I’m in the market for a new fall wardrobe, and at the age of 42, I’m concerned about getting clothes that are age-appropriate. For most of my adult life, I’ve shopped at the likes of Express, Banana Republic, and Armani Exchange. Are these still acceptable, or would I come off looking like someone’s father trying to hold onto his youth? I’m not ready for Eddie Bauer, so where can I get stylish clothes that aren’t for 20-something club kids or 60-something golfers? I’m still quite fit, if that matters.
I’m especially clueless about shoes. I need casual, everyday shoes (I prefer to avoid sneakers) in a variety of styles and colors for different outfits.
I know Dopers are as fashionable as they are smart, so thanks in advance for the help!
I’ve never had an impression that men’s clothing from those stores were only for young people. Abercrombie and Fitch gives me that impression, but not the ones you mentioned. I also don’t have the impression that Eddie Bauer is for older people. Find clothes you like and wear them.
I agree with Hockey Monkey. I’m so “old” that I also like LLBean. Just buy quality items that you like and that work well together. Perhaps a good sales person at a good store could help you with specifics. Since you’re an ectomorph, you’ll probably look good in just about anything–lol.
You’re fit, so JCrew is a good option. They currently sell well made mens suits made by an old school italian mill, Lauro Piana. Excellent quality and well cut/tailored. BR has some good quality mens apparel too but you have to be careful. Not all of it is high quality or well made. I bought a couple of mens suits that are exceptional. But there others that I would not look at twice. You have to be discerning.
BR shirts are generally well made and they stand up well to repeated wash/cleaners. Avoid the ones that are “stretchy”. They are absolute crap. People swear by shirt by Pink. I don’t love them.
Now that you’re in your 40’s, stay away from loud prints or coloured shirts. Whites, greys, blues are your friends. Have a few gingham shirts because they are in now. Generally add trendy pieces in small amounts. Stay with the classics.
Shoes: Nordstrom has a good mens selection. I like Italian made shoes from Kenneth Cole. They tend to be less trendy, more classic, but not always. Some are just stupid looking. Buckled shoes are in now. I hate them. I rock oxfords or short boots with laces.
If you want to go more up scale, I like Ralph Lauren stuff. Hugo Boss is not what it used to be.
I have some brown Clarks that are quite comfortable and go really well with blue or brown pants (bluejeans, too). I wasn’t crazy about the slip-on style but have come around.
Lately, I’m loving my gray slacks for work and dressier days. I have a couple pairs of Calvin Klein from department stores which can be found on sale pretty often.
Black belt, gray or black socks and black shoes. I go for Clarks here, too.
I’ve never found a store to focus on like Express or Banana Republic.
Actually, I usually feel like I could use a shower after briskly walking through Express.
Studded shirts, distressed pants, 2.5 inch wide belts with chrome inserts? I’m dirty all over, get it off me.
Heh. I was at a Relay for Life event last weekend. One of the ladies in our group asked me if I was going to dress up and participate in the 80’s theme lap. I looked down at my tee shirt and jeans and said “This IS what I wore in the 80"s”.
I’m 67, and I wear what I like, which can sometimes include clothes from The Gap, Banana Republic, and even A&F. My taste is a little more conservative than it used to be, but not very. My partner (who is a “licentious ectomorph”) is 20 years my junior, and we pretty much have the same taste. The only exception is that he looks good in horizontal stripes, and I look fat.
Oh, and I would NEVER buy anything from Brook’s Brothers. I’m not old enough for that.
Middle-age really is the hardest time to find good clothes. We can’t wear the outrageous clothes that looked good when we were young, and we’re not old enough to wear outrageous clothes and not care what we look like. We’re in The Gap years, so I guess that’s why we shop there.
When I am an old woman I shall wear purple
With a red hat which doesn’t go, and doesn’t suit me.
– Jenny Joseph, from Warning
I disagree.
George Clooney is a middle aged man and he manages to dress well.
Steve Tyler is a middle aged man and he manages to dress like he’s never grown up.
If your hair is still in reasonable shape, go to a hairstylist (not a barber) and get a good haircut, ask how you should style it and follow their advice. If you’re bald, same question but the hairstylist will probably advise a very short buzzcut anyway.
OK, George Clooney I’ll give you, but I’m sure he puts more effort into picking clothes than most people. Steven Tyler is 65, which is safely past middle-aged. Do you know a lot of 130 year-olds? I think he’d look good wearing purple and a red hat.
I actually don’t even know where there is a Gap store, or even if it’s still a going concern. It just sounded good.
I am in my fifties and buy most of my clothes from Goodwill. I have found that gray trousers and solid or thin vertical striped shirts cover almost any occasion. Also, never underestimate chinos.
But I also wear vests and bow ties to be individualistic. Embarrassing my daughters is gravy.
George is 52, so I guess he is still middle-aged, but barely.
I figure if you can hope to live to 84, then middle age would be 35 to 60 or so. And I know that people in their mid to late thirties like to think of themselves as young, but they’re not.
