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The Guy’s Guide to Looking Great This Fall

Level up with these easy style and grooming tweaks


spinner image Various men's apparel featuring jeans, jackets, shoes, belts and skin care products
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Macy's; Bespoke Post; DICK's Sporting Goods; J.Crew; Caldera Lab)

Have you noticed anything about the men getting all the attention these days in Tinseltown? Suddenly it’s the guys over 50, pushing 60 and beyond. Renowned Hollywood men’s stylist Jeanne Yang, who counts some of them as clients, says the likes of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Samuel L. Jackson and Keanu Reeves are pulling focus — and they’re all well over 50. What keeps them looking good in the spotlight is that they go the extra mile to accentuate their own mojo. Maybe they throw on a jacket to amp up a look or choose a collared knit shirt instead of a faded team tee. Take a tip from Yang: With a little more effort, any golden-age guy can easily come out a style star.

spinner image Line of Trade Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket; Quince Organic Comfort Stretch Chore Jacket; Levi’s Trucker Jacket with Corduroy Collar
(Left to right) Line of Trade Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket; Quince Organic Comfort Stretch Chore Jacket; Levi’s Trucker Jacket with Corduroy Collar
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Bespoke Post; Quince; Kohl's)

Attend to the chores

Adding a jacket to your fit (today’s vernacular for outfit) is somewhat like putting a frame in a picture. It puts the attention on your face, smooths out your torso and just generally looks like you’ve made a little effort. Luckily, fashion has given men an easy alternative to the stiff blazer in recent years — the easygoing chore coat.

One standout heading into fall is the Line of Trade Sutter Shop Corduroy Jacket ($98, bespokepost.com) with vintage-style metal buttons and plenty of well-placed pockets to keep essentials within easy reach. For warmer climes, check out the Quince Organic Comfort Stretch Chore Jacket ($60, quince.com) in a comfy cotton that’s double-brushed on both sides. Or choose a classic workwear-inspired take with Levi’s Trucker Jacket with Corduroy Collar ($160, kohls.com) in durable black cotton canvas with a brown corduroy collar.

spinner image Everlane Premium Weight Long-Sleeve Polo
Everlane Premium Weight Long-Sleeve Polo (left and right)
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Everlane (2))

Long-sleeved polos score a fashion goal

Up your fashion game by substituting a long-sleeved knit polo for the usual crewneck. You’ve probably worn the short-sleeve pique shirt in the summer for golf or just gadding about. Well, here’s a year-round version to wear with jeans, khakis or even dress pants while easy side vents ensure a flattering untucked fit and the soft ribbed collar frames your handsome mug.

Keep it trim with Everlane's Premium Weight Long-Sleeve Polo ($90, everlane.com) in 100 percent organic cotton for natural resilience and breathability. For a more traditional look, the L.L. Bean Men’s Premium Double L Polo, Long-Sleeve Without Pocket ($50, llbean.com) is roomy through the chest, arms and waist while sitting higher on the shoulder, with trimmer sleeves for just the right fit. For a little more finesse, the classic-fit Liverpool Long Sleeve Polo Sweater ($88, nordstrom.com) is made from a melty viscose knit with a subtle sheen.

spinner image Caldera + Lab The Deep Reviving Face Mask
Caldera + Lab The Deep Reviving Face Mask
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Caldera Lab (2))

Be a masked man

You drink plenty of water to keep yourself hydrated and wear sunscreen to shield your skin from harmful rays, but did you know your face needs hydrating too? Hands down, the easiest way is to deploy a face mask, say once a week, to nourish and detox your dermis. Just spread the goo all over your face about 15 minutes before you hit the shower. Rinse it off and your skin gets both a tingly wake-up and smoother touch.

