[Closed] Middle aged men - what do you wear?

quick question guys/gals .. can I still wear [url= http://store.nike.com/gb/en_gb/pd/air-max-90-essential-shoe/pid-10299038/pgid-11065439 ]Nike Air Max 90[/url] trainers? ..my kid says no 🙁 ..but we are going back to Rome next month and I think this shoes will b very comfortable with all the cobbles you have to walk there. I'm almost 38 by the way.

Chuckling at the amount of anti M&S snobbery on here. They sell some really good suits and some less formal trousers and shirts which are right up there in style and quality. Maybe just not the label some folk feel they need.....

I reckon 200 quid is about the cheapest you'll pay for a decent pair although you can get something for less if you shop around the sales. I really like Loake as they are good value.

95% of Loake shoes are less than £200 even at RRP, most are nearer the £100 mark.

Chuckling at the amount of anti M&S snobbery on here. They sell some really good suits and some less formal trousers and shirts which are right up there in style

Formal stuff yes, but they're casual stuff is truly dreadful, you'd really have to have given up the will to live to buy any.

Exposed full arm tats and a neat trimmed styled beard, all clothes will work with that......currently, no belly of course.

LVC 1954 washed denim
APC raw denim
Chino Shorts
Norse Projects tee/ls tees/hoodies
Nikes - currently Flyknit Max
Red Wings

nothing with a logo/picture, apart from the small square at the front bottom of the norse stuff, did have my 4 year old tell me i had my t-shirt on the wrong way as the tags at the front, so might be time to change that 😆

Footflaps Loake have a few ranges

http://www.loake.co.uk/byrange/loake-1880.html

I agree they do have some cheaper shoes hence me mentioning them being good value.

Firetrap , diesel jeans , random t shirts ,and Adidas originals Sambas and Goodyear trainies ,various North Face fleeces and softshell jackets and when trying to impress I will chuck a shirt on YSL ,Boss and the like

I'm 40 and lucky I get to wear what I want for work and no longer interested in the whole pub / club thing comfy casual all the way

quick question guys/gals .. can I still wear Nike Air Max 90 trainers?

yup, as long as you don't tighten the laces like this

[img] [/img]

Formal stuff yes, but they're casual stuff is truly dreadful, you'd really have to have given up the will to live to buy any.

I was in M&S today buying some undercrakers, and I have to admit some of the casual shirts and shorts looked just like you'd buy in Next, TKMax etc. and some of the prices were cheaper.

When you order a sports-jacket from the Sunday supplement - THAT'S when you've lost the will to live! 😀

Zara for men do some nice clobber.
I'm nearly 45 and I've got to admit that I'm having difficulty finding anything I like/won't look like I'm trying to dress young in.
Generally wear Firetrap, Diesel or other brands that you don't need to sell a kidney to afford.
People still get me River Island vouchers for Christmas.
I spend them on socks.

P-Jay - Member

My wife thinks it's a pastime, "she buys all my clothe for me."

Here is your problem 😉

 

Out of work:
Trainers/walking boots/Vans.
Shorts.
Base layer/T shirt.
Fleece.
Shell.
Flat cap.

Work:
Pink Crocs.
Blue Cargo pants.
Pink Polo shirt.
Blue Softshell.

I'm just as God made me, sir.
😀

bikebouy - Member

Dear God.

Just go along to Boss and get a decent salesman/woman to dress you. Explain you want to look normal in everyday life and trust them that they'll dress you correctly. Pay your money, stand tall and walk out looking normal.

I'd rather vote Tory.

Tucking any item of clothing in is a sign that you are middle aged in my opinion. If it was supposed to be tucked in, it would be attached 🙂

Shorts, t-shirt or short sleeved Joe Browns shirt and barefoot in summer. Jeans, hoodie / jumper, beard and trainers in winter. Coat, beanie and boots if really cold. 38 years old.

Shirt, Jeans and steel toe cap boots for work.

Just think 'Michael Portillo' or 'Paul Atterbury' and you won't go wrong.

Hugo Boss wearing style gurus - is it okay for a chap of 37 to wear Adidas shell-toes (some of which may be Star Wars themed) as part of his work semi-formal outfit?

P-Jay - Member
Hugo Boss wearing style gurus - is it okay for a chap of 37 to wear Adidas shell-toes (some of which may be Star Wars themed) as part of his work semi-formal outfit?

No

Wow! Thanks for the advice everyone

I've watched the thread develop and have just read it again

Now to the shops

Wish me luck

[url= http://www.whitestuff.com/mens/ ]White Stuff[/url] tends to do decent stuff for men over 30. Young without being too young; sort of dignified hip.

