers. DH has a few pairs and they can be dressed up or down. I also like these shoes (some of which are younger suiting than others).

What about Massimo Dutti?

Ted Baker?
Gant?
White Stuff
Boden
John Lewis trendier range ( my son aged 25 is into JL now.)

Hmm. For the slightly older creative professional I have in mind dark open-neck shirts (or a crisp white shirt for under jumpers), dark trews, cool glasses. I think it is a look consistent with his client's expectations?

Think navy, charcoal grey, lighter grey etc. Jeans thrown in occasionally. Funk it up with younger shoes? I think if I were him I'd want cool (in an older way) but with sharper, more expensive cuts. The good thing about it is that it is much less complicated to put together a capsule wardrobe on this basis.

If he has the budget, My-Wardrobe is good for non-high street items and has easy returns. There is also currently 15% cash back at my-wardrobe via Quidco.

Ditto Mr Porter: there's a good sale on there too and a huge selection - good for styling ideas if nothing else.

Smart navy cords, styled with grey jumper?

When you say he hates chinos, does that include darker colours like this?

Slim wool trousers

Smart cargoes - would need sharp knit and shoes to avoid over-slouchiness

Navy shirt

Black shirt

Plaid shirt with consistent colour scheme

Another grey plaid shirt

Consistent checked shirt

Charcoal and black cashmere crew neck

Navy v-neck

Charcoal knitted jacket

Cream polo neck

Chunky cable knit cardigan in cream

Grey check blazer

Jeans should not be distressed

Navy reefer from Boden

Gorgeous soft scarf

Ooops, have gone slightly overboard...

Thank you Beebread, you are thinking along the right lines, i have been suggesting a reefer jacket and DH likes the shirts you suggested.

Web-sites have been duly bookmarked, he can get on with it himself now! (Fond memories of ripped jeans and long hair in the days of grunge fading fast!).

DH is going to have a look in Berlin when he goes there next month too.

Glad to be of service.

Nice Paul Smith peacoat in the sale here.

MR PORTER!!
Even my DH who wears hoodies and trainers at age 43 has been converted. Loads of style advice and good photos of outfits.
www.mrporter.com