Mr D.
Stick 'em in a drawer and pull them out once every five years for a laugh. There is nothing worse than an old bloke wearing music biz related clothes. At 48, you need a bit of tailoring to maintain any dignity. The T shirt is no item for a man to be wearing after his late twenties have passed, unless he is gardening.
There was a recent quote that says those who carry off the best look in middle age are those who dress to look older, rather than younger.
And that doesn't include Keith Richards.
Charlie Watts is the only Stone who looks any good.
Ever been to a (suitably vintage act) gig where the front row or two has been obviously papered with music industry passes? How many old men are there in black t-shirts, jackets, jeans, grey ponytails and canvas shoulder bags over their beer guts?
Silly old gits. They'd have ten times the the cool in a decent suit.
Oddly , this is the only area that Pete Docherty and I would seem to agree on.

just the other week, after reading The Word.

There was a wee article on Billy Bragg and Mick Jones going to prison to play guitar (or for playing guitar? I forget). Anyway, they both looked VERY dapper in dark suits, still cool but not, frankly, looking like "rock star fannies".

Anyway, I pointed this out to dear hubby who's not as old as them yet, but heading rapidly that way. He took it as an insult on his dress sense though. Still, a dripping tap and all that...

If you're the kind of person who gives a shit what others think of your sartorial standards, who finds the social discomfort of others' disapproval more influential than the inner comfort of wearing clothes you personally enjoy, then stop tormenting yourself, donate the bloody things to a charity shop, and have done with it. To be 48 years old and asking permission ("is it OK?") to wear certain clothes is something I find frankly baffling. Granted, wearing tatty clothes just for effect, to show that you're still a Bit Of A Rebel, would be even more feeble; but if you personally enjoy wearing those old T-shirts (and, one way or another, it sounds as though you don't, really), then wear the damned things, and sod what anyone else thinks. You're not here for their convenience. Me? 24x7 T-shirt and jeans, and 50 years old. Well, not 24, obviously, I don't sleep in 'em, but 18x7 would be bafflingly obscure. Surely one of the few benefits of hitting the older decades is no longer feeling any pressure to conform for conformity's sake? ("When I am old, I will wear purple", and all that).

At every gig I am tempted to purchase a 'band t' and resist and never regret. Live it vicariously via your children if you must. By the way, 48 isn't the foothills, it's half way up.

Re: the comment above (Susie) about men in suits. The thing is, the picture you saw of Bragg/Jones was them at WORK. Plenty of men wear suits Mon-Fri but want a change for the weekend/going out. The only option is the awful sports jacket and trouser combo (which reminds us of our Dads) or the more modern jacket and jeans combo which is either Jeremy Clarkson or another down-with-the-kids look (have you seen 21 year olds lately). It leaves only the weekend suit option open, and this means you wear the same darn thing every time you go out or a big expense in buying 3 or 4 weekend suits.

As someone who kept his hair long until he was 38, despite regarding similarly coiffured gentlemen with something approaching contempt, I would suggest that if you have any doubt at all, lose the t-shirts. I wish I had chopped my locks years before I did, and I imagine you'll reap the same emotional benefit by facing the fear and dressing your age.

I sense a kind of digital affinity on this touchy subject, which has also raised some interest from the fairer sex.
I think it's time to take it a step further.
May I suggest that a good rootle around here will provide suitable tips on male outfitting for wearing to the next Decemberists or Springsteen gig.
By this we shall recognise each other.
(By the way, I saw the Couture exhibition at the V&A over the weekend. Whilst fascinating to see the dresses that Princess Margaret wore in the 50's still prompt the 'wasn't she small' comments that looking at medieval dress might, I was pleased to see that proper ladies of the period wore 'day dresses' and also had 'afternoon dresses').

Tee shirts surely remain admissible for all ages and body shapes, even if they're kept for the garden.

I am a fusty 47 and I still wear what I like and do not feel the need to seek approval from anybody. Why, half the fun of becoming middle aged is that you can wear all manner of hats; use a walking cane; wear a cravat; use an ivory cigarette holder; and all with panache'. When I go to shows at the Hammersmith Odeon, Twickenham and Wembley et al I still insist upon buying the 'merch'. Tonight's evening attire will be an orange crush Thai dyed CSN tee with great big electric blue plastisol printing on the front. I look like a traffic light in it. Marvellous! I might even wear a pair of sandals (principally because the fellows in my band hate me wearing them and it pleases me even more to wind them up with it) but sans socks. Now that would be a sartorial faux paus!
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Thanks for your comments so far. I wasn't actually asking any permissions, just ruminating on dress codes. I did recently wear the Flaming Lips shirt on hedgecutting duties, but changed it mid cut as i was concerned that it would get spoilt. As regards the older gent with a pony tail, damn them all. Even worse is the bald bloke with the pelmet hair drawn into a plait. That's just plain silly.

Why on earth would a man want to wear womans shoes?

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I'm a 40something too. I have drawers of old promo tees. Basically start your own little 'Wolfgang's Vault' on ebay. Your vintage Siouxsie clobber will be snapped up by some impressionable Klaxons fan. By the way, if the 40something journo who was passing through Dublin airport a couple of months ago in a 'The Klaxons Are C**nts' tee-shirt is reading this, you looked a proper twerp.

They might be and he probably is, but with respect, when it all comes down, does it 'effing matter? So what if 40 something blerks want to wear what makes them happy. Beejezus, I grew up as a teen in the '70's and in those days if it didn't stink of Brut, or smack of Brutus (heavy machismo), you were considered to be batting for the other side. Just ask Nicky Horn! So, as Cartman would say: "Screw you guys, I'm going home..." It doesn't matter. Live it, feel it, be it, assume it, shag it... whatever you do - take pride arf arf.

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