Welcome back to the gentleman's Gazette!
In today's video, we discuss how to dress your age so you look age appropriate and not
out of line.
Why is it important to Dress your age?
Probably you've seen the guy who is in his 50s wearing clothes that his teenage son wears,
on the other hand, you may have seen a teenager
who is decked out with a fedora hat in a three-piece
suit and it just looks odd.
So why is it important to Dress your age?
Well, the saying that you are really only as old as you feel really doesn't hold up
when it comes to appearances.
No one ever looked at George Clooney or Richard Gere and said “oh wow that gray hair looks
terrible on them”, however, if they would put on shorts, flip-flops, and a t-shirt,
it just doesn't suit their age.
Of course, every once in a while you'll find people with a very developed style and it's
really unique to them and they maintain it throughout their life.
In that case, you just dress the way you are and express yourself.
For all others, it pays to have certain guidelines based on the age group you're in, of course,
there's always leeway to break the rules but I'm a firm believer that you have to master
all the rules first before you can break them stylishly.
In today's video, we discuss the age group of under 20, the early 20s, 25 to mid 30s,
mid 30s to mid 40s, mid 40s to 65, and 65 and up.
To get right your age group, you can click on the link underneath the video so you don't
have to watch something that you're not interested in.
UNDER 20 First, let's discuss guys under 20, in that
age group most people are extremely casual and sometimes they're even outright sloppy
so if you want to be dressed better than your peers and an age group you really don't have
to do that much to stand out from the crowd.
The basic idea for this age group is casual layering.
So unless you go to a job interview and if you want to learn more about what to wear
then please check out this video.
You can go without a jacket and without a tie.
Of course, if you feel like you want to dress up and you want to have a blazer combination,
or maybe even a suit, feel free to do that but it should not even be your everyday outfit,
otherwise, it may alienate you from your peers.
Most men under 20 wear jeans so if you just
grab a pair of chinos or corduroys, you immediately
stand out.
And if you want to learn more about the intricacies
of those garments, check out our Chino guide
on the website as well as corduroy video.
A lot of teenagers like to wear extremely skinny tight pants.
I think a slim fit that highlights the line of your leg is very flattering and it suits
you especially if you're a slim build.
If for some reason you have big thighs just the way I do, I suggest to go with pleated
trousers for fuller cut trousers that will just highlight and flatter you more.
If you don't want to wear a jacket, dress shirts can really help you to elevate your
style.
I suggest to have some plaids, checks, and maybe stripes that are very versatile.
Alternatively, add some oxford shirts.
To learn more about those, check out our guide on the website.
Definitely skip the baseball cap, it makes you look immature.
Instead if you want to wear a hat, maybe consider a flat cap in the fall winter season.
As layering is very important in your age group, I suggest you go with sweaters because
they keep you warm in the winter, they add a little book to your build which easily comes
off as muscles, and they keep you warm If you are up for a cardigan, you can even take
it off if it's too hot and that makes it very flexible, casual but well-dressed.
A classic sweater style is a crewneck, if you want to wear a tie with it I suggest you
get a v-neck because it accentuates the look of the tie and if you want to go more casual,
you can even go for a Henley shirt.
If you want a very classic look, I suggest you go with either a cotton or merino wool
which is rather thin and can be one of
transitional periods.
I you want a more preppy look, you can go for more of a tennis sweater style in bolder
colors, maybe some contrasting colors, white with blue, green with red, and maybe even
some braiding in the knit.
Most of your peers will probably wear Nike shoes or some form of sneakers, if you want
to stand out, up your level on the shoes but still stay casual.
I suggest wearing a driving mocc in the summer, maybe a pair of boat shoes, maybe a pair of
suede shoes because they make it more soft and casual.
In the winter, you can go for a pair of chukka boots and you can learn all about them in
our chukka boots guide on the website.
