Men in their 40s: what should / shouldn't they wear?

[TomPinch]

Well, life has slipped by and I have become that man.

And I guess I would be very grateful for any help in checking that my fashion ideas aren't ridiculous, out of date, too young, too old or whatever.

The reason why I am here specifically is because the Internet in general isn't much help. Articles on men's fashions are either about chiselled businessmen in black suits, white shirts and enormous status watches, or cool 20somethings from New York with massive sunglasses, ie, not ordinary people. Which is why I hope you won't mind me asking here.

My view of generally OK is:

Classic jeans
Suits with ties for formal occasions or in office, but otherwise not.
Classic haircut
No tie ever, except with a suit.
Plain T-shirts
Plain jumpers
Leather jacket
Shirts with patterns
Brogues (but not with jeans)
Lyrca if cycling, otherwise no
Any of the above that is a bit worn out.

My idea of generally risky / bad is
(maybe) baseball caps
Skinny jeans
Any trousers where the crotch is halfway to the knee
Ponytail
Football top
Corduroys
Cargo pants
Blazers
Polyester slacks
Short-sleeved shirts
Aviator sunglasses
Onesies (except in private)
Any of the above is OK for an individual if it works for him.

I'd be most grateful for any comments

Tshirts some plain some logo / pattern
Long sleeved tshirts
Shirt open over the top of tshirt
Hood
Straight jeans
Chinos
Cargo trousers
Vans style shoes or dress trainers.
Jumper but choose carefully
Suit jacket type wear with jeans and tshirt
Shorts - above knee , not too short or tight.

OP, you wear what you want. Whatever is your style and you feel good/comfortable in. I’d give that advice to men and women.

As long as you’re not wearing a Borat Mankini you’re fine.

Some of the advice here seems a bit contradictory to the advice given on this forum to women though (wear what you like)

Women posting for advice like this are normally asked a lot more questions: What do you normally wear? Whose style do you like? What colours? Are you town or rural? What's your body shape? What's your budget? kind of thing.

Would also suggest a navy wool pea coat (especially over merino wool roll neck sweaters).

Classic waxed cotton motorcycle jackets:
www.speedwear.co.uk/collections/waxed-cotton-motorcycle-jackets/products/classic-wax-cotton-motorcycle-jacket

Black or dark brown leather jackets that aren't biker cut or cut like a suit jacket:
www.lakelandleather.co.uk/mens/all-leather/jackets

Tan/brown suede jackets:
www.lakelandleather.co.uk/gosforth-suede-jacket-in-cognac?gclid=CjwKCAjwkN6EBhBNEiwADVfya2vYYdhpAZ0WrwN_XVMRJok8zsTiZdJcR8EEm_SSBwQrWHEy5QQqbRoC7c4QAvD_BwE

Khaki, olive, stone utility jackets:
www.laredoute.co.uk/ppdp/prod-350165564.aspx

Chinos.

Checked and striped shirts to add colour (look at Charles Tyrwhitt shirts for inspiration).

Soft denim and chambray shirts (paired with chinos - not with denim jeans).

Chunky lace-up ankle boots in tan.

"OP, you wear what you want. Whatever is your style and you feel good/comfortable in. I’d give that advice to men and women."

It seems he will feel more comfortable if he looks good so not just wearing whatever he wants.

@Floisme

Women posting for advice like this are normally asked a lot more questions: What do you normally wear? Whose style do you like? What colours? Are you town or rural? What's your body shape? What's your budget? kind of thing.

I didn't post this in advance because the Rules for men are simpler, there being less choice. But in answer to you:

1. See 2. when out. At home I just wear old clothes.
2. I prefer good quality, classic clothes, ie, things that I could be wearing 20 years from how.
3. I tend to major on dark blue, dark red, black, grey and brown.
4. I'm in town.
5. Body shape: small, athletic.
6. Budget not huge, but prefer to spend good money on a few things.

