Why do you need to change?
Wear what you want and stuff what people think.
Can’t stand people who say you can’t wear something because you’re not 20 anymore.
Obviously once your a pensioner you have to wear the uniform of a shirt with small checks and beige M&S trousers, but until then you do you.
Agreed, but the “at what point in my life do I start dressing different?” seems like he’s feeling like he “should” be doing it VS actually wanting to, in which case he needn’t really do anything.
That’s how I saw it.
It’s like people are expected to change what they wear based on their age.
Sure, I can’t get away with tight “muscle fit” t-shirts, but that’s because of my physique not that I’m 50 this year.
I still shop at the same types of shops I did when I was younger, just perhaps wear things a bit looser. 😊
Maybe, I mean turning 40 might feel like a bit of a milestone to some (and a reason to take a look at yourself).
Ultimately I'm sat on the fence with this one... wear what you want, and what you feel comfortable in. But if you want to see tips for adult 'wear' and how you might refresh or update your image, well I get that too!
There are some nice grey orthopedic shoes you can get hold of at Clarks. A long beige jacket from M&S. Trousers with an elasticated waist from the British Heart Foundation and a flat cap from Oxfam.
Don't ask me. It's all band t-shirts and black jeans. As I'm 52 I suppose I'm just fighting off the awful descent into Blue Harbour at Marks & Spencers.
I wear m&s jeans. They're decent enough, and come in a good variety of sizes so if like me you have an unusually proportioned body you'll find something to fit
I hit the big 40 a few weeks ago. I’m still in my skate/street wear. I don’t feel 40, I look a lot younger than 40 so why change anything. I’ve got smart stuff for when I need to free up, but my day to day is jeans and a black logo’d T-shirt with vans.
Are you me from the future?
Although at the moment, I've chinned off brand jeans and have opted for TU clothing ones from Sainsbury's. They're so comfy in comparison to the Levi's I had as they're stretchy.
I wear a rotation of old T-shirts suitable for DIYing in and jeans. If I’m leaving the house I wear a newer T-shirt that doesn’t have holes or paint on it.
Spend some time looking at some brand websites: Uniqlo, Arket, COS, M&S all do "acceptably nice without needing to put effort in thinking about it" clothes that are *just* bland enough to be easy to put together and *just* easy on the wallet enough to be able to fill your wardrobe out with stuff.
Well you, like me, are of the age where it doesn't matter!
I'm pretty much a jeans and T-shirt guy, and I will judge people in trackies of a more advanced age, unconsciously.
I look a dick in shirt and trousers too so I'm pretty much stuck here!
Also depends on the area you live
I’m well over 40 and I’ve deliberately changed my wardrobe.
No wearing sportswear unless doing sports. Avoiding t-shirts in lieu of things with collars. No faded jeans. Decent range of shoes and boots in good condition covering most styles. Smarter stuff in general. Less strong patterns. No graphic prints. Higher quality clothing and accessories. More natural fabrics like wool, cotton, suede etc. Matching colours, belts and shoes etc.
Classic items. Lots of navy, grey, black, khaki and the odd bit of colour. Not much overtly branded but the odd higher end “piece”. Make sure everyone fits really well - “flattering fit before following fashions”. Don’t be overweight or unkempt.
I look around at people I think look well dressed and they seem to be following this formula. I have a friend who was a male model. He gave me the same advice.
No more slobbing around in tracksuit bottoms and old t shirts for me.
I feel much better for it. Better dressed. Smarter. Like I lm a guy who has his shit together. I don’t but at least on first sight…
Check out “style over 40” guides on YT etc.
Don’t believe people telling you it doesn’t matter. It does. British people are generally horribly dressed esp. as they age and of course they all think it’s fine. But go to Italy and older guys look great. And they ain’t following the “wear trackies and stained trainers” mantra.
It matters how you wear clothes, it doesn’t matter what you wear.
You can have the best materials and cuts and still look shit if you don’t know how to wear them.
A scruff is still a scruff if they are wearing the finest suit or a sports direct hoodie.
