DRESSING TIPS FOR MEN IN THEIR 40s

What your shirt color says about you Have you ever considered that colour can influence behaviour and emotions? That what you wear can influence your moods, make you feel confident and secure or indeed uneasy or low? Even if you aren’t consciously aware of the symbolic meaning of colours, when you choose one it can reveal much about your personality. Your go to clothing color can have a striking impact on how your colleagues and peers perceive your personality and mood. According to Mary Ellen Lapp, the author of The color of success, the color shirt you select every morning will affect not only the moods of those around you, but will also communicate your ‘color personality’. This term, coined by leading psychological researchers, describes the association between the colors we wear on a day to day basis and our unique personalities and perceptions. So, when you’re pondering over which shirt to wear for the day, there may be more to consider than simply comfort or the weather, with each color providing different signals about your personality, motivation levels and even your work ethic! RED A red shirt is often considered a bold choice in the realm of fashion. If you want to be noticed, red is the color for you! Red is seen as an exciting color, worn by those seeking exhilaration and thrill. Those choosing to rock a red shirt portray an adventurous streak and are often considered daring and bold. However, for occasions such as job interviews or formal meetings, this out there color might not be the best choice. Research suggests wearers of red are sometimes perceived as impulsive, with some studies even suggesting that red intimidates those around you. BLUE Whether it be navy or a light sky blue, this color is one of the most popular shirt choices. Blue is a calming color that represents tranquility, confidence, and loyalty and even success. Research suggests that wearing blue can create a soothing environment which is conductive to a more creative atmosphere. People often feel safer exploring new ideas when surrounded by blue, making it the ideal color for when a creative mindset is important. If you want to portray yourself as confident and ‘in control’ navy blue is your best bet and is often thought of as the best color to wear to corporate events or job interviews. GREEN Green has strong connotations with two things that make the world go ‘round: nature and money! If you want to feel at one with nature, green is the color for you. A light green is fresh and subtle, worn by those wishing to exude a sense of trustworthiness and wellness. Its association with nature creates a perception of growth, health, fertility and serenity. However, green can also be negatively associated with jealousy or envy, especially darker green shades. PINK Many men still view pink as a feminine colour probably due to the fact that it is considered tranquil, warm and loving. This is an unfortunate and somewhat old fashioned view. 18th century history tells us pink was widely worn as a ‘warlike colour’ as it was a ‘diminutive of red’. This way of thinking got lost overtime but pink in men’s fashion has made a huge comeback. In fact, pink has been used to represent power and it has been reported that men who wear pink earn more annually than those who wear other colours due to the associated confidence. On top of this, women find men in pink very attractive because they are comfortable in their own skin. WHITE Not a colour in the technical sense, white is always appropriate and shows respect for the occasion. It is a sign of neatness and purity and is worn as a badge or virtue and innocence by good men. No matter how wicked you may be feeling or thinking inside, a white shirt will deliver a wholesome impression when you go to meet the in-laws. And if you can keep your whites white, this is the perfect colour for any man seeking the spotless look. GREY Love it or hate it, grey, along with black and white, is one of those colours that looks good with just about anything and never goes out of fashion. A man in a grey shirt likes to play it safe and is somewhat stylish drab, but still chic. Grey is an easy colour, considered modern and perfect for casual occasions. BLACK Considered the absence of colour in fashion, black is a neutral medium. If you’re wearing a black shirt you ooze authority and masculinity except if you’re trying to make a good first impression, for example on a first date, then it can give off an aura of emotional distance and deceitfulness. Always extremely popular due to its versatility, the black shirt is one of the most indispensable pieces of clothing in a man’s wardrobe. Black symbolizes extremes — all or nothing — and is a colour of strength, power, sophistication, elegance, and authority.

