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Editor Note: A Saturday update? What is wrong with me?! Anyway Based on all the comments below I think I probably need to come back to this subject and explain a few things. Mark is in his thirties and wrote this article with the Title: “Fashion can be bought, style one must possess”. I changed this on purpose to get people interested in the article and promote a debate (plus it has benefits in search engines: the geek in me :) ). What we have had is quite a brilliant reaction from the plus 30 crowd and they all have extremely valid points. I have updated the article in my section but it really deserves it’s own topic totally. One that I have noted in my scrapbook of ideas to write about. Please enjoy the article and get involved with your own personal opinions below.
Fashion can be bought, style one must possess.
As I flanneured through the city this week I observed with despair the near ubiquity of errors certain men are making in their fashion choices. This article does not concern those skinny little creatures working in high street retailing, the ones who seem to think a pair of jeans whose crotch is somewhere below knee level is cool and edgy and fight with their girlfriends over who will use the straighteners first.
No, I am talking about chaps who have already slipped crossed the horizon of being thirty and are now caught in the hinterland of clinging to ‘cool’ and worried about dressing like dad.
The error they are making is to mix the two rather than elevate their choices into one all encompassing style, selecting only those pieces from the capriciousness of fashion that fit this new style. I believe if men could absorb this simple lesson, then I dream of a world which would be a much more beautiful place in which to live. Hell, crime might fall, manners may begin to come back. We might even turn off the TV and read books. Something resembling civilization might return.
So what, I hear you ask, should the 30 something male dress like?
Well here are 6 KEY basic tips that are just the start of our journey:
- Forget fashion and get a style.
- Streamline your wardrobe. Go through it and give to charity anything you have not worn for six months. There will be a good reason for this.
- Look at your body shape. Unless you’re lucky, your thirties are when you’ll start waging a constant war with your body, so dress accordingly.
- Thinks shirts instead of t-shirts, shoes instead of trainers. Go for classic knitwear, invest in a blazer. Jeans are still ok, just go for the darkest indigo and for god’s sake pull them up and wear a belt.
- Invest in a quality suit, if you can afford it go bespoke, but made to measure is ok and still superior to off the peg. More on this in my upcoming articles.
- Start looking at where you purchase your clothes from; think A.P.C not All Saints, Dries Van Noten – not Topman.
Yes, there is much more to say, and this article contains just a snippet of all you’ll ever need to know to look better than almost every man on the street. Follow my advice and do your part to save civilization.
A.P.C and Dunhill 09-10
Great examples of the look we would aim for from these two great designers latest look books:
Editor Note
I think Mark has really touched on a strong topic here within men’s fashion. As we grow older I think we should do so with some grace and not fight that horrible feeling of trying to cling to your youth. You SHOULD dress differently at 30+ [This was totally my error to put a specific age] than you do in your early twenties. There is nothing worse when I see older “gentlemen” in a bar or at the gym rocking baggy distressed jeans with a bright graphic t-shirt! Trying to be ‘cool’ or wearing what all the young guys are wearing is exactly what makes you come across as try hard and incongruent. It actually makes you look like a total train-wreck.
I know when I start to hit my thirties and beyond I will swap out some of my pieces and substitute them with smart classic items that FIT (key). This might mean chinos and polo shirts, or it might be a leaning toward casual shirts and great knitwear. I am not sure how I want to progress my style because I am not there yet, but believe me I will be looking towards our personal BEST DRESSED MALE 2009 Tom Ford for inspiration. Now that is how to look great on a daily basis without all the ‘on trend’ items. See the comments on the article we wrote about him and how he is revered by ALL ages as being one of the most stylish men on the planet.
So please guys, if you haven’t already… grow up. It sounds harsh but you will thank me for it. You do not have to be a boring clone of everyone else out there, you can still add personal touches and flair to your outfits (through colours, patterns or accessories etc.) and OWN your looks… but let’s do it with some class.
