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Original poster

Could we have a thread please about what clothes are stylish on a man?

29 replies

Dumbledoresgirl · 29/09/2013 10:15

I am not the most stylish or up to date woman but I recently feel I have made a real effort with my clothes and have moved out of the SAHM trap of wearing jeans and baggy tops every day. I now want to work on dh's style (and he wants me to, before I am told to leave the poor guy alone!) but I don't really know what sorts of things he could wear. Trips to the shops don't yield anything - there is hardly any choice or variety at all!

So, what we are after is ideas for casual wear about the house and also something slightly smarter, eg for special family get togethers or eating out.

He currently wears a lot of fleeces (we are outdoorsy types and they are obviously appropriate for the tops of mountains but I am sick of them in the house/on the street) walking trousers (ditto) and walking trainers on his feet. I know, it sounds grim.

So any ideas for giving him a bit of a style boost? He is mid 40s btw. Has put on some middle aged spread lately but is not badly overweight - about 36 inch waist I think? Visual examples would be great.

OP posts:
dexter73 · 29/09/2013 10:17

How about jeans, shirt and a jumper?

dexter73 · 29/09/2013 10:17

Maybe desert boots instead of walking trainers.

dexter73 · 29/09/2013 10:18

Gap have 25% off today with the code MYSTERY so you could order a few things to try.

dexter73 · 29/09/2013 10:22

Boots
Jumper
Jeans
Chinos
Shirts galore

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 29/09/2013 10:23

Like the idea of desert boots. He used to have some ankle boots which he wore to death over a couple of decades. Hmm

Need recommendations for jeans - what sort should a man in his 40s wear?

Jumpers - there is so little variety! Chunky knit or ghastly argyle.

Shirts - would really like examples of nice shirts he could wear without a tie but with smart trousers, eg to a meal out.

Oh and where do men buy nice trousers? Dh and I don't get it. They all seem to be either too casual, or trousers to wear with a jacket to work. What is the smart casual trouser that is inbetween these 2 extremes?

OP posts:
dexter73 · 29/09/2013 10:27

My dh gets most of his clothes from Gap and Uniqlo. He wears chinos as a smart casual trouser or a dark pair of jeans with no fading on them.
He wears plain coloured shirts as he cannot stand the flowery ones beloved of James May.
Plain jumpers and quite thin as he gets too hot in thick ones.
Casual wear is a (usually bike themed) t-shirt with a plain zip up hoody.

dexter73 · 29/09/2013 10:31

Here are some things from Uniqlo he has -
Jumper but his is merino
Merino jumper
Jeans, relaxed fit as he has cyclists thighs!!

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 29/09/2013 10:33

Thanks for the links Dexter. It will give me something to show him at least. He is another who would not wear the James May style of shirt, though I would love him to be daring and try one!

It's a bit of an expensive idea, but can a man of his age wear a leather jacket? He used to have one when I first knew him but it was a hideous grey.

OP posts:
amp87 · 29/09/2013 10:53

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aoife24 · 29/09/2013 16:19

I'd suggest having a look at Toast. It's undeniably expensive but very good quality, lovely fabrics and grown up, British style. Even if you just look at some of the styling of the clothes it might give you some ideas (ok, maybe not the man with the butcher's bike). Some of the tweed is lovely, eg these coats:
www.toast.co.uk/category/men+coats+and+jackets/Coats.htm

SorrelForbes · 29/09/2013 16:46

DH lives in Gap jeans/trousers (usually navy moleskin type things), polo shirts, striped or checked shirts (usually from Crew or JL), Brasher shoe/boots, cashmere round neck jumpers and plain blazer/jacket.

All very simple. He's 40 and of a stocky build.

Twinklestein · 29/09/2013 17:13

Personally I would ban fleeces & trainers if he isn't actively on a mountain or in a gym.

Zara, Asos, J Crew, Gant & John Lewis are also good for menswear basics...

boots
vintage jeans
chunky jumper
leather jacket

practicality · 29/09/2013 17:52

I like Loake chelsea boots (chestnut)with cords and very trad shirts. Nice bit of tweed too always looks good. Lambswool jumpers in muted colours and a crombie style coat. Leather watch that is understated.

Nothing garish or red in the trouser department. I hate jeans OR SPORTSWEAR on men.

practicality · 29/09/2013 18:00

LOAKES

cords

shirt

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 29/09/2013 20:11

Thank you for all your input. Some of those links are very nice. The one big exception is the link to a leather jacket that surely would make any man look like the Michelin man! (sorry, Twinklestein Wink)

I am horrified by prices, but I accept the idea that these are just examples of styles.

I am also a little surprised as I find some of the clothes rather - well, the sort of thing my dad would wear. Checked shirts, corduroy trousers. I can't work out if I like them or if I will end up married to a lookalike for my dad.

OP posts:
practicality · 29/09/2013 20:22

Well he is in his mid-forties.....

Time to embrace his inner chap.

Twinklestein · 29/09/2013 20:23

No worries, I did think you might say that as you said he'd put on weight, but I couldn't find a leather jacket that I liked. There are too many around that look like Jim Bergerac...

I'm not a fan of checked shirts myself. I like cords on men but they have to be jean-shape cords otherwise it is basically dad dressing. I dislike Boden's women's clothes, but their men's clothes are quite good, they have decent cords.

AgeingFop · 29/09/2013 20:24

As a man in his 40s, I understand the dilemma.

I would avoid cords for the reasons you mention: instant Dad wear! Checks are Ok, but I'd keep away from the small, dull variety. Try a larger, bolder check.

I tend to wear slim-cut jeans (black or dark blue) or chinos.

practicality · 29/09/2013 20:30

wonderful

Look in The Sunday Times Style Magazine today. Full of chap wear.

practicality · 29/09/2013 20:33

ps. larger checks and chinos and you are dangerously close to Johnny Boden and his 'stallion' wear. shudder

MrsDavidBowie · 29/09/2013 20:35

Dh is 53 and is in the process of updating his wardrobe.
He is fairly slim...32 ins waist so he has moved towards straighter slimmer fit jeans instead of "comfort" ones which made him look like Jeremy Clarkson.

He still needs some bits, but looked a whole lot better when we went out yesterday, as opposed to like his dad.

practicality · 29/09/2013 20:40

Jeans are instant dad wear along with those saggy cargo pants.

ShreddedHoops · 29/09/2013 20:43

Zara menswear is fab and not too £££, H and M also worth a look. DH gets most of his clothes from those two as we're skint atm - he also loves TK Maxx for shirts and tees.

Twinklestein · 29/09/2013 21:28

Practicality - I liked all of your choices apart from the type of cords you linked which to me are geek dad on E. I much prefer this kind of jean style cords.

I think jeans for guys in their 40s are fine as long as they're relatively fit. My husband looks exactly in them as he did 10 years ago.

When he even remotely looks like Simon Cowell or Jeremy Clarkson then they go in the bin.

I also agree that big checks are a no-no.

Original poster
Dumbledoresgirl · 29/09/2013 22:10

TBH (and yes I do feel disloyal saying this) even a Jeremy Clarkson look would be an improvement on bloody fleeces and Craghopper trousers.

Those cords are lovely Twinklestein - I almost want to fondle that bum! - but at £143 a pair, of course they would be.

OP posts:
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