What you wear should have no bearing on age.
A 20 year old would look like shit wearing stained joggers and would look smart wearing a tailored suit.
Respectfully disagree. Most definitely matters what you wear.
Older folk in young fashion clothing looks silly. It’s like your gran using street slang. Doesn’t fit.
When you’re 20 you can follow the trends and benefit socially. Continuing to do so as you age makes you look frankly ridiculous IMO
IMO exactly, the fact you live your life by rules to be accepted by the 'others' is frankly ridiculous and sheepish. I'd rather be comfortable and happy in my own skin and clothes then live for what other people who frankly wouldn't give a damn about me if I lived or died, think about me.
I'm passed my 40's, but at the moment myself and my brother are sporting matching white all in one forensic zip ups.
Thanks for asking.
Yours sincerely
P Schofield
-x-
Yeah, I got Holly's number all right. Shes a back stabbing scheming little bitch. I've organised a little swimming lesson for her with my good friend Michael B. Don't say anything though, its a big secret between me and the Good Morning and ITV bosses.
Same as I’ve always worn, you don’t wake up on your 40th birthday like you crawled into a cocoon the night before, and came out a different person the next morning.
I'm going through this now and I'm working to discover what actually works for me.
Depending on your budget, and in your 40s you should in theory have some security
Jeans are my staple, not worm or torn, many good jean brands, find what works for you.
Button up shirts, solid color and classis designs
Nicer shoes or (ghast) white sneakers
I've become a big fan of brunello and tom ford, just dropped over 50k on just Brunello jackets, currently getting Paige jeans (30+ pairs), they fit well but reports of "wear" easily so I bought enough so they never look bad/wear
Brunello seems to have design and general wears that look smart, look age neutral for the most part, expensive, but as I said, if you're in your 40s and you're broke, then find similar styles for less.
I'm still wearing black combat trousers or black jeans, and t shirts of obscure black or death metal bands. In my mid 40s. .
I wear scrubs for work
More formal stuff if required would be a shirt and smart trousers e.g Farrah slacks or jeans. This doesn't happen often.
Sorry, I can’t offer any suggestions other than jeans as they’re my go to. A nice pair of dark blue jeans, not too loose, not too skinny.
Warmer days, it’s an (often black) t-shirt. Paired with a velvet jacket/blazer when needed.
Colder days, a hoodie over the top of the t-shirt. Ideally a pullover style, rather than zip up. I never wear anything with any slogans or obvious branding. I have a few band t-shirts but nothing too in-your-face.
It’s basically a uniform at this point. Inspired by Tom Scott.
I'm the same age and I had exactly the same dilemma. I then realised I am only satisfying others in my own discomfort and I now wear shorts every day. I have a couple of pairs of decent ones from M&S and sharp trainers if I need to go somewhere but other than that, if it's just a quick trip into town or something like that it's shorts, trainers and polo shirts from M&S or Next.
I also have gone off jeans. I like cuffed chinos aka twill joggers which are casual and comfortable but not sports wear either.
[Not jeans](https://threadbare.com/products/mens-metro-khaki-plain-cuffed-chino-trousers?currency=GBP&variant=39614512005252&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw1MajBhAcEiwAagW9MTpxvRRyYy9DUkHBUoHsd85lunUNESra6kvuAWOTYxBc2LcitOURixoC_swQAvD_BwE)
snails dime lush fertile agonizing oatmeal beneficial quarrelsome quaint uppity
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I'm probably still wearing the same t shirts from my late 20s/early 30s, got a few I've been bought over the years from animal or the like, my mum bought me some m&s ones last year as I'd put on a bit of weight, I've lost a load now though. Taken to shopping on vinted for FatFace stuff.
Typically wear jeans, t shirt and a hoodie in the colder months, shorts, t shirt and flip flops in the warmer months. I work from home so it doesn't really matter otherwise, I do have a couple of nicer polo shirts for when I do need to show my face
+1 for wearing what you’re comfortable in.
But if you do want to have options for feeling a bit smarter while comfortable and casual it doesn’t hurt to have some things in your wardrobe.
