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Best Warm-Weather Outfits for Men Over 50
Embrace the season with stylish, versatile wardrobe picks
(From left) L.L. Bean Multisport Pants in Alloy Gray; J. Crew Cotton Sweater Polo in Union Blue; Lands’ End 7" Seersucker Beach to Boardwalk Pull On Shorts in Rain Storm/White Seersucker.
AARP (L.L. Bean, J. Crew Factory, Lands’ End)
Just as we started feeling cooped up — and fed up — from winter, suddenly, there were more good-weather days than dicey ones. Spring has finally arrived, and summer will be here before you know it. Happily, it’s time to think about spending more time in the great outdoors, whether that means hitting the beach, a wilderness trail or a city street. To make the most of the season, here are a few wardrobe picks that prioritize ease, minimum effort and some welcome versatility.
Eddie Bauer’s Packable Rainfoil Jacket in Medium Indigo.
AARP (Kohl’s)
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Stay upbeat in a downpour
A sudden patch of rain won’t ruin the day with the Barbour Quay Showerproof Jacket in Washed Stone ($250, bloomingdales.com), an updated take that features an attached hood and watertight full-zip and snap fastening. Another staunch weather defender is Eddie Bauer’s Packable Rainfoil Jacket in Medium Indigo ($69, kohls.com), made from a porous recycled polyester with water-shedding technology, which folds into its own front pocket. J.Crew’s Outdoor Research’s Stratoburst in Ranger Green ($165, jcrew.com) is excellent for hiking, jogging or even just running around in the city, with waterproof protection from its adjustable hood cinch and fully taped seams in breathable recycled polyester fabric with eco-friendly bluesign certification.
(From left) L.L. Bean Multisport Pants in Shadow Geen and Alloy Gray.
AARP (L.L. Bean, 2)
We’re living for the weekend pants
With comfy adjustable-waist styling and easy-care fabric tech, there’s a new breed of casual trousers, starting with the Lululemon Linen Pull-On Pant in Sheer Oak ($98, lululemon.com). Fashioned in a proprietary cotton-poly blend with a touch of linen, they’re sweat-wicking and fast-drying to keep their relaxed-tapered fit crisp, even on humid days. The L.L. Bean Multisport Pants in Graphite or Shadow Green ($70, llbean.com) are a high-performance player with four-way stretch and a UV-blocking, quick-dry finish that goes anywhere from trail to town. Likewise, Todd Snyder’s Cotton Weekend Pants in Sand Stone ($158, toddsnyder.com) with an easy tapered fit are, as the designer says, perfect for the 3Bs: biking, beach and BBQ.
(From left) Marine Layer Conrad Sweater Polo in Washed Indigo; J. Crew Cotton Sweater Polo in Union Blue.
AARP (Marine Layer, J. Crew)
Sample summer mixology in a sweater polo
When a trusty T-shirt doesn’t hit quite the right note, collar a dressier mashup like the Bonobos Hudson Sweater Polo in Dijon Cream Cotton Stripe ($109, bonobos.com). Cozier than a button-down, it’s made of soft, breathable cotton yarn and has a dapper jazz-club vibe. Or try a smooth-finish J.Crew Factory Cotton Sweater Polo in Union Blue ($45, factory.jcrew.com), a loftier knit that adds a little more finesse than the usual thin jersey style. Recalling faded chambray, the Marine Layer Conrad Sweater Polo in Washed Indigo ($108, marinelayer.com) is as easy as it gets, with an open V-neck Johnny collar and its chunky but soft and breathable knit.
Free up your feet for a stylish adventure
Just like a pair of sneakers, multisport sandals offer sure-footed support and an appealingly functional style. Skechers Slip-ins: Max Cushioning Premier 2.0 Sandal – Julian in Charcoal ($90, sketchers.com), from its Hands-Free line, features a woven fabric, synthetic upper, contoured footbed and cushioned anti-slip sole. Or consider the Teva Hudson Hiking Sandalin Bungee Cord ($70, teva.com), with a premium suede upper and readily adjustable hook-and-loop closure, and a contoured EVA midsole for added arch support. Hoka’s Infini Hike TC in Black ($140, zappos.com) brings the brand’s high-performance cushioning to a quick-dry adventure sandal with three points of adjustability for easy on and off, quick-dry straps and an enhanced grip outsole.
(From left) Lands’ End 7" Seersucker Beach to Boardwalk Pull On Shorts in Rain Storm/White Seersucker.
AARP (Lands’ End, 2)
Splash out with double-duty swim trunks
Lands’ End 7'' Seersucker Beach to Boardwalk Pull On Shorts ($32, landsend.com) in a classic blue seersucker stripe are the ideal length to go straight from swimming to sightseeing, with a quick-drying, chlorine-resistant, UPF 50 finish and a stretch hydroliner. Or opt for a palmy pair with the Goodfellow & Co 7'' Swim Shorts in Red ($19, target.com), made from 100% recycled polyester fabric with a stretch liner and front drawstring. As the saying goes, it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, and the Kenny Flowers Welcome to Margaritaville in Ocean-Blue Tropical Print Trunks ($98, kennyflowers.com) slide right into cocktail hour when worn with a T-shirt or the brand’s matching short-sleeve button-down.
(From left) Nike Trail Dri-FIT ADV UV Running Shirt Jacket.
AARP (Nike, 2)
Keep your shirt (jacket) on
When there’s an evening chill or you just want to top off a look, reach for a lightweight shirt jacket like the casual Banana Republic French Terry Shirt Jacket ($120, bananarepublic.gap.com), a sweatshirt-soft organic cotton knit in a versatile natural stone shade. For a bit more sprezzatura but the same ease, check out Bonobos Nantucket Linen Overshirt in Brown Glen Check ($159, bonobos.com), complete with safari-style chest pockets and elbow patches. For outdoor sports lovers, the sustainably made Nike Trail Dri-FIT ADV UV Running Shirt Jacket ($79, nike.com) features sweat-wicking comfort and ventilation at the back vent; the whole design packs into the chest pocket.
Shake off those denim blues
Lighten up for summer with a dose of denim in season-apropos creamy shades. The J.Crew Midweight Denim Workshirt ($57, jcrew.com), in a chalk tone with a traditional rugged fit, looks great with a pair of contrasting shorts, and the pure-cotton fabric gets softer with each wash. A jean jacket takes on a carefree look in Levi’s Premium Relaxed Fit Linen + Denim Trucker ($69, levi.com) in an airy off-white summer weight with an eased-up fit. Or, to set off a colorful shirt, how about Lands’ End Traditional Fit Stretch Jeans ($56, landsend.com) in an alabaster tone, tailored with a straight leg and classic 5-pocket styling in a resilient cotton twill with a hint of stretch?
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