According to New Study, We Need to Ditch the Jeans…WHEN?!?

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But according to a new study by British company CollectPlus, there’s an age at which we should find a new way to be stylish.

And that age … is 53.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/fashion/are-you-ever-too-old-to-wear-jeans-study-says-yes-and-the-age-is/ar-AAjMMUM?li=BBnbfcL

Their thesis is that shopping for new pairs past this age isn’t worth the trouble, because one in 10 half-centurions try on six pairs and spend five days looking just to find one pair that fits.

Of course, I know men half my age who try on ten times that number and still come up empty-handed, particularly if they workout.

Nonetheless, the article claims that the process is so traumatic that 6 percent reportedly burst into tears.

To be frank, I don’t know a single woman or man any age who doesn’t experience some degree of trauma when trying on jeans.

Most of it has to do with dressing room lighting.

The rest involves a designer’s idea of exactly who they want to wear their jeans, which may not involve you.

The key to a successful shopping experience is to rule out body dysmorphia and/or a lack of self-actualization, which most therapists are capable of addressing.

Once you get past that you can wear whatever the hell you want.

But you’ll still have to deal with the crappy overhead fluorescent lighting…even at high end retailers.

Why they do this is beyond me.

Louis Vuitton Appeals to Upscale Baby Boomers With Music

Bowie

Baby Boomers are the generation born between 1946 and 1964.

If you’re a member, you’re somewhere between the ages of 51 and 69.

So juveniles by today’s standards.

Many of us sit squarely in the middle, which means we’re either in – or fast approaching – our 60’s.

We’re in shape, financially independent, technologically savvy.

What better than to appeal to an affluent demographic that has become increasingly larger and more important as our population ages?

In an historical context, we’ve set new precedents, as people our age were, at one time, either dead or walking billboards for Mr. Rogers.

That was then.

Now, thanks to designers like Louis Vuitton [and others, like John Varvatos], we can finally buy clothing that feels the way clothing felt back in the days when we were young, rebellious and filled with hope and promise.

It was a brilliant move.

Louis Vuitton has strategically positioned itself as a classic, upscale choice for the affluent Baby Boomer generation.

No wonder my wardrobe collection looks a lot like it did back in 1978.

Brace yourself for an Aspen makeover, as people start looking a lot like they did back when when they couldn’t afford it – not to mention good concert tickets to see David Bowie.

Okay, so in addition to Vuitton, here are my top favorite designers for men [in no particular order]:

Vince

Alexander McQueen

Belstaff

Dolce  & Gabbana

Armani

Prada

Gucci

James Perce

John Varvatos

Maison Margiela

Saint Laurent

Hudson Jeans

Ralph Lauren [Black label]

…and of course, Converse.

Do’s and Don’ts for Men Over 50 [According to the WWW]

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Pooled from the WWW come the do’s and don’ts for older men, not that anyone pays attention to any of it…myself included.

Nonetheless – because I’m asked about it all the freaking time – I offer you the list:

APPROPRIATE:

1] Dye hair

Note: I started dying my hair at 18 and still do. Nobody cares.

2] Hair trimming

Note: I had to Google this. I assume it’s similar to a haircut.

3] Leather jackets

Note: I have 23, but only wear 6 of them.

4] Cardigans

Note: I had to Google this one just to see Mr. Rogers.

5] Sweater vests

Note: See #4.

6] Hair replacement

Note: No big deal. Many men I know do touch-ups on the hairline, some on their eyebrows.

7] Graphic tees

Note: Right on.

8] Cowboy boots

Note: Sure. But not in my closet.

9] Biker boots

Note: I have 5 pairs.

10] Get an annual physical

Note: Who doesn’t get an annual physical?

11] Dress for comfort

Note: In other words, dress like a teenager when we feel like it? I do it all the time.

12] Own and wear more than one pair of jeans

Note: I’ve lost count.

13] Use moisturizer

Note: I have so many damn products I have to use a Magic Marker on the products to remind myself of the order in which to use them.

14] Date women close to their age

Note: Seriously? The last time I dated someone close to my age was when I was a teenager. My girlfriend at the time was 17, which is 11 years younger than the woman I currently date.

15] Wear a good watch

Note: I don’t wear a watch, but have no problem with people who do.

16] Embrace baldness

Note: Embrace baldness if not embracing it means lacquered comb-overs and baseball caps that people begin to suspect are sewn into your scalp.

17] Be a silver fox and let gray go

Note: With enough money nobody will notice the color of your hair anyway.

18] Occasional jewelry besides wedding band

Note: Some men can pull off wearing a lot of jewelry. Others can’t. If you know yourself you know where you stand.

19] Sandals, no socks

Note: How about no sandals, period?

20] Flip flops

Note: See #19.

