More men select, buy and wear jewelry than ever before. The modern man is embracing jewelry as an entrance to the fashion club. If he has considered wearing fashion jewelry…more on trend, then I will review him and give him advice on selecting and wearing each piece of men’s jewelry.
Necklaces: Necklaces have been hitting fashion magazines in a big way. Chains and pendants can be a very distinctive fashion statement. Small beads can be used on cords. My favorite shoelace is easy… shoelaces. Yes… they come in different colors, are waterproof and easy to tie to any length. Dog tags, with a design (like your family crest) engraved on them, work great. A combination of chains and cords with pendants is in fashion. Try different lengths with your variety of shirts and see how you look. But please don’t overdo it… if you’re anything like Mr. T then… “I pity the fool!” You have been warned. If you have 1/2 ton of gold chain, trade it at your jeweler for something updated. A pendant is a very personal item. It says a lot about your personality and style. Work it… because it’s funny what you can hang on a chain…
Bracelets: Bracelets are easy to wear every day. The proportions of your wrist… large, medium or small, will dictate the weight of your bracelet. The standard men’s bracelet size is 8.5 inches. Choose a bracelet that is adjustable or have it adjusted correctly. Make sure it has a good clasp… so you don’t lose it. If you wear a watch, a bracelet on the left is discouraged because it can scratch an expensive watch. A pair can be worn together…and don’t forget the leather and rubber options.
Rings: Rings can be a touchy subject for men. Either they use too many… or none. There is a happy medium. If you’re married, I side with your partner… put on your wedding ring. The only time not to do it is if work or play might hurt you. Now…if you’re not married, don’t wear any rings on your left (4th) ring finger. That leaves nine more to go! Please don’t overdo it. A ring on each finger looks like you’re a thug with brass knuckles. He’s got a bad boy look, but save it for the biker gang…we’re talking fancy here. Wear only one ring on each hand at a time. One ring to the right, one to the left, max. The finger is up to you. I think they look masculine on the right middle finger, ring finger, and index finger. Pinky rings are popular… but if you’re a beginner at this, stick with the three on the inside. When it comes to fit… Men ask me all the time “How is a ring supposed to fit?” That’s easy… it’s like shoes… it’s personal. The ring should be tight enough to stay in and loose enough to be comfortable. With a gem-colored rainbow, the sky is the limit. A classic staple for a man is a signet ring, with his initials on it. A simple band is popular, so consider a width that looks perfect on his finger.
Earrings: Earrings can be worn as a pair or alone. Many jewelers are starting to take sets apart and sell them individually. A diamond earring is a classic, as is a hoop of small diameter and medium width. Your favorite gem can always be turned into a stud earring.
Cufflinks – Cufflinks used to be the symbol of the rich high roller. These days, cufflinks aren’t just a black-tie affair, they’re a staple of the sophisticated look. Fortunately, you don’t need a fortune to look super stylish with cufflinks. Cufflinks are made in alternative metals these days. Of course, the first step is to buy some French cuff shirts. White and blue will be a good start for your wardrobe. If you’re as clueless as I am with the iron, send those shirts to the cleaners. Choosing cufflinks is a bit tricky. As with all your pieces, make sure it fits your style and your personality. I’ve never been a fan of “themed” cufflinks. Golf balls, playing cards, corporate logos and the like… are more kitsch than fancy. Choose a modern and elegant style with the shape that you like. Also, many available cufflinks are decorated in black. This is great if all your clothes are black. For your first pair, stick with an all-metal link as it will prove more versatile. Having your initials engraved on simple round or square cufflinks is a timeless and elegant way to do it.
Brooches: Brooches aren’t just for women anymore. Yes, I just said that. Pins on a lapel jacket are popping up all over the catwalks. This is a unique opportunity to wear a badge of sorts. Antique and vintage brooches are plentiful in resale stores. She had a pair of unique antique silver stud style earrings hanging around. I liked the design so I decided to put a tack mechanism on the back of the bingo… I have one of my favorite brooches. I ended up gifting the other one to a friend, with great success. I get compliments on the daring fashion move every time I wear it!
These are some of the main things to keep in mind when wearing jewelry items in combination. Combine shapes and finishes together. Remember to also combine your belt buckle. Jewelry is rarely a reckless part of your fashion presentation. Not everything has to match as if it came in a set. Just make sure that wearing jewelry together tells your style story…a story of sophistication.
