Staying stylish and looking cool doesn’t have to end when you turn 40. With the rise of athleisure and streetwear trends, there are now plenty of brands catering to the over 40 crowd who still want to look youthful and hip.
The key is finding age-appropriate streetwear that is high quality, comfortable, and aligns with your personal style. This article will cover the top 10 streetwear brands that allow men over 40 to look cool while feeling confident and comfortable.
The best streetwear brands for men over 40 focus on premium materials, versatile basics, and subtle branding that allow older guys to look youthful and stylish without trying too hard.
Table of Contents
1. Reigning Champ
Known for its premium basics and athleisure wear, Reigning Champ is a top streetwear brand choice for men over 40. Their clothes have a tailored fit, quality construction, and versatility that works for older guys. Focusing on premium fabrics like Japanese fleece, French terry, and lightweight jersey, their tops and bottoms feel soft and substantial. Neutral color palettes and minimal branding keep the aesthetic refined. Staples like hoodies, crewnecks, joggers, and t-shirts can be integrated seamlessly into mature wardrobes.
2. Wings + Horns
This Canadian brand has mastered urban streetwear with a grown-up feel. Known for their knits and sweats, Wings + Horns uses luxurious fabrics and quality craftsmanship with a contemporary, menswear-inspired aesthetic. Their clothes straddle the line between athletic and tailored with sharp silhouettes and versatility. Neutral, earth tone color schemes keep things sophisticated. Pieces like wool blend crewnecks, bomber jackets, and joggers transition seamlessly from weekend wear to casual office looks.
3. John Elliott
With a tightened up silhouette and minimalist aesthetic, John Elliott offers an elevated take on streetwear. The LA-based label uses premium fabrics like Japanese denim, Italian cotton, and French terry to create contemporary wardrobe staples. The fits are specifically designed to flatter the over 40 body while still feeling current. Understated pieces like villain hoodies, mercer tees, and classic denim provide versatility for casual and dressier occasions. The muted color palette and lack of loud branding allows for mass appeal.
4. Norse Projects
This Danish brand brings Scandinavian minimalism to streetwear. Clean silhouettes, high-quality natural fabrics, and subtle branding define the Norse aesthetic. Their clothes lean towards the preppy side of streetwear with an emphasis on wearable, functional pieces. Smart basics like polos, utility jackets, chinos, and knits work for men seeking an understated look. The natural wool, cotton, and fleece fabrics feel substantial yet wearable. Overall, Norse Projects brings a mature refinement to casual clothing.
5. Todd Snyder
Known for his modern take on classic American menswear, designer Todd Snyder also offers market-appropriate streetwear for the over 40 crowd. His clothes walk the line between tailored and casual with a focus on wearability. The brand collaborates with traditional sportswear brands like Champion and Timex to add Snyder’s sophisticated spin. Chinos, polos, crewneck sweatshirts, and premium tees provide a clean, versatile foundation.Italian wool blazers and bomber jackets provide light layers that bridge the gap between casual and put-together. Overall, the mix of traditional menswear and athletic staples is smart for mature guys.
6. Club Monaco
With one foot in the worlds of casual and formal, Club Monaco has mastered smart casual wear. Their clothes work as well for weekend daytime activities as for Friday happy hour. The streamlined silhouettes and focus on fit makes their pieces prime for guys over 40. From lightweight oxfords and chinos to unstructured blazers and fleece, everything works back to versatile basics. Muted colors and occasional patterns have a youthful feel without trying too hard. Overall, Club Monaco provides a one-stop shop for sharp casual attire.
7. Goldwin
This Japanese sportswear brand brings technical performance and modern style together for the over 40 crowd. Known for their premium basics, Goldwin uses technical fabrications for pieces like tees, sweatshirts, and jackets without veering into overly athletic territory. The fits lean more lifestyle than sport. Clean stripes, color blocking, and branding elements feel subtle and sophisticated. Goldwin’s clothes work as contemporary wardrobe basics to pair with both denim and trousers. The performance tech adds comfort and polish.
