You're Too Old to Wear That

June 26, 2010, By 175 comments

You're Too Old to Wear That

You’re not in college anymore. You’re not going to (insert rowdy tropical location here) for a week each spring anymore. Most importantly, you’re not living in a communal setting with 10+ other guys. This means your wardrobe should be modified.

Those ripped up shorts and cutoff tees were great for a lazy Saturday on the frat porch and those sweatpants were great for that 8 a.m. class you (accidentally) signed up for. Though these items may be comfortable, here are some fashion tips and a list of things you’re just too old to wear.

Transformed tees. At one time, it seemed like a great idea to cut the sleeves and half of the sides off of that T-shirt, but you don’t need to wear it anymore. Unless you’re painting or doing dirty work (in which they can be worn or used as rags) around the house, these can go in the trash. For a solid, simple T-shirt, try Old Navy’s men’s shirts for less than $10 a pop and a discount if you buy more than one.

Anything with holes in it. T-shirts. Shorts. Jeans. Anything. It gives off the wrong impression – even if they were jeans you purchased that way. When it comes to wardrobe, simplicity is key. Plain jeans look much better than ripped up ones – people are going to think those are your yard work jeans and didn’t have time to change before dinner. For a plain pair, try Old Navy’s selection (though avoid the distressed options). If you really can’t part with something – such as a shirt with your fraternity’s letters that’s developed holes in the armpits – save it sparingly. Choose a few items and use them solely for work around the house.

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Comments (175):

