Summary
Poiret, founded Laurent Laporte and Gauthier Borsarello, who has an awesome Instagram account on vintage pieces .I realized this clearly during our magnificent Maison blog .
A few weeks, a few months to get a taste for it, but a few days to buy your first clothes that you'll love (we'll see which ones soon).
The last little “shift” to make in your head to start your stylish journey is… to enjoy dressing well.
Is that the shattering revelation?
"No, that can't be the key to good style! It's too simple to be true! You're lying!"
I know, it seems so stupid to say it like that. I've said it before, but being well dressed for yourself should be as pleasant as a woman dressing up for an important date.
You must love wearing your best jacket, the same way a woman feels at her best when she puts on her favorite dress.
You feel capable of many things in your favorite costume. Even walking on rooftops during a Day of the Dead, holding a gun to go trap ball.
Well, we've seen what the obstacles are in finding your style (the mental monkeys), now let's move on to the advantages!
THE ADVANTAGES OF MASCULINE STYLE AFTER 40
MANY SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
You have a huge advantage over other styles: there are plenty of fashion icons your age! Indeed, it is very easy to find male personalities who have displayed very good style for several years, even if only at Pitti. This makes for a reliable and frankly inexhaustible source of inspiration.
Yasuto Kamoshita, creator of the very beautiful Camoshita brand, is clearly a man of taste, with a preference for chunky knits worn with a suit.
It may be surprising to believe at first glance, but for twenty-somethings, fashion icons are much rarer because we often tend towards men at the very beginning of their fame, with all the excesses that go with it...
While for you, there is only the embarrassment of choice! Between Pitti superstars, famous buyers, fashion designers and even some actors, you have plenty to do.
Alessandro Squarzi is a good source of inspiration for forty-somethings looking for a casual and timeless style. Little tips: he's a big believer in using white pants in almost all his outfits, and he also wears sweatshirts very often.
Nick Wooster, considered "the best dressed man in the world" by some magazines, very often mixes military-influenced pieces with more formal clothing.
These are very useful sources of inspiration, which I encourage you to view the outfit with a minimum of hindsight. Instead of saying , “Hey, that outfit is pretty,” get in the habit of asking yourself , “What exactly do I like about what I see?” How does he manage to wear his sweatshirt / white pants / red socks / shoes / blazer so well... What could I use for my style? »
Also think about Instagram , which is full of great sources of inspiration .
But how do they go about perfectly choosing this jacket with its original fabric? These pants are rarely seen elsewhere, although you are probably struggling to choose a simple one?
It's quite simple: what you see is the culmination of their wardrobe . They probably bought two or three blue jackets and then one day they wanted a new blazer and said to themselves "I already have a gray jacket, I already have a blue jacket, how
That's how they're taking a little more risk than usual (they already have their stock of good all-around basics anyway), and that's what you see in the Instagram photos.
HOW TO LOOK WELL AT AN INSPIRATION PHOTO?
No need to copy and paste a Nick Wooster outfit, it's the best way to tell you that it doesn't look like you, that it's not for you. Do this instead:
- Identify THE piece(s) you like in the outfit and see how you can incorporate them into your outfits,
- If you can capture every photo you like in an “inspirations” notebook
or Evernote is better! - Some safe values for finding good inspiration:
- The “ Personalities ” and “ Inspirations ” sections of the excellent blog For The Discerning Few,
- the “ Italian like… ” section of Milanese Special Selection, where Laurent dissects the style of some Italian personalities with great relevance, not to be missed
and to reread regularly! - the very beautiful series “ This week I’m wearing… ” by Mr Porter, full of good ideas
There you go, now you no longer have the right to say that you have no ideas for your outfits :)
Phil Cohen, under the pseudonym The Pacman 82, became known for his outfits photographed "flat". A must follow, it details the brands of each item of clothing, everything is quality and very easy to wear!
THE PURCHASING POWER
Obviously, at 40, by being well established in working life, you have the chance to have purchasing power that many young men dream of . It's not necessarily a question of considering €1500 suits every month, but investing €600 in a suit once a year is not something crazy for you.
This will not jeopardize your financial health, even if it represents a small budget. Buying a coat for €400 is possible for the next three years, whereas it is completely impossible for a scholarship student, for example.
Don't worry, having purchasing power doesn't mean you have to buy everything crazy! On the contrary, it is about spending your money best.
You can therefore have easy access to mid-range or even high-end pieces , and that's so much the better because you will go directly to pretty pieces, the pleasure will be all the greater.
