Proper dress for a 51 year old man.

jerber160
jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok,, I'm down to a weight i haven't been at for a long time... I'm used to wearing big shirts, not tucked in. Should I change my look and dress style? I'm not sure what's appropriate for a man my age---been fat for so long and don't want to look like an eager kid, or be 20 years out of date either. Photos would help! thanks

Replies

  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Congrats! yes your body shape has probably changed so it'll take a bit of working out what looks good on you.

    Can you go shopping with a trusted friend and try on lots of different styles?
  • stubbysticks
    stubbysticks Posts: 1,275 Member
    Start watching shows like What Not To Wear. They work with a lot of men your age & pass on lots of tips to help them make judgments about how to dress.
  • lawtechie
    lawtechie Posts: 708 Member
    I don't think you should necessarily 'change your style'. You should be comfy with what you're wearing and if you feel like styling it up/dressing up , go for it!

    Are there any major department stores near you , you can go to? Have one of the guys/ladies there help you pick out some outfits, and try them on -- see what looks good on you.

    Grats on your loss!

    Also, check out this book. It's on sale at Amazon and you can probably find it at your local bookstore.

    Details Men's Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Making Your Clothes Work for You
  • KavemanKarg
    KavemanKarg Posts: 266 Member
    Ok,, I'm down to a weight i haven't been at for a long time... I'm used to wearing big shirts, not tucked in. Should I change my look and dress style? I'm not sure what's appropriate for a man my age---been fat for so long and don't want to look like an eager kid, or be 20 years out of date either. Photos would help! thanks

    Karg say get copy of GQ den do da opposite.
  • chanson104
    chanson104 Posts: 859 Member
    I'm not sure a 51 year old man should wear dresses! :laugh: Seriously congratulations and happy clothes shopping!
  • ramseyrose
    ramseyrose Posts: 421 Member
    My hubby is a young 57 and often wears jeans and a t-shirt in and out. When we go out he will wear a shirt and chinos or better jeans and for a posher do, a nicer shirt and black trousers. V-neck sweaters seems to be popular but i have never got my hubby in them.

    You have to wear whats comfy for you. Debenhams is a great shop and they have personal shoppers. My hubby wears Blue Harbour from M&S.

    You could also look up catalogues on-line and see what the different aged models are wearing.

    I think its easier for men as most things suit them,

    Good luck and well done on your loss
  • cedarhurst2006
    cedarhurst2006 Posts: 378 Member
    Congratulations on the body transformation. I don't think you need to change your style - I'm a big fan of Dockers for my hubby, you are the same age. They make all different styles of trousers and hit a men's dept and try things on. You've worked really hard and now it's time to live on the wild side.......................go ahead and tuck in that shirt!!!!!!!!!
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
    Ok,, I'm down to a weight i haven't been at for a long time... I'm used to wearing big shirts, not tucked in. Should I change my look and dress style? I'm not sure what's appropriate for a man my age---been fat for so long and don't want to look like an eager kid, or be 20 years out of date either. Photos would help! thanks