Now to the shops

not read the middle page so I assume no one recommended On One's bargain bin?

Tracksuit pants from Sports Direct
Tees from charity shop

Trainers or flip flops

How is the world of corporate finance working out for you yunki? 😉

When you're as good as me binners, you get judged on performance and reputation..

Sartorial panache doesn't get a look in at this level 🙂

😆 ^^^

Pay your money, stand tall and walk out looking [s]normal[/s] nothing like the guy in the picture in the magazine, no matter how much you think you do.

This thread is, by turns, very depressing and highly amusing

M&S are garbage they can't even make quality staples anymore, I've moved on to John Lewis' own brand far better.

I don't think Nike Air of any kind are acceptable on an adult ever!! Non-Air Nikes are okay but only if participating in sport.

For the 'gap' the OP has identified, I go with Howies, FatFace, white stuff that sort of thing.

Secret weapon is Debenhams - John Rocha and MantaRay sub brands have some great stuff for the smart but casual and not trying too hard look.

Usually - shorts/jeans/hoodie/jumper/approach type trainers.
(wtf am I approaching? the school run? turning 40? Certainly not a crag anymore)
Work - same, unless there is a meeting.
Going to a meeting - delve deep into my wardrobe for a selection of 10yr old shirts, thin jumpers and trousers. Mostly next/gap/similar. Old re-soled black or brown shoes.
Occasionally - grey (wedding) suit that still fits luckily.

I suppose I have given up really looking at this lot. I still regard my selection of hawaiian shirts as viable party wear though... 🙂

Depends what I'm doing. All my bikey/outdoor stuff comes from tk maxx or decathlon, so I don't spend a lot on fancy cycling gear. For work or smartish (imo) I like stuff without logos or big labels. Paul Smith and Folk are ticking my box just now but I'm just as likely to buy a shirt for M&S.

I suspect M&S could do with one.

"I don't think Nike Air of any kind are acceptable on an adult ever!! Non-Air Nikes are okay but only if participating in sport."

I really don't understand the vehemence by some, towards wearing trainers. A decent pair of trainers are far comfier and practical than a lot of other footwear, and a lot lighter than 'outdoors' type boots, a lot of which look shit anyway. And there's trainers and there's trainers;

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

My most recent trainers are these:

[img] ?16105[/img]

And I fancy a pair of these:

[img] [/img]

I'm 43. AndI really don't give a ****.

I got offered a somewhat senior role at a law firm last year. I decided to show up to final interview in a pair of brown chelsea boots, dark straight-leg Levis, open-neck slightly gaudy striped shirt (Simon Carter?) tucked in, navy soft-shouldered Oliver Spencer jacket over the top. It evidently didn't put them off, although they were suited.

For me anyway, the combination of a reasonably flat stomach, statement jackets and good posture is the key.

🙂

my rule of thumb is to get the trousers right and then everything else works around that, either get some dark one-tone jeans or get trousers that aren't too formal (look for ones that are flat fronted with round pockets) if you need something smart but not suit

chinos = dear god no, do you want people to think you work for Deloitte?

polo shirts = ugh, you look like a person who works in a retail outlet

have a pair of classic black chelsea boots that aren't too pointy for a fallback option

Every middle aged gent ought to have at least one cravat in his wardrobe.

chinos = dear god no, do you want people to think you work for Deloitte?

polo shirts = ugh, you look like a person who works in a retail outlet

That's the entire West Coast of America written off in two sentences!

Speaking as an older gentleman (cough 60 cough), trainers should never be worn except for running or, er, training. Walking shoes and trousers should be worn for walking. Plus, what's wrong with deck shoes? Shirts meant to be tucked in should be tucked in, too.
As I type this, I'm wearing a cheap polo shirt with the company logo, gap cargo shorts and some Dickies Timberland-copy safety boots. So what do I know?

Secret weapon is Debenhams

Every middle aged gent ought to have at least one cravat in his wardrobe.

Shudders

Plus, what's wrong with deck shoes?

Other than the fact that they're deck shoes?

Plus, what's wrong with deck shoes?

Other than the fact that they're deck shoes?

May as well ask what is wrong with incest, or morris dancing...

I've got deck shoes

and polo shirts 😳

I rather like deck shoes, wear them all the time, haven't worn trainers other than for sport since I was 14.

EDIT: To cause complete apoplexy I also like polo shirts, I still wear some I bought in BHS more than 25 years ago.

Pastel hued cardigan casually tied over the shoulders I presume?

*tries to mentally picture what horrors a polo shirt from BHS, bought 25 years ago may represent*

All you need is here.

I don't have a problem with trainers per se those NB are nice, but I do have an issue with Nike Air as they have no sporting heritage and are either warn by chavs or middle aged Americans in slacks.

