you're not a kid anymore -- but have a little fun with it.
Men's Style - In Your 50s
Ah, the 50s. Not retirement age, for most of us, but certainly moving toward thinking-about-retirement age, at the very least.
This is actually an interesting age, from a fashion standpoint. You don't want to be dressing like a young man, but you also don't want to signal to people that you're past your prime. It can be a delicate balancing act.
If you have a key word for style in your 50s, it should be elegance. This is the age when you want to look refined, confident, and in charge, without pushing to achieve it.
Key things to look for in your wardrobe when you're past 50:
Invest in richness of color and texture. Go ahead and buy the good stuff, if you can afford it. There's a startling amount of difference between a high-quality Italian wool and whatever they're using this week at Men's Wearhouse. The drape of the fabric and the way the color sinks in are striking in a way that no fashion statement can be, if you get the right stuff.
Extend that philosophy of quality to your smaller items, too. Never underestimate the power of a really good hat or even just a rich wool scarf to put your look ahead of everyone else's.
Start thinking about upscale, sophisticated-looking styles. If you have to wear a suit, for example, consider a double-breasted or three-piece instead of the basic single-breasted model.
Depending on your career path, these may well end up being the most powerful and influential years of your life. It's worth dressing to reflect that.
Men's Style - In Your 60s and Up
Our society is not kind to old age.
Men in their 60s who don't take the time to dress sharp can easily find themselves dismissed from younger people's minds altogether. Once you've got gray (or no) hairs, wearing sloppy or battered clothing says "I'm done with life, you go on and don't pay any attention to me."
Cruel, but people are. So squash that train of thought before it gets started, and dress like someone who's active, confident, and important, whether you are or not.
Tips for guys in their 60s or older on the wardrobe front:
Embrace the traditional looks. Casual "Sunday" suits, tweeds, checked trousers -- you're old enough now that no one can question your right to wear 'em. Go nuts with the old-school stuff. Just keep it high-quality and well-fitted.
Velvet jackets. Seriously. You can get away with them now.
If you find yourself needing a cane, make it a nice one. Similarly, if you need orthopedic shoes, go for ones with nice leather uppers. Needing a little help getting around doesn't have to look clunky, medical, and impersonal.
Be cautious "dressing down." You really, really want to avoid things like tracksuits (unless you're actually running) and old sweatshirts. They present an unfortunate stereotype that you want to avoid.
Keep it classy and dignified in your 60s. Your clothing should claim a respected status, not an easily-dismissed one.
The Limits of "Dressing Your Age"
No written rule is going to apply universally to all men of a certain age.
Do older men, broadly speaking, look better in double-breasted navy suits with white pinstripes than men fresh out of college? Most people would say so. But there are going to be college-aged guys who can pull it off, and older men who frankly can't.
So don't let your age define your fashion. Just let it influence it, a bit, and maybe be leery of styles that have very specific, stereotypical age associations (like a college student's hoodie). You don't want to lock yourself in, no matter what your age.
C HAPTER 17: W ORK VS. P LAY - W ARDROBES O N AND O FF THE J OB
There's a subtle distinction between "dressing sharp" for work and "dressing sharp" for the rest of your life.
The emphasis there is on "subtle." Most of a man's wardrobe can work equally well for professional and for personal settings. The distinction lies mainly in how they're worn.
The Work/Social Distinction - Does It
Candace Anderson
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