Clothes that fit your age

[Hondo]

Much has been make of people dressing in clothes that are not in their age bracket, such as women in hip huggers, tight jeans or tank tops when they are over weight. A mother trying to look as young as her daughter? Same can apply to men; my question is if you or some one didn’t know the proper style or look, dressy or casual where would you go to seek advice? Wear clothes that fit and feel good for your age. I’ve gone to many stores and most sales or counter persons don’t know this (they want to just sell you some thing so beware) other than telling you your size.
Shouldn’t there be a place that can offer tips on styles, a man your age should not be wearing those sir, you look silly :eusa_doh:

 

[Twitch]

I was at a cruise-in the other night and there was a car owner there wearing those sillyassed hip hop jackass baggy shorts that go down to within about 6 inches from the foot. This guy was probably 35 and just looks assinine!

 

[Archie Goodwin]

my question is if you or some one didn’t know the proper style or look, dressy or casual where would you go to seek advice? :eusa_doh:

Both personally, and for those I care about, I look several places. I try to look at people who are of a similar age, who have style and dress well, and then consider how that look would work for the person I am trying to help. There are a few quality fashion magazines out there to use as reference. I definitely agre that most sales people will tell you anything in order to get you to buy, and buy fast, so that they can make their commission and/or get you out of the shop. Not all, but many. I also give consideration to body shape. For men this is easier than for women. I remember an advertisement a few years back for tailored men's clothing. The pertinent line was that "neither 6-pack abs nor love handles are relevant to business meetings". I find women's clothing to be more complicated, because it is generally designed to be more revealing, and to emphasize the best parts of a figure while concealing the worst. I think the theory behind a suit is to conceal both and project the power of the uniform. Another recent thread discussed the suit as being the equivalent of modern armor, and I don't think this is far off the mark. I have now gone tangential to your original question and will stop.

 

[Paisley]

A few thoughts:

Look at the style of those who are where you'd like to be in life in a few years. Not at those whose stage in life you've already passed.

Classic looks are good, trendy looks are more for the early 20-somethings. What are classic looks? Those that don't change much over decades. They are usually simple and have a middle-of-the-road cut: pants that sit at or near the waist, straight-leg pants, knee-length skirts, etc. Just watch some movies or shows from days gone by. In Family Ties, for instance, Alex's preppy clothes look pretty normal, even though they're 20 years old now. Nick's clothes, while trendy at the time, look ridiculous now.

I would not pay much attention to fashion columns or most fashion magazines. Too trendy. The writers like to shop for new things, not wear the clothes they have for a long time.

 

[Atomic Glee]

I have always hated trendy clothing, or trendy anything for that matter. Now that I'm old enough to understand it all, I'll take classic over trendy any day of the week - and I'm 24.

I go to my grandfather a lot for such advice.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

However ... I've always felt that if you're over 40 and you still have a 25 year-old's face and figure, it's quite all right not to dress like a grandma. I once saw Racquel Welch when she was 45: she looked quite good in her "young" clothes.

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[Paisley]

Yes, and I don't mind seeing a fit, attractive 45-year-old man in decent jeans and a t-shirt. It just seems like many people think that the clothes will make them hot.

I myself look somewhat younger than I am and I am in the best shape of my life. But I'd still rather not wear clothes that say "ingenue," or worse, scream "available."

 

[Marc Chevalier]

It just seems like many people think that the clothes will make them hot.

So true! T-shirts and jeans don't make the man (or woman). In fact, it's usually the opposite.

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[Daisy Buchanan]

At one point, I used to turn to fashion magazines for advice. But now, they seem to cater to a younger crowd. Magazines that used to have articles on how to dress for a "career", or how to look presentable without breaking the budget, now have articles on what the best jeans are and how to find the coolest screen T's. I remember that magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan used to cater to woman who liked to not only be in style, but also liked to dress up. Now, any article and photoshoot that they might have in regards to dressing up, contains these whacky looking outfits that are so far reaching, nobody would wear them off the run way, let alone be able to afford such crazy duds.
So now, for my modern wardrobe, I tend to look at stores that cater more to an over 30 demographic. Both Ann Taylor and Banana Republic this season are selling some elegant and tailored looks. For a few years J Crew had this look down too, but now they have gone back to promoting $200 ripped jeans and slogan T-shirts. They still have a highly tailored suit/dress/skirt selection along with some very pretty tailored tops. But, they don't advertise that part of their store, and in the store they don't have a lot of it in stock. So, one must find it in their online shoppe.
I am very comfy laying around the house in sweats and tshirts. But, I even put on a nice skirt or slacks even if it's just to go down the street for a cup of coffee. Believe me, I have my share of casual clothes. I just know when it is appropriate to wear them. Also, sales people, even in the above mentioned stores really don't know anything about dressing nicely. I'm actually surprised that these stores even sell such nice tailored clothes. I feel like I'm the only one who ever buys them. They certainly do have some beautifully clothes this season. I wish that their advertising focused on them, instead of the ripped up ratty jeans and worn out frayed shirts they are selling.

