Holiday fashion for the middle aged man

[JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon]

I'm looking for suggestions for DH, we're off to the French riviera and I understand that many of the restaurants are a bit smarter than the UK or on many of our holidays.

Day wear is fine, but we're not sure what he should take for the evening.

He has some chinos and can buy more if that's the right vibe. He has lots of polo shirts and I assume these will be fine, just not shorts or jeans? What footwear?

He's tall (34" inside leg which makes trousers difficult) and fairly slim. Doesn't want to look like a fashion victim, just a respectable 50yr old man.

Thanks in advance!

Pair of dark trousers, decent shirt and a blazer?

The ex never found it that hard to pick up a pair of 34/34 trousers in most shops - he was mostly a Primark/Next shopper. There were definitely more trousers to fit him than there has ever been for DP, who needs short length instead.

This is where Instagram is really useful! Search some of the evening venues you’ll be visiting and look at the recent photos/videos that people have tagged. Happy to do it for you if you share some places.

South of France is a bit more formal but it will be very hot. I think chino's in a lighter colour with a smart linen shirt would be fine and comfortable with the evening heat. Deck shoes seem popular with this demographic. Trainers would be a no go but I'm sure he wouldn't get turned away for wearing them unless it's a very formal place.

Daytime, smart shorts and linen shirt again is ok. At the beach restaurants, anything except topless seems to be fine

We don't tend to plan restaurants in advance but most of our evenings will be in Cannes

Linen and natural fabrics are your friend here.

Linen trousers with a shirt, chino with a linen shirt, smarter shorts + shirt or polo for the day.

No trainers.

He won’t look like a fashion victim because everything should be classics. No patterns, anything garish, synthetic or bright.

Most French men I know wear natural fabrics and almost exclusively white or blue tones on holiday (and their wives and children actually but that’s a different thread)

Dinner somewhere smartish would be trousers, even in 40 degree heat (!)

Tailored shorts and deck shoes, proper shirt, arms rolled up

Tell him to dress like Toto Wolff. 🥰

Buy something over there

Reiss is lovely for men I think. Really smart and tailored looking.

Linen - Massimo Dutti, COS

French men love a pastel jumper around their neck 😬

Smart shorts and a polo or short sleeved shirt rather than a T shirt. No socks!

We were in Verona last week. Within hours of us wondering around the city, my DH realised the Italian men were v well dressed. He insisted on visiting some clothes shops ( this is unheard of) and buying a rather lovely jacket to go with his t shirts and chinos. I know it’s Italy but I think the French are similar in their approach to dressing up.

Ps I might have managed to get a couple of dresses myself in the process 🤣

Lots of nice linen in Uniqlo, also lots of simple lightweight separates in tasteful colours. M&S Autograph usually has nice linen shirts and jackets too.

Doesn't linen crease terribly in a suitcase?

He has several pairs of smart shorts and lots of polo shirts so that's good!

I'll get him to get some more chinos.

Maybe some deck shoes, he has some lovely brogues or superga but something in between might be better.

Socks will be a battle he hates going sockless!

I find linen OK of you use spray starch when you iron out

my husband is the same ageish and gets clothes from Levi's, Ralph lauren and crew clothing if that's any help

Shirts with sleeves rolled up, rather than polo I think?

You can't go wrong with Reiss. Also M&S menswear has really upped their game recently, particularly the Autograph stuff. Shoe wise i persuaded my hubby to buy some Tods driving shoes a few years ago. He wears them with invisible socks, looks super stylish imho.

Chinos will be absolutely fine. Swimwear should always be covered when away from the beach or the pool. Have a wonderful time!

Thanks for all the suggestions. Really helpful, he can take some shirts and wear them some days instead of the polo shirts. He's a bit funny about new clothes so I don't want to overwhelm him. Sounds as though he's not far off, an extra pair of chinos and maybe some deck shoes.