A reader asks - how do I dress now that I'm past 40? (Part 2)

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This continues from my the first part of this post here, where I was responding to a reader's query about how he should dress once past forty.

My reply reflects my own thinking over the 18 months since I started to write this blog. I have no definitive answers, and my thinking is still developing; so ask me this question again in another 18 months and you'll probably have a different answer.

As I said last time, older men see style in binary terms - a choice between either young men's fashions or the shapeless neutrality so often bought by men once past forty. We see nothing in between.

The answer for me is looking for style with a twist. In reality, the older man, choosing carefully, can buy into the younger/fashionable/stylish (whatever term you want to use) end of the market without looking like mutton dressed as lamb. Younger styles tend to be slimmer-fitting and therefore can look better-fitting than the baggy, all-enveloping clothing adopted by many men in later life. Colours and patterns may be bolder, giving interest to the neutral look so often adopted as we reach middle age.

Image The Sartorialist

Here are a few general ideas -

Make sure clothes fit well. Avoid jackets which are too large over the shoulders or too long in the arm. Find trousers which aren't too baggy around thigh and backside - and are the right length. Use your local tailor to have anything adjusted which isn't quite right.
Go for slimmer fits if you can. If your body shape doesn't allow this, make sure the clothes fit closely but comfortably.
Buy as good quality as you can - I save up most of my buying for the sales.
Plan your wardrobe - avoid the impulse buy. Do you really need those pink chinos? What will they go with? When will you wear them?
Start with basics - a dark suit, blue blazer, summer jacket, chinos, jeans, brogues, suede shoes, casual shoes, a few casual and formal shirts, neutral knitwear. Build from these basics, ensuring that you can interchange without clashing styles or colours, but have a few bright signature pieces (such as a fair Isle jumper or floral shirt, perhaps) to wear with jeans or trousers.

Here are a few of my favourite images, some of which I've used before, to give inspiration.