Rex T. This is a stupid article. Sounds like its written by some rich snob. People can dress however they feel like without someone else running their mouth. Thats the whole problem with this world anymore. - 09/13/2011
Stee M. I'm sorry. I'll try harder to impress all of you. I so desperately need your validation and approval. - 07/28/2011
Larry I. Go ahead, wear whatever you want and display all those tatoos. Just don't whine when you are treated like a tatooed slob. - 07/27/2011
Jesse J. All this article seems about is an advertisement for Old Navy so you will buy their clothes. LOL>LOL.......I guess business must be down over there..LOL..LOL - 07/26/2011
Kayu E. Lived and worked abroad for 15 years and so spent a lot of time in airports looking at oddly dressed American men: Shorts, baseball caps, t shirts peeking out from under polo shirts, t shirts under t shirts, pleated khakis ... American men simply refuse to grow up. - 07/06/2011
Momma B. My sister-in-law has a great (and true) saying about fashion:" If you were old enough to wear it the first time around, you are too old to wear it the next time it is in fashion." Works every time! - 06/30/2011
Fred H. After receiving e-mails of "pictures of Wal-Martians", (of which I have a separate file for), people SHOULD have some respect for themselves. After viewing these pictures, and possibly the whole world viewing these pics, I understand why the US has lost the respect of the world. People aren't given respect, they earn it. - 06/25/2011
Pete M. i agree generally but, what's with the old navy recomendations? are you an investor in the chain? there are lots of stores out there . Any store with such obnoxious tv ads does'nt deserve a plug - 06/24/2011
Mike T. I have to wear a suit and shave 5 days a week. I have young kids and don't get to go out to nice dinners or hip clubs (unless I am traveling on Business). Please let me wear whatever the hell I want on my days off. Plus I can't show off my tattoos if I don't cut the sleeves off my logo t-shirts :) - 06/24/2011
Herb S. As long as my jeans are in pne piece, I wear them. Why not an article about LAZY bums who don't want to shave but once a week? That is my biggest pet peeves about my fellow man. SHAVE! :You don't want your girl rubbing hairy legs against you, what makes you think she wants your 3 day growth sanding the side of her face off? And for God's sake, if your going to wear flip-flops or sandals, wash your feet and trim your nails. You're not climbing a tree and no one wants to see your nasty dogs anyway! - 06/23/2011
Steve C. Lets add earrings when you are over 40, unless you are a certified pirate or biker. Also, polo shirts with the collars turned straight up. Ladies, tell your man that went out around the time of "The Breakfast Club" and disco. Oh, and those short pants, not quite shorts, not quite pants?! Screamer! - 06/22/2011
Mike D. Men, do follow what Damien T. says. That way life will be even easier for the rest of us class gentlemen who are aged 32 and over. And there will be more of you losers for us to make fun of and deny jobs to. - 06/19/2011
Shawn M. *This article is sponsored by Old Navy. - 06/18/2011
Holly G. "Damien T. Conform, conform, conform. If a man is not at the job and his money is paying for the clothes I say wear what the hell you like. We have this ridiculous benchmarks of what someone should be or not be doing at a certain age.I think we need to pay more attention to minding our business and stop being such haters about every little thing." GREAT comment. The best thing to wear is a smile. The rest is up to you. Dress up for your job, but wear whatever the hell you want to wear when you're on your own time. - 06/18/2011
Mike P. I couldn't help but notice all these comments are about men's attire. When are women to old to wear pajamas to the store, or dirty sweats with flip flops. Men aren't the only slobs out there. - 06/17/2011
Marg D. One may certainly dress they way they like. But if you were coming to me to get a job or do work for me and you dressed sloppy and/or carelessly, it makes me think that your work might be sloppy or careless. Even if your work isn't sloppy or careless, I am going to pass you over. The bottom line: if you look like you have your act together, other people think you do and think you might be able to help them get their act together. Sorry, just a fact. - 06/17/2011
Caras C. Bullhooey. Wear whatever you want to whenever you want to. Never conform. And who is this person who says, "you're too old to wear this or that?" - 06/12/2011
J C. Thank you! As a US citizen with a multicultural background, I am often appalled by the way my fellow Americans dress. However, you missed the biggest offense: Baggy pants!!! PUKE!!! Thug/sloppy/ghetto all equal the same thing to me: You have NO respect for other people when you inflict that image of yourself on the planet! Grow up! - 06/07/2011
Ana Lucia N. I live in California where people who are in their 40's look like they're in their 30's, and people in their 50's look like they're in the 40's...So what I'm saying here is some people CAN get away with wearing anything as long as it fits them well, their style and it's appropriate for the occasion. My husband by day is in finance, so he wears professional clothing, but he surfs so he wears the normal stuff surfers wear and even though he's pushing 50, he looks like he's in his 30's, so I think he looks hot. so bottom line is use your common sense, wear what fits your body well, reflects your personality and style and for the occasion - 06/07/2011
Dave L. Well, I don't personally care what anyone wears. But I do have to ask a practical question utterly unrelated to fashion... WHY would you buy a pair of pants that already had holes in them or were distressed (same for any apparel) when it costs more than a WHOLE pair? If you want to wear it because its comfy...how exactly is it MORE comfy than a Whole pair of pants? That's like buying a beat up 82 Dodge Diplomat for $35,000 instead of a New Car... You may not care about the age factor but surely you have some Fiscal sense. - 06/04/2011
Danny R. When I need fashion advice from some broad, I'll ask for it. I'm retired, don't need to impress anyone, and don't really care what anyone thinks. If you feel the need to impress someone, I feel sorry for you that you are so insecure. - 06/03/2011
Charlie T. It sounds to me like this guy is a clothing store- trying to boost his business. I am in a rock N roll band and wherever we play - we see the cut up jeans, sleeveless (home made) T's - and we all have a great time - and no one chides them for what they are wearing. This guy needs to get a life - 05/31/2011
Chris S. Amen, Damien. - 05/30/2011
Marianne R. Damien I totally agree. What ever happened to freedom of expression? - 05/27/2011
Dan R. I'm 51. I have a rack full of shirts with nice big logo's and prints on them...like GO BIG RED, BLACKSHIRTS (with requisite skull and crossbones), HUSKERS, and my favorite, a big red "N". This is somehow inappropriate? Bite me. Now where are those old sweat pants.... - 05/25/2011

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