When it comes to wearing jewelry, you may think that women are the only individuals who care to wear bling. But men can look just as stylish in the right pieces. But there’s a fine line between rocking strand after strand of gold and silver bling ala Mr. T and doing it nonchalantly. The following is a manly man’s guide to wearing jewelry with confidence.
Watches
Jewelry may not be the heart and soul of your wardrobe, but when done properly, it can revamp your appearance. Wearing a wedding ring may be your idea of the right amount of jewelry. But when it’s done simply, you may feel more comfortable adding other pieces later on. A watch is a classic look that serves a functional purpose. If you’re dressing for work or a formal social engagement, you may want to opt for a metal band. If you’re dressing casual on weekends, leather straps are ideally suited with jeans or khakis. Whatever band you choose, just make sure the watch is proportioned to fit the size of your wrist. As you become accustomed to wearing a watch, you may feel more secure adding other pieces down the road such as necklaces, rings and more.
Necklaces
The most common color tones in men’s jewelry continues to be silver and gold. But if you’re looking for something to complete your look, you want to feature only one tone. Except for wedding rings and pieces that are heirlooms, you don’t want to wear a pounds worth of chains at one time. Look for a chain that is subtle and complements your personality and outfit. While it will probably lay hidden underneath your sweater or shirt, try not to wear more than 2 chains.
Length is equally important and unornamented men’s gold chains should end at the upper part of the male breastbone. You also want to take into consideration what you’re wearing to make your necklace work. If you’re going casual, a leather chain and emblem can rock your style. For dressy occasions or work, you may be best suited with a gold or silver chain. To ensure it’s the proper fit, you may also want to customize your jewelry based on its size and length.
Earrings
Short of rap stars, rockers and professional athletes, earrings can look unmanly, especially during business hours. Since the baubles can draw a super amount of attention, you want to tread carefully when wearing. If you’re in a business like setting, go for something less dramatic such as a small gold or silver ball, diamond or hoop earring. You also want to check your company’s employee handbook to see if they deter the ear adornments. If you’re in a casual after hours setting, you may be able to get away with a larger earring.
Cufflinks
Cufflinks are pretty much reserved for a dressy business look or formal settings such as a wedding. They also require a dressy shirt. But like rings, necklaces, earrings and watches, you want to match the other metals when you’re wearing cufflinks. If you can’t find them at your formal retailer, you may be able to purchase cufflinks online or through a jewelry establishment. They also come in a variety of styles. If you’re looking to stand out from the crowd and add your own unique personality, opt for the novelty variety.
Rings
Jewelry can be symbolic of the occasion such as in the case of a wedding. It can also have special meaning such as being passed down from generation to generation. Rings can serve a number of purposes such as the symbol of committing to your partner. Most rings will also be of the metallic variety such as bronze, silver or gold.
If you’re looking to make a subtle statement, you don’t want to wear more than 2 to 3 rings. When choosing a design, opt for jewelry that is less bulky. If you’re looking for a casual look to complete your outfit, wood and leather are prime choices.
Tie Bar
A tie bar is a fashionable piece of jewelry that has enjoyed a great resurgence in recent years. This intricate piece can impact your appearance by keeping your tie in place. It can also prevent it from flying in the breeze or falling into your meal. But when choosing a tie bar to complete your look, you want to bear in mind width and placement. Tie bars are usually placed around the 3rd button. They are also ½ the width of your outfits tie. Although some fashionistas find a jacket and tie bar obsolete. The look is aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Jewelry when worn correctly can complement your appearance. While adding a bit of bling may take some self-confidence and adjustment over time, just remember that less is more. The main object to being a manly man is to find pieces that finish your look without being too distracting.