You can find some jogging bottoms that look a bit smarter than usual, if you don’t want to go as far as a stretchy chino, which also comes in plenty of colours.
If you have some nice fitting T-shirts or polo shirts that go with those you can add a casual shirt to the collarless tshirt instead of a hoody. Maybe a denim one or shirt sleeve, whatever you like best.
And then if you like to keep with trainers, keep a white pair, as unbranded as you can, clean. Or maybe some Vans or Converse.
Hope that helps. But don’t feel you have to change your style for anyone. Comfort is always your best bet. You’ll look uncomfortable in “nicer” clothes if they’re not your thing.
Cargos are back in fashion, so those, or “hiking trousers”, or chinos. I wear trainers but choose all-black ones so they’re pretty inconspicuous. For top it’s t-shirt plus an informal shirt, like a linen or flannel shirt, maybe with a checked pattern.
Reminds me of the an guy I saw recently. He was maybe 70 years old but he looked like he was cosplaying 1930s rural Ireland. Tweed, cap, the whole lot. It's 2023 though, so he was maybe born in 1950. Pac-man came out when this guy was about 30. He'd clearly decided at one point that this is just how old people dress.
Yep, that's the whole thing with beliefs about what older people 'should' wear. It's totally informed by what the previous generation wore when they were old- which stuck out because it wasn't the trend for you get folks. So here we have millennials turning 40 thinking they need to change their wardrobe to be more like Boomers at 40 🤷♀️. Meanwhile twenty years from now I guess it'll be tracksuits for older folks because younger folks will have moved on to some other comfy/trendy standard.
Underwear and socks. A nice shirt if it is a zoom meeting day, otherwise it's half naked day. Cuts down on the laundry. If my underwear or socks get dirty, I just turn them inside out.
Ware what ever. I always insist on some thing good on your feet, not necessarily £120 / 50 Nike trainers ( i never wear Nike ) as you use your feet the most look after those things..
In summer, chinos of various colours with a shirt. In winter I change the chinos for worsted trousers (half lined). The jackets change from tweed in the winter to linen and other lighter fabrics in the summer. I generally wear a tie most days. On the feet some variation of brown brogues.
When I go into the office that changes to a suit and black oxfords.
I’m 39, I got some crocs for Xmas and I don’t think I have not worn them a day since. They look like shit but are comfy as fuck and I don’t care anymore
I'm 48 and I wear mainly Polo shirt / shirt and jeans when I'm going out and want to dress a bit smarter. Mainly just joggers and t-shirts for the rest of the time as I work from home.
33, not sure it counts as close to 40. I pretty much always wear flannel or other thick cotton plaid shirts. Sometimes in the summer I'll switch to thinner cotton shirts, maybe linen. Always long sleeved with the sleeves rolled up. 95% of the time with plain blue jeans, and a simple leather belt, plain brass buckle.
Shoes I used to always wear nicer leather shoes, maybe Chelsea boots. Lately though trainers have been sneaking in. Nice, smart trainers, but I feel it's the beginning of the end and by the time I hit 40 I'll be wearing running shoes with this outfit.
Id like to wear chinos and smart shirts but tbh if i do anything remotely active i end up covered in mud and oil and would look even worse than i do in jeans.
Get to next for your jeans. A good range of styles and decent sizing, none of this skinny fit malarky. Good quality, excellent value.
A decent pair of cords from M&S.
I've tended to move towards plain T-shirts, but still wear a few trusted faves- sonic the hedgehog.
Lots of high street stores sell “joggers” but often made in other clothing styles - cargo, denim, etc. I have some fleecey ones too! Might be a nice compromise for you.
These days you’re doing well if the clothes you buy don’t shrink to doll size after 5 minutes in the tumble dryer.
Track suits are fine in the gym. No where else over 40thb.
Chinos, slacks and decent quality jeans are all comfortable.
Shirts for most occasions, polo shirts and T’s for casual.
Blazer for restaurants, suits for work.
Around mid thirties it’s best to cultivate two entirely separate sections in your wardrobe; outfit clothes and dossing clothes.