Caldera + Lab The Deep Reviving Face Mask ($42, calderalab.com) is a reviving clay mask with plant-derived elements that’s good for sensitive skin. Anthony Hydrate + Repair Honey Face Mask ($38, anthony.com) gives a mild warming sensation that stimulates and penetrates the skin while the Rugged & Dapper Detoxifying Mineral Clay Mens Facial Treatment Mask ($25, ruggedanddapper.com) is an invigorating treatment that draws out impurities that advance aging.

spinner image Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Hampton Relaxed Straight Jeans; Lands’ End Men's Relaxed Fit Comfort-First Jeans; Levi’s XX Chino Authentic Straight Fit Men’s Pants
(Left to right) Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Hampton Relaxed Straight Jeans; Lands’ End Men's Relaxed Fit Comfort-First Jeans; Levi’s XX Chino Authentic Straight Fit Men’s Pants
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Macy's; Lands' End; Levi's)

Proceed straight ahead with your jeans

Mercifully, in the world of men’s high fashion, the bicep-grabbing, calf-clinching skinny fit is dead and, in general, things are loosening up. That means there are more choices than ever in denim with a tried-and-true straight-leg, a cut that combines long-wearing comfort and a smooth fit that sits at the waist and hips and drops clean to the shoe. Stick to a solid wash on the darker side, which you can sub in for khakis and dress pants almost anytime.

One All-American designer knows his denim and offers a good choice for all body types in his Polo Ralph Lauren Men’s Hampton Relaxed Straight Jeans ($115, macys.com), with an easy silhouette in a midtone “Morris Blue” cotton denim with a scooch of stretch. For a darker rinse with some flex in the fit, consider a pair of Lands’ End Men's Relaxed Fit Comfort-First Jeans ($70, landsend.com) in medium-weight denim that already feels broken-in. One denim even boasts slanted trouser-pockets to complement its classic straight leg styling, the Levi’s XX Chino Authentic Straight Fit Men’s Pants ($90, levi.com) in soft 100 percent cotton.

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spinner image Gallery Seven Men’s Braided Stretch Belt; J.Crew Italian Pull-Up Leather Belt for Men
(Left to right) Gallery Seven Men’s Braided Stretch Belt; J.Crew Italian Pull-Up Leather Belt for Men
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Kohl's; J.Crew)

Don’t neglect the belt

Chances are, you might not have invested in a new belt in a while. And while a nice patina brings character, worn-out leather can derail the best style moves. Woven belts in leather or stretchy cord have a comfortable “give” while a solid hide choice brings a dressier finish.

One reliable go-to is the Gallery Seven Men’s Braided Stretch Belt ($24, kohls.com), with its elastic web strap and stitched leather ends for added durability. Another always apropos choice might be the Banana Republic Factory Classic Leather Chino Belt ($38, bananarepublicfactory.gapfactory.com) in 100 percent genuine cow leather with a clean-lined single-prong brass buckle. And a companionable choice for jeans is the J.Crew Italian Pull-Up Leather Belt for Men ($75, jcrew.com) in vegetable-tanned leather with a silver buckle. This one looks even better over time as the leather “pulls up” lighter tones underneath in the normal course of wear.

spinner image Hoka Transport Shoe; On Men’s Cloudnova Form 2 Shoes
(Left to right) Hoka Transport Shoe; On Men’s Cloudnova Form 2 Shoes
Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Nordstrom; DICK's Sporting Goods)

If the shoe fits

The internet’s rife with “dad sneakers” memes, but the puffy-soled kicks also mean a big boost in foot support and a cushiony landing with every step. This new breed of foamy-fleeted sneakers also adds a sharp, up-to-date component to your style combined with unbeatable everyday wearability.

The Hoka Transport Shoe ($140, nordstrom.com) features an abrasion-resistant mesh upper and a toggled lacing system for a secure fit. Extra points go to the tread that maximizes traction on wet and dry surfaces and the versatile olive-green shade. On Men’s Cloudnova Form 2 Shoes ($140, dickssportinggoods.com) features a breathable upper and a soft foam midsole for added comfort while the New Balance Fresh Foam X Cruz v3 ($90, newbalance.com) boasts a generously cushioned midsole and an integrated rubber outsole that offers enhanced ease underfoot.

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