Written by Paddy Maddison in Tips & Advice on the 8th March 2017

We've all been there. That day somewhere in our mid-twenties when we wake up, take a look in the mirror and find that there is an actual fully grown man staring back at us. A fully-grown man who, in all likelihood, may be approaching a point where certain items of clothing or footwear will be off limits. Whether it's those new air max 95s, a logo hoody, some skinny jeans or a baseball cap - every guy will at some point experience the moment when he has to ask himself that life-changing question;

Am I too old to wear this now?  

Thankfully, we live in an age where society is much more laid back about this particular dilemma. These days, the boundaries of what is acceptable for say, a twenty-year-old to wear and what is acceptable for a fifty-year-old to wear are becoming increasingly blurred. Obviously, this is within limits. If you're over 40, a bucket hat, track jacket and round framed sunglasses would likely make you look less "young, urban cool kid" and more "ageing Stone Roses fan, desperately trying to conceal a bald spot". We think we speak for everyone here when we say that's not a look any of us are aiming for.

The thing is, as men we're more exposed to fashion now than we ever have been before. Menswear, as it exists today, is a relatively new concept and the rise of social media and the internet before it, has meant that society in general is more aware of and open to the idea of experimenting with clothes, much later into our lives. Celebrities have played a big role in this easing of age constraints. Style conscious stars like David Beckham exist so relentlessly in the public eye that it has forced the mainstream to reconsider its outdated ideas of age appropriate dressing. If Idris Elba can step out in white trainers and jogging bottoms and make it look good - formally the uniform of the bloke in your local pub who smelled a bit odd and always carried a Tesco bag - then why shouldn't any guy his age?

At the end of the day, style is about confidence and confidence can be achieved by wearing what we feel comfortable in. Ask most people about what the most attractive quality is for a man to possess and they won't say "not wearing a hoody" or “wearing brogues if he’s over fifty”. It's much more likely that they'll favour a man who looks comfortable in himself. Regardless of your age, if you feel good in something, wear it. Equally, if you're not 100% sure that you're pulling something off, you aren't and people will be able to tell. Orson Welles once said "style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn". That pretty much encapsulates the answer to the initial question. Am I too old to wear this? Only if you think you are.

Should you avoid wearing something if you think you're too old?

— Menswear Style (@MenswearStyle) March 8, 2017

We discuss the big question of when to stop wearing something. Avoid making faux pas style sins by asking yourself the question; Am I Too Old to Wear This?