The search for the perfect wardrobe is one that men who value style will have to work through for their entire lives as styles and trends change. As men age, so too do their tastes evolve as each stage of life brings a new sense of direction that comes with change.
Whether you are just beginning to build your wardrobe as a young man in his 20s, or looking to add the perfect pieces to accentuate an already curated collection, here are the style points that men should take into consideration at each stage of life that will equate to sartorial excellence as you age.
Keep reading and learn everything that you need to know about dressing appropriately for your age, in your 40s and beyond.
Now let’s get started.
Subscribe to the GW YouTube channel.
Tips for Dressing in Your 40s+
Now with a firm two decades of manhood under your belt, you’ll likely enter your 40s with an elevated sense of accomplishment and yet eager for the next stage to begin. With so many years of experience under your belt constructing your wardrobe, this could be the start of truly placing a definitive stamp on your style.
Now that you have curated, collected, and incorporated the best looks for your persona and agenda, here are the guidelines to ensure that you maintain what you have already learned and amplify the areas that will take you to the highest echelons of debonair gentlemen. It’s not as hard as it seems!
Style Considerations for Your 40s & Beyond
The Wardrobe Edit
Even the best dressed men encounter a few fashion faux pas over the years, and the 40s present the perfect time to take inventory of what you have accumulated over the years and decide if it is still worthy of your closet or if it needs to be discarded to make room for better pieces.
Also take this time to renovate the place you actually store your wardrobe as well by investing in fabric suit bags, wood coat hangers and plastic boxes for our growing collection of shoes.
Quick note: If you’re enjoying this guide on how to dress well as a man in his 40s then you’ll probably find my other writing on all things style & self-development useful. Each week, I share updates, style tips and other things not shared on the blog through my free email newsletter.
To join now, just enter your email address below and click “Get Updates!”
Be Tailor-Made
By the age of 40, you should have an especially good idea of the styles that suit your body type and exactly how you like your clothes tailored.
One of the quintessential elements that separates the men from the boys is access to a great tailor, which means you should already have one you trust at your disposal for any types of alterations you may need or when it’s time to go bespoke.
Selective Sportswear
Athleisurewear is a trend that is here to stay, and men of all ages should have some presentable sportswear that is versatile enough for the gym and fashionable enough for the streets.
Make a conscious effort to select athletic apparel that’s slightly a cut above standard fare, opting for muted colors and jumpers that include pieces from brands that are known for properly producing the look. These are some athleisurewear brands worth looking into—Twillory, Public Rec, Vuori and Lululemon.
Bling It Up
By now, you may already have a few watches in rotation, but in your 40s, you have carte blanche to significantly add to the number if you are so inclined.
If you have not done so by now, don’t hesitate to treat yourself to a premium watch or bracelet that subtly features your preferred precious metals. Go ahead. You’ve earned it!
» Related: If you’re not quite in your 40s, see this guide on How to Dress in Your 30s.
The Trouser Trade-Up
Wearing jeans or not is a decision that every man must make, but one point worth noting is that if you decide to keep them as a mainstay, they should be the best quality possible, not to mention tailored.
As for proper trousers, your 40s are the time to expand your selection of chinos, linen trousers and slacks with more colors thrown into the mix now that you know your personal style points. Cover all your bases and you’ll never have trepidation over your trousers again.
Suit Suave
The workplace in your 40s is the time when promotions ramp up and presentations become a more integral part of the routine, which means that you should be fine-tuning your office look to make the type of impressions that will make the difference and help you stand out. Don’t just have one great suit at this age. Have an arsenal.
Dress to Impress
Those experimental hairstyles of your 20s should be a thing of the distant past by now, with your 40s including cuts that suit both the shape of your face as well as your hair type. This is the perfect time in your life to have a personal barber or two that needs little to no explanation to enhance your look.
Understated confidence
Making it to your 40s is a blessing and with this era should come a bit of resilience, moxie and understated confidence that lets everyone know that you’ve arrived, survived and are now ready to thrive!
You’ve survived a few missteps, but now you are at the beginning of cruise control mode, which means you don’t have to try too hard. Sidestep that mid-life crisis and remind yourself that you have paid enough dues to be expressive and savvy. Prove that getting old can equate to getting even cooler.
Final Style Considerations
It is important to know when to seize the perfect opportunity to nurture your style, by mixing it up until you find those that are well-suited to your preferred aesthetic and persona.
From patterns to prints, signature ties and essential watches, these are the decades that will prime you for a course towards sartorial excellence in the coming years of your life. By the time you reach your 40s and especially as you enter your 50s, your wardrobe is sure to be as chic and confident as you are .
How do you or did you dress in your 40s+?
Let’s continue the discussion over in the Gentlemen Within Private Facebook Community.
Looking forward to seeing you in there.
Drop a Line!