The usual stereotypes were dragged out by the press (Clooney the good dresser, Clarkson the bad) which raises the suspicion that someone is after publicity. Below are the images used to illustrate the Daily Mail's report. The 'survey' was carried out by ISME, an online home shopping catalogue - that may be significant.
Although I can't take this too seriously, I suspect from my own experience that there's an element of truth in the reports. That is why I started this search for style. If accurate, the conclusions may help explain why the fashion world doesn't bother with the older man. But it's a chicken and egg situation. Do men give up as they mature because they can't find suitable clothes among the skater wear and T-shirts? Or is it that they have better things to do, feel it's no longer worth looking for style, or for some other reason?
Read the report below and let me know what you think. Whatever, I feel it's time the fashion industry saw the potential here - and fashion editors could do more to help this process. Older man are a pretty affluent group - come on ladies and gentlemen!
Read the report below and let me know what you think. Whatever, I feel it's time the fashion industry saw the potential here - and fashion editors could do more to help this process. Older man are a pretty affluent group - come on ladies and gentlemen!
London, August 17 (ANI): The age at which men stop caring about their appearance is 37 years - out go the fashion-conscious outfits of their younger years that are slowly but surely replaced by a uniform of baggy T-shirts and worn-out jeans, a new survey of their significant others has revealed.In an attempt to slow the fashion decline, nearly two-thirds of women have admitted preventing their partner from buying certain items, while 37 percent buy all their other half's clothes.Nearly a fifth of women surveyed said their husband's dodgy denim had forced them to take action, with ill-fitting jeans and matching jean/waistcoat combinations the worst offenders.For another 16 percent, it was their partner's old-fashioned, discoloured and overly tight underwear that drove them to overhaul his wardrobe.According to the survey conducted by online retailer isme.com, other hated items included Speedos and shocking floral shirts.However, while many wanted to keep their partners looking fashionable, women were also keen to ensure they dressed their age, with 7 percent saying they had vetoed hoodies and clothing more suited to a boy band member.The survey of 2,000 women aged over 50 found most would prefer their men to copy the styles of actors such as George Clooney and Hugh Grant - but thought they actually dressed Jeremy Clarkson, Prince Charles and Alan Titchmarsh.Left to their own devices, the women surveyed thought a quarter of men would avoid clothes shopping altogether.Of those men that would venture into a store, 26 per cent would only buy new clothes when theirs had worn through and 24 per cent would make a beeline for the cheapest item, whatever the style or fit, the women said. (ANI)
My husband will buy clothes from Brooks Brothers and then buy cheap sunglasses to save a few dollars. I'm working on it. Your blog helps!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your efforts and thanks for the comment! GF.
DeleteOf course this 'survey' (ahem) is complete twaddle, but surely Prince Charles is generally regarded as dressing rather well?
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. Prince Charles has regularly appeared both as best and worst dressed man, which shows what a load of old cobblers the press and fashion commentators can indulge in - it depends which is judged to sell the most papers at the time. GF.
DeleteAs with all surveys we would need to see the questions asked, and the size of the survey, to get real meaningful data here. However I did find the most relevant comment contained within was that the 'significant others' were keen that their men "dressed their age". Here then lies the problem, as the Grey Fox, myself and other are finding, what does that actually mean and where can middle-aged men go for advice to "dress their age". We have a long journey ahead of us, but at least the journey has begun!
ReplyDelete"...dressed their age...what does that actually mean and..."
DeleteExactly. So what is 'dressing middle-age' ? Is it defined more by what one should NOT wear than what one should ? Ducking the label 'mutton dressed as lamb' or equivalent ? And who says ?
For me, I've always felt that personal taste and (especially) personal style in one's dress should be the distinguishing factors of one's self and appearance, and not age alone. You and your clothes should be noticed, by calling just the right amount of attention to yourself and no more, appropriate to the occasion.
Hah! I live in the US, where men notoriously are sloppy dressers after 37, so I'd tend to agree with this. Its rare to see a well dress middle aged man (and I live in LA, a fashion forward capital). I'm a 54 year old guy, and I have to say that my peers tend to not take care of their grooming, dress and physical condition. And the only reason young men look any better is that, first, they're young, and then young people tend to be more trendy dressers. My father's generation wouldn't be caught dead leaving the house looking like today's men. I don't think I'll find many women in the States who'll disagree with any of this.
ReplyDeleteThat said, the men on the site, by virtue of their interest in this site, are going to be among those who pay more attention to good dress and grooming. But the country at large? Appalling.
Doominick in LA
Sadly I agree, Doominick in LA - men of our fathers' generation were generally proud of their appearance; that has been lost in a plague of shapeless 'sports' wear. Men are forgetting that it is important to dress with respect for yourself and others. GF.
ReplyDeleteAbsolute twaddle, men generally age well if they look after themselves and dress in classic clothing. It's time the older british male shed the worst dressed list once and for all. Remember gentlemen, in the words of ZZ Top, "Women go crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man"
ReplyDelete