21] Baseball caps

Note: Sure. Why not? Just not all the time, unless you’re The Edge, in which case it’s totally fine.

SIMPLE-THE-EDGE-14-09-10-U2-Wallpaper22] Converse type sneakers

Note: If you don’t own Converse sneakers, I’d see a therapist.

NOT APPROPRIATE:

1] Spray tan

Note: What they’re referring to, I assume, is something along the lines of George Hamilton, so no.

2] Have/grow a soul patch

Note: I once had a soul patch, then I didn’t, then I did. Billy Bob Thornton looks good with one, but I’m still on the fence about mine.

ep408-own-master-class-billy-bob-thornton-3-949x5343] Face-lift/mini face-lift

Note: If it looks natural, why not? Over-indulgence never goes unnoticed, and not in a good way.

4] Wax eyebrows for shape

Note: Finally, I agree.

5] Wax chest, back, legs or armpits

Note: Agree. Shaving it all is less painful.

6] Brow lift

Note: Why the hell not? See #3.

7] eyelid surgery

Note: I actually knew someone who’s eyelids were blinding him, so he had them lifted. See #3.

~~~

Obviously, all of this is complete crap.

Nobody cares what others think about what they do but themselves.

This notwithstanding, it either works or it doesn’t.

The good news is that it won’t take long for you to hear about it if it doesn’t.

Want to be a “Cool” Older Man? Start With the Right Attire.

the-most-interesting-man-in-the-world

By popular demand, I’m going to share with you what I consider to be kick ass looks for men in their 50’s and 60’s.

Many of you have hit a second stride.

You want to start going out, meeting new people…making the right impressions.

You’ve done all the hard work getting here, including staying in top physical condition, so it’s now or never to make that second stand.

PROBLEM #1: While you were out making money, raising a family, and spending whatever free time you had with your grammar school buddies at the Bushwood Country Club, you forgot that there was life outside.

PROBLEM #2: While your wife may claim to be perfectly happy with you just the way you are, you may not agree.

There are several interesting reasons for the later, but I’ll leave that to another blog.

~~~

A few more regrettable – but fixable – facts:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2424325/Men-appearance-age-46–women-work-looks-decade.html

~~~

First, we’re going to start with the three P’s.

They are your…

1] Physical condition

If you’re obese, you’ll look like a Mardi Gras float in whatever you wear. You don’t have to be an Adonis, but you do have to get beyond the ONE SIZE FITS ALL category.

2] Posture

So let’s say you r are an Adonis, bad posture will obliterate all your gains in a heartbeat. Remember, shoulders back. Walk tall and be a man worth his salt.

Only rich oligarchs get away with bad posture because they’re only surrounded by the people they employ, mostly showgirls.

3] Presentation and/or style

What you wear speaks volumes.

As the old saying goes, “presentation, presentation, presentation…”

First impressions are usually the last impressions you will ever make in life.

~~~

With this behind us, what I will present to you are 3 completely different looks, each with 3 examples of clothing choices ranging from casual to formal attire – all of which play well in large urban settings, including all of them.

I’m sure that somewhere in all of this you can find yourselves all over again.

CATEGORY ONE: BAD BOY CHIC [aka, kiss my ass]

CATEGORY TWO: SMART CONSERVATIVE [say what you want, you country club guys wish you looked this good]

CATEGORY THREE: STYLISH ECCENTRIC 

~~~

BAD BOYS

e17a69aac5abdc8a4276aaddbf5e1f22Daytime, hanging out, being the bad ass that you are.

e1c32f4c6c28ff04380d083cb63a332bSmart casual, out to dinner.

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Show up to a fundraiser in this and you get a gold star.

 

SMART CONSERVATIVE

68a71b2f7f08567e39489b863c28cc59Daytime, hanging out at “Bushwood” overlooking the greens.

df7a88c0b53c6019354f9908615a44afCasual look, out to dinner.

 

d254edcd8fe15802ccc2bdb0405439c9Formal, well done.

STYLISH ECCENTRIC

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You could probably make a down payment on a house for the cost of what this dude’s wearing, but he does pull it off well. Daytime, nighttime, anytime he feels like it. 

5c4d2298199f236b37070567ba6c0d1fHe doesn’t care what you think, but he knows you’re curious.

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Great twists on traditional themes.

For more styling ideas, check out this page: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/older-mens-fashion/

You might also save yourself a lot of trouble and just visit John Varvatos: https://www.johnvarvatos.com/

~~~

SUMMARY

I know that many of you are uncomfortable stepping out of your comfort zones.

It’s tough to be an individual when you’ve spent your entire life fitting in, being accepted.

But some of you have had enough of the bullshit and are now ready to step out of the box.

Congratulations.

It takes courage to finally be who you are at midlife and beyond.

For many midlife is a period of rebirth.

This is what rebirth should look like.