Clothing for a man of "a certain age"

Toddle off to your nearest golf shop.

Don't listen to them tj. Unleash your inner peacock!

Oh, wanted to say about Gap, they may not have a high street store near you,I know they're getting rid of them. You may have to shop on line They have a really good selection of Chinos and Cargo trousers in all cuts and colours. They are generous waist, but shortish in the leg. their skinny cut is very skinny but regualr is OK for most normal shaped humans.

Also don't forget the likes of Howies, again on line, but their tee shirts are pretty nice and in lots of colours and they have pretty good ethical standards. Also HebTroCo have some really good well thought out pieces as well. Who knows; Brant might even give you a discount. 🙂

TJ - having followed your other recent thread, I think this sounds like a great idea. Maybe do some research on people you think look stylish at your age /shape and see what they wear?

As for jeans - if you’ve not worn them for decades, have you ever worn modern stretchy jeans? For cyclists they have been a game changer.

Maybe start with a really nice pair of shoes/boots? Hopefully you can have a really fun day out shopping.

Maybe do some research on people you think look stylish at your age /shape and see what they wear?

Good idea.

I don't usually go in for that GQ kind-of concept of "stylish men", but watching Stanley Tucci's Italy series might be a good start. He is quite the dapper chap.

but watching Stanley Tucci’s Italy series might be a good start.

This is great advice for pretty much everyone, not just TJ

Just get tha sen into Next or John Lewis, buy a few pairs of chinos, a few casual shirts and/or polos, and some brown boots. Maybe a jumper or two for when it's chilli, get one with an open collar. Casual jacket, harrington type or something. Sorted.

Nowt wrong with jeans though. And don;t discount trainers or untucked shirts. This guy look cool and has a white beard!

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Just swapping one uniform for another.

Try and channel your inner nine year old, who genuinely didn't care as long as he was having fun.

Good on you for doing it TJ, sounds like a really positive step 👍👏

If you're still considering a house move, think of what you'd want to wear in your new location. What's fitting for Leith isn't going to be so apt in, say, Fort William.

f you like outdoors stuff and feel comfortable in it, I reckon start there. Carhartt, Finisterre, Pendleton (not sure what the UK equivalent would be), Howies

+1.

I scrolled down to say Finisterre and Howies too for the same reasons.

What about something like this?

https://www.stitchfix.co.uk/

Might give you some ideas?

Never done it myself, but some department stores do a free personal shopper service.

Could be interesting/successful/fun. Lord knows you've earned the right to have a bit of fun in the last couple of years, just don't take it too seriously.

a stw threads thread does not disappoint

TJ’s longstanding aversion to denim jeans makes him a tough proposition for a bunch of middle-aged wannabe fashionistas who wear little else and suggestions range from off-the-peg, Springsteen-style workwear through to made-to-measure Thai silk pajama suits via classic black leather jackets teamed with second-hand tartan trews.

🙂

pretty plain, nicely cut office-casual-neutral,

the horror!

No denim in sight

I do like bright colours and have a collection of brightly coloured but logo free t shirts but the Portillo look may just be a step too far round the mean streets of leith

Have a look through here. They do have stores up and down but not sure where you are

https://www.brooktaverner.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjwl6OiBhA2EiwAuUwWZcOd0Ix0u8_QpAYphlSXM_ABuG1ULWu78k41ZWAjEvM33dX3jd_K6hoCCrQQAvD_BwE

At this time of year, these are very welcome:

https://www.tradeinn.com/snowinn/en/regatta-turnpike/136501265/p

There’s ventilation holes and extra toe protection (for those wayward paving slabs).

They’re actually discontinued by regatta in this form, but it’s a generic design, so they’re bound to resurface elsewhere.

I like the craghoppers nosilife adventure shirts. They go up to 4xl, and well-ventilated.
Funky colours too!
The cumin and burnt whisky colours complement most colours of trousers, even green.

A pair of George jeans, desert boots a poncho, beret on your heid and a man bag over the shoulder
You will blend into the Leith scene instantly

@tjagain

I have decided as a part of the reinvention of myself and for a bit of self care I shall buy a new wardrobe

Why bother? Wear your outdoor clothes. They last longer, are functional and not buying new stuff is better for the environment 🙂

Its a fair point Chevy and one I struggle with. But I need new clothes anyway - stuff does wear out

If you like outdoor stuff, it might be worth having a look at some Fjallraven's jackets. They're not cheap, but do a bit of outdoors/casual crossover, look good in an upmarket sort of Nordic outdoorsy way and are decent quality.

Someone mentioned the Arc'teryx Veilance stuff, but it's insanely expensive and a bit too knowingly 'stylish' for its own good if you ask me.

