Upon entering the office on the weekly Casual Friday. I stopped in my tracks and scanned the horizon of shoulders leaning above the open-plan pig-pens. Contrary to popular belief, most men over the age of 40 can dress. The socks and sandals generation has either emigrated to Dordogne-shire or got with The Times (‘s fashion supplement).
The reason for abruptly stopping on my usually drudging amble to the clocking-in machine was the vast ocean of striped polo shirts on display. Nothing wrong with them per se, but eeeesh, a li’l bit more imagination wouldn’t go amiss. Not only was it the shirts, but the complementary generic-blue jeans topped off with Rockport-esque office-inspired casual trainers. At least you feel good when you're wearing the Monday-Thursday uniform. This was bordering on looking like a Fathers-4-Justice meeting.
Credit where credit is due though. Kudos for the forty 30something+ chaps for knowing that bold, blocky 70s-style colours are in this summer/autumn, but like the ice-cream said to the vodka; you can have too much of a good thing. It’s a shame that such a great office-friendly fashion item has become staple and therefore a bit passé. I’m going to miss it being trendy. The men’s cotton striped polo in its numerous stripes, cuts and colours has all but resigned itself to becoming the pasta pesto of casual Fridays around the country. Shame. I love basil.
So then, without resorting to the lowest common denominator of horizontal striped polos, old jeans and brown trainers, what would I recommend I hear you ask? Below are three outfits which softly state ‘I know what I’m doing’, ‘my spouse doesn’t dress me’ and ‘I’m still man enough to chop wood’:
One
Two Three
I appreciate the above aren't anything groundbreaking or genre-defining but do offer some simple stylish ideas for the modern working gentleman. And hey, if the Summer's Fridays are like every other in terms of their wetness; replace the cool cotton shirts for some simple, light plain knitwear and be warm enough to survive the inevitable BBQs but remain as cool as an ice-cold beer.
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One
Top: Ralph Lauren Big Tartan Pony £95
Trousers: Levis 527 Bootcut Jeans £50
Shoes: Charles Tyrwhitt Caterham Boat Shoe £69
Two
Top: Tommy Hilfiger Gingham Shirt £75
Trousers: Diesel Koolter 8Y9 Tapered £63
Shoes: River Island Green Canvas Sandals £20
Three
Top: Purple Deck Stripe Casual Blue by Blazer £35 (now £15)
Trousers: M&S Blue Harbour Super-lightweight Chinos £35
Shoes: Burton Side-lace Casual Brown Loafer £30
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