A LITTLE Aside ON THE “GOOD BUDGET” TO INVEST IN YOUR WARDROBE
Addressing the question of budget here would make the article too long, but know that I explain this point in detail to newsletter subscribers, in the welcome emails. There are two golden rules about this:
- Purchasing clothing should never degrade your quality of life: there is no question of depriving yourself of anything nearby to buy beautiful shoes,
- Purchasing an item of clothing should never come at the expense of life experiences with those you love. You'll remember vacationing in incredible surroundings with family and friends for the rest of your life, when your savings allowed you to climb Kilimanjaro. Not the one where you came out of a store with a piece of clothing that you liked.
More details in the welcome emails in the newsletter 🙂
DRESSING AFTER 40 FOR A MAN: YOUR STYLE IN PRACTICE
It's time to get down to business. And here too, before the advice, the usual precautions on some items of clothing.
THE 5 CLOTHES YOU SHOULD BE WARE OF
Well, you are well motivated, you want to feel good in your shoes and you are just waiting for one thing: to go shopping. Be careful though, because in the momentum of change, I would like
T-SHIRTS
No matter how much I search, there are few cool looks for forty-year-olds in t-shirts (apart from a slightly rock style like Régis Dacjzman). It's not the type of piece that dresses you, it's your job to dress a t-shirt. Basically, you better have a nice look on the side: a pretty face, why not some accessories, pretty glasses, etc.
If you can do without t-shirts, that's definitely better. You will tell me that it is comfortable and that we are very happy to have them sometimes. I tell you no, and that casual shirts will do a hundred times more good for your style than a blue t-shirt.
The kind of photo that is totally misleading: take away the very athletic build, his hairstyle and especially his status as a well-known actor, and you have an uninteresting outfit.
POLOS
Ah polo shirts , this false friend of man! This famous apple green model, with a collar that bends like no other and you want to tuck into Bermuda shorts to look “classy and relaxed at the same time” !
Quite honestly, in 99.99% of cases, a nice casual shirt, with the sleeves rolled up if necessary, also does you a hundred times more service than a polo shirt.
Not to mention the awful denim wash, it's the kind of polo shirt that has no point. But really none!
Please note, I am not prohibiting anything at all, and certainly not men from wearing polo shirts . It's simply a piece that I largely advise against, unless you follow the advice of Romain and Marchand Drapier , Hédus and Max Rosse 6).
Also consider long-sleeved polo shirts. To get some brand ideas on this subject, read the article by our colleagues at For The Discerning Few which gives a lot of ideas. Patrice also assured me that Arthur & Fox makes nice long-sleeved polo shirts, which he likes to wear with a suit.
BOAT SHOES
Chinos from the “urban techwear” brand Outlier .
OUR ARTICLES ON THE SUBJECT
- Our Bon Look video episode dedicated to chinos ,
- Our guide to chinos ,
- And that of Vianney .
LEATHER CLOTHES THAT ARE TOO LARGE
NO !
Ah leather, this noble material which fades over time , which evokes a wild and masculine imagination...
Add to that the fact that these are often expensive pieces (therefore requiring a certain purchasing power, very different from a student), and we understand why leather clothing is very popular with people in their forties . But often, it is taken too wide, too big and it is unflattering...
NO ! (bis)
As for the leather blazer, don't even think about it, it's the ultimate fake friend. I have never seen the slightest successful look with this piece, and not for several years.
But don't despair, because if a leather blazer is often a sartorial disaster, a very well chosen, perfectly cut leather jacket is
This is a beautiful perfecto from the ETQ brand, in an easy outfit. The cut is much more flattering!
This is very well worn leather. We could have replaced the bottoms with good selvedge jeans and work boots for a more conservative outfit 🙂
In short, a garment that I recommend provided you choose it VERY well. Otherwise, it's useless.
OUR ARTICLES ON THE SUBJECT
- How to choose a leather jacket: National Standard : we've talked about it a lot on the blog, but for someone who would like to take a first step into more high-end sneakers, with easy-to-wear designs, this brand has largely done so. his proofs. It's difficult to go wrong because the colors and lines remain relatively sober.
- Axel Arigato : an affordable “National Standard like”,
- ETQ Amsterdam , we have Buttero : sturdy, durable, timeless, for a more “roots” touch than immaculate designer sneakers. At Pitti, men regularly wore them with a cotton suit, it was a great outfit.
- Feit : a big crush on this cutting-edge brand, obsessed with handmade and environmentally friendly and very high quality materials (for example, few brands use Cordovan for sneakers). It's damn expensive, but to have a pair that I've mistreated a lot, it's justified as they remain indestructible and age wonderfully well. And it's personally the most comfortable pair I've ever owned, thanks to clever interior construction and a Hevea sole.
