Casual Fashion for 50 Year Old Man 2018
Due south peaking from personal experience, 2017 was a challenging twelvemonth. Information technology was bookended by 2 major events that would change my world for e'er. In January I turned l (for those who have yet to striking the half-century milestone, permit me clarify ane thing: age is not merely a number) and in December, having been a Londoner for more than 30 years, I moved to the Kent coast in pursuit of a more rewarding and peaceful existence. OK, so at showtime glance you may well say the two are obviously intrinsically linked. Off-white plenty. As we get older, we all hanker after a slower step of life, right? Right. But the collision of these two events opened a can of worms that I, for one, didn't see coming.
It was time to downsize and, in the interests of both age-appropriateness and to avoid having to volume an even bigger removal truck, to edit my out-of-control wardrobe. Working as a way editor for more than three decades comes with a whole lot of baggage, quite literally. There is a never-ending force per unit area to go along upwardly with trends. And it comes at a price if, like me, you are a hoarder – and, in my experience, almost men are. Subsequently four days dividing up my spoils into "activeness" piles – one to keep, one for charity, one to re-abode, one to sell on eBay – information technology became clear to me that 50 was not the new twoscore. It was, traumatically, the finishing line for half of what I owned and, if I am brutally honest, was still wearing.
Crossing over to the wrong side of a half-centenary turns out to be a pivotal junction: you are forced to make decisions on what yous should not, as opposed to should, be wearing. A lot of men entering their 50s fall into one of two camps (with a minority bridging the split up): those who accept given upwardly, and those who don't know when to give information technology up, with the old me falling uncomfortably into the latter. I get that now.
Offset to hitting the deck were my combat trousers, which seem to breed if left lone in a dark closet. I lived in combats through the 1990s and 2000s, quietly phasing them out and only giving them the odd guest advent in recent years. In fact, whatever trousers that are oversized, have too many pockets or zips, or have as well much surface decoration are a definite no-no. And while we are on the bailiwick of wardrobe staples that have a military heritage, annihilation in camouflage print also needs to bow out gracefully.
My communication is to continue things in the trouser section apparently and simple, with a casual/formal edge – that's fashion speak for more than laidback than a suit trouser but more presentable than a pyjama. I am thinking here of a classic jean cutting made in a luxury material, equally opposed to denim, or a chino that has a careworn vibe, and isn't too box-fresh or preppy. Margaret Howell makes a mean trouser (a washed cotton twill chino volition set you back about £165) every bit does the Swedish loftier-street mecca for basics, Arket, whose trouser offering ranges from £55 to £90 (I'm a big fan of their relaxed hopsack slacks).
Another detail I seemed to own in affluence were Converse Jack Purcell sneakers, keeping a pair in near every believable colour. Having spent years thinking these were a more than suitable alternative to a trainer for an older homo, they suddenly became a warning sign of somebody badly trying to hang on to their youth. Reaching 50 doesn't hateful information technology'southward the end of the road for sneakers – the fashion forrad is to trade up and opt for a quality pair of not-branded shoes from a make like Common Projects, Harrys of London (you can't become incorrect with the Nimble at £295) or Grenson, all of whom accept mastered the smart-shoe-to-sneaker hybrid. You lot tin also, at a button, get away with an Adidas Stan Smith to help soften the corporate edges if you desire a sneaker that works with tailoring.
A philosophy to adopt across your entire wardrobe is that less is more (both stylistically and in terms of quantity). Now that the fourth dimension to follow trends has thankfully come to an end, it is ameliorate to have a select number of investment items that cost a fleck more and will last longer than a landfill of cheaper alternatives.
Another mistake men make is to hold on to things for decades, in the conventionalities they will come back into fashion. In theory that is true – nosotros are having a bit of a 90s revival as nosotros speak. But note to self: these revivals are intended for a younger generation. The saucepan hats, anoraks and fleece track-tops that currently await great on kids should be given a broad berth. You won't requite off the vibe of a man with their finger on the pulse – yous will but wait similar that guy who got stuck in the Britpop era. Baseball caps (I'grand simply going to say one thing… Forrest Gump), skinny jeans, parkas and Hawaiian shirts are all also on the "to ditch" listing. Aqueduct your inner Richard Burton instead and brand friends with rollneck knits, Harrington-style jackets (Oliver Spencer is the primary of these), pea coats and softly constructed tweed coats. Private White VC is a brand that knows how to make the latter properly. Condolement is of import just doesn't mean hitting the default switch and wearing age-inappropriate sportswear or, even worse, looking like you have given up on fashion altogether.
Some other historic period-inappropriate alert: anything on an e-commerce website prefixed with the word "Dad" – such as Dad trainers or Dad jeans (cue Balenciaga) – isn't a green light for you to get the credit card out. The word is used ironically, to describe something your dad would accept worn, and should be avoided. The impression y'all should exist giving is a man of the world who has lived and made intelligent and experienced choices: a man who doesn't need to leap on to every bandwagon, but is in control, happy with his lot, and confident.
Moving to the coast was my selection, turning 50 was inevitable – only at least, wardrobe edit in the bag, I can control how stylishly I determine to live information technology.
What men should exist wearing
Cutting edge
Go for tailoring. Overtly corporate suits should make way for lighter constructed blazers in softer, more than casual fabrics. Lacoste makes a great jacket that feels like you are wearing a cardigan (lacoste.com), only still looks the concern, as does the ain-brand Mr Porter range, Mr P (mrporter.com) which, incidentally, has a great edit across the board for men of a sure age. Navy slim-fit unstructured jersey blazer, £425, Mr P (mrporter.com)
Feet first
Comfy shoes, equally you mature, are a necessity. Only getting the balance between casual and formal tin be tricky. The rule of thumb is a rubberised sole, with an upper in premium leather. Brands such as Grenson, which has a stellar chestnut-coloured version, or high street minimalist Cos (cosstores.com) have nailed the equilibrium. Mitt-painted calf leather sneakers, £170, grenson.com
Don't sweat it
Rollneck knits in fine-gauge yarns should be at the peak of your list of basics. They are a keen way to introduce color into your wardrobe – just be cautious. John Smedley (johnsmedley.com) has a great range, as does good old stalwart Marks & Spencer (marksandspencer.com). Hawley rollneck pullover in sea-island cotton, £145, johnsmedley.com
Chino challenge
Opt for chinos that have been garment-dyed, giving a more lived-in patina. Jigsaw cuts a bully fit (jigsaw-online.com), as does Joseph (joseph-fashion.com) if yous don't listen paying a bit. Don't cut them too curt at the ankle though, like the young kids do. Slim-fit stretch chinos, £85, jigsaw-online.com
One-stop shop
For all things age-appropriate head to Oliver Spencer. His timeless dress nod towards the seasonal trends while keeping concord of the reins, and his stores are a i-stop-shop for us older guys. My favourite piece is the Waltham jacket. Waltham jacket in Keeley Oatmeal, £329, oliverspencer.co.great britain
Perfect scents
Any man entering their golden years should invest in a less 'Gatwick duty-free' and a more 'niche' fragrance. Anything that contains woody notes like vetiver is normally a crowd-pleaser, and classic perfumers such as Creed (creedfragrances.co.britain) or Tom Daxon have iconic products. Cologne Absolute eau de parfum, £105 for 50ml, tomdaxon.com
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