[Closed] Older age and trendy! clothes

Should there be a cut off age when you think ‘okay that’s it, time for the elasticated waist slacks’?

Yep.

You know it's time...

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I stopped paying any attention to fashion at about the age of 30 (when i became a father). Nowadays i just buy functional clothes that are a good balance between quality and cost.

Edit - just to add that I also think fashion is for young people who are still trying to find out who they are and express themselves through there outward appearance. Once you are over that you realise that how you look is unimportant to you and you become comfortable however you look. Either that or I am dead inside.

Wear what you want, no one (but you) cares. If people tell you there are "rules" these only apply to themselves, not others.

Crack on

There does seem to be no middle ground on the high street though between Love Island tight trousers look and M&S comfy range though. Unless you want the posh-gent chino look.

I'm 52 and my daughter is giving me grief for buying DC trainers! 🙂

Where WTF you like .

You are old and ugly enough to make big person choices in clothing.

HTH

Go for what makes you happy.

Should say both of us jive (or did pre lockdown) three or more times a week. Loved the kit and quality and it drifted into my day to day wear.

Every bloke over the age of 40 is effectively invisible to the rest of society anyway, so wear what the hell you like.

One of the benefits of lockdown is that I've only worn shorts, T-shirts, and sandals since March. I had to put a pair of jeans and a shirt on yesterday to go to an actual meeting. I felt it was a gross infringement that I had to go to such an effort. It was horrible!

You are right of course.

Wear what you feel comfortable in.

I remember reading somewhere that a man's taste in clothes is set in stone at around 30 years old. the style you wear then is roughly what you'll wear forever. That plays into the fact that there's a very big difference between "trendy" clothes and "nice" clothes.

I'm 40, I'm certainly not trendy in any way, but I do like nice clothes, you don't need to give up just yet!

One of the benefits of lockdown is that I’ve only worn shorts, T-shirts, and sandals since March. I had to put a pair of jeans and a shirt on yesterday to go to an actual meeting. I felt it was a gross infringement that I had to go to such an effort. It was horrible!

And this, this is so true. I started a new job over lockdown, all remote, it felt very odd doing my first day in a pair of gym shorts and a t-shirt.
Friday I may have to put a suit on. I'm not happy at all.

I remember reading somewhere that a man’s taste in clothes is set in stone at around 3 years old. the style you wear then is roughly what you’ll wear forever.

True, I’ve been wearing a pink rabbit onesie ever since.

"Trendy" clothes would be what the yoot wear. So either trackies and chunky trainers (costing £200+) or drainpipe (I dunno what they call em these days do I?!) trousers at half mast, no socks and (probably) loafers.
I reckon you could get away with the trackies (I wouldn't be seen dead in the grey, baggy crotched ones, personally).... but then again an all black hooded tracksuit, with a Nike manbag .. probably not eh.
When you say "trendy" you don't really mean it, cos there's no way you could dress like a yoot.

(Disclaimer: Not the definitive "trend" in the UK, just what I've seen kidz wearing about the place :P)

Edited @caher, now that would be a strong look!

The one rule is don't wear anything that you wore the first time it was fashionable.

I am still wearing contemporary styles of clothes and always have done (now 52). Can't really see that changing. I am not sure what happens to activate the "everything must be shades of beige and have no style" selection approach that happens to many older men.

Wear what you want!

I seem to wear either gym gear (ath-leisure I believe is the current term) or jeans (athletic fit for the big thighs I'm blessed with), Vans and Flannel shirts.

Office clothes have been put away until I have to grace the office with my presence again...

Here's the thing - I've no idea of what is trendy and what isn't. I buy and wear clothes I want to wear. Mostly that means shorts and t-shirts so I guess pretty neutral.

Here’s the thing – I’ve no idea of what is trendy and what isn’t.

The shops you buy from are a big clue. Are you at the Zara end or the M&S end.

I'd say wear whatever STYLE you like, but for the love of bejhezus, make sure it fits...
Wear the right size, nicely fitted to your frame. How the clothes FIT is SOOOOOO much more important than whatever style or label is on the front.

Of course, this is easier to pull off if you've a decent build/frame, but pleae do try!

DrP

(I'm not shallow etc..but Trump is a classic. His clothes are AWFUL, purely because they are SUCH a bad fit/cut)

His clothes are AWFUL, purely because they are SUCH a bad fit/cut)

No,the clothes look awful because he is a badly designed human,so all clothes feel so bad that they change shape as they try to escape his evil form.

Wear what you want, no one (but you) cares.