 

[Rosie]

My brother and I were speaking of this just today. My brother is a pretty casual guy, jeans or khakis and polo shirt most of the time. He was driving me to work and we came to a red light. This guy walked in front of the car dressed in big baggy jeans, huge shirt, work boots a huge leather jacket, sweat bands and loads of jewelry. My brother simply goes, "Look at this clown. What is he, 35? 40? Wearing his son's clothes." It made me laugh.

I'm not sure where people would turn to get advice on such a thing. Daisy is correct, there was a time when women's fashion magazines offered such advice but that is no longer the case. Essence and Lucky still do at times but, thats only two magazines. For me, it happened naturally. There just came a time when I didn't want to wear certain articles of clothing. As I'm getting older, I'm settling into a vintage style of dress almost everyday but, even when I did wear "modern" clothes more often, at about 25 or so, I literally went through my wardrobe at the time and decided what I didn't want anymore because it was "young" or didn't fit me, as in personality and style. Even over the summer, I went through my wardrobe again for the same reason. [huh]

 

[Paisley]

Yes, I hear what you are saying about the mags. I get Shop Etc. mostly for the coupons. Most of the clothes they show are very trendy and suit mostly young women. Maybe a fit, attractive lady of a certain age could wear dresses slit to the solar plexus and skirts that only reach mid-thigh. But most women that age will end up looking desperate or old as the hills.

In J. Jill catalogs, there is a model who is about 55 or 60 and looks great. The clothes may not be our style, but she doesn't look like she is trying to look like something she isn't.

 

[Braxton36]

A lady (and I do mean that) in our city (but who has a horrid sense of fashion and dresses in styles many years too young for her) was once described by one of her contemporaries as "mutton disguised as lamb.":eusa_clap

 

[Sefton]

I agree with most of this. I have to add that you can still make the "not dressing your age" mistake even if you only wear vintage. I'm 41 and (I hope) in fairly good shape and not sporting too many grey hairs,but I would surely look just as silly dressed in the style of a youth from the 1930s (Oxford bags-those super wide trousers that are almost like bell bottoms) or from the 1940s (say,turned up Levis,t-shirt,etc.)as I would if I dressed the way teens dress now. I don't want to look like an old man...just a well dressed adult man of about 40.

 

[Hondo]

My brother and I were speaking of this just today. My brother is a pretty casual guy, jeans or khakis and polo shirt most of the time. He was driving me to work and we came to a red light. This guy walked in front of the car dressed in big baggy jeans, huge shirt, work boots a huge leather jacket, sweat bands and loads of jewelry. My brother simply goes, "Look at this clown. What is he, 35? 40? Wearing his son's clothes." It made me laugh.

I'm not sure where people would turn to get advice on such a thing. Daisy is correct, there was a time when women's fashion magazines offered such advice but that is no longer the case. Essence and Lucky still do at times but, thats only two magazines. For me, it happened naturally. There just came a time when I didn't want to wear certain articles of clothing. As I'm getting older, I'm settling into a vintage style of dress almost everyday but, even when I did wear "modern" clothes more often, at about 25 or so, I literally went through my wardrobe at the time and decided what I didn't want anymore because it was "young" or didn't fit me, as in personality and style. Even over the summer, I went through my wardrobe again for the same reason. [huh]

Thats funny which reminds me, I remember reading about a guy who was near 50 and entering skateboarding contest called the X-games a few years ago and this guy was a champion skateboarder, other kids were saying “Hey shouldn’t you give it up grandpa?” That was funny.
I do laugh at the guy who wears those shorts below the knees with converse sneakers, pierce ear rings and tattoos who looks about 40, time for a change dude.

Well Ladies and Gents thank you, wearing cap (yeah bald spot) and without my glasses I do look younger than my 53 years of age, some days my waist can be betwen 34-36, yeah its a middle age thing. I go for the casual look, nice dress shirt, clean jeans or khakis most of the time. I rarely wear a suit & tie, it all depends. No funerals for me pal. I shop Banana Republic or Macys which carries J-Crew. Thanks again!

Oh right! same here, settling into vintage era clothes lol

 

[RetroModelSari]

There is a lady that allways waits for the train when I do. If you just see her from the backside you´d think she is a teen or a twentysomething wearing low Jeans and bellyfree-outfits and bleached very long hair. Now turn her around and you´ll look in a face of about 50 (and you can tell her age). I agree that the classic clothes are the best. You can´t go wrong with them. If you still look young and you feel right and look good in "trendy" stuff go for it. Otherwise stick to the classics

 

[Elaina]

Frankly it would depend on how much money I had to achieve the look I want.

