Know Your Accessories: Guidelines for Men

In recent years, accessories have become a staple in men’s wardrobes. The average man on the street has caught on to what women have always known- accessories are a versatile addition to any outfit. Small accompaniments like the pocket square slipped into the jacket, the quirky socks or colourful tie turn an otherwise boring outfit into an interesting one.

Usually, men hold back when it comes to accessorising their outfits, because they simply are unaware of how to go about the process. Here are some simple guidelines to make sure your outfit is on point-

Size

Perhaps the most important rule to keep in mind concerns size. Even though there is no right or wrong size when it comes to accessories, it is critical to note that the size of an accessory should be proportionate to the body size. Those with a small frame should opt for skinny ties and smaller briefcases for men. Wider ties and bigger watches are meant for those with a larger frame.

Metals

Most men have grown to believe that their metals need to be of the same tone. This is however a dated rule in the book. Metals are neutrals that can be mixed and matched. So don't be hesitant to team up your gold watch with your silver strap-on.

Colours

When creating a color scheme for your outfit, take into account a few key points. Firstly, when putting together an outfit, note that neutral colours such as white, beige and grey are not considered as true colours. Neutrals go well with most colors and it’s a good idea to own a few. When going for work, in most cases you’d want create a ‘calming’ colour scheme for your guise. Formal wear calls for colours that lie close to each on the spectrum. For instance, when selecting a laptop bag for men, pick out one in a dark colour, if your wardrobe features mostly black pieces. For a night out, go for ‘striking’ combinations, here contrasting colours will do the trick.

Prints

If you're puzzled about what colour your accessory should be, think of accents. For instance, if you're wearing a blue shirt, your printed tie can include blue accents. For the safest best, you can always bank on neutral accessories. If however, you want to pair a printed tie with a printed shirt, all you have to remember is that the size of the second pattern needs to be relatively smaller.

Paying attention to details is never a waste of time. If you want people to think you spent time on your outfit when you really didn’t, making accessories a part of your ensemble is a must, that is, if you intend to look dapper and not like you got dressed in a rush.