Now let’s move on to the last category of sneakers…
RUNNINGS
On this outfit, the sneakers are sober and blend into the pants. It will revolve its ensemble around the safari jacket tied at the waist, with the sleeves rolled up.
It's not complicated, all the forty-year-olds I saw with running shoes were super stylish , from the most vintage (New Balance) to the most cutting-edge (Nike with Flyknit material, or even Under Armour).
Vintage sneakers have the advantage of having designs that have survived the ages without too many problems, they remain timeless.
Counterbalanced with a shirt on top, sober but well-fitted and rolled-up chinos , we have a very nice outfit. Small constraint however: each time, the pants were rolled up at the ankle, and this is in my opinion the best way to proceed.
HOW TO WEAR SNEAKERS AT 40?
- Choose vintage/timeless designs OR designer sneakers (or both :)
- Start simple: raw jeans and chinos, with a casual shirt on top,
- Don’t hesitate to roll your pants with them!
- Remember: there are very few clothes that won't go with a pair of sneakers, even at 40, as long as you choose them wisely. I don't want He Spoke Style .
Gideon, artistic director of Aigle and passionate about Japanese workwear, has made it his uniform. He almost only wears denim jackets.
When you see Gideon, you can see that there's nothing rocket science about wearing a denim jacket!
HOW TO WEAR A DENIM JACKET AT 40?
- Please note, we do not wear jeans and a denim jacket together, unless you are a fan of workwear,
- If you really want to do it, manage to create a color contrast by wearing a blue denim jacket with gray jeans for example,
- Here too, we are faced with a piece perfectly suited to chinos and casual shirts,
- Consider layering with your denim jacket, that's where I've seen the most interesting looks.
FOR FURTHER
- To find the denim jacket of your dreams, don't miss the "denim jacket" category on the Heddels website !
© Don’t hesitate to add dressier accessories with your denim jacket!
THE M65 JACKET
The quintessential jacket from the American army and whose thrilling story Jordan tells you about in this inspired video .
We haven't talked much about it on BonneGueule but it is nevertheless a very useful piece in a men's wardrobe, which mixes relaxation and timelessness .
As a reminder, this is a khaki cotton jacket of military origin , light, practical and with lines that have stood the test of time very easily.
There really is a lot to say about this piece that has become cult (and worn in numerous films). Just remember that, due to the purity of its lines and its vintage side, it is obviously comfortable with casual looks... but not only that:
Nothing insurmountable, right? Basic colors, a few dressy pieces, and off we go!
HOW TO WEAR AN M65 JACKET AT 40?
- Here too, rather than wondering what to wear it with, ask yourself what not to wear it. Apart from very formal and strict suits, I don't see…
- It’s a piece that’s particularly comfortable with chinos, and pretty much… any type of shirt!
- In terms of shoes, sneakers, ankle boots and other desert boots are all found, but you can wear derbies or Oxfords, provided you place more dressy pieces in the outfit: blazer and
elegant shirt in particular .
FOR FURTHER
- Heddels has made a vibrant tribute in the form of a friendly buying guide ,
- Our colleagues at Redingote have also delved into the subject . It's difficult to make a mistake in taste with this garment as it easily adapts to many outfits. If casual outfits are the basic option, the M65 has some unexpected uses: at Pitti, I regularly saw it worn over a suit, it looked great! In Paris, the Jinji store offers interesting pieces in this style. (Besides, I would like to do a collaboration one day on this piece)
Bonus photo: very beautiful outfit, which only uses basic colors, but executed with great taste. Note the role of impeccable hairstyle!
THE SLACK JACKET
The “soft” side of the slack jacket, especially at the shoulders, instantly adds relaxation to the outfit, especially when worn with jeans and a shirt with a cut away collar :)
This is a so-called “unstructured” blazer, that is to say without padding on the shoulders, very light, almost not lined, with a fluid and relaxed fit. It's like the ultimate "elegant yet casual" piece ...but also the most underrated forty-somethings I see around me.
Indeed, the absence of padding on the shoulders gives it a much less formal and formal side than a normal blazer . Be careful, be very careful about the cut because a slack jacket that's a little too big, with sleeves that are too long, doesn't look good, but really doesn't look good at all.
It is worn exactly like a blazer . Since we have already explored the subject in detail on BonneGueule, I invite you to read Hartford , which is always in very good taste when it comes to casual and elegant clothing,
THE SWEATSHIRT
A timeless sweatshirt, a sleeveless vest with flannel and you have a perfect look for the weekend, all in very simple colors! On the other hand, he brings a little unexpectedness with his glasses and his green crown watch.
