The Midlife Crisis Wardrobe: A Mask for Masculinity?

The recent trend of films exploring midlife crises has brought to light the role of wardrobe choices in reflecting and distorting masculinity. Characters like Clark Forrest, a meteorologist with a penchant for navy quarter-zips, and Nile Jarvis, a New York real estate scion who favors snug cashmere sweaters, use their clothing to convey inner turmoil. These sartorial choices reveal more about their emotional states than any explicit plot device.

Costume designers have long understood the power of clothes to convey character and mood. Molly Maginnis notes that Clark’s brightly colored sportswear signifies his repressed spirit bursting forth, mirroring his newfound infidelity. However, this attention to detail can also create a sense of artificiality. Josh Martín in Beef, for example, dons an old concert tee layered under his Baja hoodie as a desperate attempt to escape marital tensions and embezzlement scandals.

Men in midlife crisis often rely on clothes as a crutch for their identity. They wear their aspirations – or what they perceive as aspirational – like badges of honor, without confronting the underlying issues driving their crises. Jake Friedken’s sleek suits and low-scoop tanks serve as a metaphor for his striving for self-improvement, while Nile Jarvis’s luxurious wardrobe is an attempt to distance himself from his father’s corporate persona.

This over-reliance on clothes can be seen as a form of evasion – a way to avoid confronting the complexities of one’s own identity. Arjun Bhasin notes that Nile’s affinity for plush but neutral knits reflects his desire to break free from his father’s shadow and create his own persona. However, this attention to detail can also create a sense of artificiality, as if he’s trying on different personas like costumes in a dressing room.

The fact remains: no matter how carefully these men curate their wardrobes, they can’t dress their way out of a midlife crisis. Their clothes may telegraph their inner turmoil, but ultimately, it’s the unresolved issues driving their crises that need to be addressed. The films’ exploration of sartorial choices serves as a reminder that true self-discovery lies in confronting – not masking – one’s own vulnerabilities.

Fashion has long been a reflection of societal attitudes towards identity and masculinity. These films suggest that we’re still grappling with these issues, albeit in new and complex ways. As our understanding of masculinity evolves, so too must our approach to exploring its complexities on screen. By examining the wardrobe choices of these characters – and recognizing their limitations – filmmakers can create more nuanced portrayals of midlife crises that encourage audiences to confront their own vulnerabilities.

Clothes may be able to hide or reveal one’s character, but they can never fully replace self-reflection. The films’ exploration of sartorial choices serves as a poignant reminder that true growth lies in confronting – not masking – our own imperfections.