Some say that style is for the young. My wife and I were out to dinner this week at a chain, sit-down restaurant and I was appalled at how the men over 40 were dressed. Most had potbelliesand were walking around in denim cargo shorts, T-shirts that were two sizes too big, white tube socks pulled up around their calves, and New Balance, Jerry-Seinfeld-style sneakers on. They looked the way you would dress an 8-year-old in the early 90’s.
But the older a man gets, the more ability he has to display the self-respect he’s earned. A lot of younger guys have to fake it until they make it and their clothing is and can be more daring to reflect that. But men who’ve paid their dues have their own sartorial muscles to flex that the younger guys don’t have yet.
The same basic principles of dressing well apply to older men as to the younger – stay in shape, wear clothes that fit but don’t constrict, wear colors that flatter your hair and skin tones, and wear something that is activity appropriate while still looking better than all the other men in the room.
When it comes to fit, most Boomers and Gen Xers make the mistake of thinking slim = gay. That may have been the case twenty and thirty years ago, but it doesn’t apply now. I’m not suggesting you go out and buy a pair of skinny jeans, but you can pull off a pair of straight-legged, dark-washed jeans as well as a guy who’s 17 or 27. Unless you have quite a few pounds to lose, avoid anything that is advertised as “relaxed.” It’s going to be too much material to look good on anyone, and, if you are older and in good or great shape, it’s a complete waste to hide that behind baggy clothing.
You older men also don’t need to think dressing better means dressing younger. There are too many mid-life crises that involve Ed Hardy shirts, spiked hair, and boot-cut jeans. Take a classic pair of straight-legged khakis, a slim-fit oxford-cloth button-down shirt in blue (or hell even in pink), and a blue jacket. Think Brooks Brothers with an updated fit (which they do now btw). Women your age will claw each other’s eyes out to get you and younger women will want you even more.
Embrace your age when it comes to certain things that you can wear and a young guy can’t. I look pretentious in a fedora but a man who’s 50 just looks like he’s in the upper echelon of society. I look ironic or stupid in a mustache but an older man looks dashing. If I wear high-wasted pants – even if they’re what’s the most flattering for my build – I run the risk of looking throwback trendy, but a silver fox can pull them off with panache.
I also suggest embracing your age when it comes to your grooming. Younger women are finding traditional masculinity more and more attractive. I’ve heard my own wife tell me a number of times that she’s excited for me to get grey in my hair or have a salt and pepper beard. Remember that your age conveys a hard-earned wisdom and sense of experience that us younger guys envy and women of all ages want and respect. Don’t try to hide it by altering yourself to look younger. Embrace it. You’ve earned it.
Lastly, it’s ok to embrace a simple trend now and then. It shows you’re still a bit current. You may not want to load up on bracelets and canvas-strapped watches, but you would be well served to add in a cotton, patterned pocket square instead of just a white linen one. You might not want to wear candy-cane-striped socks, but having some in purple or with subtle whale prints is going to show that you’ve earned enough respect you don’t need to take yourself too seriously.
Here are some good cues. You won’t like everything you see here, but it’s good to figure out what you do and don’t like; then embrace what you do and forget what you don’t.
Clothing, Dressing the (___) Man How to dress better over 40, older man style, stylish men over 40
FAQs
Outfits that combine comfort with elegance are both stylish and suitable for older men: Casual Looks: Pair polo shirts or crew-neck sweaters with chinos or dark jeans for a smart-casual look. Business Casual: A crisp button-down shirt under a v-neck sweater or blazer pairs well with well-fitting trousers.
How to style a 70 year old man? ›
If you want to ensure you always look appropriate in your clothes as a 60-plus man, consider investing in classic, timeless pieces. Embracing classic men's fashion styles like a crisp oxford shirt, flat-front chinos, and white leather sneakers will make getting dressed easier and give you more confidence.
How should a 68 year old man dress? ›
There's an unwritten rule that mature men should look elegant yet understated. Consequently, smart, casual clothing is a great choice. Furthermore, older men might want to avoid tight and shiny clothes that feature eccentric patterns. This attire caters to men in their 20s and 30s and won't make you look younger.