You've gone through your twenties trying different things with your style – now’s the time to lock it down. Once you hit your thirties, you should have an understanding of what style of clothing suits your personality and makes you feel confident and sophisticated. Hitting your this decade probably means you’re moving into more lucrative jobs as your career begins to take flight, or even starting a family of your own. With these changes, keeping up to date with your style can be difficult, especially when you have less time to yourself in the morning to pick out matching outfits, let alone the time to buy them in the first place! This means investing in statement, quality pieces is essential to maintain a professional look. Spending that extra bit more will ensure you look good without having to waste time you don’t have every few months shopping for a new pair of dress shoes or a new jacket for work. During this decade, personal grooming should also be one of your top priorities. This doesn’t mean getting your hair cut every now and again! The ageing process begins in your mid to late twenties, so investing in a quality SPF and some key skin care products is essential to keep your youthful appearance for as long as possible.  Basically, it’s time to grow up a bit – here are the golden rules to do it effortlessly! The three golden rules of dressing in your thirties: 1. Understand the importance of a good suit Having invested in your first suit in your twenties, now’s the time to take this to the next level by upping your suit game. Navy, grey and black suits are classics for the workplace and formal events but it also pays off to expand your horizons to bolder colours, materials and patterns such as tweed and checks. Going outside of the box like this will demonstrate to the people around you that you’re confident, successful and not afraid to stand out from the crowd. Investing in shirts that work for each season is also a must, whether it be the depths of winter or a hot summers day, you want to feel comfortable and ready to conquer the day.  It’s important to remember that suits aren’t only for important business meetings or weddings, but are probably the most versatile items for any man in their thirties! As suits consist of a blazer and trousers that can be split up and worn with denim, chinos, and even t-shirts. Mixing and matching jackets and trousers from different suits is another way to expand the versatility of the everyday suit, creating a stylish, dynamic look for the work place. The importance of tailoring your suit shouldn’t be underestimated. A good tailor can make your suit go from looking cheap and unprofessional to expensive, stylish and dapper giving you a feeling of confidence to conquer whatever comes your way!  2. Purchase quality, statement pieces. As your career begins you bloom, your thirties are the perfect time to spend that little bit more on good quality pieces that will last. One of the most important pieces to invest in is a high-end leather wallet. Whether you’re out to dinner with a client or on a date, a top of the range wallet will give you an air of sophistication and class and last years. Investing in a pair of silver cufflinks is important for the keen shirt wearer as they accessorize even the most basic outfit and can bridge the gap between a casual shirt and formal attire. With a nice pair of cufflinks on your wrist, your outfit will come together nicely. This decade is also the ideal time to invest in good footwear. Shoes are often considered the key ingredient in men’s style, with many viewing shoes as a sort of status symbol. As the saying goes, you can tell a lot about a man by the shoes he wears! Shoes represent attention to detail, whether it be sleek trainers for a casual outing or smarter styles such as loafers, a good pair can enhance even the most ordinary of outfits, making them essential for every man in their thirties. In the words of Christian Louboutin "Shoes transform your body language and attitude. They lift you physically and emotionally."  3. Back yourself Once you’ve reached your thirties you’ve had over ten years of dressing and experimenting with your clothing and personal style and know what works for you and what doesn’t. Having confidence in the clothes you wear and embracing who you are will make you feel good in any outfit you wear. Yves Saint Laurent said that what’s most important are not the clothes themselves but the person who’s wearing them and so it’s important to stand tall and embrace the clothes that make you feel confident and self-assured. I guarantee you, whether your wearing jeans and a basic tee or a three piece suit, the key to any outfit is confidence, and if you have that you’ll always be dressed to impress! 

Brent Pope is a former professional sportsman, author, charity worker and television celebrity. As one of Irelands best dressed men, Brent has his own successful brand of shirts and shoes aptly maned POPE. He is always asked by woman to have a word with there husband and give him some tips on looking smarter. So, guys stop being hassled and fight back with my first 5 tips on dressing to impress better. Remember look good, and you feel good. 1 Tuck it in mister If you purchase a modern styled shirt and intend wearing a blazer or suit with it, then please always tuck it in. If it is longer more casual fitted style then by all means wear it untucked for a more trendy, modern look that can help disguise the belly, but not with a blazer or a suit it looks scruffy. Keep most of the buttons done up, a little bit of bronzed chest is acceptable for a casual look but don’t be one of those who undo the buttons to the waist at a certain age. What are you thinking?

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