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40 year old socially marsupialed - what can I get away with wearing?

SocialiRetarded

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What casual clothing is important for a 40 year old man. I'm not ready for “old man” clothes. Are "classic" rock t-shirts still ok, Zepplin, Johnny Cash? Can I still wear bigger belt buckles (Like what links go to)? I know I should stick with darker jeans. I'm 5'6 but split 50/50 in proportion from top to bottom. What rise jeans should I wear? Have been "economically disadvantaged" (some would say comically economically disadvantaged) for past few years. Not sure what I can get away with now that I am starting to look like I'm in my 40s.

Thanks.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Drop...la-toten-fashion-belt-buckle/32339559930.html

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Fash...-new-belt-buckle-free-shipping/534020843.html
 

Concept Coop

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Wear what you like--just keep the cuts/fits up-to-date.

A dark pair of tailored cut or slim cut denim jeans can really help any wardrobe. Make sure they sure they're not too long and bunchy for you--and get them fixed if they are. Wear them with just about any and everything. I also think non-denim jeans looks good--think tan, gray, navy, olive, on the safer side.

I think band Ts are fine, but, again, I'd suggest paying attention to the cut. Athletic fit, blended (not 100% cotton) shirts are perfect band/retro/graphic T-shirts. Boxy, stiff--old man. Fitted, soft--the cool older gent.

In addition to the T-shirts, a couple solid colored polos (Black, Gray, Navy are safe; add a red one for summer) and oxford style shirts should cover just about every social setting I personally come across.

If you're not comfortable in it, or you can't afford it--you don't need it. Good luck!
 

Tsujigiri

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Wear what you like--just keep the cuts/fits up-to-date.

A dark pair of tailored cut or slim cut denim jeans can really help any wardrobe. Make sure they sure they're not too long and bunchy for you--and get them fixed if they are. Wear them with just about any and everything. I also think non-denim jeans looks good--think tan, gray, navy, olive, on the safer side.

I think band Ts are fine, but, again, I'd suggest paying attention to the cut. Athletic fit, blended (not 100% cotton) shirts are perfect band/retro/graphic T-shirts. Boxy, stiff--old man. Fitted, soft--the cool older gent.

In addition to the T-shirts, a couple solid colored polos (Black, Gray, Navy are safe; add a red one for summer) and oxford style shirts should cover just about every social setting I personally come across.

If you're not comfortable in it, or you can't afford it--you don't need it. Good luck!
Sorry, but please don't listen to this guy.

1. "Bunching" in jeans is called stacking, and many people like the look. You can also cuff your jeans, which is usually preferred for selvedge.
2. 100% cotton is almost always superior to cotton/poly. Polyester doesn't breathe and its differing tensile strength causes pilling when blended with cotton.
3. Polos... Not unless required for work or you want to look like a fob.
 

meso

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Shh, the 1-post wonders are replying to questions asked by other 1-posters! The plan is going perfectly!
 

dieworkwear

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I can't tell if the OP's username is supposed to be read "socially marsupialed" or "Social iRetarded," like the name of some social media app. :confused:
 
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Abraxis

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what does your fedora detector tell you?
 

SocialiRetarded

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Actually, the user name was supposed to be socially marsupialed. Not enough space though. Kind of having some fun. I have to look at that app, though. To give an illustration, I have never gotten my clothes tailored as an adult.

Not sure I can get away with bunching. Being 5'6, I wouldn't look right doing that.
 

mensimageconsultant

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Low-rise pants/jeans and skinny fit look bad on virtually any man over 40 (and many younger, too). Polos are not inherently bad, but they need to fit well and look lively to do any good. Some subtle contrasting on a polo shirt is the kind of youthful styling a 40-something could get away with. A bigger belt buckle really doesn't go with a shorter man, regardless of age.
 

SocialiRetarded

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Thanks for the advice. I'm sorry I haven't gotten around to posting. I agree 99% about the buckle. A huge, ornate, buckle would not look good at all. Considering, however, I'm in Texas a Hawaiian shirt would be out of place, I'm thinking I could pull off a medium sized one (I have a thick frame), no?

Sorry if I don't get around to posting often. Just don't have internet at home yet and too busy to get around to a place with WiFi.
 

mensimageconsultant

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Maybe it would be okay, for casual use.
 

scurvyfreedman

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I'm a 5'7" early forties guy.

I buy a lot of casual clothes from Epaulet, one of the sponsors of a thread on this site. Their rivet chinos are nicely cut and somewhat expensive, but not outrageously so. Not too skinny, but up to date. I highly recommend having all pants tailored. Your dry cleaner can probably hem pants - maybe not jeans, for that I'd find a real alterations tailor. I have my jeans hemmed too, because a 34 inseam pants on my 28.5" inseam legs just doesn't look good. I also don't wear skinny jeans. I wear APC Rescue jeans (a little fuller than New Standard) and Rogue Territory Stantons, which are about as skinny as anyone over 40 should ever get IMO. Both of my jeans are considered mid-rise I think.

I wear polos, but I've just started buying Guy Rover polos through a Japanese proxy site. You should probably start with Kent Wang polos as long as you are not politically opposed to buying garments from Viet Nam.

I wear t-shirts from Epaulet (loop wheel) and also from American Apparel (cheaper, but made in US and soft cotton/non-expensive). Epaulet has great hoodies in their sale section, but those are coming down in the next couple of days, so buy a couple (size up from your regular American brand size and use their measurements they show for each garment to get your size correct - no returns on sale/clearance items)

In winter I wear sweaters. Maybe those are old man clothes to you, but I think there's rarely a value better than a heritage brand Scottish cashmere sweater from ebay.

I have a pair of Alfred Sargent pebble grain brogue boots for fall and winter (any pair of good casual boots with a commando or dainite sole will do) and Epaulet tennis trainers for spring and summer (any plain unbranded sneaker is a good idea).

Personally, I stick to simple belts. Bridle leather with a plain silver buckle for causal wear.

Add in a casual jacket or two - one leather without a lot of bells and whistles and one cotton should complete your regular casual wear collection.

In my professional life I wear tailored clothing, so having pants hemmed was never intimidating when going to the tailor. Don't be afraid. Clothes that fit look much better.
 

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