You are what you wear. We all know this. Although women are used to being judged by how they look, guys have had to learn fast that first impressions count. Conventions are changing as fast as the kind of parties we get invites for. But fear not; as any socialite from the roaring twenties would have told you, accessories can make or break any evening. Or night, or morning after. As you consider your options for the social season, here’s some must-have men’s accessories for any self-respecting 21st century boy.
A Decent Watch
Men look at other men’s watches. It’s the law. Probably more than any other item of clothing, jewellery or body product, men take pride in their timepiece. The neat thing is, you can flash your watch if you’re wearing a tux or a t-shirt. The trick is to be classy, especially as your watch is likely to be the first conversation point with a fellow male guest. Try to be understated, but make sure you know every last detail about the watch’s maker, model and history of the company. Also, make sure it tells the right time. If you never wear a watch, you won’t have a pale patch on either wrist, which is also a talking point.
Collars and Ties
As social events involve a lot of chatting, people are going to notice your head and shoulders. For men, the best you can hope for is that the two things look like they belong together. This is why ties were invented. However, you can make sure you strike the right note by wearing a decent collar at any event. A Fred Perry collar will often have subliminal stripes which will tell your company that you’ve got class and don’t need to mention it. It’s like wearing a bow tie without bragging.
Top Pocket
Not always necessary, but at certain social events what you wear in your top pocket is the next thing to consider. Of course, if the event doesn’t involve wearing a suit jacket, you won’t have a top pocket. However, if it does and you do, it has to be dealt with. In days gone by, gentlemen used to keep kerchiefs to hand should ladies require a spot of dabbing, and they made this obvious by carrying a colourful kerchief. Nowadays, the visual impact is as still as strong, but pocket squares are an easier, and less bulky, solution. Just make sure the impact you leave is one of class.
Earrings
If you wear an earring, or something larger, make sure the hole is filled. There is nothing worse than a stretched earlobe, unless you are looking to start a conversation about it. If you have diamonds, think about the room you’re in. Any simple gold, or, in many men’s opinion, earrings for men such as a silver sleeper or stud can be understated and classy.
Footwear
Like much else, what to wear on your feet is not as easy as it used to be. You could be at an evening gathering where people are wearing comfortable but stylish outfits; but one guy has school shoes on and everybody’s talking about him. Or somebody’s wearing sandals with knee-length socks. If you’re at a formal event, your socks won’t be an issue, and your shoes should be as unremarkable as possible. If people are expected to look at your legs below the knee, any decent sports retailer will have decent shoes with unobtrusive Velcro ties.
Published
25/08/2017