If money was not an issue, I'd go to a fashion consultant, and request someone closer to my own age or older.

Now, since I'm not well off enough to do that, I'd do what I always do in times that I have no idea what I need to do: I'll pick up a book. I'd start with books that determine what shape I am, what would look good, and chart it. I have a Vogue sewing book from the 70's that has 12 or so pages of what to wear with certain body shapes. No chin? No mandarin collars, pilgrim collars but v neck, empire and boat necks are appropriate. It also goes through other things too. Busty? Well, empire is out. And you're left with choices that will be flattering. Pick up a book on textiles, and you'll find out that while some spandex may be appropriate, it's not appropriate if you're 200 lbs (and 5'1") over a certain content, like 25% spandex. Even better, find someone you admire their clothing sense, get pictures and dissect that apart, and find out why they look good. Then go get a book on style.

So armed with styles that you know are flattering to your body (book 1), and cloth that's more flattering to your weight (book 2), you have basic tools to go out and shop. It doesn't matter what the sales person dresses like, or really what they know, you go in asking for an a-line skirt and a blouse with kimono sleeves, they'll be able to point you to something similar and you can decide from there. Tags show the content of the material, and therefore you've then successfully been able to determine what looks good on you. Once you're to that point, style (book 3) kicks in and you should be able to dress appropriately.

Women are trained that to become older is a failure. This trend of dressing at 50 like your 16 year old daughter is a reflection of that training. We're not supposed to look our age, and unfortunately many translate this to dress as young as you can, not that dressing age appropriate, perhaps in a "young" color (like pink) can be more flattering than getting tattoos with your kid, and wearing jeans to show it off.

Barring doing alot of work, I've found seeing someone I particularly admire their clothing on some day that they don't look harried, saying "Oh my gosh! You look gorgeous! Where DID you get that <article of clothing>?! I LOVE it!" 90% of the time they're too happy with the comment to notice that you're being extremely rude in asking that. And they will tell you the store they got it from.

Something else to hit upon as well: perfume/cologne is also age appropriate. Many women in their 40's still wear perfume they wore in college. While sometimes it's not a bad thing, Arden's Sunflowers is not meant for older women. When I started wearing no. 5, I had to fight the counter woman because she felt I needed no. 19 or Mademoiselle, both of which I wore before. I wore Mademoiselle in my HS days (as well as others, but this was my "date" perfume) and graduated to no. 19 in my early 20's. I changed to no. 5 when I no longer looked like a young woman but a mother, and to me no. 5 has always been an adult perfume. I also spent about 3 months researching perfumes before I settled on one, and researched that like I did clothing.

Sorry for taking up so much space here.

 

[Twitch]

OK I got one for y'all. What are us old farts around the 60 year old mark supposed to wear that would not offend anyone's delicate sensabilities?lol Beyond a suit to work...

 

[Quigley Brown]

So true! T-shirts and jeans don't make the man (or woman). In fact, it's usually the opposite.

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Then that applies to all outfits? A 1930s pinstripe DB suit and fedora doesn't make the man. What qualities must a person possess then?

 

[Hondo]

If money was not an issue, I'd go to a fashion consultant, and request someone closer to my own age or older. Sorry for taking up so much space here.

Fashion consultant shouldn't have to be costly, just gives you an idea of styles (for spring, summer, fall and winter) that fit you or those at a certain age. Your not out to buy the entire store, just a few items at time.

OK I got one for y'all. What are us old farts around the 60 year old mark supposed to wear that would not offend anyone's delicate sensabilities?lol Beyond a suit to work...

How bout botton up brown rain coat? lol

Just kidding, anything thats vintage would do well, as an old fart myself I wouldn't mind someone offering opinions, or directions towards looking nice, sensable is a good word. I got a big fat head (7 3/8) and some hats look all wrong.

 

[Paisley]

My best guy friend, who is in his 70s, wears rather nondescript men's slacks (plain dark color, no pleats, sits at waist) and a polo shirt. When he's dancing, he wears a plain t-shirt in a dark color. They're classic clothes and they fit his slim build.

My father, into his 50s and 60s, wore jeans and western shirts. These suited him because he lived in Colorado and had a construction worker's physique. Now, he'd look better if his jeans fit better (they're too baggy in back) and he quit would slouching.

At the other end of the socioeconomic scale are the partners at the CPA firm where I work. Three of them are men in their late 50s, I believe. They always look nice in, again, the non-descript slacks, loafers or oxfords, and dress shirts. It's a simple, classic look. No loud colors or funky styles or obvious jewelry.