UPDATE: Wow I really went for this huh. There have been some AMAZING and inspiring comments below which really emphasise the points I have always tried to make in my previous articles. Having a personal style is truly that… unique to YOU. You do not want to be anyone else and everyone’s personal upbringing, friends, situation, budget, environment, surroundings, personal role models etc will all play a part in the look they are going for. Mark has obviously started to adopt a more mature style and is now going for a more refined and probably classy look. He made this decision to do so within his thirties but it could also come later for other’s as they are not quite ready. There should of been no age associated with this [my fault] because transforming yourself before you are ready is also going have you feeling uncomfortable and less confident.
This article is a question of style instead of fashion/clothes and the Key point is to develop a personal style that is congruent with exactly who you are and where you are in your life. Everyone should grow old with class and dignity and it is about finding that balance about when to let go of the same styles you were wearing in your youth. Hopefully each year your personal taste will develop and you will start to look for ways to progress anyway so it will not be an issue.
For instance since I started this site in 2007 on a personal note my style has gone from really quite youthful and edgy to now a more edgy relaxed formal look. I wear casual shirts a lot more, I utilise a lot more casual shoes/boots in outfits, and I love using trousers/chinos in my day time looks which I never would of considered before. I still keep it ME and add the edginess through accessories, layering, colours and even cut/fit (drop crotch, carrot, tucking in jeans, rolling jean hems etc). I know within 2 years I will of progressed again and my style will be developed even further. Each year I become more and more confident, I know who I am and what I like and dislike. In the end it makes my personal STYLE become more defined and then finding clothes and putting outfits together which project this becomes easy.
Reader Quotes
Here are some of the greatest quotes I have seen from readers below. Witness01 always hitting the mark on the head:
Witness01
in your thirties”… Y’know, I don’t think it’s that simple
of course I agree that guys should always dress in a way that is enhancing, as we mature – so should our style and our class, as we become more refined
older guys dressing like much younger guys is creepy and wrong
The rules are so different for each individual that all you can really say is “You’re getting older, do so with dignity…and use it as an opportunity to evolve your style and sophistication”.
There is no such thing as an outfit that is right for a 30-something year old. We need to dispel that myth. There are only outfits, styles, items that are right for *you*.
Jason B
I do like the idea of buying less more expensive additions to my wardrobe that will stand the test of time.
Keith
its a controversial topic i feel and men go through the “change” at slightly different times, depending on how old they look and there personality.
BOAZ
its more about finding and developing your own style and for that you need to be true to yourself be confident and honest with yourself
Everything above really sums it all up. There are no rules to fashion and EVERYONE is different. There are some really great points to take away from the article (for and against) and I love the fact we have promoted some fire and debate between the readers. So let’s keep it going!
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30+ are you guys serious? OK for starters Tom Ford & George Clooney are both 48. I’m 34 and exact same age as David Beckham, so by what your saying is the 2nd best dressed of 2009 is a train-wreck. I mean Becks like myself look good for our age but I still think this should maybe be guide to being 40+ because I’m definitely not ready to give up Allsaints and swap my plimsolls for shoes. The only thing I do agree with is pulling jeans up and wear them how they been designed to be worn, but I’ve always thought jeans worn too low and showing off your pants looked retarded, even in my 20′s. I enjoy pretty much all the articles on this site but this one seems way off, maybe if your married with kids and had a tough paper round as a kid, you might look ready to give up your youth in your 30′s, but I’m not quite ready yet.;)
Hmmmmmm. On the one hand – of course I agree that guys should always dress in a way that is enhancing, as we mature – so should our style and our class, as we become more refined. I also agree that older guys dressing like much younger guys is creepy and wrong and evil and odd and creepy and wrong. Which of course, implicitly means I agree that certain styles and clothes are appropriate for certain broad age ranges. I also love the “forget fashion and find style” message.
But.