Running shoes should be reserved for athletic wear only and if you want to have a nice pair
of leather sneakers that's totally fine, it has its place in the wardrobe, when you go
out clubbing or whenever you feel it's appropriate.
When it comes to watches, I think simplistic watches are really great for younger guys
and you can have simple ones that don't break the bank; however, I suggest you stay clear
of really huge watches because they don't look good on your small wrists.
Rather go with something smaller that's timeless and more proportional to your physique.
MID 20S If you're in your early to mid 20s, chances
are you may just get out of college, you'll get your first job and in that case, it pays
to have at least one suit that you can wear for interview purposes, again, check out the
video guide on our website that helps you to dress to the tee.
If you’re in a sales position or if you're in a white-collar profession, you will definitely
need a lot more suits than one.
If you're not, I suggest to invest more in combinations.
Maybe of a blazer would be a great first garment to start and overall, I suggest you check
out our guide on the 10 clothing items that
every man should have because that's the foundation
of your wardrobe that will last you a lifetime and you'll get a lot of wear out of it because
it's very versatile and flexible.
In order to give you a greater variety and combining things, I urge you to stay clear
of black suits or black jackets, instead go with dark charcoal gray or navy blue because
they'll look better, more office appropriate and you will be able to combine them with
a lot more than a black garment.
For more details, check out my video on why black is a number 1 overrated color in menswear.
For casual wear you can still have a few pair of jeans, however, I suggest to go more with
chinos in the summer.
You can have brighter colors such as Nantucket red or maybe a light baby blue, you can also
look into seersucker which is also comfortable in the summer but also more preppy and stylish.
If you have a mid-gray suit, you can also wear the slacks and combine them with your
blazer and other items in your wardrobe, so it pays to have these basics.
In terms of accessories, I think one thing that really sets men apart is the choice of
the wallet; and to invest in a nice leather gentleman's wallets is really the next step
up.
It should not bulge and it should have enough slots for your cards and everything that you
need.
Now, it's also the time to invest in one or two dress watches if you like to wear watches.
Personally, I'm not a watch guy and so I don't wear them, that's maybe one of my personal
hallmarks or anti style hallmarks but if you like watches, I think a simplistic dress watch,
round maybe with a black or white dial is really helpful.
If you still have some old band t-shirts, you can still wear them and in a casual setting
with friends, but it's definitely nothing you want to wear to work.
In terms of dress shoes, it's now time to leave the Alfani, Calvin Klein , Cole Haan
behind and elevate to something nice that's quality that will last you.
I urge you to watch the video on the comparison of $100 versus $500 shoes to see where you
can find some value and if that's too much for you, you can even get a great pair of
shoes for $200 but you're not gonna find it at the mall.
When it comes to casual shoes, I think leather is really nice.
I'd stay clear of Skechers, or tennis shoes, or Chuck Converses because they're just not
in line with a dapper outfit.
Of course, if you're traveling somewhere and you're comfortable in them, I get it, wear
them, but if you want to stand out from the crowd and take it a step up I would leave
them behind.
mid-20s or mid or late thirties if you're in your mid-20s or mid or late thirties,
chances are, you've had your first job, you moved out of the dorms, you have your own
apartment, you may are still looking for a new significant other, you may already find
someone, you may have children, you may be in the suburbs, but life has changed dramatically
for you ever since you were in your 20s.
A great wardrobe staple is probably Oxford shirt especially with a button-down collar.
It's something that you can still wear either casually or combined with a jacket or suit.
Polo shirts are nice if you maybe want to play golf or hang out with your children on
the weekend but they're not something you should wear to the office, not even on casual
Fridays.
The advantage of dress shirts over sweaters is that you can combine them with a lot more.
You can wear them with vest; you can wear with cardigans, and suits; versus polos, more
reserved for casual outings only.
Rather than just focusing on colors, it can really help too to look into the texture.
For example here, I'm wearing a silk knit tie which is a very different texture than
the jacket that is made of wool which is different again from the linen pocket square or the
boutonniere.
