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<\/a><\/p>\nI won\u2019t say I didn\u2019t have any interest in clothes when I was younger, but my interest definitely grew stronger in my thirties. I find fashion interesting, and whilst there is much that I don\u2019t wear, I\u2019m interested in several designers’ work and different aesthetics to those I adopt. I think as you get older an appreciation of the history of clothing grows. More classic pieces, or at least pieces that have a strong link with classics are easier to wear in middle age. I like the aesthetics of menswear from the ’30s – ’50s, but being fairly tall and broad, vintage pieces are almost impossible to find in good condition, and I don\u2019t want to look like a museum piece. I like clothes that have their roots in classic British style, but don\u2019t think style should be preserved in aspic.<\/p>\n
Obviously the growth of the Internet has seen a growth of information (and misinformation) on clothes and style from the past. I read a lot of books on men\u2019s style and a love of mid-twentieth century British film provides useful ideas. I think I first came across Styleforum whilst searching for information on English-made shoes (one of my passions). What I like about Styleforum is the range of discussion \u2013 there\u2019s something for everyone. It has a vast membership and consequently a vast pool of knowledge and differing ideas. From members who obsess over the tiniest detail and members keen to share what they consider are the rules of dressing well to working tailors with a great depth of knowledge, and members who just want to experiment, there are always threads that will enlighten or pique curiosity. Moderation is carried out with a deftly light touch which is rare on Internet forums.<\/p>\n I initially started on the Classic Menswear (or Men\u2019s Clothing) branch of the forum which is rooted in tailoring and business wear, but over time increasingly moved to the Street wear and Denim section which introduced me to contemporary designers and a freer way of dressing. The only other clothing forum I currently frequent is The Fedora Lounge, which has a completely different, but no less enjoyable, character to Styleforum, with a wealth of friendly members who are incredibly knowledgeable about hats.<\/p>\n My dress is arguably a Jekyll and Hyde split. Monday to Friday I generally wear a relatively conservative suit and shoes, whilst at the weekends I can experiment more. Wearing a suit isn\u2019t a penance, and does allow a degree of freedom of expression through accessories, particularly hats (a growing passion). In terms of suits I favour a slightly looser more traditional cut than many and find RTW works well enough, although I\u2019ve semi-successfully dabbled with made to measure. I don\u2019t favour any particular suit makers, but generally prefer 3 button to 2 button suits. At some point I might try bespoke, but that\u2019s going to require more investment in time and finances than I can currently spare.<\/p>\n With more casual clothing I\u2019m not really a label chaser \u2013 if I like something I\u2019ll buy it no matter who made it. Having said that, I\u2019ve acquired a fair collection of Nigel Cabourn, whose reworking of workwear and expedition wear chimes with my taste. I also own a fair few pieces by Oliver Spencer, and a number of pieces from smaller British companies such as Universal Works, Common People and Cro\u2019Jack. I\u2019m currently finding some of the French heritage inspired companies such as Arpenteur and Bleu de Paname interesting, and one day will get braver and buy more Yohji Yamamoto. I like clothing that is rooted in older styles, but doesn\u2019t slavishly copy it.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll shamelessly steal ideas from anywhere. I\u2019ll take note of what other forum members wear, and what I see on the street. My sense of style is rooted in the past, and undoubtedly influenced by adaptations of golden age crime novels, Ealing comedies, old photos, growing up watching Tom Baker as The Doctor, and Patrick Macnee as Steed fighting villains in the English countryside. From time to time I will wear American pieces, but my influences are mainly English, unsurprisingly.<\/p>\n [As for my style definition, that’s] a tricky question. It\u2019s not just what you wear, but the way you wear clothes. Confidence in what you\u2019re wearing goes a long way. Dressing to your environment is important \u2013 underdressing to make a statement isn\u2019t stylish, nor is severely overdressing. What looks right in a rural setting will be different to a metropolis. Dressing to your age is important \u2013 a middle-aged man needs to avoid dressing like a 15-year-old (but be wary of age bringing unnecessary blandness). Be different, be individual, and don\u2019t be afraid of experimenting.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be afraid to experiment with what you wear \u2013 failures can be as informative as successes. Listen to feedback from people whose sense of style you appreciate, whilst not being afraid to go your own way.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re on a budget, and most of us are, look carefully at how you proportion that budget. In winter, outerwear will have the strongest visual impact on an outfit; the savings made on buying a basic white oxford shirt over a more expensive one can be put towards a better coat or jacket. Don\u2019t skimp on footwear \u2013 cheap and nasty shoes will pull down the whole outfit.<\/p>\n Be careful to avoid buying too many statement pieces \u2013 yes, you\u2019ll probably want the odd bolder piece, but it\u2019s difficult to put together an outfit made up of a number of bold pieces. Build a wardrobe where you can mix the majority of garments together first.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t be afraid to mix brands.<\/p>\n Be careful when shopping in end of season sales. It\u2019s very easy to get carried away by a discount. Is what you\u2019re buying a piece that you\u2019ll wear regularly?<\/p>\n Buy more hats and caps. A different hat or cap can transform an outfit. It might take a while to find a style that suits you, but there will be one.<\/p>\n Style has a lot to do with confidence. If you don\u2019t feel comfortable in what you\u2019re wearing it will show.<\/p>\n Have fun and don\u2019t take it too seriously. Dressing well should be enjoyable.’<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.styleforum.net\/u\/38324\/manofkent<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Pictures:\u00a0\u00a9 Manofkent<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ‘I\u2019m 42 but still don\u2019t have the answer to Life, The Universe and Everything. I work in the post-compulsory education … <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
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