“in your thirties”…
Y’know, I don’t think it’s that simple…I would hope to see an evolution year after year…a 25 year old and a 20 year old would hopefully have the same magnitude of change as a 25 and 30 year old. Does that make sense?
Also, something I don’t think is captured very well at all – we don’t all hang out in the same places, we don’t all belong to the same scenes. If I take a trip in the elevator up through the floors of my company, some floors I’ll see traders…some floors, artists…and in the basement I’ll see the computer programmers (joke). Take a 35 year old specimen from each floor – they’ll go to radically different bars. Invest in a blazer??? Chinos? For a night out in Shoreditch?
The rules are so different for each individual that all you can really say is “You’re getting older, do so with dignity…and use it as an opportunity to evolve your style and sophistication”.
@ KATATONIK – here here! :-)
35 here and you’ll get my all-saints boots and trench coat off my dead body.
@witness & katatonik Im in the over 30′s club and even the over 35′s !
I am moving toward wearing a Blazer and some of the looks in the APC Dunuill fotos but i would never go out and buy the brands i consider to be old fashioned or over 45 like Marlboro Classics ! I do like to still throw on a graphic T under a jacket or check shirt, wear my Nike Jordan retro black/grey hi tops and rock the G star tapered jeans but the main thing i think is important is now in my thirties as opposed to my twenties i dont go for many bright/stand our coloured clothing or footwear which means you can get away with a lot more.
I think a perfect look from say 30-45 would be Blazer, Desert boots, str8 leg indigo jeans, cotton shirt but there is a way you can still pull it off and get the items at more trendier places and not look weird or scary or like your just trying too hard.
Plus your top two best dressed men, both over 30, probably wouldnt be seen in a lot of the clothing featured in this article.
@ Mark However, you do make a relevant point at looking at other HIgh Quality Brands like Acne, APC, Shofolk, Dries, I am thinking at a young 38 (a similar phase i went through 10 years ago) that all saints is becoming a bit like Ted Baker, although they make much better clothes, in its pooularity and seeing people out and about in it. I do like the idea of buying less more expensive additions to my wardrobe that will stand the test of time.
And i have recently streamlined my wardrobe and giving stuff away to notting hill hospice that i did not manage to exchange in another shop there. Finally, the suit is well nuber one on my agenda with a decent blazer, so well said about this section.
Im 34 and i have jus been in the process of changing my style from a street/hop hop style to something a little more fitted and traditional. its a controversial topic i feel and man go through the “change” at slightly different times, depending on how old they look and there personality.
@ Jason B – Hiya :-) Welcome to the club.
As I’ve got older my confidence and tastes have bloomed – I want to get *more* experimental…civil war striped pants, indiana jones jacket, pocket watch, grandad shirt, braces, combat boots or those amazing christian peau boots I just got :-), trench coat…lots of layers, lots of pockets…good profile…mix of ultra modern and something that looks 200 years old.
There is no such thing as an outfit that is right for a 30-something year old. We need to dispel that myth. There are only outfits, styles, items that are right for *you*.
Let me prove that point – take an imaginary shopping trip and buy all of Tom Fords outfits. Wear them. Do you look your best? I wouldn’t…why? Because I’m not Tom Ford. Nor am I “a 30-something”, though I my age places me in that category.
Paint by numbers. Fashion by numbers. Works if you’re a “by numbers” guy and go to “by numbers” places.
If you want, above all things, to be true to yourself, you wont though.
Let me just say though – great article. Anything that stimulates debate and constructive argument is worthwhile. All we can *ever* do is speak from our own perspectives. This is a strength because or own perspectives are just as valid as anybody elses.
Although the article makes a good point i think this is something that doesn’t really have to do with reaching 30. as witness01 said its more about finding and developing your own style and for that you need to be true to your self be confident and honest with your self if you’ll do that you will always look right with what your wear, there is no rule that you cant wear a brand that had a teen following when you are in your 30′s or more, it just knowing what item is right for you and how to make it work with your style. on the other hand wearing a more mature brand that is nor right for your style might make you look boring and older… its really your personal style not your age that will make or break it!