Polo shirts are fine, nowt wrong with them unless they have hideous large logos on like this:

[img] [/img]

Worn exclusively by....

[img] [/img]

Collars 'popped' of course

[img] [/img]
br />
Doesn't Hackett have a specific meaning to some of our friends up in Scotland?

BigDummy - Member
For me anyway, the combination of a reasonably flat stomach, statement jackets and good posture is the key.

This ^^ +1000

binners - Member
Plus, what's wrong with deck shoes?
Other than the fact that they're deck shoes?

Other than the fact they look shite anywhere other than a boat and even then they're shite at doing their job.

And this ^^

Rightyo, I'm back to offer more advice and check up on you scruffy lot who've never even been bothered to wipe the snot off your left sleeve let alone wash the garment in question, those that have can stand back and accept the glory that you are indeed "Cool Dudez", take a bow fellas. 😀

So Deck Shoes? A Huge NO! and thrice NO, NO, NO! a man can not wear deck shoes unless he's sailing, in a harbour, port (only a small one mind) or slumming it around a dinghy park and even then the dinghy park must be on the South Coast and contain a huge %'age of sand. If you wear or even entertain wearing socks with them (should you wish to furrow your own trench and choose to wear them at all) then I cast you off and you can follow the fat American Golfers whose trend it is to wear socks with deck shoes. 😆

Hugo Boss and that £1000 "quote". Yes I was serious, bloody expensive stuff I'll admit but you will be served by someone who can tell what will "fit" YOU, what it will look like and what eventually you'll be looking like in it about a month later when you haven't even been bothered to wash the garments or indeed clean your bloody shoes.. You will come out with a few garments that look well together, fit and can mix and match. But, (I hasten to add another exclamation mark here) But!! do not stray from the style now imposed, don't mix a tight fitting jumper with 1990's baggy jeans that were/have been hanging in the wardrobe for years because "I'll fit back in them one day, only worn them once too" mentality. 😛 You will look a proper dick and we will point and laugh at you, not from afar oooohhhhh no... we will laugh in your face you scumbag. 😆

As is, I'm not surprised that some folks on here are as casual about what they wear to what they look like. Face it, mountain bikings a bit grandad and middle aged scruffy end of the style spectrum and by nature attracts scruffy individuals.

I'm off again and will giggle to myself all over again, and check back in a few days.

Cravats are Cool (FACT) and should be worn when riding roadies in autumn. 😮

Always wear a belt with your jeans if you are trying to smarten up and try to match it with your shoes.

ie brown leather belt and shoes or black leather belt and shoes

That's a ruby top Harry Enfield's character is wearing not a polo shirt. (Looks a bit like my school rugby top!).

Rugby tops are more the southern Hooray Henry crowd, and, garish polo shirts more northern nouveau riche IMO.

Worn correctly I have no major issue with either 😉 🙂

Cravats are Cool (FACT) and should be worn when riding roadies in autumn.

Yes since they are the perfect tool for the job of stopping cold air getting down your neck, but can easily be removed if needed. Far better than a snood.

*tries to mentally picture what horrors a polo shirt from BHS, bought 25 years ago may represent*

Just plain single colour ones, no logo, obviously a bit faded now.

Hugo Boss and that £1000 "quote"

You may like it but I would prefer more quality if I was paying that price, the jackets are glued, the stitching and buttons aren't great, sadly brands like this spend too much on marketing and too little on quality control in my view.

sadly brands like this spend too much on marketing and too little on quality control in my view.

Oh I don't know. These ones came out quite nice, though the marketing campaign was a tad aggressive....

[img] [/img]

Doesn't Hackett have a specific meaning to some of our friends up in Scotland?

Yes. Yes it does.

[img] /revision/latest?cb=20141108220827[/img]

Hugo Boss eh - One thing about the National Socialists they didn't scrimp on the clothing.

Two Hugo Boss clothed individuals discuss the merits of the brand...

😆

I want to know what the OP actually buys... IF, IF! he can be brave enough to post his purchases..

😯

As is, great thread, loads a giggles.

Its certainly built to last....

[img] [/img]

John Lewis & the Fenwicks group all have personal shoppers.

The John Lewis one is free for a 2 hours session where a lady will gather clothes to your specification (e.g. smart casual, cocktail party etc) and tell you if it looks rubbish.

and tell you if it looks rubbish.

surely they just sell you the crap?

I don't believe for a second that any straight man* has done, or ever will take advantage of that service. Its all a bit....

[img] [/img]

* men in denial, ie: the ones who buy Mens Health magazine, then feel uncomfortable reading it, without knowing quite why, possibly...?

surely they just sell you the crap?

