How often do you give intentional thought to the clothes in your closet? Productive men don’t always have time to carefully coordinate different outfits, but the reality is that the signature power suit is not acceptable for every occasion. A man’s wardrobe does not to be full of a variety of colorful clothing options to be suitable, however every man’s wardrobe should have a few timeless staples. Do you have these core-fashion essentials in your closet? If not, we can help with our piece on 7 Fashion Items Men over 50 Need in Their Closet.
Our special thanks to Rebekah for the background research and contributions! All images redirect you to our Amazon or Merchant Affiliate links. We appreciate your support!
“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life.” — Bill Cunningham
1. The Four Basic Shoes
Every man needs at least four different types of shoes to round out his wardrobe:
- A brown or black leather shoe for a more professional and dignified style.
- A neutral colored, non-tennis shoe for an everyday casual look.
- Athletic sneakers for exercising and to accommodate the athleisure outfit.
- A pair of classic brown, black, or dark gray boots to shake things up.
Once you have these four basic shoes, then you can invest in other trendy, colorful, or hobby-based shoes, but having these four shoes in neutral colors (black, brown, white, gray, or navy) will set all your outfits up for success, regardless of the occasion.
2. A Fitted Sport Coat or Suit Jacket
Even if you do not work in a professional setting or frequently need to dress formally, having a well-fitted sport coat or suit is a critical component to the savvy man’s wardrobe. Regardless of what type of physique you have, it’s important that your suit jacket fits you well.
A well-fitted suit is the best way to elevate a formal outfit, and the best dressed are typically the one’s who are wearing the best-fitted clothes. If you would rather not invest in a custom suit, simply purchase off the rack and have it tailored to your exact shape.
3. Basic black jeans
Different washes and styles of jeans constantly fluctuate in and out of style, but the basic black, well fit, boot-cut jeans are timeless.
If there is an event, outing, or gathering that requires something nicer than an athleisure outfit but less formal than a suit, you need an in-between pant option. Black jeans or really any dark-wash jean can accommodate nearly any shoe style and can blend any shirt.
Looking for some assistance in putting together a killer wardrobe? Our affiliate partner, Stitch Fix, offers a personal styling service tailored to customer taste, budget & lifestyle. Click the banner for more information.
4. Fun Socks
Especially for the men who wear formal attire most days, fun socks are a must! If you are wearing neutral socks under your dress pants, then you are missing out.
Dress socks with a sense of flair are not just a trend – they are a men’s fashion accessory that is here to stay.
5. A Formal Winter Coat
Especially for men who live in colder climates, warm formal outwear is a must. As a rule of thumb, former outerwear must come down longer than the bottom of your inner top garment, so if you are wearing a suit jacket for example, your outer coat must come down long enough to cover up the bottom of your suit jacket.
Most men (and women) appreciate the handsome length of a fine, wool coat, so if all you have is a casual hip-length puffer jacket, it may be time to invest in something finer.
6. A Nice Watch
A time piece has taken on so many new dimensions in the 21st century. From our phones to smart watches that track our steps, the watch has undergone a central shift in its use. But we’re talking fashion statement here and a nice watch compliments your look.
It doesn’t need to be a Rolex but accessorizing with a “formal” watch is a universally respected gentlemen’s accessory. Even if you don’t typically wear watches, wearing a nice watch on a date or to a formal event is a classic move that will immediately enhance your entire outfit.
7. Good Cologne
You’re never fully dressed without a bit of cologne, but word of advice: not too much. Even if the scent is pleasant, overpowering fragrances are not sensible or sexy. Target one (or max two) pressure points for a dash of a high-quality cologne.
The standard rule with men’s cologne is that someone standing right next to you should be able to smell your signature scent, but someone on the other side of the table should not. Learn more: Everything men need to know about cologne and 10 fragrances women absolutely love on men
Final Thoughts 7 Fashion Items Men over 50 Need in Their Closet
As you consider your wardrobe and arm yourself with apparel for any occasion, stick to the neutral color pallet at first. You’ll never go wrong with colors such as white, black, brown, gray, and navy blue, so invest in smart-looking, timeless pieces in the colors that look great on every skin tone. Then, when you are ready to shake things up, add to those basics with more colorful and expressive pieces as it suits your individual sense of style and budget.
(Pro tip: Not sure how to mix and match your colors? Stick with three colors max with two being neutral colors, and the third being a fun and non-neutral color. Check our suggestions with our blog on coordinating colors)
Men’s fashion can be a powerful expression of your personal identity. If you would like to learn more about men’s fashion or for more men’s style inspiration, check out our blog on five men over 50 with killer fashion sense. We hope that you’ve found some useful information with our piece on 7 Fashion Items Men over 50 Need in Their Closet.
Make sure and subscribe today for relevant content affecting the lifestyle, health, and wellness of men 50 and older! If you don’t see something here you want us to cover, feel free to reach out to us directly through our Contact page or leave a comment below. Stay well!
The 55 Lifestyle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