Crack Crock on

OP - I don't know what 'Prison Blues' are and I'm a bit reticent to google them on my work computer 😀

When I'm choosing clothes (general everyday wear, rather than something smart) my first thought is "will I be able to hop on my bike/kick a football around/embarrass my niece by pinching her skateboard while wearing this?"
If the answer is 'no' then I don't get it.

"The one rule is don’t wear anything that you wore the first time it was fashionable."

I dunno, I'm still wearing Nike Air Max, just as I was as a teenager in the 90's 🙂

I'd say the one rule is don't get fat, married or have kids! Or use the word 'trendy' EVER 🙂

1,4,5,6 and 8.

https://thechap.co.uk/the-chap-manifesto/

(That said, currently sporting a white t-shirt, Patagucci board shorts and flip flops!)

Finbar. Nothing sinister. they are jeans made by prison inmates in Oregon.

Trump is a classic. His clothes are AWFUL, purely because they are SUCH a bad fit/cut

The problem is that he's trying to conceal the fact he's obese, which leads to the weird cut.

Are you at the Zara end or the M&S end.

Definitely Zara, but then it's cheaper 🙂

I do like nice clothes, you don’t need to give up just yet!

This being STW I'm surprised there's not been a string of responses telling you that clothes are just a tool to do a job and if you're not wearing a 25 year old Global Hypercolour tee-shirt that's more patches than original fabric then you've failed at life.

I'm probably a bit more conscious of what I'm wearing than some my age but I think the trick is to have a spouse who A. knows what she's talking about and B. happy to tell you when you look a right tit!

I think the trick is to have a spouse who A. knows what she’s talking about and B. happy to tell you when you look a right tit!

This works for me. Thankfully my OH has excellent taste.

IIRC poor old Lydon is looking after his dementia-suffering wife, if that's true he's got every reason to hit the pies and dress for comfort (eating is pretty effective for stress reduction and kills you a lot slower than the alternatives!).

If you like what you see in the mirror go for it... Life is too short FGS

(I’m not shallow etc..but Trump is a classic. His clothes are AWFUL, purely because they are SUCH a bad fit/cut)

Erm yes you are. To me that exemplifies all that is wrong with people who try to dress well/ be fashionable.

I find it shocking that of all the things people could find to talk about Trump, you have picked his clothes.

I find that very very wrong.

Don't bother, we won't be allowed out this winter, so just sit around the house in trackie bottoms or shorts like everyone else. And if you're that old you're unlikely to get much wear out of new purchases!

Decent quality, sans label, usually bought from a sale (probably be plenty of discounting this year) classics for me. Gents attire doesn't change much so I'm happy paying a little more for something like a John Smedley top as it'll last. Still wearing basic black crew necks that are 15 years old. Works out more economical than stuff that looks crap after half a dozen washes.

I hate rules.
That said my current clothing choices are veering between t-shirts, climbing short-longuns and sandals, and Nigel Cabourn.
Don't know where that leaves me, TBH.

I find that as long as you accessorize with the right cravat, you can wear pretty much anything

Uniform, eh?

47 and a bit fat here - i seem to live in Gap cammo shorts and a collection of scruffy T-shirts at the moment.
My wife and I had a discussion on this a couple of days ago - she asked me if i thought she had a particular 'style' which she generally dresses to..
She doesn't, but she reckons i'm 'country chic' with a wardrobe full of flannel shirts, faded jeans, T-shirts, etc.

I'd say wear what you like.. i'm sure i'll still be wearing cammo shorts and scruffy T-shirts into retirement.

I hate rules.

Unfortunately, many of the "just wear what you like" posts on STW seem to be by the t-shirt, shorts and sandals/flip-flops brigade. It kind of an unwritten rule . . .

I've been wearing jeans (Levi's) and t-shirts for 45 years. Helps that I weigh the same at 61 as I did at 21. These days I'm sometimes found wearing walking trousers instead of the jeans.

I find it shocking that of all the things people could find to talk about Trump, you have picked his clothes

nah. Trump's hair, hue, clothes and demeanor together demonstrate that appearances are not always deceptive.

Unfortunately, many of the “just wear what you like” posts on STW seem to be by the t-shirt, shorts and sandals/flip-flops brigade. It kind of an unwritten rule . . .

it’s not so much rules as ‘past caring’ and ‘given up' but that’s not as bad as ‘middle aged’ wearing teenage clothes with big logos.
That really is a crime especially if hair gel and fake tan are involved.

avoid fashion and stick to style, you get more value/wear out of your clothes that way.

i’m looking forward to smarting up and going out at some point, i don’t think i have ironed a shirt since lockdown.

