Mens Fashion & Lifestyle

Aging well means keeping your physical appearance the best it can be.  Your "style" is all about you, inwardly and outwardly.  Putting your best senior self out there.  Now that you no longer dress for the business environment (or maybe you still must as you're actively employed) you still can add your personal joie de vie to your wardrobe essentials.  

Your wardrobe is comprised of all of who you are.  This includes a 360-degree approach: clothing, shoes, accessories, personal grooming.    Some examples:  James Dean, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Paul Newman, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Steven Tyler, Andy Warhol and more .  What do these men have in common (besides being movie or music stars)?  They developed personal style and branding.  You, too, can do the same.  Now is the time you can express yourself and improve your physical presence through your wardrobe, accessories and physical presence.    

Develop and curate a capsule wardrobe of basics upon which you can build, using additional pieces and accessories.  You do not need a lot of items, just items that are interchangeable expressing your personal lifestyle and preferences.  Timeless, classic accessories are always a good choice, your personal preference may also include influences from music and art, Indigenous places and people, sports etc.  Don't be afraid of adding jewelry as a fashion statement.      

Men intuitively understand the capsule wardrobe (also known as the KISS principle).  Fashion in our times is now emphasized as something important in the ability to attract a mate.  Yet, it is important, and even more so given our cultural emphasis on beauty, personal grooming and socio-economic status.  Step back and take a look:  what sort of pieces are in your closet?  Do they compliment each other?  Are they in good condition? Do they fit properly?  Are your shoes run down, scuffed and worn out?  Do you have a mismash of pieces that are so old you can't remember when you got them, or is your wardrobe a collection of Christmas and Birthday gifts that do not even go together?  If you answered yes to even one question, you need to revitalize your closet promptly.  Get rid of the items that are completely worn out, ripped (unless purposefully so), frayed, scuffed, run down, don't match or fit.  

Rehab your clothing to focus on basic pieces and shirts, sweaters, pullovers etc. that compliment your coloring and personal style attributes. It is not "girly" to follow fashion trends for men.  Check out  https://www.gq.com/  for inspiration.  Check out "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" for inspo as well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_Eye  Consider the days of frumpy Archie Bunker dress style are gone, you need to get your new style mojo on.

Next, consider which exact pieces you wish to delete and add.  Then consider your budget, lifestyle and personal preferences.  You can get a complete new wardrobe for under $100 at most thrift stores and resale stores.  Amp up your clothing choices with high-end consignment selected sustainable pieces.  See www.theRealReal.com   If your shoes are all worm out, scuffed, heels worn down consider refurbishment at a shoe repair shop or toss them and get new, well constructed pairs.  

While you're at it, accessories play a part too.  The basics of belt and watch is sufficient.  Choose a well constructed leather belt that suits your style and wardrobe.  If you wish to wear a watch, again make it an expression of your personal style.  Remember that some brands are forever, such as Rolex.  Whatever watch brand you choose, make it at least well made.  Choose glasses and sunglasses frames wisely to accent your face and personal style.  Remember, Raybans have stood the test of time.  Always "in" and always "cool".   https://www.ray-ban.com/usa/sunglasses/view-all/plp?cid=PM-SGA_300419-US-Brand-Core-Desktop-Exact__ray+bans&&msclkid=7656077b43761d12e4735924b98f8e22&gclid=CNT9kNzAgegCFVeqxQIdyCMCVw&gclsrc=ds

Much as it is with women, fashion choice when working from home can be anything to nothing and your social interaction is limited under Governmental mandate, however it is necessary to be out in public for essential purposes.  Don't "let yourself go", keep up your style and your fitness routine - it will make you emotionally feel better to do so.  Masks (facial coverings) are now mandatory and will be for the foreseeable future, and the choice of functional or decorative is yours.  

What about staying in shape?  You can still keep fit but will need to do your regimen in a different manner - possibly in the house, a combo of running/walking and outdoor exercise and the like.  You'll find that that gym membership may have been wasted money as you develop new ways to work out.  Sweaty used gym exercise facilities are really over-rated anyway.  

Grooming, your hair, now what?  You can give yourself a buzz cut, however be sure to seek out some tutorials to guide you.  During the "stay home, stay safe" mandate, getting your hair styled is a challenge but can be done.  Don't worry about it, everyone's hair is looking a bit wayward during this time.  Might be the right time to grow your hair out for a new look?  Foor inspo see  https://menhairstylesworld.com/hairstyles-for-older-men/ 

As 2020 came to a close, our fashion culture, personal branding and expressionism has evolved.  Blame it on the Pandemic encouraging self-reflection, or call it changes that have been percolating and are now seen as welcome and timely.  Men, now, have the liberty to create their personal fashion brand expressing their own choices, which can often be judged as original and out-of-the -box culturally.  No longer is society mandating a certain behavior, personal look and fashion adherence.  Freedom to be who one is, how one dresses and their lifestyle choice(s) has never been better.

Harry Styles epitomizes these forward changes and fashion has embraced it.  We commend Harry for his wonderful expressionism, talent and individual sense of personal branding.  Don't miss his writeup in Vogue.  See:  https://www.vogue.com/article/harry-styles-cover-december-2020