# Fashions For A 60 Year Old Guy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 4, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385 "2010-11-04T00:17:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/1 "2010-11-04T00:17:30Z")
I’m 60 and people tell me I look like I’m in my late 40’s, and the way I act (young, with young ideals and ideas), some folks can’t believe I’m this old. So what am I supposed to wear now? I have all kinds of jeans, horizontallly striped sweaters, hoodies, neat t-shirts (Straight Dope one being my favorite). I’m partial to corduroy sport jackets worn with a t-shirt instead of a button down oxford. The only thing I don’t like to wear are those “shorts” that come down around your calves? I’m European (mostly) and I like my shorts with a 6" inseam. I have all my hair (wear it in a Beatle cut as I have since they debuted in 64), all my teeth - some not my own, and I’m in reasonable shape. I just don’t want to be seen as “that old guy trying to look young”. So tell me: should I start to wear the waist of my pants under my armpits, with an Izod polo and a members only jacket and white shoes (with white socks)? I get the LL Bean catalog (Can’t afford much in it, but luckily I don’t have to 'cause the stuff I bought from them during the “good times” is still intact and fits) and I see these guys in it, but I want to look younger than that. What do your dads wear, if they’re 60 or thereabouts? I see stuff in the mall and tell myself, “Man! You’d look tuff in that!”, but then I back off, thinking people would look at me funny. An old guy trying to look young. I know: “Don’t WORRY about it, Quasi!”, right? I would also like to hear from any Doper males my age who may or may not be having she same problem. Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/2 "2010-11-04T00:32:33Z")
I think that you should wear the bottoms of your trousers rolled… or, maybe not. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/3 "2010-11-04T00:44:24Z")
Or sandals with socks? 🙂 NOT!!! And neither will I wear those huge sunglasses which cover up one’s regular glasses!!!🙂 Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/4 "2010-11-04T00:54:31Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > So what am I supposed to wear now? [Here ya’ go!](http://www.blair.com/catalog/section.jsp?categoryId=1)😃 Seriously, I think much of it depends on your lifestyle, your subculture, and so on, just as if you’re younger. Around here, the wardrobes of 60 year old Italian-American men seem straight off the Sopranos, while 60 year old middle-class WASPS tend to have their own version of the preppy look ([Cutter & Buck](http://www.cutterbuck.com), [Orvis](http://www.orvis.com/), etc). I see a lot of 60-something men around here that wear golf clothes all the time. About a third of the men’s clothing at the nearby Stein Mart are golf shirts and pants. I’m not a fan of that look. ---
**Author:** ![sunstone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunstone/32/3372_2.png) [@sunstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sunstone)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/5 "2010-11-04T01:03:53Z")
Wear what you want to wear, except for those occasions that require a particular set of duds. I’ve been wearing “Hawaiian” shirts for the last 38 years. This started when I was in my early 30’s as a science teacher, and pretty much got my students a bit off balanced when they came into my room on the second day of class. First day was tie, coat and so forth. But I had labs on the second day, and since I covered a lot of ground my students had to keep busy to stay with the class. I became the crazy science teacher who flew around the room in a blur of color; it worked very well for me. When I retired, the floral shirts remained. I wear them almost daily, and where I exercise I am complimented for my shirt choices. Not just because the ladies like the pink flamingos romping in the hibiscus and palm fronds…sometimes they add that they like to see a man wear what he likes. I think they recognize that I’m having fun and enjoying myself without being afraid of being seen as “different” That’s about all I’ve got. ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/6 "2010-11-04T01:29:09Z")
Watch [Rubicon](http://www.amctv.com/originals/Rubicon). Specifically watch what [Kale](http://www.amctv.com/originals/Rubicon/cast/kingram) wears. Not so much the suits that dominate the Google image searches; his casual and day-to-day work clothes are much better. The actor (Arliss Howard) is in his mid-50s, I believe. In the show he always has kind of a cool, faintly-euro casual wardrobe. Looks great. I hope to look that cool when I’m in my mid-50s. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/7 "2010-11-04T01:41:59Z")
My dad is turning 60 in two weeks, and he still wears exactly what he has been wearing at least for the past 31 years (I suspect he dressed differently as a youngin’!) Jeans (cheap), pocket t-shirt (cheap) and once it gets cold enough, a flannel shirt - two pockets please! (one for cigs, one for glasses) Seriously, this is all he’s ever worn. While I was growing up he always always wore steel toed boots. Not lace-up workboots, more like [cowboy boots](http://www.shoebuy.com/twisted-x-boots-msp0001/375971/801635). But not like something an actual cowboy would wear. I suspect they were just the boots he could get from Ford and he liked them. I’m not sure when but at some point he ditched the boots when he discovered $10 velcro sneakers at Wal Mart and splurges on a new pair every couple years. This is pretty much the dorkiest thing about my dad. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/8 "2010-11-04T01:50:06Z")