How to dress like an older man? ›
Subtle differences are the key to any older man's wardrobe. You don't need your suits or blazers to be remarkably different than a younger man's — but they should be better. High-quality cloth and tailored fits are the best way to achieve that subtle superiority.
What attracts an older man? ›
To attract an older man, present yourself in a mature, in confident manner. It's important to ensure your interest. align before starting a relationship. and to maintain a mature appearance without looking old.
What do girls find attractive in older men? ›
Those who are attracted to older men often see someone who's more comfortable with themselves and who knows what they want in life.
Can a 70 year old man wear jeans? ›
Relaxed and Roomy – But Not Sloppy – Jeans
A relaxed straight leg style is a great pair of jeans for older men that are looking for a pair with more freedom to move and crave a roomier fit.
How to look classy at 70? ›
Top 5 tips on how to dress over 70
- Fancy up your flats. Thankfully, the days of boring, sensible flats are long gone. ...
- Try new collar shapes. Blazers and structured jackets are timeless classics, but that doesn't mean you can't have fun with them. ...
- Make an understatement. ...
- Bag a trend. ...
- Embrace the eclectic.
As you get older, you slowly start to phase out wearing skinny jeans. The older you get the less flattering and honestly uncomfortable they start to become. However, you cannot rule out the middle option of slim-fitted jeans.
Should older men wear T-shirts? ›
STYLE TIPS -The V shape points down, and as we get older, our bellies grow, and we get hairier chests. If you want to wear a t-shirt, opt for a men's casual fashion crew neck instead. It's more flattering and will leave you looking your best.
If you're male and over 60, lock your wardrobe as your children, grandchildren and relations may raid it for cardigans, vests, knitwear, tweed blazers and loafers. It's a gender-neutral fashion trend - meaning everyone will be after your things! In 2024, the “eclectic grandpa” look is in vogue.
Is 70 too old to wear a denim jacket? ›
Denim jackets are a classic and versatile piece of clothing that can be worn by people of all ages, including those who are 60 years old or older.
What is fashion for a 70 year old man? ›
Turning 70 means a lot of things. But you know what it doesn't mean? That the rules of color matching no longer apply to you. Avoid matching brown belts with black shoes, for example, and stick to tried-and-true color combinations like blue and grey, white and khaki, and other neutral tones.
How to make an older man look younger? ›
8 Ways to Start Looking Younger Naturally
- Get Your Rest. Beauty sleep is for everyone. ...
- Hit the Barbershop. ...
- Trim (Or Fully Shave) Your Beard. ...
- Use Eye Cream. ...
- Incorporate Face Scrub Into Your Routine. ...
- Improve Your Posture. ...
- Wear SPF Daily. ...
- Find Healthy Ways to Cope with Stress.
As a shirt-maker, my answer would be as many as possible!. However, realistically I recommend nine shirts for your wardrobe. This will cover shirts to wear at all occasions and events. The nine shirts combine key styles, fabrics, and colour options that will enable you to create several stylish outfits to wear.
What looks good on a 60 year old man? ›
Wear classic crew neck sweaters solo or layered over button-down shirts for an elegant look that flatters the mature male. Transform button-down shirts from formal to informal by topping them with v-neck sweaters. White button-down shirts are an easy way to dress up outfits in a hurry and always look classy.
What clothes make you look older men? ›
Focus on the Classics, Not Trends
- Proper fitting trousers. Dress denim and tailored trousers in traditional colors like blue, black, and brown should be found in every man's closet.
- T-shirts and collared shirts in simple colors. ...
- Clean-cut shoes and socks. ...
- A sophisticated wristwatch. ...
- Choose core, masculine colors.
Men appear to prefer women with a 'healthy' BMI
However, a 2020 study in the British Journal of Psychology found that men prefer women with a BMI that falls between 23.01 and 23.46. Per the Cleveland Clinic, a healthy female BMI ranges from 18.5 to 24.9, depending on a number of factors.
