How should I dress?

[ShadownINja]

I've been wondering for a while now... which is probably a sign of old age in itself... when I'm not on one of my ninja missions, you know, when I'm chilling out with Derreck, Clarence, Dave, Quinten and rest of the squad at the local... how should I dress, seeing as I'm in my mid-30s? My usual attire is combat trousers (fraying) and sweatshirt or hooded top (also fraying) unless I have to dress up for client meetings (then suit, shirt, tie). A 30-something female friend who works in the city says my casual style suits me but I do wonder if I should be wearing something slightly smarter and more in tune with my age group.

So what say you?

And if you think I need to smarten up, what should I be wearing?

Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 10th June 19:12

[shirt]

be yourself. conforming to other's opinions of how you should dress is a sign of age.

[Steamer]

Its not time to swap 'Coke & Strippers' for 'Coco & Slippers' yet is it?!

[10 Pence Short]

I've gone the other way. I used to go out in shirts and smart trousers in my early twenties. Now I've hit 30 I just 'scruff up' when I'm out socially.

Mind you, I'm in a relationship of 7 years, so I suppose I'm not trying to get my end away when I go out...

No, really.

[ShadownINja]

And that's the thing. I wonder how the opposite sex see me. I'm sure dressing like a skaterkid who has forgotten to grow up isn't really appealing. They probably think I still live at home with my parents rather than in a secret ninja cave deep in the Surrey Hills.

[ShadownINja]

I notice the bias is towards smartening up but what should I wear instead?

[shirt]

ask your mum.

or more seriously - look at people on the street/on tv/wherever. see what you like, go buy it. simple.

[10 Pence Short]

shirt said:

ask your mum.

or more seriously - look at people on the street/on tv/wherever. see what you like, go buy it. simple.

Absolutely not. That makes you a sheep. You might as well wear your hair in identikit, gelled 'scruffy' and your shirt outside of your trousers.

That way you'll look like every other young bloke out on a Saturday night. And make it obvious you have no mind of your own.

[grumbledoak]

Your current attire, as described, would probably have me aiming to avoid you, and not out of the fear that your rather black-themed 'work' outfit would instill.

But you don't have to dress like an M&S mannequin (Chinos and a jumper slung over your shoulders, as far as I can tell) to grow up a little.

At your age I would be looking not at exactly what you choose to wear, more what to avoid:

• no rips
• no frays
• no trainers
• no hoodies
• no carrier bags unless you've genuinely just been shopping

How would you like to be perceived?

ETA- I'm no model of sartorial elegance (I'm sure he will be along shortly) but I'm a little older and have gone through much the same dilemma.

Edited by grumbledoak on Wednesday 10th June 19:27

[shirt]

10 Pence Short said:

shirt said:

ask your mum.

or more seriously - look at people on the street/on tv/wherever. see what you like, go buy it. simple.

Absolutely not. That makes you a sheep. You might as well wear your hair in identikit, gelled 'scruffy' and your shirt outside of your trousers.

That way you'll look like every other young bloke out on a Saturday night. And make it obvious you have no mind of your own.

i don't see how. i would agree had i said 'look at what everyone is wearing, buy the same to fit in'. but i didn't. in each case, we're giving advice to someone who can't choose their own clothes, so its all relative.

[lottie]

Go with a style that you are comfortable with! If you wanted to be really in tune with your image you could go and have your colours done!! A male friend of mine always used to wear beige, white, black and navy (usually denim) but since he had his colours done (his girlfriend sent him!!) he looks great because he's started wearing colour!!

[10 Pence Short]

'Colours done'? What is this gayness you speak of?

[DrTre]

lottie said:

Go with a style that you are comfortable with! If you wanted to be really in tune with your image you could go and have your colours done!! A male friend of mine always used to wear beige, white, black and navy (usually denim) but since he had his colours done (his girlfriend sent him!!) he looks great because he's started wearing colour!!

I concur, get your colours done. Go on. Please.

[skip_1]

10 Pence Short said:

'Colours done'? What is this gayness you speak of?

This. Where and what now?

[lottie]

10 Pence Short said:

'Colours done'? What is this gayness you speak of?

I was waiting for that. It's called colour me beautiful - not very blokey title I know.. But you go and they put colours on you and decide which are the best ones for you to wear. I wear really strong vibrant colours as I have dark hair and dark brown eyes. Loads of female friends have had it done and a few trendy bloke friends!!

[ShadownINja]

I'm not afraid of wearing colours "off-duty", although I draw the line at pink ties and purple shirts.

[Brink]

Leather jacket (not biker) - at least £400
Expensive jeans
T-shirt
Any F1 cap
Docs

[ShadownINja]

grumbledoak said:

But you don't have to dress like an M&S mannequin (Chinos and a jumper slung over your shoulders, as far as I can tell) to grow up a little.

That's the only alternative I can think of wearing. It doesn't appeal to me. What other options are there? What about a jacket (for my hidden weapons, of course)?

[MK4 Slowride]

[Brink]

excuse the time shift