One sure fire way of making a look your own is to use accessories. I’m not saying that you should adorn yourself with jewels and brightly coloured scarves and trinkets, and if you get it wrong you could look like a child who has been at the dressing up box. What I’m talking about are a few, well-chosen additions that compliment your outfit. They should fit in or contrast with your chosen colour scheme and ‘add’ to your look, making it individual, showing that you have considered your appearance rather than simply throwing on what was on the floor near you when you woke up that morning.
Bow ties, pocket squares, tie, lapel pins, and tie clip
Of course you are free to accessorise with whatever you choose; fashion is an expression of self and every person has the right to communicate their personality via their wardrobe in whichever way they choose. It’s your right to be who you are. So, that said, I’d like to give you pointers on what I would choose or suggest. This is not a definitive guide and I do not wish to stifle anyone’s creativity with my suggestions here.
Men’s accessories are not as limited as they once were and are more accepted as an everyday addition to one’s wardrobe. As men’s fashion has evolved, accessories are no longer a woman’s prerogative and menswear and individualism is better for this movement.
FEET UP
Funky socks by Foot Cardigan
One of my favourite ways to and add personality to an outfit is with the socks. Following changes in the way that socks are manufactured, a plethora of patterns and styles are now widely available. This is a very inexpensive way of adding character to your look. Wear a bubble gum pink pair with that navy suit, or a geometric pattern with some chinos and brogues.
Foot Cardigan offers a great range of socks on a monthly subscription and each month you receive a fresh new pair of funky socks delivered to your door. Other great sock companies are of course Happy Socks, Gallant Beau of London, and Rock My Socks, all of whom offer an incredible array of styles in a good quality product.
Another great sock brand is the Italian manufacturer, Oybo. Their socks truly are different, in fact they are different from each other with each sock in a pair being the same but different to its partner.
Check out more sock styles by Topman Fox pattern Socks & Topman Stripe Crew Socks.
Socks are a great accessory but this is one area where I wouldn’t buy vintage!
Socks by Rock My Socks
Unmatched pairs of socks by Oybo
BELT AND BRACES (SUSPENDERS)
Even if your trousers fit you perfectly at the waist you should wear a belt. It helps to define and sharpen your look and gives a definite distinction between top and bottom. There is a general rule that your belt should match your shoes. Easy if you’re wearing black leather loafers but more difficult if you’re wearing a tan brogue as the range of tan colours is immense and I’ve found it difficult to find a perfect match, but it can be done if you shop around.
Belts in black, tan, and brown are a good choice. All from Next UK.
That said, you don’t need to shell out for a leather belt as there are many option available from canvas, elastic, and other fabrics. In addition there is a rainbow of colours to choose from. If you’re wearing a floral patterned shirt, pick a colour from it and match the belt to that colour or match the belt colour to your socks or tie. Just be wary of mixing in too many colours if you want a cohesive look. While rainbows make people smile and brighten a rainy day, you won’t make anyone smile looking like one yourself.
Here are more belt styles by Magnanni ‘Magnum’ Belt , Polo Ralph Lauren Leather Belt & Magnanni ‘Catalux’ Belt.
Braces (suspenders) are one item that has made a welcome comeback. Again these are now freely available and can be picked up very cheaply if you opt for an elastic pair with clip-on fastenings. I personally find these to be very poor quality and prefer the button on variety. The clips break easily and often ‘ping’ off if you bend to tie your shoe lace.
Handmade braces by The Cordial Churchman and my own vintage braces.
Ok, so you don’t have buttons on your trousers, but they are easy to add and I have written a full guide on how to do this and a vintage buying guide for bespokeunit.com. If you are a complete novice with a needle or simply don’t have the time I am sure a member of your family can help or just take them to a local tailor or seamstress who can do it at little cost.
Suspenders by The Cordial Churchman
I prefer to buy vintage braces as they are better quality. You can expect to pay a little more for them but they are available via EBay, Etsy, and also in second hand stores and at vintage fairs.
The Cordial Churchman, a US based men’s accessory brand make great suspenders with leather components which are cut and fastened by hand. They are a great quality item and highly recommended.
You can wear braces with jeans and a T-shirt or with a suit. Again your colour options are unlimited, as are the patterns available. I prefer something plain or a pair with a stripe but you can buy a pair with skulls or a zig zag pattern if you want something a bit more adventurous.
A pair of my vintage braces teamed with a shirt and silk scarf by Tootal.
You can find similar braces here: Trafalgar ‘Aldridge’ Suspenders, Solid Suspenders White & ‘Concord’ Suspenders Navy/ Turquoise.
TIES
Ties are the most common of men’s accessories and have been around for hundreds of years. I won’t spend too much time talking about traditional ties as we all know the availability and choices available. I am a massive fan of a knitted tie and these do add something a little different to the usual polyester varieties; they add texture to your look and again they are available at varying costs, in a huge range of designs.
