Accessorizing for men is a delicate task, particularly because when it comes to masculine fashion, there is a very thin line that demarcates the classy from the tacky. For example, some necklaces work well with power business attires, but a pendant that’s an inch too big could be considered a bling, not unlike those worn by rappers or mafia members.
In many cases, it’s even better to just ditch the accessories altogether and let the suits do the talking. However, when done right, men’s accessories can instantly make any outfit much finer. To err on the safe side, here are 7 fashion accessories for men that never go out of style:
- Watches
Luxury watches and smartwatches alike make for powerful accessories, and every man must have at least one. A good rule of thumb when styling with watches is to match the watch strap with your belt, if it’s leather. Fabric straps must be worn with caution, and only in casual situations. Finally, metal straps should only be gold or silver — everything else is only acceptable for fashion shows, themed photoshoots, or Halloween.
2. Eyewear
A good pair of glasses can take any outfit to the next level. If you need prescription glasses, select one that highlights the bone structure of your face and does not make you look years older than you actually are. A good rule to follow is that rectangular glasses usually go well with round faces, while softer, rounder glasses complement well those who have strong facial features like sharp jawlines. Now, if you don’t actually need reading glasses, avoid wearing faux ones because those never look good.
Otherwise, just stick with shades.
3. Rings
Here’s another accessory that only looks good when done right. Generally, rings should be subtle and understated, otherwise you’d end up looking like an unscrupulous man who earns money doing clandestine stuff. Whether real or not, you must avoid oversized jewels that draw too much attention to it that the rest of your outfit would end up unnoticed. Simple gold and silver bands should be your staple, but you can always explore other materials as long as they are neither too exotic nor too grand.
4. Bandanas
The beauty of having a bandana is that it’s almost weightless and thus effortless to carry even when you travel, and yet it can be worn and utilized a dozen different ways. In many instances, it can even be helpful in bailing you out of sticky situations such as when you get wounded or injured while on a camping trip and need something to wrap your injured limb with. The best kind of fashion is one that is also highly useful, and bandanas are top of that list.
5. Headbands
One such use of bandanas is that it can substitute for a headband or a sweatband, but still, nothing beats having actual headbands for athletic fashion purposes. After all, whoever said you shouldn’t look your absolute best even when you’re sweating it out in the gym or while running your usual night lap? Headbands and sweatbands, in fact, increase your workout performance while keeping your face looking fresh.
6. Cufflinks
One often overlooked fashion accessory that actually plays a big part in your overall look are cufflinks. Any man who has a French cuff shirt should have a couple of cufflinks to choose from, depending on the look you’re going for. Just avoid anything that’s too tacky, such as oversized gemstones. For instance, if you think your shirt is too formal for the event you’re attending, you can tone it down by using playful, silk-knot links.
7. Scarves
Finally, we have cold-weather bandanas, also known as scarves. The absolute worst thing you can do with this accessory is to wear it, when the weather does not warrant a scarf. Heavy scarves, specifically, must be reserved for the winter, by which time you have all the freedom you want to sport any kind of scarf. Color theory must be applied when wearing scarves. You can tone down loud or colorful blazers with scarves that have neutral tones, or otherwise add a pop of colour in an otherwise monotonic outfit.
Final Thoughts
Fashion may predominantly be about experimenting to find your own style, but in the meantime, if you’re not yet sure about how to play with your own fashion rules, try to stick with some hard-and-fast rules such as the ones mentioned above, especially in terms of accessorizing for business or even casual leisure. Once you’ve mastered the rules, then you can go ahead and break them one by one to come up with your own stylebook.