If it makes you feel any better, years ago I went out with a fashion journalist who told me she loved that I clearly didn't give a stuff about how my clothes looked. I think it was intended as a compliment...

but it’s insanely expensive and a bit too knowingly ‘stylish’ for its own good if you ask me.

Yeah, my thoughts. There are any number of these sorts of brands (Acre/Mission Workshop are another) just a bit too achingly hip for their own good.

I reckon TJ could pull off Graeme Hall. Er, so to speak.

Is he the one on the right?

years ago I went out with a fashion journalist who told me she loved that I clearly didn’t give a stuff about how my clothes looked.

Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer,
And without sneering, teach the rest to sneer;
Willing to wound, and yet afraid to strike,
Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike.
— "Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot" by Alexander Pope (1688–1744)

Who says STW ain't not highbrow or nuffink

Actually, a couple of really nice suits would louche you up a treat.

I'm thinking Bill Nighy here, rather than Big Ger Cafferty.

I'm sure the dog wouldn't mind a bit of attention too from tj

Lolz @thols2

@Thols2, that is a strong look, self-portrait I presume?

Sweary URL but some ideas here based on Hols' post.

Sweary URL but some ideas here based on Hols’ post.

Ah, I do miss living down in Gloucestershire, cultural home of the red trouser 🙂

Teej, i use this shop for pretty much all of my clothing needs.
always a great choice.

https://www.slaters.co.uk/

Christ, my ribs hurt from laughing at @cougar and the red trousers.

Kilt.

Sweary URL<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> but some ideas here based on Hols’ post.</span>

Beat me to that link, so I'll suggest Jeans and Sheux for further merriment.

This is a really great thread and shows why I really like this forum!

Spookily I'm going through a similar thought process to OP as hit my 50s and basically fallen into joggers, t-shirt, hoody post work and then switch it up by wearing Jeans at the weekend.
As part of a bid to smarten myself up generally (clothes, fitness and mental health) I've been getting some new clothes with an attempt to have a bit more 'style'. Ironically I've gone back to some of my Superdry stuff but I've been told that's a very 'yesterday' brand!? BUT i dont really care about that as it seems decent quality and fits well.

@stwhannah particularly interested in your comment re your husband and being an attorney. I work in the legal sector in the UK and really struggle with anything other than a suit (CEO has only just acknowledged not always necessary to wear a tie!) so interested in what he wears instead.

There's an argument to say that most men's dress sense is basically the same as what it was when they turned 30 ish, with the odd tweak. Hence, at 43 I default to good jeans (denim shorts in the summer), a plain sweater or hoodie and a pair of nice trainers (more often than not, Nike Air Max 90's). Swap the trainers for some boots and the sweater for a casual shirt and I'm sorted for most occasions.

So I think TJ that you've got to make a conscious decision as to what you want to look like and what you will and won't wear as most people won't consciously make that change.

The Graham Hall look isn't a bad start point, though clearly it's not for everyone. And I don't think it's a million miles from what you wear now of the odd pic is anything to go by.

Reading this while sitting in joggy bottoms and a old cheap fleece jacket. Though my tasks today have included driving to the tip and picking up flooring for our new bathroom.

Nothing much wrong with the old bathroom but it's a quid pro que for me getting a month touring later this year.

So its red trousers, Vans or deck shoes, check shirt, tweed jacket, cravat and hat?  Is that right?

🙂

Ive recently got one dark green and one brown corduroy overshirts/light jackets. I like them. Nice and soft and warm.

Distinguished intelectual, or alcaholic burnt out geography teacher? you decide.

https://www.google.com/search?q=corduroy+overshirt&tbm=isch&chips=q:corduroy+overshirt,g_1:mens:_Xf_FD4PSOI%3D&client=firefox-b-d&hl=en-US&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzhYX45sf-AhUTmScCHd9PC1YQ4lYoAHoECAEQIw&biw=2560&bih=1279

For quality UK hand made clothes, there's always Old Town. Made to measure, in the fabric of your choice

Daft pictures aside, they're very well made clothes, and last for years

Norfolk is a hot bed of hand made clothing

^ hahah, thats more burned out sociology teacher than burned out geography teacher hehehe.

How about a sleevless cardy over a light weight denim shirt?

And FWIW, I'm still older than you and can normally be seen wearing shorts, or Keela Scuffers if it's sub+zero. Team that up with a hoody and t-shirt, some subdued trainers and I'm sorted.

I do like corduroy tops, but I wouldnt go full corduroy trousers and top.

https://www.marksandspencer.com/pure-cotton-corduroy-utility-jacket/p/clp22551819

I do hope the recommendations above are tongue-in-cheek and that none of you would actually be seen dressed like that. I also hope that TJ knows you're just taking the piss