If you have a basic wardrobe with dark colors, white shirts, light blue shirts, you can add
color dashes such as maybe your pair of socks or your tie or your pocket square and just
make outfits unique and make you stand out and recognizable.
It's very nice to see when people recognize you as the well-dressed guy.
If you want a little preppy style, it can look really great to have a rep style tie
with a blazer and a bold pocket square because it still shows that you're young but that
you also know the rules of dressing well.
Chances are you have a little more money in your pocket now and so it pays to expand your
shoe collection and go beyond the first two or three pairs that you had before.
I suggest to start with an Oxford or a derby shoe, now you can look into maybe a double
monk, maybe a single monk, maybe a loafer, or whatever it is that works for your wardrobe.
Sweaters are still a great item for casual wear, not so much at the office.
Chances are you might think that neck wear is only for the office; I firmly believe that
you should reconsider that point of view because a nice necktie or especially a bow tie can
quickly become a hallmark and make you stand out in a positive way that will always reflect
well on you.
In the summer, consider to go with sailing shorts, maybe wear an oxford shirt or polo
shirts and boat shoes, it makes for a very preppy look.
mid 40s to about 65 so you're at mid 40s to about 65, you are
still young and you feel young and you're probably very comfortable in at this stage
in your life and as such you can still wear all the things that you want to wear but when
in doubt, you should always tone it down a little bit.
Go with more muted colors rather than bold bright ones.
Instead of using bolder colors to differentiate your outfit, I suggest to go with different
textures and especially subtle patterns.
You can go with window panes instead of solids, herringbones not just finer but bigger, maybe
a classic Prince of Wales check that is larger in black and white that goes well with your
gray hair.
These are all things that can really help you develop an outfit that is very age appropriate
yet very stylish.
You may or may not have to want to wear suits at work but during your off hours, I suggest
you go with odd combinations, going with a sport coat in single breasted or double breasted,
maybe a tweed jacket in the winter, and it just is very age-appropriate for this stage
of your life.
Rather than going with sweaters, I would stick with odd vests or simple waistcoats and you
can get them single breasted maybe double breasted, and they're fantastic because you
can unbutton them, they don't add bulk in the sleeves and they can really help to make
your outfits stand out because most of our men don't wear them.
If you wear them, make sure to wear them with either suspenders or a regular waist band
but skip the belt because it will make the bottom of your vest bulge.
If you feel like that darker more muted tones of your outfit are too old-looking and you
want to be a little more youthful, I suggest to go with a bolder pocket square, maybe a
bolder necktie, socks or a boutonniere.
It's very easy to change the look of an entire outfit with just those few items; of course,
you don't need all those together.
You can just go with one or two at the time.
It's also fun maybe combine your pocket squares with your tie or with your socks because that
coordinates and it's just a well-rounded outfit.
If you want to deviate from the classic blue red and yellow, I suggest to go with something
like burnt orange or maybe eggplant purple, maybe a little lighter or olive green, they're
all great colors that go well in your age group.
As you get older you, might have more issues with your feet and if you want something softer,
I suggest to go with slimmer soles and more casual shoes such as loafers and driving moccs
during your off time maybe derbys If you go to the office and you can leave the Oxfords
behind if they're just too tight for your foot.
I often see men wear white tennis socks with white sneakers ,or tennis shoes, that’s
just a look that makes you look extremely old because that, I suggest you ban on from
your wardrobe because you don't want to look older than you actually are.
65 and up if you're 65 and up, you're likely retired
or you're looking forward to retirement.
You either spend your days on a golf course or hang out with friends playing cards, working
at the woodshop, and at that stage of your life, the degree of formality goes down.
Now is the time to add sweaters back into your wardrobe, maybe skip the blazer unless
you really like to dress up, however, one thing I notice a lot is that men change their
physique yet the Wardrobe remains the same and it sometimes makes them look quite dated.
