MPO Fashion Blog

The little things can often create the biggest splash. This is especially true in the world of men’s fashion accessories. When are sunglasses proper? What style of watch is best? Should men wear bracelets? Are brightly colored suspenders acceptable? Should one wear Grandmother’s knitted scarf to the office? Do my belt and shoes really need to match? Following are the answers to these questions along with many more tidbits of information that will make certain the little things won’t sink you!

Let’s begin with glasses, both sun and prescription. First of all, never wear sunglasses at night or other times when they’re not needed. If you’re going to be going in and out of buildings on a sunny day, it’s perfectly acceptable to push your sunglasses up on your head when you’re inside. However, I wouldn’t do this with wire-rimmed glasses with the movable nose pieces, because they’re guaranteed to become enmeshed in your hair. As for eyeglasses, it’s best to keep them subtle and understated. If business associates seem to be more fixated on your eyewear than what you’re saying, then more than likely you’ve chosen frames that are too flashy. With glasses, the simpler the better. Of course you can always wear contacts so that you can take advantage of the more stylish sunglasses.

Let’s move on to watches, a man’s chief accessory. If you have a bottomless checkbook, it’s best that your watchband match you shoes. That’s right, your shoes. Nowadays you can get the accurate time with an inexpensive quartz watch with a plastic band, but the mechanical ones are still considered more stylish. If you can afford only one watch, then it’s best to get a stainless steel one with a metal strap. It’ll be suitable for most all occasions. Which brings up another point. Be certain that all of the metal elements on your accessories match each other. A white gold or platinum watch should be worn with a silver belt buck, whereas yellow gold and brass fastenings compliment each other. As for bracelets on men, they’re okay in theory, but can still cause a stir in conservative circles as well as being irritating and in the way when one tries to do any extensive writing wearing one.

Belts are a necessary evil and the color should match your shoes. Black is pretty straightforward, but browns can be a bit more difficult. For dark brown shoes, the belt should be dark as well. For lighter brown, you’ll need a lighter shade. Ideally, one’s watch band, belt, and shoes should all match.

If you choose to wear suspenders, you should forego a belt. Commit to one or the other, never both. And your suspenders don’t necessarily have to be black or brown. It’s quite acceptable to wear brightly colored suspenders in shades of red, blue, yellow with a dark business suit. Even suspenders with motifs on them are allowable, provided you do not choose anything distasteful.

If the weather has become inclement and you need warm weather wear, you’ll be thinking in terms of coats, gloves, and scarves. A nice dress coat in black or navy blue will work well. If all you’re doing is walking from you front door to your car and from the parking lot at work into the building, then gloves aren’t as important. But if you ride a train or bus to get to work, you may be standing out in the cold for longer periods of time. Then gloves become an indispensable accessory if only to protect your hands from filthy handrails and grab straps. The color of your gloves will be determined by your shoes; brown with brown, black with black. Also grey deerskin gloves can be worn with your black shoes. Your good quality business wear calls for a wool, cashmere, or silk scarf. As mentioned above, keep Grandma’s knitted one for casual wear and when you visit her. Synthetics should be avoided as they’re uncomfortable to wear.

One final word. A man’s briefcase is also an accessory and shouldn’t be overlooked or scrimped upon. A well-made briefcase is as essential to business attire as a proper suit.

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