A Lesson in Accessories – How To Accessorize Your Look

We’ve all been there: Killing that bass solo while watching the lead singer receives all the glory. Feeding that sweet assist but everyone only has eyes for the goal scorer. You work your ass off, doing the dirty work, carrying the team, and everybody only looks at the lead man as a beacon of perfection. Congratulations, you now know how men’s fashion accessories feel.

Perennially shadowed by the imposing force of a well-made suit, accessories often get overlooked as unneeded extras that take too much effort to assemble. A necktie is usually the only accessory considered obligatory while all others get cast aside, and even then businessmen occasionally forego the tie if not in a meeting. Walk around in any financial district and witness how many suits are improperly put together. This disdain for detail is a pandemic, and we are the cure. From this moment forth, accessories will play second fiddle no more. Worn correctly, the right accessories will add a dose of swagger to every step as we will show you that attention to detail is critical to develop a visually winning formula.

As always, it’s not about the quantity of accessories in your arsenal, it’s the quality. Accessories are meant to be worn in slight variation, not all at once, or else their ability to draw attention becomes a muddled mess due to constantly conflicting with each other. It’s similar to when you sprinkle every flavour on your popcorn at the movies: Eventually your mouth goes numb from the chemically powdered playground. Trust us, everyone will know when you’re trying too hard, so take our advice and do more with less. It’s the little things that count the most.

Ties

• Necktie: The golden ticket to all that is man. It’s funny how a simple piece of cloth can symbolize power, wealth, and success, yet is still cast off as an accessory. Without a tie, you will never control a boardroom, no matter how nice your suit is. In regards to tying a tie, you only need two: The four-in-hand, which is the way your dad taught you in grade school, and the Half-Windsor, which is a fuller knot. Note: Dimples in ties have the same effect as dimples on a cute girl’s cheeks, so use them to your advantage.
  • Four-In-Hand: The standard tie you see just about everywhere, these are staples n your business and formalwear. Commonly made from silk or polyester, these guarantee you a universally accepted professional look.
  • Skinny Ties: Popularized by 60’s rock bands such as The Beatles, these are trendy and a fantastic choice for skinnier folk who don’t want the width of a normal tie to overpower their torso.
  • Knit Ties: Super trendy, should only be worn with textured/wool blazer and looks awesome layered with a sweater. Very preppy, very Brit.

• Bow Tie: Use these at fun, late-night events such as cocktail parties or a night on the town. Look for livelier patterns on these such as polka dots or novelty designs. Note: Black-tie affair calls for a black bow tie, not a neck tie, though everyone should know that.

• Ascot: Looks like a scarf tucked into your dress shirt. Ascots have the unique characteristic of potentially doubling as both a casual and a formal accessory. From Sunday brunches to afternoon weddings, ascots are undoubtedly suited for daytime wear. Also makes you look proper as hell when horseback riding.

• Tie Bar: You know those maintenance people that run out on stage after a performance to set up for the next act? Yeah, those guys are tie bars: Completely visible to the audience, vital to the performance, and disregarded as unimportant. Hell, you’d be lucky if the bass guy gives you a shoutout at the end of the show. Where’s the love? Tie Bars bring a professional nuance to the outfit that no other accessory can offer. The best tie bars would have a clean metallic finish on the surface and should only cover about 80% of the width of your tie.

Pocket Square

Originally meant for hygienic purposes, pocket squares are now used solely for decoration, drawing attention to your upper torso where your shirt and tie are situated. These are mandatory if you are going open collar, ideally one that has a pattern to bring more dimension in your outfit. There are numerous techniques to fold a pocket square, from the conservative Presidential fold to the playful Puff fold, all depending on the situation you’re attending. Please fold responsibly.

Watch

Let’s be honest: nobody uses a watch to tell time anymore. Smartphones have made them, along with countless other knickknacks, virtually obsolete. Ironically, this disappearance of watches has suddenly made them a hot commodity due to their rarity in public. Outfits cannot (and should not) ever be considered complete without a respectable timepiece. Look for a watch with a brown strap, white face, and stainless steel frame. A clean, sleek, silhouette makes it an eye-catcher in the boardroom or can be used to dress up a casual outfit. The perfect blend of business and fun.

Wallet

Leather only. Don’t spaz out when you notice a scratch on it, OK? It’s going to get some wear and tear, that’s what wallets do, they hold and protect your valuables. Eventually you will feel that it becomes an extension of you, which you can then adjust to your liking. If you prioritize mobility (compact) over functionality (storage), opt for a card holder, though that will require you to narrow down and only carry essentials. So yeah, it’s time to leave that $5 pizza coupon at home.

Belt

Leather as well, get one that matches your shoes. No oversized buckles unless you’re heading to a rodeo. Whatever size your waist actually is, get the size up for your belt. Choose a clean calf leather belt for business and formal occasions, and anything else for, well, anything else.

Lapel Pin

The cherry on top of your outfit. Believe us when we say some people don’t even know this exists. There are two types of lapel pins, one used to indicate the wearer’s affiliation with a personal cause, and the other for aesthetic purposes. The former, like cufflinks, add an individual touch to the outfit while the latter is usually an artificial boutonniere, which counts for major style points. It’s time to bring these guys out of the “just formal occasions” stigma.

Cufflinks

Only needed for French cuff shirts, cufflinks are like a signature stamp to your outfit because of their affinity for customization. The varieties are endless, from your favourite sports team to a symbol of your profession. For a versatile cufflink, go with silver circles or rectangles, but feel free to make personal statements with them at your own risk.

Suspenders

Rarely used in the modern day, suspenders should only be used as an alternative for a belt, NOT along with a belt. Most notably used by Michael Douglas’ character in the film Wall Street, they are now used as a quirky addition to outfits. Providing a unique novelty look in today’s world of socks and sandals, it’s an addition that’s sure to get you noticed.

Socks

You’d be surprised how many people can %#&@ up something as simple as socks. Usually considered an afterthought, sock selection can be a subtle reflection of your personality as well as a representation of your attention to detail. The neutral colour sock is overused everywhere because it’s a safe pick. We implore you to live a little, so start with the striped sock. They can be used conservatively as the lines still exude a business aura or spiced up with some bolder colours. The finer the stripes, the more extravagant the shoes can be. Feeling fun? Inject some flair into your outfit with spots, or polka dots, as they are selected for more playful attire, use appropriately at weddings, baby showers, and parties.

Conclusion

Ask any man how high his confidence soars when he wears a suit. Ask any woman if a man can wear anything better than a suit. Actually, save yourself the time, you already know the answers. The suit is the undisputed champion of men’s clothing and the fundamentals: the shirt, trousers, and the blazer are the rocks on which it is built. But then what? Without accessories, you stand there barefoot with an exposed chest, and without the proper accessories, you might as well be wearing a t-shirt and sweatpants.

We have displayed a buffet of accessories for your selection to provide a knockout punch to any outfit you choose. Your job is to pick the tools of the trade that best match the appearance you are looking for. Baby shower? Bow tie and suspenders.  Feeling British? How about an ascot with a lapel pin? All the accessories we have provided you are here for your freedom of self-expression. They are the difference makers between a well-dressed man and just another suit in the crowd, so don’t get left behind.

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