You know what, I agree with you ALL to be honest. This article was written by Mark who actually is a guy who is into his thirties and the title of the article I wrote for effect and to pique interest more than a true reflection on what the overall point was getting across. Really this should not of had an age attached to it at all because as you rightly pointed out, there are no set rules in fashion and people age differently – but it got you talking which I LOVE :) (even if it is a little mischievous)
I think the key point is to age gracefully (this could happen in your 30′s+, 40′s+ or 50′s ) and there will always be exceptions to any so called “rules” – as Beckham clearly goes against being as he still looks youthful and can still carry off what are considered younger styles very easily. I am sure that a lot of you here are in the same boat as you have pointed out.
I will actually go through the article and edit bits of it later, like taking out the age splashed everywhere, but please keep discussing as it is actually interesting to have a bit of debate here on site!
I will also update my section later to really ram home what I wanted to get across within the article, whilst reflecting your points you have made so far.
Yes there is some great feedback here, when I first read it, it felt like a slap in the face lol. I’ve only been getting back into fashion properly in the last year or so, like a ‘second wind’, I’ve been using this site religiously during this time, pushing myself to try some of the great advice and I’ve been loving it, then suddenly I find out ‘I’m too old’ hehe. I kind of see what this article was really trying point out but it came across badly, I think I know the kind of people you had in mind when writing it…
For example I wouldn’t wear skinny jeans with nike hi-top trainers or some cheap wear distressed baggy jeans hanging off my arse with a bright superdry t-shirt with clumpy white trainers. I do think a quality pair of distressed jeans like Nudie/PRPS/Armani that fit well worn with a nice subtle colour graphic t-shirt from Allsaints finished off with some plimsolls/Military boots and maybe a checked or distressed denim shirt or/and a leather jacket looks tidy. I mean even one of Allsaints new 2010 models is definitely in his 40′s;)
Anyways keep up the great work guys, I appreciate and enjoy or the hardwork you all put into the articles.:)
Yes this is a very stereo typical article used to cause a reaction, I would never anything we publish to put anyone off trying to better themselves or becoming more confident. I want you ALL to find a style that suits you and become a more well rounded male because of it.
All the articles on this site are aimed for everyone. If we do a trend piece on workerwear it appeals to all age groups but each person would use it differently. The younger ones might go out and throw on bright check shirts with skinny jeans, bright hi-tops and a trapper hat whilst the older male might opt for a cotton plaid shirt with some great leather boots and team it with slim fit denim.
Please do not be put off reading other articles or thinking that then now somehow do not relate to you. If I felt that was the case then I would delete this article, but now it just has too many great points in it.
No-one is EVER TOO OLD to progress themselves within any area of their life and I truly believe that… whether it be taking up a new hobby/passion, education, style, fashion or whatever.
So keep enjoying yourself and keep coming back and learning or developing your personal style. In the end do what makes you feel most confident and dress for yourself.
I am pretty sure anyone reading this site with more than a passing interest in fashion and clothes would never fit the stereotypical image that it touches on – where you basically look like a fully grown male adult in 16 year old clothes, trying to be ‘young and cool’! Your taste and style will of developed as you got older and there will hopefully be natural progression each and every year, even if it is really subtle changes to taste.
Great advice Ben, I mean we all know when we put something on and look in the mirror and it doesn’t feel right. I generally ask a friend to be blunt or my sister since she has a keen eye for fashion, if I look like a twat she will soon tell me.
I just been slowly building my fashion confidence, even tucking my jeans into my military boots was a big step for me hehe.. It’s a great feeling though when you push yourself to wear items you wouldn’t normally wear or wear something a way you hadn’t thought of doing in the past. Where I live isn’t like London/Manchester, where you can push yourself to stand out and people won’t take much notice, where I live most guys dress the same but the ones with good taste and style do stand out big time if they get the look right or wrong, so I think it takes that extra bit of courage to go for it.