    Karg say get copy of GQ den do da opposite.
    [karg smart man]
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
    i'm thinking more of styles of shirts... tucked in or out??? being shorter a lot of things hang to my knees
  • MIMITIME
    MIMITIME Posts: 405 Member
    A man of any age can never go wrong with an oxford button down shirt (long sleeve) and khaki pants, shirt tail in with belt for a nice conservative look. It can be for casual gatherings as well as some business situations. It is good for all seasons pretty much. You can add a pull over sweater for the fall and add a jacket with the sweater for the winter. As for the summer months, I still like the button down oxford long sleeve (you can roll up about a third) with bermudas and shirt tail in but not the ones that hang down half way down the calf of the leg - they are for the young crowd. Unless you are an older man with major muscle buff, I don't really like tee shirts on men. Polo type shirts still with shirt tail in most of the time are good. I know - I am way conservative in the way my man dresses!
  • healthybabs
    healthybabs Posts: 571 Member
    You can never go wrong with khaki's (flat front not pleated and if you are short legged, no cuff) oxford button down with a nice belt. Docker's brand or www. LLBean.com are great for men, my husband has Docker's in several colors and also in cordoroy for winter. There is also a great service at many of the larger department stores. Don't know if you have Macy's or Nordstrom in your area, but you can check their websites and see which stores have Personal Shopper. The service is usually free and they will have all the clothes ready for you to try on to see what works for you. No more wandering around trying to find colors and styles that work. Really...check that out. I am going to do it just because time is always a factor for me and I look at it like a real treat!
  • kyylieeeeee
    kyylieeeeee Posts: 197 Member
    A man of any age can never go wrong with an oxford button down shirt (long sleeve) and khaki pants, shirt tail in with belt for a nice conservative look. It can be for casual gatherings as well as some business situations. It is good for all seasons pretty much. You can add a pull over sweater for the fall and add a jacket with the sweater for the winter. As for the summer months, I still like the button down oxford long sleeve (you can roll up about a third) with bermudas and shirt tail in but not the ones that hang down half way down the calf of the leg - they are for the young crowd. Unless you are an older man with major muscle buff, I don't really like tee shirts on men. Polo type shirts still with shirt tail in most of the time are good. I know - I am way conservative in the way my man dresses!

    I agree with this! I spent all of high school working in the men's department at Ralph Lauren, and came to the conclusion that all men of any age look clean and classy in an oxford and chinos, paired with a nice brown leather belt. It's how my 53 year old dad dresses when he's going anywhere social, and also how my 23 year old boyfriend dresses most of the time. Looks excellent both ways!
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    Black and off the shoulder, no belts and just about knee-length; preferably with peep-toed slingbacks and a sholder clutch bag :laugh:

    Seriously, I must admit that being a short-*kitten* I cannot wear everything and have to take care to chose styles and cuts that flatter and don't make me look like a box. So for me, chinos are a no-no as any trouser with side pockets make me look fat. So I don't wear anything but jeans.... not necessarily blue jeans, but 5-pocket jeans-style trousers (camel, green, brown) in a stretch fabric (usually 98% cotton, 2% lycra) and pair that up with patterned shirts, usually short sleeved, but that's just a personal preference. If the shirt has a square hem, I wear it out; if it's got tails, I tuck it in... now that my belly doesn't push it out anyhow :happy:

    I don't wear jackets (as in sports coats) because they generally make me look squatter than I am. Don't do jumpers either, although I used to have a collection of zip-ups and light-weight fleeces that I also used to use to disguise the belly.

    Although I'm still fat, i don't feel like Mr Blobby any more and in the right outfit I feel good about myself, which I haven't done for a long while.
  • jerber160
    jerber160 Posts: 2,607 Member
    very dapper sweatervest there......
    ]
    Black and off the shoulder, no belts and just about knee-length; preferably with peep-toed slingbacks and a sholder clutch bag :laugh:

    Seriously, I must admit that being a short-*kitten* I cannot wear everything and have to take care to chose styles and cuts that flatter and don't make me look like a box. So for me, chinos are a no-no as any trouser with side pockets make me look fat. So I don't wear anything but jeans.... not necessarily blue jeans, but 5-pocket jeans-style trousers (camel, green, brown) in a stretch fabric (usually 98% cotton, 2% lycra) and pair that up with patterned shirts, usually short sleeved, but that's just a personal preference. If the shirt has a square hem, I wear it out; if it's got tails, I tuck it in... now that my belly doesn't push it out anyhow :happy:

    I don't wear jackets (as in sports coats) because they generally make me look squatter than I am. Don't do jumpers either, although I used to have a collection of zip-ups and light-weight fleeces that I also used to use to disguise the belly.

    Although I'm still fat, i don't feel like Mr Blobby any more and in the right outfit I feel good about myself, which I haven't done for a long while.
    [/quote]
  • SafireBleu
    SafireBleu Posts: 881 Member
    Try going to a quality men's store where you can get some assistance. Remember that you are thinner now so you can try different styles. Have an open mind. Take a trusted friend with you
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