Take it sober, in a slightly mottled cotton (the vintage look is always important!). Above all, no logos, that would give you a teenage side which would not be welcome. Don’t hesitate to wear a sweatshirt with an oxford/chambray shirt underneath, for “the little elegant touch that does it all”.
And if you're really not convinced of the potential of the sweatshirt on a man, take a look at Alessandro Squarzi's looks. It's the kind of piece that goes perfectly with another with a more "raw" / workwear design: denim jacket, leather jacket or M65 jacket, precisely.
A very good example of a casual outfit with dressy pieces (shoes, jacket), coming from Benjamin Jezequel offers very beautiful sweatshirts in this sense,
THE DENIM / CHAMBRAY SHIRT
A chambray shirt worn to perfection! It's less noticeable, even if it has a big impact on the outfit: the beard is perfectly trimmed and the hairstyle impeccable.
We are not going to dwell on this item because you know what we think about it, we have talked about this piece at length on the site for several years already. Besides, as the years go by, I still have a hard time finding an outfit where a chambray shirt doesn't fit.
By playing with the collar, the textures, and staying with very simple colors, the possibilities are already very interesting!
It is no coincidence that Husbands, a standard-bearer brand of timeless and iconic elegance, has offered since its beginnings a chambray shirt model specifically designed to be worn with a suit (and he is right, with a knitted tie, the result is great).
Chambray shirt + suit, it's easy to do but no one ever thinks about it!
Well, with everything you have just read, you must have a lot of ideas in mind… But which brands should you turn to? Here we go for some recommendations!
With a softer collar, the look is more casual, but it works wonders in an outfit with heather brown and a green tie.
BRANDS TO KNOW FOR DRESSING AFTER 40
Let me tell you, the range of brands “beautiful material / nice cut / easy to wear design / elegant and casual mix” is simply plethoric. This is actually the kind of brand that
In other words, there is no shortage of choice when it comes to finding quality clothing without making a mistake! And that’s the good news!
(For entry level, you have the famous Boggi / Suit Supply / Louis Purple triptych where you can create a complete wardrobe without breaking the bank.)
But here, I wanted to select a few brands with a fairly mature and easy-to-wear universe, perfectly suited to forties and over (no weird colors, clothes that are too teeny or too hype ).
No brands that are too cutting edge, just designers with a real vision, who offer on the smallest item of clothing “that little something extra” that adds charm to an outfit.
There are obviously a ton of other brands in this style, but here, my heart spoke :)
HUSBANDS
Suit, shirt, tie, everything is executed to perfection at Husbands, with the best cuts I have seen in ready-to-wear.
It's one of my favorite brands, all styles and all categories (and it's this brand that will reconcile you with the tailored style).
If you want an iconic piece , this is the place to look.
Nicolas Gabbard, a former lawyer who gave up everything to get started, almost places himself as a clothing historian since he draws strong inspiration from the great personalities of the 60s to 70s. Ignoring fashions and trends, Husbands offers clothing with a design that will last . Look at his Instagram account where he regularly posts cult photos from several eras.
The brand likes to present itself in situations far removed from the usual high-end communications campaigns...
In a much more down-to-earth way, his clothes are regularly the best cut that I try , with a big focus on quality: the suits are canvassed, in very high-end English fabrics, the shirts have “set-up” collars. free” and the scarves are knitted by hand.
And I assure you that even if you don't buy anything, you will come away changed from a visit to Nicolas' shop. A huge favorite that I hope to talk about in more detail on BonneGueule.
The Husbands manifesto, and to know the brand well, I assure you that these are not empty words.
DRAPERY MERCHANT
Shirts in very beautiful materials, with a little detail that you can't find anywhere else: that's the signature of Marchand Drapier.
Benoit Carpentier being one of the most stylish forties I know, it's impossible to ignore his brand, Marchand Drapier.
The brand manages to find a nice balance between elegance and “that little extra detail that you can't find elsewhere”, by skillfully mixing subtle influences, with a very beautiful use of color, even in winter.
Benoit Carpentier, in his own clothes and style.
We generally start from an elegant base (blazer, wool pants, shirts to tuck into the pants) but many twists are added , such as uniquely designed collars or atypical materials. It's the perfect brand for those who want elegant style with a bit of the unexpected .
The Massada, one of Marchand Drapier's iconic large knits, with multiple uses .