Well, kale looks good for his age, but I have issues with that bow-tie looking thing, **GameHat**. He looks like a clown priest! 🙂 Shit, **Elmwood** , I wouldn’t wear that crap even if I were on the streets! 🙂 **sunstone** : After my own heart! I have half my closet dedicated to my Hawaiian shirts, but you know what? I read somewhere that women think that guys who wear them do so to cover up a short dick. Man! We have GOT to change that! 🙂 **Zip** : I think your dad must be a very comfortable guy! Thanks! Quasi ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/9 "2010-11-04T01:58:24Z")
I’m 50 and dress pretty much like **ZipperJJ’s** dad. Jeans or cargo shorts(not too long/above the knee), race/event t-shirt, flannel shirt or polo, running shoes. Mix and match for weather. I’ve dressed like this all my life, why change? ---
**Author:** ![oldie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@oldie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oldie)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/10 "2010-11-04T02:04:34Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I’m 60 and people tell me I look like I’m in my late 40’s, and the way I act (young, with young ideals and ideas), some folks can’t believe I’m this old. > > So what am I supposed to wear now? > > I have all kinds of jeans, horizontallly striped sweaters, hoodies, neat t-shirts (Straight Dope one being my favorite). I’m partial to corduroy sport jackets worn with a t-shirt instead of a button down oxford. > > The only thing I don’t like to wear are those “shorts” that come down around your calves? I’m European (mostly) and I like my shorts with a 6" inseam. > > I have all my hair (wear it in a Beatle cut as I have since they debuted in 64), all my teeth - some not my own, and I’m in reasonable shape. > > I just don’t want to be seen as “that old guy trying to look young”. > > So tell me: should I start to wear the waist of my pants under my armpits, with an Izod polo and a members only jacket and white shoes (with white socks)? > > I get the LL Bean catalog (Can’t afford much in it, but luckily I don’t have to 'cause the stuff I bought from them during the “good times” is still intact and fits) and I see these guys in it, but I want to look younger than that. > > What do your dads wear, if they’re 60 or thereabouts? > > I see stuff in the mall and tell myself, “Man! You’d look tuff in that!”, but then I back off, thinking people would look at me funny. An old guy trying to look young. > > I know: “Don’t WORRY about it, Quasi!”, right? > > I would also like to hear from any Doper males my age who may or may not be having she same problem. > > Thanks > > Q Wear what makes YOU happy , I am 56 and I dont give a rats ass about fashion ---
**Author:** ![GameHat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ed655f/32.png) [@GameHat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GameHat)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/11 "2010-11-04T05:30:00Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Well, kale looks good for his age, but I have issues with that bow-tie looking thing, **GameHat**. He looks like a clown priest! 🙂 I _told_ you, ignore the google image searches! 😃 In the actual show, he wears much more casual clothes. I still hope and plan to dress that natty when I’m in my 50s and 60s. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/12 "2010-11-04T05:33:19Z")
Lederhosen. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/13 "2010-11-04T05:49:01Z")
No. Pleated. Pants. Please. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/14 "2010-11-04T06:28:17Z")
My dad’s 62, and like other here, he just wear what he’s always worn: jeans, T-shirts, hoodie sweatshirts, stuff like that (of course, he’s still a lawyer, so you can actually catch him in a suit on occasion). He has an extensive collection of dress shirts in bizarre cuts and patterns, almost all worn outside the pants; conversely, when it’s hot you can usually find him in his favorite summer uniform of sandals, cargo pants and a Yale T-shirt with the sleeves cut off. The Yale thing also means that he is perfectly capable of pulling off the preppy look on occasion, although I suspect he does it ironically. ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/15 "2010-11-04T14:12:11Z")
An ill fitting zoot suit should fit the bill just fine. Yes, with fedora and dame attached. ---
**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/16 "2010-11-04T14:59:57Z")
> [@EvilTOJ](#): > > An ill fitting zoot suit should fit the bill just fine. Yes, with fedora and dame attached. I’m with you..I’m a 1940’s kind of guy myself-I favor double breasted pinstripe suites, with fedoras and loud ties. If only I could buy a car with running boards! ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/17 "2010-11-04T20:58:43Z")
Hijacking my own thread a little here: I find it VERY uncomfortable to call guys way younger than me (in their 20’s for example), “son” or young ladies “young lady”. So I don’t do it. Regarding the zoot suit answer: I have a 45 year old trench coat that once belonged to ny dad, which I cannot WAIT to wear in the Fall. Thanks Q ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/18 "2010-11-04T21:49:48Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > Hijacking my own thread a little here: > > I find it VERY uncomfortable to call guys way younger than me (in their 20’s for example), “son” or young ladies “young lady”. > > So I don’t do it. “Kid” works well for both. Look, old people sound old because the speak, dress and act like they did when they were young. You were young in the 60’s - it would be perfectly normal for you to address people as “man” or “sister”. Believe me, nobody will think you’re trying to act “young”. ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/19 "2010-11-04T23:01:48Z")
An onion on the belt goes with everything. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385/20 "2010-11-04T23:29:08Z")
> [@Manduck](#): > > An onion on the belt goes with everything. But that was the style AT THE TIME. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fashions-for-a-60-year-old-guy/559385.md?page=2)