Not at all - they want you to come back again.

men in denial, ie: the ones who buy Mens Health magazine, then feel uncomfortable reading it, without knowing quite why, possibly...?

[img] [/img]

I'm a minimalist* 'uniform' wearer.

Work: casual blue or grey short-sleeved shirt (untucked), dark blue jeans, black Vans.
Casual: T-shirt, dark blue jeans, black Vans. (Swap the jeans for shorts if it's hot. Swap the Vans for DM boots if it's wet.)
Smart (for funerals, weddings, christenings): black leather boots, grey trousers, smart shirt.

* One pair of formal trousers, three pairs of jeans, two pairs of shorts. Five casual blue or grey short-sleeved shirts and one smart shirt. One pair of black shoes, one pair of DMs, one pair of black Vans. More T-shirts than I'd like, but only really wear three or four of them. Plus, two pairs of board shorts, a couple of merino base layers, one pair of cycling shorts, one cycling jersey, one pair of running shoes and one pair of approach shoes for running and riding.

I've collated the advice above and believe I have a picture of a typical STWer?

[img] [/img]

OK Im back
Although after spending 90mins in my local precinct I now need either a drink or a bike ride or both

Hugo Boss was a pretty good call actually and my first stop
The bloke who came to chat was as knowledgable as bikebouy had suggested and very happy to give me a few ideas on what to look at
Unfortunately his ideas of a nice plain classic jacket and some grey trousers came to £700 which was a little out of my price range so I politely left to try and blag this kind of stuff elsewhere

As luck would have it Jaeger next door had a £400 blazer thing reduced to £100 (get in!) which fits perfectly and I then picked up a pair of Boss clone wool mix trousers from M&S for £40

With a couple of shirts from John Lewis I reckon Im now equipped for middle age

I totally get a flat stomach and the right attitude being the most important things but I have several functions coming up where Levis and Decathlon just wont cut it so Im now happy

Hell the jacket even looks good worn with jeans and a pair of Scarpa approach shoes so Im well pleased

Happy shopping old people - and thanks again 🙂

Isn't it a forum rule that those advocating M&S are required to post a pic of themselves wearing it?

This isn't just a fat, bald, middle-aged bloke. This is....

Well done OP. Glad some of my advice sank in and at least you took on board the advice and style route for your body type.

I did say they were expensive in my post so have to say well done for walking into the store.

All we need now are PIC's !!

😀

Pics?

As a great man once said "Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt"

🙂

dragon - Member

I don't think Nike Air of any kind are acceptable on an adult ever!! Non-Air Nikes are okay but only if participating in sport.

🙁

While on my hols last week, I saw some adverts for this lot. They appear to pick an entire outfit for the hopeless bloke, including the shoes, and mail it out to him.

http://www.outfittery.at/

The upshot seems to be that men are useless, and should turn over all purchasing decisions to a bunch of women.

I wear the same dodgy outdoor tops/jeans/approach shoe combo I adopted when I wasn't middle aged. Don't all middle aged men simply wear the same stuff as they did in their 20s, just in 3 sizes larger?

deck shoes are for someone who wants to look like dick! Fact 🙂

...against all STW odds, I will still going to buy this weekend that Nike Air 90 trainers for my Roman holiday..lots of walking in cobbles you see 😮

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me, yesterday

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My Monday morning look

You've got it all wrong wanting comfy but ugly shoes for Rome. You need to smarten up your act when in Rome, a nice pair of English brown brogues for the look and then you needn't worry about sore feet as that's what all those plazas with cafes are for, sitting down chilling out and people watching, while letting your feet recover 😀 or as the Italians would 8)

"when in [u]Rome[/u]"

+

"as the [u]Italians[/u] would"

Oh dear. Tsk tsk tsk...

"I do have an issue with Nike Air as they have no sporting heritage"

Nonsense. The inclusion of an air pocket in the sole of sports shoes pretty much revolutionised that industry, with every major manufacturer attempting their own versions/alternatives, mainly in vain. Nike Air trainers have been around since 1979.

[img] [/img]

And one famous basketball player was even named after the shoes, Michael Nike Air Jordan:

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

When the clocks change in the spring they change to BST (British Shorts Time) and it's shorts and teeshirts till they change back in the autumn.
At 58 I'd rather be comfortable than worry about what others think I look like.

Well both the Jeff Johnstone (1st Nike employee and he came up with the company name) and Bill Bowerman thought Air was rubbish and a gimmick (a rather successful one mind). Air was never put in their serious running trainers.

Michael Jordan was an Adidas nut as he thought their trainers better and principally only went to Nike as they paid him more money, not that they had better products. (Plus no one in the UK cares about basketball anyway.)