Men’s fashion isn’t just about jeans and t-shirts. While there may not be as much variety in the menswear department as there is in womenswear, there are many accessories that can help a man express his own personal style (and also incredibly practical).
If you’re shopping around for a new wardrobe and are in need of some sartorial inspiration, you should pay more attention to the accessories that can adorn your ensembles and enhance your style.
Keep reading to learn how the below accessories can help you to add more variety and style to your everyday look.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are a staple for everyone, in every wardrobe. Investing in a pair of high-quality sunglasses is a great way to enhance your personal style, and if you take care of them they can last for years.
There are many different styles of men’s sunglasses to suit different face shapes and styles. These include aviator sunglasses, wayfarer sunglasses, round sunglasses, browline sunglasses, navigator sunglasses, flat-brow sunglasses, d-frame sunglasses and more. Remember, lenses can also come in different colours, so you can be as low-key or as bold as you like.
Caps and hats
For some men, a staple of their wardrobe is a cap or hat. This could be a classic baseball cap style (also known as “snap back” or “dad cap”), or it could be a beanie hat, Trilby, bowler hat, flat cap, newsboy hat, Fedora or Western hat, etc.
Styles vary in sizes and visors. Whatever your personal taste and wardrobe, there is a hat style for you.
Scarves and gloves
Another quick way to accelerate your look is to add a scarf. This doesn’t just mean swaddling yourself in a woollen scarf throughout the colder months – why not experiment with a patterned silk scarf when dressing for formal occasions.
Gloves are another accessory that is often overlooked in colder climates but can really amp up an ensemble. Leather gloves can look very vintage and ooze style, and are also very practical when it’s raining.
Belts
Perhaps the most common accessories in a man’s wardrobe is a belt. Not only do they add variety and style to an outfit, but they are, first and foremost, practical.
Every man should own at least two belts – one casual belt to wear with jeans, and one dress belt to wear with suits and dress shoes. Generally speaking, thicker belts are more casual and slimmer, narrower belts are more formal. (For reference, thicker belts are about 1 ½ inches wide and narrow belts are around 1 ¼ inches wide.)
There are some rules that all men should know when it comes to pairing belts with outfits. These include:
- When wearing formal attire, the belt should match the colour and finish of the dress shoes, and the buckle should match the metal on the shoes and cufflinks.
- Canvas or fabric belts look best with casual footwear such as trainers or canvas shoes, and it doesn’t matter whether you match the colours or not.
- When wearing a suit, opt a classic-style belt with a silver square belt buckle and a single prong.
Underwear
Men’s underwear may not be seen, but it still holds immense importance regarding your comfort levels. Finding the right style of underwear for you is vital, whether that style is boxers, briefs/y-fronts and boxer-briefs.
As a rule, your underwear should not be too tight or restrictive and shouldn’t rub. You should also replace your underwear as soon as you notice a small hole or fray, and you should invest in multiple styles of underwear to wear with different bottoms on different occasions. Also, when you find the right brand or style of underwear, you should stock up on it.
Conclusion
When it comes to dressing, there is so much more than just selecting a pair of good-fitting jeans. If you’re looking for ways to inject some style and flare into your wardrobe, try experimenting with the smaller details such as hats, belts and sunglasses.
