Clothing for a man of “a certain age”

John Lewis have an own label brand of clothing – Kin that my wife describes as “Swedish Architect”. It’s pretty plain, nicely cut office-casual-neutral, there’s a whole range of jumpers shirts trousers jackets etc etc.The also have concessions in store for brands like Reiss, Hugo Boss and Ralph Lauren John Lewis men’s clothing ranges are directed at customers your age.

Gap are good for casual, as are Uniqlo, although the latter has stacks and stack of stuff, it is overwhelming, and you do need to go in with the thoughts that you are going to have to rummage and look past the “Young Persons” stuff that’s always at the front of the store and is always pushed heavily to attract the folks who shop the most. You will need to do more than a casual browse. All Saints also have a good range of tee shirts and jerseys – they are all logo’d though, although it is subtle. Next is also OK, but pretty cheap looking iMO. Ted Baker is good for suits and loud fun shirts. Avoid Marks and Spencer, clothes cut badly for the folks who have nothing left to live for.

Finally JP Maxx can sometimes be a gold mine, although same as Uniqlo you need to be prepared to rummage and it can be a waste of time, Really is a lottery that one

Oh, Patagonia have some pretty good outdoor stuff that can be easily pressed into casual wear, a couple of my friends pretty much just shop there, and their ethical and environmental cred is pretty good, which honestly most of the high street brands aren’t. Gird your lions; as a deep green this is going to be a horror show.

I just think blue denim on an older man looks too much like trying to recapture lost youth and its a very lazy way of dressing.

Guess there’s a category Dianne Abbott forgot to include in her letter.

Looks down…

…Man at Sports Direct for the win! 🙂 😎

Lolz at badlywireddog!

my wife describes as “Swedish Architect”.

Oh – that might not be a bad look so long as it doesn’t stray too far into black polo necks and heavy black framed glasses territory

Is the new you TJ Maxx?

If you want colour, visit your sister and shop there – the Dutch love colour so have lots of choice – sizing may be a problem but I guess there is the kid’s section.

as are Uniqlo, although the latter has stacks and stack of stuff, it is overwhelming, and you do need to go in with the thoughts that you are going to have to rummage and look past the “Young Persons” stuff that’s always at the front of the store and is always pushed heavily to attract the folks who shop the most. You will need to do more than a casual browse.

Solid advice, but I don’t think they have any branches in Scotland.

I’ve actually just ordered the shirt I linked to in my previous post, along with a couple of other sale items.

Damn you TJ, costing me money.

Cruel mefty. cruel 🙂

cyclists legs and arse tho – slimfit trousers that fit my legs and arse are baggy at the waist

Yep! all made for flat arse blokes

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.