Too many folk reach the age/shape that requires a fat man dress now. Have a bit of pride man.

Universal Works feature some older models that look pretty cool IMO

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https://universalworks.co.uk

Nothing sinister. they are jeans made by prison inmates in Oregon.

sounds pretty sinister.

wear what you want. Other than a T-shirt that says “Old Guys Rule” in the front.

FWIW I think its good to still wear nice stuff if you are going for a specific style. Like those Universal models. It works.

Where is goes wrong is when you either try and dress like a teenager / youth or you go for that low end "fashion" look you see so many middle aged men with at designer outlets. You know the one - Skinny jeans, Dolce and Gabbana logo T-shirt, hair gel and tan. Urghh

i don’t think i have ironed a shirt since 1997

No skinny jeans

wear what you want. Other than a T-shirt that says “Old Guys Rule” in the front.

...and crocks.

When you're pushing 30 it's probably right to avoid looking like you're trying to be down with the kids. By the time you're pushing 60 no one's going to think you're trying to look young. They're not going to think anything at all.

I guess most generations as they age stick with a version of what they wore when young, boomer kit being jeans/shorts, t-shirs and trainers...

I find it shocking that of all the things people could find to talk about Trump, you have picked his clothes.

I find that very very wrong.

On a thread about clothes? Given that Trump wears some bad clothes badly... why would that be shocking to you?

You have seen the Donald! Trump! thread that's been running for 4 years, right?

Universal Works feature some older models that look pretty cool IMO

They do some nice unstructured ‘workwear’ style suits, i have a few and unlike normal suits they age well as they wear and they use a lot of UK fabrics like Brisbane Moss from Lancashire.

At 47 too, I agree with camo shorts and t-shirts (although i did just buy several adidas t-shirts to replace my 10 year old ones that have seen better days. I didn't throw out the old ones mind) Jeans and t-shirts/sweatshirts when it's colder.

Skinny jeans? NO!
Sandals/crocs/flip flops? NO! - Still sporting Gazelles or skate shoes.

OK here goes, 64 years old, usual get up either a hoody or a flannel check shirt and Levis with skate shoes, or Baggy shorts in the Summer. Been that way for yonks and don't give a flying f@@@ what anybody thinks mainly because I know nobody looks twice at somebody my age anyway 🙄
Being an original Skin from 1969 I did treat myself to a Harrington, Ben Sherman, Tonic Sta Prest and Oxblood DMs a couple years back, still looks smart now, if I had enough occasion to wear it I'd love to get a Crombie again.
The thing I really don't get is the torn jeans thing, it's gotten ridiculous now more holes than material 🙄 Wonder what advertising genius cooked that one up? Probably the same one who persuaded people years ago to pay for bottled water 🙄
I can just imagine the sales pitch " If we make these jeans that are all torn to buggery that a tramp would turn his nose up at kids will rush to buy them" Cue hoots of derision 🙄🙄🙄

The thing I really don’t get is the torn jeans thing

Cheers nick thanks for clearing that up, who's Brenda BTW? 😁

I wonder what The Donald's call sign was in that picture up there ^^^^^.

Mind you, I don't think the USAF would want the word '****' stenciled on the side of a F15.

Maybe 'Syrup'?

I find it shocking that of all the things people could find to talk about Trump, you have picked his clothes.

I find that very very wrong.

Yes of course, it would make FAR more sense to say ..

wear what you like but make sure it’s a good fit. Take Trump for example, his attitudes towards low income Families and minorities are disgusting

That’s better isn’t it. ?

I saw a bloke who must have been 55+ the other day walking to the pub down the road. Half mast tight trousers, no socks, boat shoes, shirt, jacket.

I thought he was trying a mite too hard, if I'm honest.

I also suspect there may have been a young, attractive female shop assistant from a boutique store out that evening, spending some commission.

no socks, boat shoes

Never understood shoes without socks, just from a practicality POV.

who’s Brenda BTW?

The unfashionable one (unlike us, obvs)

They do some nice unstructured ‘workwear’ style suits, i have a few and unlike normal suits they age well as they wear and they use a lot of UK fabrics like Brisbane Moss from Lancashire.

Yeah they seem like a good company. I have a UK made jumper from them and a couple of shirts made in Portugal. I fancy a Harris Tweed chore jacket. 🙂

Eg https://www.peggsandson.com/bakers-chore-jacket-harris-tweed-charcoal

Never understood shoes without socks, just from a practicality POV.

The same is true for sandals and socks and sandals have acceptable since Agnès B put them on the catwalk.

I find it shocking that of all the things people could find to talk about Trump, you have picked his clothes.