HARTFORD
© The choice at Hartford is enormous, while being very tasteful and perfectly suited to a clientele over 40 years old.
The choice at Hartford is enormous, while being very tasteful and perfectly suited to a clientele over 40 years old.
More discreet French brand, white pants ? No problem. Chambray shirt ? A basic for them. A shirt with a tasteful camo pattern ? No problem. A khaki jacket for summer, Squarzi style? They have it too. And the list could go on for a long time! In short, Hartford regularly ticks all the boxes for a simple and timeless men's wardrobe. Really ALL the boxes!
In addition to basic fabrics, Hartford explores a lot of textures and patterns in its shirts.
It's quite simple, EVERYTHING of a man's casual wardrobe is covered by the brand. For example, just in terms of shirts, there is something for everyone: Royal Oxford from Albini in all colors, flannel in all thicknesses, checks, Liberty fabric, stripes and sometimes even a bit of (very nice) camo.
Hartford is definitely a must-visit for all forty-somethings (but also for the youngest, their shirts are among my favorites for example).
OTHER BRANDS TO KNOW
This article is starting to be very long, I have only detailed 3 brands but as I said, for several years, the choice is just enormous (and of very good quality) in this price range and designs.
If you still want some, look at:
- Officine Générale : high-end best-selling brand on Mr Porter, the materials are excellent and the designs are very tasteful. There is no risk of going wrong with them as their clothes are easy to wear every day. However, you need a bit of budget: count on around €190 for a shirt and €175 for chinos, both of which are often made from uncompromising Japanese fabrics.
- Editions MR ") and Ly Adams , are two brands that I usually recommend. More intimidating for a beginner because they offer stronger pieces, but which will be very refreshing when you want to go beyond the basics.
Even if it's difficult to imagine yourself with such young models (yes, it works!), the outfit on the right, made up of pieces from Ly Adams, is more contemporary than a wardrobe simply made up of basics.
A little habit you absolutely must get into: even if you don't buy anything from these three brands, remember to systematically look at their lookbooks and, why not, capture photos of the outfits you like. It's the kind of very pleasant little thing that can make a difference, with calculations to back it up:
- Imagine, you only look at three lookbooks per year, each made up of 20 looks. That’s 60 outfits per season, so 120 outfits per year.
- You only look at one per year, so 20 outfits per season, so 40 per year.
Between someone who has looked at 120 photos of looks versus someone who has looked at 40, in terms of style ideas, inspirations, good taste, there is starting to be a gap... which can still widen in a more pronounced way (do the calculations with 6 brand lookbooks per season for example). So LOOK at the lookbooks , it literally takes two minutes to do.
The Officine Générale lookbook provides solid examples of stylish everyday outfits.
AND AFTER ? THE FIRST SHOPPING OUTING
Ok, now you know the brands to go to, it's time to go to the store!
You go ALONE ! It's an obligation, and especially not with your partner because there is a moment, it's up to YOU to decide, it's up to YOU to forge YOUR taste, YOUR critical spirit, YOUR style, to make YOUR discoveries , YOUR fittings and no one should influence you, and you should not seek approval from anyone either. It is YOUR heart that must speak .
If you are reluctant to go out alone, if you are afraid of being lost when faced with the offer, tell yourself that you are a man, no longer a little boy, and that you are not supposed to be afraid of a simple outing shopping 🙂 (boo the virilist argument with two bullets, but it is sometimes necessary).
It is also forbidden to go to entry-level products such as Zara or Celio, and even less so to low-cost products such as Kiabi or C&A.
©
Yes, your next shopping trip will be much more pleasant than this dark, foreboding forest.
Here too, take your courage in both hands if necessary and go to high-end boutiques in your city, those where a coat costs several hundred euros.
But don’t worry, very quickly, it will become a pleasure 😉
And if you have no problem picking up a €150 shirt? So much the better, you will have an easier time exploring and discovering new shops!
A few tips for those who are less anxious : even if you intend not to buy anything, still try on an item of clothing that does not require a trip to the cabin, such as a coat or blazer.
Okay, let's move on to the method now.
THE BASIC METHOD FOR BUILDING YOUR OUTFIT
Among all the stylish forties that I have met, I have carefully analyzed their outfit in reverse engeeniring mode, so I will give you my conclusions.
HOW TO DRESS IN CASUAL CHIC, THIS FAMOUS “DRESSED CASUAL” MIX?
In an outfit, there must always be one or more formal items of clothing (wear a shirt instead of a polo shirt/t-shirt, wool pants rather than jeans, etc.), often mixed with a more casual item of clothing. relaxed ...
