Flirty Thirty: A Man’s Fashionable Guide to Age Appropriate Attire

Thirty-year-old men are not old by any stretch of the imagination, but they are supposed to be more mature than their teenage and twentysomething counterparts. This means that a man of this age should know who he is at this point in his life and should be able to dress appropriately for all occasions. So how does one properly dress in his thirties? Here is a brief primer:

Establish your Identity

While it is crucial to experiment with different looks in your twenties, you should have a clear sense of who you are at thirty, and your wardrobe should reflect that. You may already have a default style that you are most comfortable with, and this reflects your unique personality. Work within this style to flesh out the rest of your wardrobe.

You don’t have to box yourself in, just remain consistent to the person that you truly are. This will make it easier to shop and will also encourage your own personal comfort.

Dressy vs Casual

By age thirty, a man should have some classic dressy and casual standards in his wardrobe that he can rely on for almost any occasion. For example, you should have one proper business suit, even if the item is not something that you need everyday to perform your job. It should be tailored to fit appropriately, and in a standard solid hue of navy blue, black, or charcoal gray. This is a crucial piece that can be worn at weddings, funerals, or other places that require an appropriate suit. You can finish the look with a stylish wool overcoat in the winter months.

You should also have a casual suit to fall back on for less formal activities like Sunday church and brunches. This can be patterned or come in lighter shades like light blue or gray scale. Brown tweed is also acceptable. This more casual answer to the classic suit shows the world that while you are having fun, you are still a grown adult. Honestly, thirty-year-old men should be wearing a jacket with their dress shirts and trousers more often than not. And, they must not make the fashion faux-pas of wearing a tie without a coat. It just doesn’t look proper.

Of course, you do need an identity that is separate from the person that dresses formally for work and special occasions. The everyday you is the one that will determine your friends’ and peers’ perceptions about you. That is why is also so important to have a separate wardrobe for everyday use.

Your casual closet at thirty should consist of short sleeve shirts like polos, button down shirts with long sleeves and turndown collars, and lightweight cotton and colorful khaki or jogger pants. Remember, jeans and chinos that fit appropriately are always more attractive than clunky basketball shorts that hang off your backside. You can then top off any casual look with a plethora of outerwear options, such as hunter’s coats, military jackets, and timeless denim and leather varieties.

And, remember, don’t move about town in gym clothes unless you are going to the gym, and don’t even think about sporting a team jersey unless you are en route to the big game. If you must rock such items, save them for pajama tops. This doesn’t mean you have to dress boring. You can be more expressive and creative with color, patterns, textures in pants and shirts than gym shorts and an old band t-shirt.  That’s more generic and less likely to showcase your personality. If you’re not in college you should ditch the college t-shirts. 

Accessorized your Outfits

It’s amazing what a few key accessories can do to accentuate a man’s wardrobe. For example, any watch with a proper leather or metal band can dress up any ensemble. Just be sure that it is simple and not too chunky. It should exude class, not look tacky. Get yourself a watch with swappable leather bands and you can easily match your belt and shoes.

Speaking of shoes, you should have a couple of high-quality pairs in black and brown leather, at the least. Black leather works well with formal attire, while the brown are more for casual combinations. You can still rock sneakers, but it is more acceptable for the thirty-year-old, well-dressed male to sport slip-on loafers, boaters, or even leather sandals.

Then match your shoes to an appropriate leather wallet. This is not an age where a Velcro or nylon wallet will do. Your choice should be neat, slim, and fit well in your trouser pocket.

Also, try investing in a high-quality scent. Experiment with different colognes to see which works best with your body chemistry and which ones represent your personal style. Stay away from body sprays, however. The scent does not last and most smell as cheaply as they were made.

Get an Appropriate Hairdo

If you are still trying to maintain a hairstyle that requires pounds of product and hours of time, you probably should try to simplify your style. Tons of maintenance can get in the way when you are trying to work or help with family matters. It’s probably best to leave the complicated ‘dos to the runways and fashion magazines.

You should also accept the inevitable if start to notice that you are going bald. Never try that 1970s-style combover that looks terrible and doesn’t really hide the problem. Instead opt for a classic short cut or shave your head, which is the definitive trend of the 2010s.

Another 2010s trend is facial hair, and it looks great as long as it is perfectly trimmed and styled to accentuate your face. The unkempt look is fine when you are a wild college student, but, by thirty, it should be much more restrained.

In conclusion, a man should leave behind the experimental times of his youth and accept his thirtieth birthday with dignity and enthusiasm. Dressing in an age-appropriate manner means that others will take you more seriously and you will gain much more respect for your own self.

About the author:

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max. Kara is the youngest of four. She has two hilarious brothers and one beautiful sister. She also is the aunt of 5 crazy little girls that she loves more than anything!! Kara is not yet able to be a mom, but she loves being around kids and being like a second mom to her nieces. She dreams of the day that she can start her own little family.

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