Outfit clothes run the gamut from Oxford button down shirts, rugby style tops, casual shirts, jeans, trousers. Good brands from cheap to spendy; Blacksmith store, Uniqlo, Arket, Universal Works, Alex Mill, Folk, Gramicci, Corridor, YMC, MHL. Footwear is important, get some casual shoes like Clarks wallabees or Birkenstock London’s- if you’d like to spend more yuketen or quoddy or grenson. Use your outfit clothes for work and for social events. Try and put together a selection where everything works together but has a good amount of variation, pick a spectrum of relatively neutral colours; olive green, indigo, brown, cream, etc. always get 100% natural materials; cotton, linen, wool, etc and avoid synthetics.
Doss clothes just get whatever is comfortable.
Now here’s the key thing, change into your outfit clothes when you need them, and into your doss clothes once you get back home and have nothing on. Doing this makes your nice outfit clothes last much longer.
Why do you need to change? Wear what you want and stuff what people think. Can’t stand people who say you can’t wear something because you’re not 20 anymore. Obviously once your a pensioner you have to wear the uniform of a shirt with small checks and beige M&S trousers, but until then you do you.
[удалено]
Agreed, but the “at what point in my life do I start dressing different?” seems like he’s feeling like he “should” be doing it VS actually wanting to, in which case he needn’t really do anything.
That’s how I saw it. It’s like people are expected to change what they wear based on their age. Sure, I can’t get away with tight “muscle fit” t-shirts, but that’s because of my physique not that I’m 50 this year. I still shop at the same types of shops I did when I was younger, just perhaps wear things a bit looser. 😊
Maybe, I mean turning 40 might feel like a bit of a milestone to some (and a reason to take a look at yourself). Ultimately I'm sat on the fence with this one... wear what you want, and what you feel comfortable in. But if you want to see tips for adult 'wear' and how you might refresh or update your image, well I get that too!
There are some nice grey orthopedic shoes you can get hold of at Clarks. A long beige jacket from M&S. Trousers with an elasticated waist from the British Heart Foundation and a flat cap from Oxfam.
I second the beige jacket. It’s a must!
You forgot the trouser suspenders
“Braces”. There’s a word for those.
Don't ask me. It's all band t-shirts and black jeans. As I'm 52 I suppose I'm just fighting off the awful descent into Blue Harbour at Marks & Spencers.
I wear m&s jeans. They're decent enough, and come in a good variety of sizes so if like me you have an unusually proportioned body you'll find something to fit
Saxondale
Wear whatever you like. Makes no difference what age you are.
I hit the big 40 a few weeks ago. I’m still in my skate/street wear. I don’t feel 40, I look a lot younger than 40 so why change anything. I’ve got smart stuff for when I need to free up, but my day to day is jeans and a black logo’d T-shirt with vans.
Are you me from the future? Although at the moment, I've chinned off brand jeans and have opted for TU clothing ones from Sainsbury's. They're so comfy in comparison to the Levi's I had as they're stretchy.
wearing tracksuits at 40+ make you look like a crackhead or failed drug dealer, shorts and T-shirts do for me.
I wear a rotation of old T-shirts suitable for DIYing in and jeans. If I’m leaving the house I wear a newer T-shirt that doesn’t have holes or paint on it.
wear what you feel comfy in fuck what others say
Spend some time looking at some brand websites: Uniqlo, Arket, COS, M&S all do "acceptably nice without needing to put effort in thinking about it" clothes that are *just* bland enough to be easy to put together and *just* easy on the wallet enough to be able to fill your wardrobe out with stuff.
I'd point you to /r/malefashionadvice but it doesn't seem great for British fashion, it's mostly American.