…with, if possible, play in textures and materials!
The rolled-up cargo pants and the sweatshirt contrast with the very beautiful blazer and the shirt. It is always on this contrast that the best outfits are built... as long as you stick to simple colors at first! Shooting of Lalle Johnson by Mr Porter (them again!).
Colors come second, because I have seen an impressive number of very successful outfits with only blue, gray, beige, khaki and white , but available in an infinite number of textures and materials. Stay in these colors at the beginning, the rest will come later.
Outfit examples for the week, with Alexander Gilkes. Pay attention to the colors used and the contrasts, now that you have learned to spot them.
THE ROLE OF ACCESSORIES IN YOUR STYLE
In an outfit you have to place a little element of madness, something unexpected and spontaneous. Very often, it is an accessory (clutch, bracelet, lapel pin, etc.).
As my thoughts progressed, I realized the vital importance of having a little unexpected in an outfit, but accessories are too often put aside by people in their forties, which is a real shame!
Pay real attention to this, and I bet 90% of the outfit photos you like have something like this.
Benoit Carpentier, from Marchand Drapier, is extremely gifted at finding a slightly unusual accessory ever since I met him (that was a few years ago).
Belt, glasses and bracelets, this is how Benoit Carpentier accessorizes his outfit. Once again - and you're starting to get used to it - the colors of her outfit remain very simple, but the whole thing is brightened up by the unusual Raparo sneakers and her accessories.
It was he who made me aware of the usefulness of accessories on older men's outfits .
For example, he found vintage Ray Ban Aviators, with a simple shape, but with a slightly unusual lens reflection. He has several quite “funny” belts like leopard print. More complicated to wear, he also has exotic leather ankle boots that he wears with more sober wool pants. But be careful, its accessories are systematically blended into more formal and neutral pieces .
He never takes off his gold bracelets, which he has accumulated throughout his life during his travels. Here too, it was thanks to him that I understood that wearing gold-colored accessories added a nice touch to an outfit.
Even in the choice of jewelry, Benoit Carpentier uses a small contrast in style: he mixes gold bracelets with a much simpler bracelet in semi-precious stones from Catherine Michiels .
The key is to choose jewelry with a slightly unique and unusual design , like your barbed wire bracelet. Benoit said that this set can only work under one condition: really owning what you wear .
If someone comes to tell you that your belt is a little weird or that you
It is very important to understand this point which may seem simple, but which is decisive in your style. Rest assured, if you follow our advice carefully, you will receive compliments and not perplexed remarks 😉
INSPIRATIONS: HAVING STYLE AFTER 40 (WITH 40-YEAR-OLDS I KNOW)
I would like you to take the time to look at all the photos of these forty-year-olds that I know personally, with different styles.
Nicolas Gabard, during his interview on yummies , wears a double-breasted suit that is apparently very sober, but perfectly executed. It brings a “twist” with much more rock ankle boots. Here you have a great example of an outfit with a suit that we enjoy wearing.
his favorite shirt with a Uniqlo sleeveless down jacket and sober sneakers (well, doesn't that remind you of any advice?) with exposed ankles. The slightly unusual glasses come at just the right time!
Hugo Jacomet on the right, who almost only wears a double-breasted suit, and who is hard to imagine wearing anything other than a suit (I only saw him wearing jeans once). On the left, Renato Plutino , a figure from Pitti.
Brandon Svarc, founder of the Naked and Famous brand, who always wears his shirts completely buttoned up, with a blazer and his own jeans. He systematically adds the unexpected with his shoes. Here too, only simple pieces, but with a good balance between dressy and casual.
When I show these photos to people in their forties, their first instinct is to say “Yes, but it wouldn’t suit the others or me.” It's true, and it's actually a good sign!
This means that unconsciously, you feel that, between their personality and their outfit, there is a perfect match . This is what gives the impression of someone being “well dressed”.
It is above all an interesting line of thought that I have tirelessly repeated
Does my image represent my personality as I would like ?
Indeed, I would have a hard time seeing Hugo Jacomet wearing Benoit Carpentier's multitude of bracelets, Brandon Svarc wearing Gui Bo's hat, or Nicolas Gabard wearing jeans and a denim shirt à la Régis Dacjzman.
And ultimately, maybe that's what defines great style: it's when you can't imagine someone wearing a really cool outfit from another person . That means we're touching something.
The takeaway is that they have outfits that don't seek validation from others . We “feel” that they are having fun, that they have long since overcome the problems of color combinations or overthinking. They don't seek consensus, quite the contrary, I think even some like to provoke or polarize others with their outfits.