@Floisme

I've not commented before op because you haven't given us very much to go on - all 'I'm 40' tells us is your age, not how you look or what kind of things you normally like or your lifestyle. But you've pushed me too far now. You've got a Crombie coat and you don't wear it? What are you thinking of man?Get it out of the cupboard right now. Or give it to me.

My other advice is that, if your body is actually starting to thicken and slacken (I doubt it at 40 but like I say, you haven't told us anything) then well fitting, well cut tailoring is your friend. Think Cary Grant.

Thanks, but you can't have it!

The reason why I don't wear it that much is because I'm in NZ, where it tends to be mild, wet, and the rain falls at a 45 degree angle because we're in the Roaring Forties. So on most days a Crombie will be too hot or get sodden, even with an umbrella.

Damn you.

See though, if you'd told us you were in New Zealand and what the climate was like, you might have got some more appropriate advice.

Should: whatever they want, shouldn't: whatever they don't want

Floisme,

Heavy Crombies aside, the NZ factor isn't that important. The advice I've had has been genuinely helpful and I feel that if It's mentioned NZ it would have put people off commenting.

I am genuinely sorry about the Crombie.

No worries They are beautiful coats. My son's been looking for a vintage one.

Although I wouldn't have given him yours I'd have had it altered.

Don't do the skinny jeans and short chinos with no socks and loafers thing, it's cringey on anyone over 20, likewise the beard plus rylan haircut that was so popular- everyone looked the same!
You list of classic stuff sounds fine to me (and agree with no Lycra. Lycra is bad on men!)

OP, I'm older than you (and female, but I do have opinions on male style) and I broadly agree with your two lists. The only things I would query are:

I don't think there's anything wrong with cargo pants, unless they're actually camo fabric. A soft, well-worn pair in plain light brown or olive green is a nice alternative to jeans IMO. They'd probably look better with brown lace-up boots rather than brogues.

With jeans and a t-shirt I think hoodies look better than jumpers. They don't have to have a logo (although there might be a logo out there somewhere that would appeal to you, something to do with one of your interests maybe). I think jumpers belong with collared shirts (and don't have the collar hanging outside the jumper if it's a round-necked jumper).

I agree with you about the no tie. Wearing a tie, with or without a jacket, when you don't really need to seems a bit fussy and old-fashioned to me.

"Lyrca if cycling, otherwise no"
Never lycra, never ever. Unless professional cyclist going on tour de France.
Baseball caps definite no. Add Chinos. Yes to ponytail.

Whatever the bloody hell they like!!

I’m a NZer around your age and based on your description of horizontal rain I suspect I live in reasonable proximity!

I think that quality of fit and materials matter a lot. As does the context - baseball caps are appropriate when watching Saturday morning sport. A wool cap works in winter to block sun and keep the head warm.

Slim cut or skinny jeans can look great if they are quality denim and are a cut that suits.

Most well-dressed men I know have some thin merino jerseys/jumpers in their wardrobe and often layer a blazer over.

Definitely no ties unless needed for formal dress or in the workplace. Please always wear a belt.

Shirts with patterns, no.
Blazers, yes.

Check out Alexander Kraft on Instagram.

@murbblurb

Fucksake. You might be bimbling off to the shop on your heavy pink bike so a long skirt, a silly hat and a ton of makeup are your dress code, dickish as you look. Those cycling a reasonable distance for exercise should wear the right clothes.

Women are such dumbfuck fashion fools at times. The coffee clutchers going for a walk in heels and skinny jeans are clearly not just confined to Instagram.

Dumbfuck fashion fools???

DP wears short sleeved shirts in the summer and they look good, he has slim but muscular arms so short sleeved shirts are good

I like cargo trousers personally, for men and myself, lots of pockets!

With leather jackets, I like a Steve McQueen style old bomber jacket.
And caps are ok, but have to be good quality and not too small.

@NightoftheLivingBread

Whatever the bloody hell they like!!

But he wants to look good Night.