The five style rules every man over 50 should break
A few years ago at a soirée, I met a man of a certain vintage sporting an opulent jacquard suit, princely evening slippers and a twinkle in his eye. He told me he’d spent his life in corporate suits, conforming to expectations while raising a family. Now in his mid-60s and, realising he’d spent his life dressing like his father, he’d decided on a reset.
Men are creatures of fashion habit and, especially when younger, tend to find safety by blending into the herd. They stick to perceived rules – there’s a reason that Hardy Amies’ ABC of Men’s Fashion is regarded as seminal style reading. A crisp white shirt and classic grey suit will always be elegant, but who wants to go to their grave never having worn anything expressive or fun?
Which is why a recent round of figures in the public eye are such a joy to behold, having ditched uniformity in favour of more vibrant outfits. At work, a palette of grey and navy may be necessary, but why not take a few style risks? Of course, knowing the rules and how to bend them is half the battle...
The ‘if in doubt, wear navy’ rule
We say: be bold in technicolour
At 69, Jeff Goldblum has evolved into one of Hollywood’s most stylish men, and it’s all thanks to his love of bold pattern and colour – note the gold metallics here.
Older gents can benefit from a touch of bright colour; grey hair looks great with pastels, metallics and caramel tones, and sallow complexions benefit from the lift. It helps that Goldblum has maintained his svelte frame – but men of all shapes and sizes can benefit from a brighter shirt or sweater.
Velvet blazer, £245, houseofbruar.com; Shipton wool sweater, £185, johnsmedley.com
The ‘white shirt is the backbone of your wardrobe’ rule
We say: embrace the power of print
An impeccable white shirt is a thing of quiet, masculine beauty. But if you spend your working life in one, it’s worth broadening your horizons. Take Damian Lewis, for example, looking fresh in a patterned shirt at 51.
It’s not the full-blown Hawaiian affair, just a touch of splashy print, setting a more relaxed mood for off-duty days.
Nudie Jeans shirt, £100, mrporter.com; Ridley shirt, £171, orlebarbrown.com
The ‘always wear freshly pressed’ rule
We say: take it easy
Many of us recall Sunday evenings spent ironing shirts and running trousers through a Corby press, but these days, it’s more acceptable – admired, even – to wear looser, freer fabrics.
Brad Pitt, 58, has undergone a style renaissance, wearing linen head to toe, which lends a bohemian appeal. Seersucker is another fabric that’s light and doesn’t require starching.
We’re not saying one should become slovenly, but just think of the time you’ll free up.
Seersucker shirt, £32.99, zara.com; linen trousers, £59.95, massimodutti.com
The ‘tie is man’s best friend’ rule
We say: don’t be tied to one accessory
Nicky Haslam, authority on all things stylish, once recalled a dress code from a high society grande dame that demanded guests wear a handsome silk scarf in lieu of a tie.
Many men are wedded to the former, but a tightly-fastened collar isn’t the only way to look dapper, as demonstrated by Charles Dance; a scarf is a raffish, easy way to add a special something to your evening attire without the fuss and fiddle of a tie.
Bird of Paradise silk scarf, £195, drakes.com; silk scarf, £25, hawesandcurtis.co.uk
The ‘formal occasions demand formal shoes’ rule
We say: trainers can be smart as well as casual
There’s a soothing ceremony to polishing a handsome pair of shoes, but men’s footwear has evolved in the past decade, and there’s no longer a division between smart and casual.
The former – such as Oxfords and Derbys – will always have their place in a man’s wardrobe, but trainers can be just as stylish; see Stanley Tucci’s neat white sneakers at Wimbledon.
They look dynamic and, when worn with a polo shirt, bring a suit bang up to date.
Stan Smith trainers, £80, adidas.com; leather trainers, £220, grenson.com