John Wrazel, the "creative director" of Ralph Lauren, wears a jacket with a matching vest, a pin collar tie and... shorts that throw away all the usual formal codes! Yes, it’s a huge contrast in style…
This is the big lesson: to have a unique style and be comfortable in it, you have to distance yourself as much as possible from the consensus of others. As the saying goes, if you want to please everyone, you please no one.
I know it's not easy, but never forget: good style necessarily involves taking risks , no matter how small, even if it's a simple colorful pocket on your navy blue blazer!
BRING A “LITTLE EXTRA THING” IN YOUR OUTFIT
Here are some elements you can play with to add that famous extra touch and differentiate yourself:
- The shoes, obviously . Instead of taking a simple pair of black derbies, go for more originality (and there's no shortage of options): special patina, ankle boots, brogues, etc. (we've discussed the subject plenty of times on the blog)
Ankle boots with an original patina bring a crazy character to your looks (Sevenième Largeur model).
- I've already said that pants allow you to add color. Instead of a simple blue, open up a little and have the reflex to pay attention to the selection of pants when you enter a store . if you like Rolex ). Between the vintages, the more recent and affordable brands at the March LAB , you have plenty to do 😉 But in all cases, the watch remains a fantastic accessory that brings a real plus, at all possible prices.
- Bracelets: you don't have to wear 5 or 6 on your wrist, but one or two won't hurt you 😉 More resources at Milanese Special . And don't forget Benoit Carpentier's wise and valuable advice on this subject: never wear a bracelet on the same wrist as the watch!
- The tie: the most unloved accessory for some, as it represents enslavement to big capital (= the painful accessory to tie every morning to go to work). And yet, many men with Pitti consider it the most important element of an outfit.
Luca wears his Gutteridge tie sprezzatura style, slightly shifting the two sides.
- The scarf : here too, many colorful and unexpected possibilities are just waiting to be exploited!
As you can see, nothing too earth-shattering, just little touches to exploit right and left. There's no need to complicate life because if small rivers make big rivers, it's the small accessories placed end-to-end that make unique styles.
A LITTLE Aside ON THE QUESTION OF COSTUME
For some of you, a costume is a must ...daily. And that's the problem: being forced to wear clothing EVERY DAY that you don't want is not very pleasant. But the good news is that this can easily change.
If you don't enjoy wearing elegant suits, it's because you're not wearing the right ones . Impossible to wear a Husbands costume out of chore for example.
Very sincerely, once you taste the pleasure of complete covering, of the ultimate white shirt or the pleasure of the pocket square, I assure you that putting on your pants, your jacket, your shirt, tying your tie will become a real morning fun. And you know, it’s important to start your day off right 🙂
And this is where the virtuous circle begins…
My recommendations for enjoying wearing the suit :
- Go out of your way to buy a suit you love. Once again, think of the famous triptych Suit Supply, Boggi, and Louis Purple if you have a small budget, or read the selection of suits from Parisian Gentleman, always current. I really encourage you to put a small budget into your suit (at least 700 euros), because it is a garment where the price differences allow you to access very different qualities.
- Read content from sartorial art enthusiasts from time to time, because remember that enthusiasm and passion are contagious.
SOME OUTFIT IDEAS
To help you see things more clearly, I thought of some outfit ideas depending on the occasion.
These are very spontaneous choices , I put the first pieces that came to mind and, obviously, these are not absolute choices, there are a whole bunch of other brands that could have been suitable for each item :)
In addition, we are on an “elegant and relaxed” basis, I did not particularly take into account the Hartford Shirt style, because it is an underestimated brand for people in their forties,
Marchand Drapier's pants, "Duffy" model, very comfortable thanks to Lycra. Perfect for weekend walks!
EXAMPLE OF MEN’S WORK OUTFIT
- Husbands costume , because it's hard to do better cut and classier (yes, you can find a cheaper costume, but hey, I'm happy with suggestions :) ),
- Office Artist or Hast shirt (for a regularly worn and washed shirt for professional use, I prefer to stay in these price ranges),
- Howard's tie for colors and textures not found elsewhere,
- Bresciani knee-highs , because beautiful knee-highs make all the difference,
- Septième Width shoes for their famous quality/price ratio (yes, there is Meermin too, but they don't have stores in France)
- And this oxford shirt from Office Artist .
