Anna Levinson
In this men’s sartorial guide, we give you tips on how to maintain a stylish edge even as you age into your 40s. Though less room to experiment than the previous decades, you don’t have to give up and don those dad cargos and t-shirts just yet. In fact, your 40s might be the best time for your look – mature, sharp, and yes, even cool. Here’s how to dress with distinction without looking like you’re trying too hard.
By the time your 40s roll around, you should hopefully have a solid foundation of wardrobe essentials, having amassed quality and timeless pieces that can work with the rest of your clothes. These pieces should be classic yet versatile: think light and patterned dress shirts, chinos and trousers, and of course, well-tailored suits and ties. For a more refined look, you want to keep it simple and pared back.
Loud patterns and colors may have worked for you once, but now you should have found what really suits you. Elements like skin tone, height, and build should all be carefully considered now that you’ve got the basics down.
Courtesy of www.mrdraper.com
Just like your thirties, you want to lean towards more formal casualwear and more casual formalwear (decent loungewear, varieties of blazers, etc.) This will up the sophistication factor on any look you’re going for and bring a ton of options into your repertoire, whether you’re stepping out on the weekend to grab some groceries or leading a meeting at work. Here are some staples to stock up on:
Dark Jeans
You can’t go wrong with dark wash or black denim, the sexier alternative to the light wash dad jeans. Find a brand and a cut that looks good on your body type (Levi’s is classic) and get a few trusty pairs in varying shades that can be a go-to for a smart casual look.
Few items accentuate your silhouette like dark denim! Courtesy of www.petermanningnyc.com
Sweaters
Choosing knitwear over t-shirts to pair with your jeans is an easy way to sharpen up your style and give you that mature gravitas you’re looking for. Have an array of knits in grey and warm neutrals in varying weaves that you can pluck from your closet with ease in the fall and winter, plus some jewel tones like burgundy or deep green if you want to add some color.
Strutting sweaters in neutral colors is a great way to elevate your style game! Courtesy of www.llbean.com
Blazers
The pinnacle of smart and business casual, blazers add a level of polish to your outfit, and can both dress up or dress down your look for errands or the office. Because they’re just so versatile, now is the time to expand your collection.
That one navy blazer in your closet is standard, but they come in many more sophisticated colors and fabrics. Grab some wool blazers for the fall, and branch out with some colors in a lighter fabric for the spring.
Sports Jackets will absolutely enhance your look as you progress your style game into your 40’s! Featuring The Dark Knot’s Domaso Grenadine Brown Silk Tie!
Trousers and dress pants
Mid-grey wool, brown, navy, and black are all great bets when it comes to your pants. Keep it neutral here so you have more room to add some color on top, where the focal point should be.
It’s hard to go wrong with a pair of grey woolen dress pants. Courtesy of www.pinterest.com
Dress shirts
By now you should have a collection of dress shirts for different occasions. Stock up on your favorite options and pay extra attention to the fit.
Well fitted dress shirts should be a cornerstone of every aspiring dapper gentleman’s wardrobe! Courtesy of www.poshmark.com
Sleek Shoes
To avoid that aged and frumpier look, opt out of chunky sneakers and instead go for a more minimal, sleek design. White leather sneakers, suede chukka boots, chelsea boots, brown leather loafers, and lace-up brogues are all great options depending on the occasion.
Well fitted, sleek brogues can add the perfect finishing touch to an ensemble. Courtesy of www.sparrods.com
As much as it hurts to hear, you’re not in your twenties anymore – unless you’re hitting the gym every day, you may find that some of your clothes just don’t fit like they used to anymore. Now more than ever you need to pay attention to the fit of what you’re wearing; nothing commands little respect like sloppily fitting pants or suit jackets that either dwarf you or fit too snugly in unflattering areas.
Well fitted clothes are absolutely imperative for your wardrobe game in your 40s! Courtesy of www.petermanningnyc.com
Get your items tailored to fit the body you have, and focus on the proportions to maximize the stylish wear of your pieces (your tailor should be able to help you with that). Continue to replenish your staples as they either start to not fit or become too worn out, and look for masterfully constructed garments that suit your build.
Find things you don’t wear anymore and give them away; conversely, find things you wear a little too much and get duplicates – maybe in some different colors, fabrics, etc. As you likely have more money to spend on your wardrobe than your twenties, feel free to make some upgrades. Splurge on some bespoke pieces if you’re so inclined, and gravitate towards more high quality fabrics.
A well curated closet goes a long way. Courtesy of www.livspace.com
Brights and pastels might make you look a bit washed out as you ease into middle age, so focus your closet around neutrals that compliment your skin tone. You can still play around with color, but do so sparingly so you don’t look like you just stepped out of the nineties. As you continue to age, editing what you have in your wardrobe will be a process like anything else.
While your tastes may develop and shift, you should have a central working idea of what you ultimately like, what looks good on you, and how you want to represent yourself through your style. There’s no time for the haphazard anymore, so lean into the tried and true.
Neutral Colors provide the perfect building blocks for your wardrobe. Courtesy of www.fashionbeans.com
Nothing screams dapper like a well layered, well co-ordinated ensemble. Courtesy of www.dmarge.com
With more disposable income, buying luxury pieces can add dapper accents to more simple style choices. Invest in some premium accessories or designer brands to really stand out and elevate your style. Timeless pieces that you can pass down will give your look a commanding air of confidence and sophistication that will differentiate you from your peers. Some examples:
Watches
Having a high end watch is a great way to elevate an outfit, adding an element of class. Pick a versatile one that can be paired with any look, or pick a more flashy watch for special occasions and another one for everyday wear.
Courtesy of www.realmenrealstyle.com
Jewelry
Like a watch, something as simple as a bracelet can be the detail that brings your look together. Beaded ones are trendy, but accessorize with restraint lest you look like you’re coveting your youth a little too much.
