It has been said that a man needs no more ornaments than watches and engagement rings to properly accessorize. Perhaps that’s because the idea of men wearing jewelry can evoke images of gold chains in barely buttoned shirts or oversized earrings in teen pop sensations. But there are many degrees of decoration between a strict limit of watch and vintage engagement rings and the tasteless silliness so common in the media.
In fact, a few antique jewelry-styled pieces have made their way back into the modern gentleman’s wardrobe. The tie clip, the vintage cufflinks and the label pin, they all are bringing back some of the 50s classic fashion style.
Less is more
When it comes to wearing antique engagement rings and other old-school pieces in a contemporary context, the “less is more” approach can be as valid for men as it is for women. Wearing a tie clip? Skip the lapel pin. Considering gold cufflinks? Leave your silver bracelet at home.
It’s also important for men to wear accessories that complement their personal style and add a dash of intrigue without forgetting their original purpose. For example, the tie clip should always be narrower than the tie on which it’s worn. The correct placement is between the third and fourth shirt buttons. It should also be perfectly horizontal, though it’s common to try the downward-tilted “rakish angle” that flourished in the 1930s.
Jewelry is all about significance
For men, it also helps to wear pieces that have a significance beyond sheer aesthetics; jewelry that has a history or was received as a gift. For instance, more men are using bracelets that are often bough as gifts, since, unlike rings, they usually don’t need to be sized.
Also, more sophisticated pieces made from exceptional materials are becoming extremely popular in men’s jewelry. Jewelry is also about uniqueness and the use of materials like 18-karat recycled white gold and wooly mammoth ivory sourced from the Arctic Circle will differentiate your piece.
In addition, men are trying engraved jewelry pieces with significant dates or their own initials on them. Big personalities from every corner of the political and social spectrum are turning to engraved jewelry to add a hint of exclusivity to their accessories.
Lapel pins and signet rings
Other badges that have become more of a style statement are lapel pins and signet rings. In the form of an American flag, it is de rigueur among politicians and CEOs. But luxury labels have embraced pins as well and customized them for more casual looks.
The signet ring is an age-old emblem of aristocratic belonging, yet designer brands are reworking the look, if not also the underlying message, into fashion accessories. One savvy tactic is to wear the ring up against a wedding band, thereby confining digital decoration to a single finger.