DRESSING TO GO OUT TO THE RESTAURANT WITH YOUR COMPANION
- Marchand Drapier grosgrain shirt for the dressy side with a twist,
- Bernard Zins pants , to have the best in pants, especially in terms of cut,
- Aubercy shoes , if you have a very good budget! Or any pretty pair of shoes 🙂
Canvas jacket, unusual material, mesh lining, very worked shoulder, this tuxedo jacket from éclectic is one of my favorite jackets. I wear it very often!
DRESS FOR A OUT WITH GUYS (WINE TASTING, PINTS TO CELEBRATE)
- Cardigan Six & Sept / Inis Mean / SNS Herning for the warmth and imposing look of these pieces,
- Cadot sleeveless vest , for the comfort and usefulness of this piece,
- Gray jeans / chinos like you can find everywhere (Norse Projects, Officine Générale, Homecore, you get the idea),
- Grenson high tops in grained leather with a small Vibram sole, for comfort and the dressy side of this model (Guillaume Cadot convinced me with his on this type of shoe)
Don't be intimidated by the thickness of the sole. Seen from above, it seems much less imposing, and above all, its lightness provides great comfort!
WHAT ABOUT THE PHYSICS? HAIR + BODY
Impossible to write an article on how to dress after 40 without talking about hair and body shape.
THE IMPORTANCE OF CARING FOR YOUR CUT
This is particularly visible at Pitti, most of the stylish men you see do not neglect their haircut. Of all the stylish forty-year-olds I have come across over the years, they ALL had at least a neat haircut, baldness or not.
I have come across NO exceptions to this rule. You really need to treat your hair (and beard) as an article of clothing in its own right , so take good care of it.
The charismatic Adrian Shine, leader of the Loch Ness Project. Yes, it is really the organization responsible for collecting information on the existence or not of the famous monster. He has quite a charisma, which his impeccably worn three-piece tweed suit and his beard only accentuate.
It starts with finding a good hairdresser. Here too, I very strongly invite you to do an experiment: treat yourself to a haircut from a rather high-end hairdresser , around €50 per cut. I'm not asking you to do this every week, but try at least ONCE to see the result, out of PURE curiosity.
Remember, a good style, in which you are proud of your image, necessarily requires a change of habits (and more broadly, paradigms) and the testing of new things 😉
Go ahead and simply say that you want to evolve your style - therefore change your haircut - and that you would like to have their opinion. In Paris, I always really appreciated Parisian Gentleman too . I am giving here my very personal opinion on the necessity (or not) of starting a diet. I regularly receive questions like: "I'm about to go on a diet, is it worth investing in my wardrobe?"
In this case, I advise investing a little in elegant clothing (I said elegant, not sportswear) at the entry level (Zara, Hast, etc.). And I find it a good motivator to see that you are now floating in old clothes, it proves that your weight loss is effective 😉
As for the more intimate question of weight loss, when someone asks me my opinion, I answer that it is a good thing to interest you in it . Certainly, it is easy for me to talk about it even though I have always had a body shape that meets ready-to-wear standards, but I think very personally (here, it is Benoit who is speaking and not BonneGueule) that the Life is too short to be lived feeling bad about your body or your clothes .
That said, you can also be overweight AND stylish!
For many readers, men's fashion is the first step in a long journey toward self-improvement . If, for you, it can be a motivating factor to lose weight and have a silhouette more in line with ready-to-wear standards, you must go for it!
Moreover, to close this parenthesis, I would like to take this opportunity to (again) give you the address of Benjamin's excellent blog: Naturacoach . It is the BonneGueule equivalent of food, with a documented, rational, reasoned and moderate point of view (it does not establish the paleo diet or the low carb diet as absolute truth), while retaining the pleasure of eating. (don’t miss his Naturola recipe or his fascinating analysis of Kellogg’s ). He had also written an article in our columns on the 4 pillars of good nutrition .
Personally, it has helped me a lot to get rid of certain bad eating habits without depriving myself, something that I thought was impossible for a big eater like me.
CONCLUSION
Well, we've reached the end of this guide... and you know the good news? The best is yet to come!
It's time to think about you, and treat yourself . You will see, clothing for a man is something exciting, and even if you only go on a few shopping trips a year, I guarantee that you now have the necessary knowledge to make it a pleasant experience.
This guide required several dozen hours of work, from its initial reflection to the writing of this conclusion. For my part, even if it was a long-term project, I took great pleasure in transmitting all my knowledge in some 14,000 words, a very unusual length for BonneGueule.
I wanted to experiment with something more dense, without compromising on the information necessary to help you choose your clothes. I want this work to be shared, discussed, enriched, in short, I want this guide to live!
Therefore, do not hesitate to share it with those around you, I am convinced that helping men feel good in their clothes can only make their lives better.