I find that very very wrong.

What an odd reply... this is a thread LITERALLY talking about fashion. I made the comment that badly fitted clothes look terrible, and gave trump a an example. He's wearing a suit, probably v pricey and lovely materials no doubt, but it looks awful... because it's a terrible cut.
He's also a daft, dangerous, terrible man.
But that's not the topic here, is it.. sigh!

DrP

What is it with grown men and Crocs. There is no other item of clothing that says “I’ve given up on having sex”.

Ripped jeans is fine but overweight and bulges coming out of ripped jeans? The horror.

The same is true for sandals and socks

I wear sandals and socks nearly every day, brilliant combo!

Hmmm.. I have quite a bit of UW, including suits and other stuff. For me now I find a lot of their stuff too young for me. Which is kind of why I've gone to Cabourn. But then I also wear a lot of agnës b.

I was wearing my favourite old Ramones t-shirt the other day..I'm 47

The other half teaches Art Foundation and had a teenage girl in class wearing a Ramones tee the other day too.

The difference? I was there man!!!

Gabba gabba hey 🤘

I wear sandals and socks nearly every day, brilliant combo!

it’s so good and upsets so many people who possibly don’t now why it upsets them. Not that I like upsetting people, but I do like to think of myself as some kind of a sartorial iconoclast.

Not wearing socks is kinda grim. I've just thrown out a pair of sandals after putting them through the washing machine and them still being sufficiently ripe afterwards for me to go "jesus!" every time I opened the cupboard door.

I do like to think of myself as some kind of a sartorial iconoclast

Pics pls

She doesn’t, but she reckons i’m ‘country chic’

You sure you heard her correctly? (-:

I’ve been wearing jeans (Levi’s) and t-shirts for 45 years. Helps that I weigh the same at 61 as I did at 21. These days I’m sometimes found wearing walking trousers instead of the jeans.

Same here, only I'm 13 years younger than you. Jeans, Craghoppers when it's warmer and shorts begrudgingly when it's really warm. Tee-shirts of varying provenance, currently wearing this:

No skinny jeans

You say that but, it's really difficult to find alternatives (or was last time I looked a year or two back). You average department store has a choice of skinny / super-skinny / stretch / extra-super-skinny / second skin / down to the bone.

Finding regular-fit jeans on the high street was something of a challenge.

avoid fashion and stick to style, you get more value/wear out of your clothes that way.

I just stick to what I like, and spend enough on it to make sure it lasts a long time, plus I have enough different items to not wear stuff out quickly. I was wearing a long-sleeved tee shirt I bought at a gig in 1989, it still fits just fine. Same goes for jeans, shirts, jackets, etc.

Finding regular-fit jeans on the high street was something of a challenge.

That’s where you’re going wrong, the average high street doesn’t sell jeans of a decent quality or variety, about the only places I know that do a reasonably wide range are skate/surf shops, and Uniqlo, and they only have outlets in London. I did try some of their selvedge Japanese denim jeans on when in London, which was good, because they size small in the waist, I’m a 32, but a 34 fitted perfectly. Leg length was spot on, though.
Their regular relaxed fit are just like classic 501’s, without any fancy stitching, and I recommend them highly, plus they’re very competitively priced.

That photo above of Angry Tinkerbell at a podium made me laugh, he can’t even wear a flying jacket without looking a tit! I’m not even sure it’s a genuine military issue jacket, either.

No man over 50 should ever be seen outdoors in a leather jacket,Jeans, trainers(unless running)or silly tee shirts.Think of other people who have to witness your lack of taste.Men over 60 I would recommend always wear a suit shirt and tie.It hides a multitude of sins.

I draw the line at sandals.... proper old man shoes.

PS no skinny jeans - I'm surprised any cyclist can get them over their calves ot thighs. I used to love 501 Jeans, but after about 18-20 years old couldn't get them on. Too much cycling.

That’s where you’re going wrong

Where would you suggest I go right that doesn't involve a half-kilometre round trip to buy a pair of pants?

No man over 50 should ever be seen outdoors in a leather jacket,Jeans, trainers(unless running)or silly tee shirts.

Well that's my complete wardrobe resoundly ****ed in the 18 months time then.

Men over 60 I would recommend always wear a suit shirt and tie.

I'd rather not leave the house. Why on earth would anyone wear a small noose around their neck voluntarily in this day and age? I begrudge it at funerals let alone as casual wear.

It hides a multitude of sins.

And, eh, speak for yourself if you're a fat knacker but I don't have any sins to hide. I'm the same waist I was when I was 18.

I doubt that.