Why is it that the menswear industry shows no interest in the older man, a huge and affluent market? Will someone please explain it to me? I asked everywhere at LC:M and had no answers.
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| Image Catwalking |
Oliver Spencer showed beautiful softly-tailored and coloured clothes which would be ideal for the man looking for something with classic roots, but providing a slightly different and edgy look.
For others in the series of grey-haired models in menswear advertising click here.
Interstingly I read a comment by Margaret Howell (who if her Wigmore Street shop is anything to go by must sell to predominantly over 40's) who said she did not use older models due to pressure from magazines.perhaps that is tue. so it takes us back to economics and aesthetic judgements.
ReplyDeleteBTW any chance of some tips on grooming for older guys?
Hi there Grey Fox, Happy Summer to YOU ;-}
ReplyDeleteI think the reason why the fashion business only uses young models is that if an older person buys the product, they think they will all of a sudden be young again like the 18 to 20 something boy/man waring it.
The FUNNY thing is that none of the young guys that are seen wearing the clothing would ever be caught wearing the product in true life, or be able to afford a lot of the High Priced stuff they are Hawking for the designers.
Here in America there is a Magazine named Town and Country, and in it you see older socialite models wearing the clothing. There is nothing worse than seeing a 20 something year old girl wearing a two or three million dollar necklace, that you know would ONLY be looked at and bought by an older lady.
Also, when looking at magazines, notice how a lot of the adds show a close up of the model's face in perfect focus, but the clothing is kind of off focus.
It is sad (but probably smart) that the clothing business is really trying to sell product to the young, as they are more insecure than the older, most likely don't have mortgages, kids educations to pay for and all the other necessities of every day life, that cuts into the older demographic's ability to frivolously spend on things that interest them.
Thanks for the comments - if it's all economics in the end why ignore a huge demographic when you sell.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the grooming suggestion. I'll see what I can do.
GF.
I posted this on Tim Dowlings recent blog, and thought it might as well stand up here too :
ReplyDelete"So - blue jeans + t-shirt + trainers = peak sartorial
Then - Ford Capri = peak car?
And - Nintendo = peak game?
Or - McMeal = peak food?
Then - maybe you have reached peak maturity.
Neither 50 - nor 60 - nor 70 signals the end of the game : you think they're not still looking at us? You think I'm not still looking at them?
It's a game called Attraction. If you gave up way back then - fine. Some of us keep playing, and some of us like dressing up.
And as for fashion - yes that's effemeral, but not epheminate. Style? Now that's something you build up over the years.
And why do I still bother at 63? No reason really - apart from a look I get occasionally from my wife, and others.
When you get here, it's sometimes just the little things that count."
There! I've got that off my chest twice.
Meanwhile - carry on the good work . . . you do seem to be the only voice out there.
Quite incomprehensible as you say - when I think of all those men who experienced the '60's/'70's who have retained something of those sensibilities and who now have the time and money to express themselves.
It is 'Play' in its philosophical sense - something innate that does not disappear with time.
What we wear also goes back to tribal roots; and while we may not be 'displaying' for procreative reasons, no greybeard chief worth his salt (and pepper) would step outside his hut looking shabby!
Loss of status might result in loss of hut, clothing coupons - and life!
Richard
Thanks Richard - a classic and much appreciated comment.
ReplyDeleteGF