Fashion tips for your man

FASHION TIPS IF YOU'RE OVER 40 (AskMen.com)

Avoid fashion fads: Don't fall for today's fashion-marketing ploys. By now you should maintain a style that's timeless, not timely; you should avoid the latest trends at all costs. And the key here is not only avoiding fads, but also recognizing them. Since fashion fads generally target a certain age demographic, you can easily identify them according to who's wearing what.

Leave the past behind: Just because certain looks "make a comeback" doesn't give you license to pull these items back out of your closet. As you well know, more often than not, the past is typically best left in the past. Invest in the new version to ensure you're updated, not outdated -- but only if the look or item is a fashion staple, rather than a fashion fad.

Don't mistake business attire for stylish attire: What works from 9 to 5 won't always work from 5 to 9 or on the weekends. Believe it or not, even your nicest business clothes don't translate into great evening attire. In fact, wearing your work-wear to functions outside of normal work occasions appears stuffy and one-dimensional; a look no guy in his 40s should contend with. Show the world you're at the top of your game by presenting variations of yourself.

Keep it simple: One of the easiest and best solutions for dressing well in your 40s is keeping things as simple as possible. Loud patterns and flashy ties should be left to the younger generations.

Keep it clean: You know what they say cleanliness is next to. And guys in their 40s should pay special heed to the concept of keeping it clean in a few areas: One, make sure your clothes strike crisp, clean lines; baggy, ill-fitting clothes look dumpy and lame. Go for clothes that create smooth lines and breaks around your frame, giving you a polished, dapper appearance. And last, but not least, always be well-groomed and clean-shaven. Clean skin and hair is industry standard by now, and facial hair generally makes you look older. Make a big statement by maintaining an all-around clean appearance; it invokes an impeccable, all-powerful image for guys in their 40s.

Embrace your age: The underlying principle to looking great in your 40s (and any age, for that matter) is to embrace your age. Take pride in number of years you've lived -- don't try to hide them by adopting a style that belongs to another generation; dressing in clothes that are too big or too small will only give you away and make things worse. Embracing your age will produce a masculine, mature sophistication that suits 40-year-olds to a tee.