For example, men whoe wear the height of formality in the 90s now look very outdated with the
large padded shoulders and extremely wide cut trousers with a low rise.
If you are into a certain fashion period like the 30s, and you maintain that style, it can
work really well ,but if you just wear whatever you had 20 25 years ago, chances are it is
worn out or it just doesn't look as well suited to you anymore as it used to.
Therefore, it makes sense to reevaluate the wardrobe and see that everything just fits
the way it should.
Ideally, you have someone else help you with that because you yourself may not be the best
judge.
Shoes need to be more comfortable of course and you can still get elegant casual shoes
that are not tennis shoes.
You can also go with inserts that help you be physically comfortable if you need walking
assistance instead of the typical old-school cane, you can go with a nice Malaka cane maybe
with a sterling silver handle or even ivory if you find it vintage.
Having a stylish cane is not just helpful but it really elevates you from all the others
with their cheap bulky little metal ones that just look plain ugly.
Depending on how heavy you are, it may make sense to get pants with pleats to give you
more room of movement and are simply more uncomfortable at a stage.
I suggest you avoid bold patterns in menswear as well as bold colors go with smaller patterns
for your ties if you want to wear them, and just keep it simple.
Don’t be afraid of layering and even lighter colors especially if you have white hair by
now because having more earth tones with less stark of a contrast, helps you to create a
well-rounded outfit . if you still have a high contrast between your skin and your hair,
you can also go with strong contrast colors such as a white shirt with a dark suit otherwise
maybe go with a somewhat grey suit and a light blue or maybe cream shirt rather than strong
white.
of course suits should only be reserved for formal occasions, if you still want to be
stylish and comfortable you can look into knitted jackets which give you a great range
of movement but if you can afford a custom made garment from a very soft fabric maybe
something like cashmere it's very comfortable pretty much like a sweater it looks a lot
more dapper and it will help you look younger. and shoes I suggest you go with something
that really suits the rest of your wardrobe you want to go bolder maybe consider a pair
of two-tone wingtips but for most men in your age group I suggest to keep it simple and
brown because it combines very well and it's still very classic and timeless I just turned
33.
and so in this video, I'm wearing a blazer
which is part of a suit it's Navy it's double-breasted
and it has a faint windowpane and it's from Ralph Lauren Purple Label that I bought years
ago on eBay and I can still work I'm pairing it with an unusual striped shirt in yellow
and a dark stripe to add a little more boldness to it, I have a two-tone pink and dark charcoal
silk knot tie from Fort Belvedere which I pair with a yellow linen pocket square with yellow
X stitches from Fort Belvedere and as you can see there is just a light contrast but
it goes well with the stripes of my shirt and the boutonniere is a dark purple pinkish
that goes well with my new tie my pants are custom-tailored in a sharkskin mid-gray fabric
they have inverted pleats double pleats because I have a big bum and big thighs and that's
what I need I always like cuffs or turnips because in a lightweight fabric they help
you pull the pants down and create a clean line the socks are great for a little bit
of contrast to the pants and they have nice clocks so they're very office of I'm wearing
them with black semi brogue Oxford's from petty we're in England and overall it's a
very classic office outfit however because of my shirt and my tie it looks a lot more
youthful if I would wear that same thing with a striped red tie and a light blue shirt or
a maybe white shirt it would look a lot more professional. The cufflinks I'm wearing here
right now are our Gold Monkey Fist cufflinks from Fort Belvedere. They're very timeless and I
designed them because I never liked the silk notes that you could get, but I wanted something
that was an actual not from nautical things and not just a fantasy product but something
that was timeless and sophisticated. The ring I'm wearing is 14 karat yellow gold that matches
my cufflinks and it has a citrine stone. I found it at a vintage flea market in Boston.
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stuff like this comes right your inbox. Also, stay tuned for videos on how to dress younger
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