You don’t need to go all out and overhaul your wardrobe with skinny jeans and trendy sneakers to look great as an older man.
From what to do with your beard to choosing some wardrobe staples, this is your guide to looking great in your 50s and beyond.
Groom your greys
Make the most of your silvered locks by using a silver shampoo once or twice a week to help remove any brassy or yellow tones. Silver shampoo contains a purple pigment that neutralises and cancels out the yellow undertones often present in grey hair.
Due to the slightly rougher texture of grey hair, they tend to flick out from the scalp, making them more obvious and causing a scruffier hairstyle. This is when a shorter cut may work better. Hairstyles that are neat around the neck and ears can keep unruly greys in check.
Read: Keep grey hair looking healthy
Try a new haircut
In the same vein, many older men (who still have their hair) have been getting the same cut for years. Same length, part and style. Visit a new barber for a fresh new style, or try a barber for the first time if you’re used to cutting your own hair.
Trim away
Every man over 50 knows that the fastest-growing hair on his body tends to be in the places where he doesn’t want it to grow. Nothing says ‘old man’ like crazy eyebrows, ear hair, and a bushy back.
Have your barber tame your brows, ears, and nose hair. Or you can do it yourself with an at-home trimmer. Run an electric razor over your back and chest to keep any fur from peeking out of the top of your shirt.
Get a skincare routine
Investing in a few good quality products can add life to your skin and slow the ageing process. Using skin conditioners and moisturisers will help you look, and feel, better.
The soap you use for your face should be different from the one you use in the shower. Look for one that is gentle and moisturising and specifically suited to the face. And don’t forget to use sunscreen daily.
Read: Essential skincare knowledge for men
Stick to healthy habits
Looking good starts on the inside so stick to those healthy habits. If you want to look great in your 50s and beyond, you can’t act like you did in your 20s. You know the rules: get plenty of sleep, eat your fruit and vegies, drink enough water, don’t smoke, go easy on the alcohol and try to get some exercise most days.
Look after your teeth
A bright smile can completely change your look, and whitening toothpaste or at-home bleaching strips may be all you need. If you’re a heavy smoker or drink a lot of tea and coffee, you might want to consider a professional whitening treatment.
Brush and floss regularly to avoid needing extra dental work.
Tidy up your facial hair
Facial stubble, a full beard or a clean shave can all look great in your 50s and beyond. Whatever you choose, just make sure you keep it tidy.
A short, trimmed beard is very trendy and can transform your face. It can restore structure to the lower face and camouflage weight gain, a double chin, a saggy jawline or a diminished upper lip.
Facial hair is easily reversible and unlike clothes requires no spending to make a real change.
If you decide it’s time to cover your grey, use a dye that’s meant for men’s facial hair. A solid beard tone will look fake.
Read: Surprising things you probably didn’t know about beards
Dress the part
Stock your closet with a few quality pieces such as a good suit, a well-fitting jacket, and dark-wash classic-fit jeans.
Quality pieces that fit well can immediately make you look and feel more confident. Even if you’re just popping out for a coffee, instead of reaching for a faded T-shirt, put on a nice shirt and dark-wash jeans and you’ll feel a difference.
Accessorise, layer and don’t be afraid of colour
You can use accessories to add personality to everyday clothes. Whether that’s swapping your watch strap or choosing socks in a stylish pattern.
You might swap a neutral T-shirt for one with stripes or in a bright colour to slip under your jacket, or add a scarf on a cold day.
Change your glasses
Usually, wearing gold or silver frame glasses will make you look older than you are. Try a new style of glasses with moulded plastic frames to help hide some character lines around your eyes.
A frame that sweeps upwards at the temple will help give your face a visual lift. Stay away from styles with heavy lower sections or a downward curve (such as aviators). They can give you a heavy or droopy look.
If you’re feeling really brave, choose frames with a splash of colour.
What do you do to stay fashionable? Do you have any other grooming or style tips to add? Please share them in the comments section below.
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