8. Everlane
With their pared-back staples and ethical manufacturing standards, Everlane brings a minimalist sensibility to everyday menswear. Their clothes have a relaxed feel that doesn’t cling too tightly for wearers over 40. Core items like jeans, chinos, oxfords, sweaters, and fleece provide easy versatility and visual balance. Neutral hues act as wardrobe building blocks. While not overtly streetwear, Everlane’s pieces can be integrated into casual looks or dressed up. The minimal vibe works for guys seeking an organic, modern aesthetic.
9. Bonobos
While known mostly for their pants, Bonobos provides a full wardrobe of casual menswear perfect for guys over 40. It’s upscale basics without feeling stiff or overly formal. From washed chinos and jeans to unstructured tailored blazers and oxfords, the fit and quality supersedes the relatively affordable price point. Core athletic pieces like sweats, tees, and shorts make weekend dressing easy. Unique fabrics, like washed chinos and fleece, inject some visual interest into otherwise basic pieces. Overall, Bonobos is ideal for men seeking a casual but still pulled together appearance.
10. Lululemon
While technically an athletic brand, Lululemon’s foray into non-workout streetwear makes their clothes ideal for guys over 40 looking to keep things casual. Known for their technical fabrics and performance wear, their designs work well for men with active lifestyles. Styles like the ABC pant and Commission short blur the line between exercise and everyday use. Tank tops and short sleeve button ups function from the gym to brunch. With expansive sizing and inclusive showcasing of diverse models, Lululemon makes premium sportswear accessible and modern.
In summary, the key for men over 40 is finding streetwear brands that focus on premium fabrics, thoughtful fits, versatility, and subtle branding. Pieces should transition seamlessly among social occasions and be comfortable for guys with changing bodies. When styled appropriately, these brands allow men to stay looking cool and youthful without seeming like they are clinging to the past.
Finding the Right Fit
One of the most important considerations for men over 40 looking to incorporate streetwear into their wardrobes is finding the right fit. With changing body types and figures as you age, ill-fitting clothes can end up looking sloppy rather than stylish. When shopping streetwear brands, pay close attention to reviews that mention how the garments fit, especially on mature body types. Look for pieces described as true-to-size, tailored, or athletic fit rather than the overly baggy silhouettes of traditional streetwear.
For tops, you’ll want to avoid anything too boxy or oversized. Go for slim or classic fit tees, crewnecks, and hoodies that follow the contours of your upper body without straining or billowing. Well-fitting tees and tanks can be layered under open button-downs or jackets. For pants, look for modern fits like slim or athletic that taper down the leg without constricting. Streetwear joggers and jeans should fit close to the thigh without restrictive leg openings. Outerwear like leather jackets or bombers should fit snugly in the shoulders without pulling in the body. Pay attention to sleeve and pant lengths as well to ensure pieces hit properly. Taking the time to find streetwear staples that actually complement your current frame goes a long way.
Elevated Fabrics Make a Difference
Another hallmark of age-appropriate streetwear for men over 40 is the use of premium, elevated fabrics. Traditional streetwear often features inexpensive cotton, polyester, and nylon. However, performance blends and technical fabrics have drastically improved the comfort and polish of modern streetwear. Brands like Goldwin and Lululemon infuse natural fabrics like merino wool, cashmere, linen, and silk into pieces like crewnecks, shorts, and shirts. The result is an instantly luxe feel.
Natural fibers also lend breathability and temperature regulating properties compared to synthetics. Blends like cotton/cashmere, wool/poly, and nylon/spandex add durability and stretch minus the restrictive feel of completely synthetic fabrics. They mimic the soft handfeel of worn-in vintage street staples. Twills, terry cloths, waffle and honeycomb weaves provide added textural interest. For outerwear, look for buttery leathers, waxed canvas, melton wool, and technical nylons that feel broken-in right off the bat. When crafted from premium fabrics fit for grown men, streetwear loses its juvenile reputation.