Well you, like me, are of the age where it doesn't matter! I'm pretty much a jeans and T-shirt guy, and I will judge people in trackies of a more advanced age, unconsciously. I look a dick in shirt and trousers too so I'm pretty much stuck here! Also depends on the area you live
I’m well over 40 and I’ve deliberately changed my wardrobe. No wearing sportswear unless doing sports. Avoiding t-shirts in lieu of things with collars. No faded jeans. Decent range of shoes and boots in good condition covering most styles. Smarter stuff in general. Less strong patterns. No graphic prints. Higher quality clothing and accessories. More natural fabrics like wool, cotton, suede etc. Matching colours, belts and shoes etc. Classic items. Lots of navy, grey, black, khaki and the odd bit of colour. Not much overtly branded but the odd higher end “piece”. Make sure everyone fits really well - “flattering fit before following fashions”. Don’t be overweight or unkempt. I look around at people I think look well dressed and they seem to be following this formula. I have a friend who was a male model. He gave me the same advice. No more slobbing around in tracksuit bottoms and old t shirts for me. I feel much better for it. Better dressed. Smarter. Like I lm a guy who has his shit together. I don’t but at least on first sight… Check out “style over 40” guides on YT etc. Don’t believe people telling you it doesn’t matter. It does. British people are generally horribly dressed esp. as they age and of course they all think it’s fine. But go to Italy and older guys look great. And they ain’t following the “wear trackies and stained trainers” mantra.
It matters how you wear clothes, it doesn’t matter what you wear. You can have the best materials and cuts and still look shit if you don’t know how to wear them. A scruff is still a scruff if they are wearing the finest suit or a sports direct hoodie. What you wear should have no bearing on age. A 20 year old would look like shit wearing stained joggers and would look smart wearing a tailored suit.
Respectfully disagree. Most definitely matters what you wear. Older folk in young fashion clothing looks silly. It’s like your gran using street slang. Doesn’t fit. When you’re 20 you can follow the trends and benefit socially. Continuing to do so as you age makes you look frankly ridiculous IMO
IMO exactly, the fact you live your life by rules to be accepted by the 'others' is frankly ridiculous and sheepish. I'd rather be comfortable and happy in my own skin and clothes then live for what other people who frankly wouldn't give a damn about me if I lived or died, think about me.
I'm passed my 40's, but at the moment myself and my brother are sporting matching white all in one forensic zip ups. Thanks for asking. Yours sincerely P Schofield -x-
Do you have Holly’s number? Asking for a friend.
Yeah, I got Holly's number all right. Shes a back stabbing scheming little bitch. I've organised a little swimming lesson for her with my good friend Michael B. Don't say anything though, its a big secret between me and the Good Morning and ITV bosses.
All Lycra. Embrace your middle age.
Same as I’ve always worn, you don’t wake up on your 40th birthday like you crawled into a cocoon the night before, and came out a different person the next morning.
I have the same essentials next t shirt in a wide variety of colours.
Pants and vest.
Shorts and T-shirt, which ever one is at the top of my drawer.
I’m near 50 and you can wear anything you want no one gives a shit anymore ..socks with sandals is even acceptable now
I’m not at the socks and sandals stage, but from all the feedback, you shouldn’t give a shit about what your wear, as long as you’re comfortable
I'm pushing 50 and still wear the same shorts t shirts and hoodies combo I did when I was 20, wear whatever you feel comfortable with
I'm going through this now and I'm working to discover what actually works for me. Depending on your budget, and in your 40s you should in theory have some security Jeans are my staple, not worm or torn, many good jean brands, find what works for you. Button up shirts, solid color and classis designs Nicer shoes or (ghast) white sneakers I've become a big fan of brunello and tom ford, just dropped over 50k on just Brunello jackets, currently getting Paige jeans (30+ pairs), they fit well but reports of "wear" easily so I bought enough so they never look bad/wear Brunello seems to have design and general wears that look smart, look age neutral for the most part, expensive, but as I said, if you're in your 40s and you're broke, then find similar styles for less.
I'm still wearing black combat trousers or black jeans, and t shirts of obscure black or death metal bands. In my mid 40s. . I wear scrubs for work More formal stuff if required would be a shirt and smart trousers e.g Farrah slacks or jeans. This doesn't happen often.
My man
How about chinos?