Funny really when I was at school up until 25ish I was so into labels and fashion and then I went travelling for a few years and kind of lost touch and by the time I got back I wasn’t so bothered about clothes, then suddenly in my 30′s I’ve become obsessed with it again, more so than before. This time around I’m more concerned with how things fit, I’m abit OCD with fit if I’m honest lol I buy things that look good in the shop I get them home and wear around the house for few hours and suddenly think I should of got a size smaller! I think I’m also keeping the local tailor in business.
Anyways have a great weekend, the sun is out and it’s 15 degrees here! Think I will pop out and make the most of it.
I’d like to repeat my high regard and thanks for Marks article…writing a piece isn’t easy.
My disagreement with some of the points – y’know, it’s cool…you like those shoes, I like these shoes. To start intelligent and constructive debate *somebody* has to say the first thing – and the philosophy “find style not fashion” is spot on.
We become smarter and more informed exactly because somebody made the effort to put the first post in the ground with a sign saying “I think this…”.
Kudos to Ben too…ah, y’know, for being Ben.
Thanks for all your comments which I have read with a smile. I think the issue is clearly one that has caused a healthy debate, of which there is precious little out there. My article was purely a reaction to what I have personally seen on the street, and more a reflection on guys of an age and shape that really should know better. I chose thirty as a starting point where we should all start keeping an eye on what one wears. Not as a hard and fast rule.
Enjoyed the feedback though. Great stuff. Thanks to Ben for being such a willing moderator.
thanks this article is great … i’m 32 and i think that tom ford is certainly a style icon for over 30′s
What about some ideas for those who are 50+ We do not all want to wear cack brown and shop at Mattalan. After all the Italians can do it
Excellent article – as you can see from the comments above it’s caused a lot of thought and discussion. I’m sure the writers would agree that the article didnt intend to tell us all what to wear when we reach a certain age, but certainly reminds us that we dont have to wear “yoof” fashion to look good.
I’m 39, I am told I still look mid 30′s. I was at a festival recently and wore my battered converse trainers. Not my shoes! :) I think there is a case for growing old gracefully and with style but with a nod to what is right for you.
Well said, Mark.
I agree with many of the comments, but I think the problem for many of us in our 30s is the lack of decent advice and influence. Unlike our wives and girlfriends we don’t buy fashion bibles or even “men’s magazines”. Many of us simply give up, especially once we’re married and have kids.
Also depends how much cash we can afford to spend – there are certain priorities these days (sorry, but I really can’t justify spending £130 on an APC shirt). But where does a 30-something, stylish guy shop? Most of the retailers seem to be polarised between styles for teenagers (typical high street and fashion labels) and 50-somethings (m&s, john lewis…), perhaps because we’ve apparently given up, so retail businesses have given up trying to cater for us?
Never having smoked – nor drank to excess, taken no drugs nor sun worshipped, I feel fortunate to look (I’m told) in my late 30′s which is not bad at 50! However, due to life circumstance I have never developed a sense of style as I don’t want to dress in an immature way. I am unable to find advice on bodyshape for men e.g not skinny /slim – not tall; even your photo’s show skinny framed models and not real life like ‘man in the street’ – or advice for slightly popped belly, or rounded chest – no advice on beard or o beard extenuates slight double chin – this is the type of advice men are looking for and not the same old drivel about choosing the right style for your body shape without advice as how to identify what it is! I’m only 5’7″ , with a tad of a belly with saggy under chin so have favoured turtlenecks and slight beard growth thinking this helps BUT does it? Iknow. So, my point…stop giving lip service to giving advice and guidance and take the Bull by the horns and give proper, useful advice PLEASE. Thank you.