Here are more interesting thoughts from blog reader, David G about style:
"I enjoyed the latest in your search for style. A colleague about 10 years younger than me told me yesterday how much he admired my style; but at the same time he said it makes him realize how he’s “given up” on his own style. That was a revelation to me, David. It’s not that he doesn’t want to be stylish, but in his head he feels that his wife, family, and friends “don’t care” so what’s the point?
 |
| Older men and style at Pitti Uomo June 2018 |
I told him he might be surprised, and I reminded him that my transformation was rather sudden. As I told you, I felt self-conscious about it for a few days, but after a few days everyone got used to the “new” me. And I get many compliments from my colleagues, which in turn make me feel more confident and happy with my style journey. If only men like my colleague would realize this. The hardest part is just getting started, but once you make that decision to care about your appearance and gets easier by the day!
And my reply:
I've always assumed that many older men have given up but have never had that exact conversation with someone who's admitted it, so it's interesting to hear that it does seem to be the case in some instances. I think that they get to an age where they have the family/career/partner/children or whatever and feel there's nothing that justifies looking stylish. They may also be unsure about how to dress well without being thought to be trying too hard.
If menswear companies sold direct to the older man, by using older models, I'm sure that many older men would remain interested in style and more of those that aren't could be tempted out of their complacency/lack of confidence/interest or whatever.
I agree there is a hurdle to get over at first. It gets easier - in fact I sometimes have to hold myself back slightly - I think it's possible to slide into dandyism. I don't want to stand out on how I dress by being too extrovert. Quiet stylishness is what I try to achieve.I'm receiving so many comments from readers - many thanks. All influence what I think and write here on the blog about The Search for Style, so please keep in touch by commenting here or through my e-mail.
Follow The Search for Style series here.