Tailoring and Restraint Make it Sophisticated
One way for men over 40 to keep their streetwear feeling polished rather than sloppy is incorporating subtle tailoring. Look for pieces with clean lines, pristine stitching, and well-finished hems. Pay attention to details like flatlocked seams, reinforced stress points, and custom hardware that elevates basic pieces. While many streetwear brands focus on basics, those that offer light tailoring and menswear touches help bridge the divide.
For example, try a well-cut tee or sweatshirt layered under an unstructured blazer. Swap out sweatpants for tailored joggers or cleanly hemmed chino shorts. Finish casual outfits with suede bucks rather than bright sneakers. When shopping, look for muted color palettes, slight washes of color, and greyscale variations rather than loud graphics and prints. Premium leather goods in place of nylon backpacks or fanny packs maintain sophistication. Overall, applying restraint and balance keeps streetwear playful without going overboard on logos or loud branding.
Lifestyle Context Matters
When building a streetwear-inspired wardrobe over 40, consider your lifestyle and how you plan to wear the pieces. Are you an executive needing to incorporate laidback pieces for off-duty days? Or an artistic professional with more casual dress codes overall? Context matters when selecting silhouettes, fabrics, colors and accessories.
While a heavily distressed graphic tee may look great on a weekend brewery outing, it’s likely not office appropriate. However, a merino crewneck tee offers softness and breathability for all-day wear. Pay attention to environments where more polished streetwear would make sense, then build versatile basics for those contexts. A sharp leather bomber instantly dresses up a casual outfit for night events. Slim cargo pants feel edgy for daytime activities but not a formal dinner. Thinking about lifestyle context ensures your streetwear works seamlessly rather than seeming like an odd costume.
Frequently Asked Questions
What style of streetwear is best for men over 40?
For men over 40, streetwear with clean silhouettes, quality fabrics, and subtle branding helps maintain a youthful vibe without looking like you are going through a crisis. Focus on versatile, transitional pieces in neutral or earth tones that you can dress up or down.
Should older guys avoid loud streetwear?
Overtly bold or loud streetwear tends to skew young. Men over 40 are better off avoiding heavily distressed details, super skinny fits, excessive layers, and pieces covered in logos. The key is blending streetwear with a tailored or smart casual aesthetic.
What streetwear staples work for mature men?
Great streetwear staples for the over 40 crowd include premium hoodies, sweatshirts, and tees in neutral and gray tones. Bombers and tailored jackets also look sharp. Focus on well-fitting jeans, chinos, and joggers on bottom. Sneakers or leather low-tops keep the vibe casual.
How can older men make streetwear appropriate for work?
The key to making streetwear work appropriate is blending it with smart basics. Try layering a merino crewneck or knit polo under an unstructured blazer with dark washed jeans or chinos. Finish with minimal white leather sneakers for a professional but approachable vibe.
Should men over 40 shy away from streetwear trends?
Most fleeting streetwear and sneakerhead trends skew a little too youthful for the over 40 crowd. However, timeless vintage staples like leather jackets, military coats, or retro running shoes can inject some trendy flavor while still feeling age appropriate. Just style them in a refined, versatile way.
Conclusion
Men over 40 can absolutely still look stylish and cool without seeming like they are having an identity crisis. The key is finding age-appropriate streetwear staples that are versatile, premium, and focus more on quality over flashy logos or loud trends. Brands like Reigning Champ, Wings + Horns, Todd Snyder, Norse Projects, and Lululemon allow guys to blend streetwear with smart casual style.
The main points to remember are fit, fabrics, subtle branding, and versatile colors/silhouettes. With streetwear, context and styling also matters. Pieces that look great styled casually with sneakers may not translate as well to formal occasions. Focus on a balanced blend of tailored menswear and urban streetwear.
By being selective about fit, fabric, color, and silhouette, men over 40 can build a casual wardrobe that allows them to look youthful and feel confident. Stay open minded to streetwear but don’t try so hard that you end up looking like you are clinging to the past. With the right adaptable staples, it’s totally possible to maintain your personal style well into your later years.