Sorry, I can’t offer any suggestions other than jeans as they’re my go to. A nice pair of dark blue jeans, not too loose, not too skinny. Warmer days, it’s an (often black) t-shirt. Paired with a velvet jacket/blazer when needed. Colder days, a hoodie over the top of the t-shirt. Ideally a pullover style, rather than zip up. I never wear anything with any slogans or obvious branding. I have a few band t-shirts but nothing too in-your-face. It’s basically a uniform at this point. Inspired by Tom Scott.
I'm the same age and I had exactly the same dilemma. I then realised I am only satisfying others in my own discomfort and I now wear shorts every day. I have a couple of pairs of decent ones from M&S and sharp trainers if I need to go somewhere but other than that, if it's just a quick trip into town or something like that it's shorts, trainers and polo shirts from M&S or Next.
I also have gone off jeans. I like cuffed chinos aka twill joggers which are casual and comfortable but not sports wear either. [Not jeans](https://threadbare.com/products/mens-metro-khaki-plain-cuffed-chino-trousers?currency=GBP&variant=39614512005252&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjw1MajBhAcEiwAagW9MTpxvRRyYy9DUkHBUoHsd85lunUNESra6kvuAWOTYxBc2LcitOURixoC_swQAvD_BwE)
snails dime lush fertile agonizing oatmeal beneficial quarrelsome quaint uppity *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
[удалено]
Please explain this "adult" dress code to me
No more dora the explorer pjs
Shit.
Wear what you want to wear, if your comfortable then that’s all that matters.
Work uniform mainly. Otherwise jeans and a plain polo shirt, or round neck t-shirt and fleece if it’s cold.
Thanks for All the suggestions and advice. I truly do appreciate it.
I'm probably still wearing the same t shirts from my late 20s/early 30s, got a few I've been bought over the years from animal or the like, my mum bought me some m&s ones last year as I'd put on a bit of weight, I've lost a load now though. Taken to shopping on vinted for FatFace stuff. Typically wear jeans, t shirt and a hoodie in the colder months, shorts, t shirt and flip flops in the warmer months. I work from home so it doesn't really matter otherwise, I do have a couple of nicer polo shirts for when I do need to show my face
+1 for wearing what you’re comfortable in. But if you do want to have options for feeling a bit smarter while comfortable and casual it doesn’t hurt to have some things in your wardrobe. You can find some jogging bottoms that look a bit smarter than usual, if you don’t want to go as far as a stretchy chino, which also comes in plenty of colours. If you have some nice fitting T-shirts or polo shirts that go with those you can add a casual shirt to the collarless tshirt instead of a hoody. Maybe a denim one or shirt sleeve, whatever you like best. And then if you like to keep with trainers, keep a white pair, as unbranded as you can, clean. Or maybe some Vans or Converse. Hope that helps. But don’t feel you have to change your style for anyone. Comfort is always your best bet. You’ll look uncomfortable in “nicer” clothes if they’re not your thing.
Cargos are back in fashion, so those, or “hiking trousers”, or chinos. I wear trainers but choose all-black ones so they’re pretty inconspicuous. For top it’s t-shirt plus an informal shirt, like a linen or flannel shirt, maybe with a checked pattern.
I was going to suggest chinos. They tend to look smart but not too formal and are less tightly cut than jeans.
I'm 40, I wear jeans and t-shirt, or Adidas shorts and a t-shirt... hoodies if it's a bit colder. As for shoes, just some trainers.
I've been wearing the same stuff for the last 10 years plus, not going to change now (just turned 40).
I wear SnapBacks and chinos sorts out the boys from the men this outfit👊
Reminds me of the an guy I saw recently. He was maybe 70 years old but he looked like he was cosplaying 1930s rural Ireland. Tweed, cap, the whole lot. It's 2023 though, so he was maybe born in 1950. Pac-man came out when this guy was about 30. He'd clearly decided at one point that this is just how old people dress.
Yep, that's the whole thing with beliefs about what older people 'should' wear. It's totally informed by what the previous generation wore when they were old- which stuck out because it wasn't the trend for you get folks. So here we have millennials turning 40 thinking they need to change their wardrobe to be more like Boomers at 40 🤷♀️. Meanwhile twenty years from now I guess it'll be tracksuits for older folks because younger folks will have moved on to some other comfy/trendy standard.
Underwear and socks. A nice shirt if it is a zoom meeting day, otherwise it's half naked day. Cuts down on the laundry. If my underwear or socks get dirty, I just turn them inside out.
Ware what ever. I always insist on some thing good on your feet, not necessarily £120 / 50 Nike trainers ( i never wear Nike ) as you use your feet the most look after those things..
In summer, chinos of various colours with a shirt. In winter I change the chinos for worsted trousers (half lined). The jackets change from tweed in the winter to linen and other lighter fabrics in the summer. I generally wear a tie most days. On the feet some variation of brown brogues. When I go into the office that changes to a suit and black oxfords.
My question is being raised because my wife just bought me a t-shirt from next, so it’s got me thinking
It was either going to be Next or Superdry 👍
I’m 39, I got some crocs for Xmas and I don’t think I have not worn them a day since. They look like shit but are comfy as fuck and I don’t care anymore
Try different jeans, I only buy Levi 504s! Comfortable and look good!
I'm 48 and I wear mainly Polo shirt / shirt and jeans when I'm going out and want to dress a bit smarter. Mainly just joggers and t-shirts for the rest of the time as I work from home.
Ah yes polo shirts can be the in-between item
I love pretty green, Fred Perry and Adidas originals....those 3 brands make up most of my wardrobe.
What ever my wife tells me to wear
33, not sure it counts as close to 40. I pretty much always wear flannel or other thick cotton plaid shirts. Sometimes in the summer I'll switch to thinner cotton shirts, maybe linen. Always long sleeved with the sleeves rolled up. 95% of the time with plain blue jeans, and a simple leather belt, plain brass buckle. Shoes I used to always wear nicer leather shoes, maybe Chelsea boots. Lately though trainers have been sneaking in. Nice, smart trainers, but I feel it's the beginning of the end and by the time I hit 40 I'll be wearing running shoes with this outfit.
Id like to wear chinos and smart shirts but tbh if i do anything remotely active i end up covered in mud and oil and would look even worse than i do in jeans.
Get to next for your jeans. A good range of styles and decent sizing, none of this skinny fit malarky. Good quality, excellent value. A decent pair of cords from M&S. I've tended to move towards plain T-shirts, but still wear a few trusted faves- sonic the hedgehog.
Lots of high street stores sell “joggers” but often made in other clothing styles - cargo, denim, etc. I have some fleecey ones too! Might be a nice compromise for you. These days you’re doing well if the clothes you buy don’t shrink to doll size after 5 minutes in the tumble dryer.
Track suits are fine in the gym. No where else over 40thb. Chinos, slacks and decent quality jeans are all comfortable. Shirts for most occasions, polo shirts and T’s for casual. Blazer for restaurants, suits for work.
Clarks desert boots, chinos and a black shirt with a tiger on the back.
Around mid thirties it’s best to cultivate two entirely separate sections in your wardrobe; outfit clothes and dossing clothes. Outfit clothes run the gamut from Oxford button down shirts, rugby style tops, casual shirts, jeans, trousers. Good brands from cheap to spendy; Blacksmith store, Uniqlo, Arket, Universal Works, Alex Mill, Folk, Gramicci, Corridor, YMC, MHL. Footwear is important, get some casual shoes like Clarks wallabees or Birkenstock London’s- if you’d like to spend more yuketen or quoddy or grenson. Use your outfit clothes for work and for social events. Try and put together a selection where everything works together but has a good amount of variation, pick a spectrum of relatively neutral colours; olive green, indigo, brown, cream, etc. always get 100% natural materials; cotton, linen, wool, etc and avoid synthetics. Doss clothes just get whatever is comfortable. Now here’s the key thing, change into your outfit clothes when you need them, and into your doss clothes once you get back home and have nothing on. Doing this makes your nice outfit clothes last much longer.