Here are similar ties: Paul Smith Knit Wool Tie Navy & Paul Smith Stripe Wool Knit Tie Grey.
There are a huge range of knitted ties available to add texture to your outfit.
If you like a traditional look or want to add a touch of vintage charm you can always wear a bow tie and join the Instagram #bowtietuesday movement where you’ll find me sporting many different styles. Bow ties are not as difficult to tie as you may think. If you can tie a conventional tie, you can tie a bow tie too with little practice.
Just a few of my self tie bow ties, both new and vintage.
If you can’t be bothered to tie one you can pick up clip-on versions. I have a range of vintage clip-on bow ties from the 50’s and 60’s. These are perfectly tied and give a very clean look when worn. Self-tie bow ties do move as you wear them and often give a less structured look, which is fine if you don a tweed sports coat and go for that professor look or want to emulate Doctor Who. I buy my self-tie bow ties from EBay (new and vintage) and my vintage clip on versions from Etsy or Ebay, as well as at vintage fairs.
Vintage clip-on bow ties
Find more bow ties here: Original Penguin Cotton Bow Tie Blue , Cotton Blend Bow Tie Red, Vince Camuto Dotted Bow Tie & Black Brown 1826 Paisley Bow Tie.
CRAVATS
If you fancy adorning your neck with something a little different why not give a cravat a go. First seen in Croatia in the 17th century, these are a gentleman’s accessory which has been in and out of favour as the decades have passed.
Easy to tie, they go around your neck and are simply knotted at the Adams apple and arranged neatly before being tucked into the open collar of your shirt.
Stunning silk cravats available from www.cravat-club.com
Wear them with a suit as an alternative to a conventional tie or with jeans, shirt, and waistcoat. Cravats are available in an array of designs both new and vintage and available in varying thickness of fabric. I’d opt for silk as it is warmer in cooler weather and stays cool on warmer days, it also feels nice against the skin and wont scratch like other fabrics can. The Cravat Club has a great variety to choose from and you can find great vintage varieties again on EBay or Etsy, or at vintage fairs and shops.
The Frank Tailor tie clip
TIE CLIPS
Another accessory which has made a bit of a comeback is the tie clip. If you’re not wearing a waistcoat or sweater, your tie can take on a life of its own in a bit of a breeze, so you’ll need something to hold it in place.
The choice here is again unending and the marketplace has every possibility that you could want. Again, I opt for vintage and buy the majority through EBay. They come plain for an understated look or embellished with all sorts of flora and fauna. I have a wide range which include guns, birds, gems, swords, and letters.
Just remember to position it correctly between the 3rd and 4th button of your shirt (starting at the collar) and ensure that it is the same width or smaller than your tie.
Check out these tie bars as well: Ivy Prepster Tie Bar, David Donahue 14 Kt. Gold Tie Clip & Kenneth Cole Reaction Tie Clip.
SCARVES
As with ties, every man has worn one at some point and it’s as much about how you tie your scarf as the type you choose. Massive chunky scarves look great in winter over a woolen sweater and a smaller herringbone cashmere scarf will compliment that grey suit. Loop it around your neck loosely with one end at the front and the other at the back for a preppy look or double it and thread it through itself before tucking the ends inside your blazer. A scarf like this is more functional than other accessories but don’t simply rely on that when choosing one. Think about texture, length and colour. What will it look good with? How will you tie it?
In spring and summer you can still wear a scarf but choose something in silk, like the range made by British brand Tootal. They can be work over a cotton shirt hanging loosely around the neck or looped through itself and set inside the shirt collar. Alternatively, tie it in the same way as you would a traditional tie and pop it inside the shirt and open another button.
Here are more scarfs to check out: MISSONI patterned scarf & Zigzag contrast scarf.
A vintage brown paisley scarf completes a dandy look.
This silk scarf by Tootal creates a very sophisticated look.
WATCHES
A watch is a basic accessory that every man should have, but did you know that you now only need one watch and that you can change the strap to suit every occasion? Beginning with the Timex Weekender which took the world by storm and is very on trend, there are now varieties available by other brands such as Daniel Wellington and Simon Carter. Simply choose the face and then invest in a variety of interchangeable straps. One watch, many looks.
I’ll always choose an analogue watch as I think these are classier than their digital contemporaries but to each their own. If you’re a fan of 80’s style, grab a vintage digital watch from a second hand store to make your look authentic.
My vintage pocket watch.
If you wear a suit with a waistcoat or just wear a waistcoat with jeans and a shirt you can always wear a pocket watch. I have a vintage army edition pocket watch from the 50’s and often wear t instead of a wrist watch. Just don’t make the mistake that I did during a photo shoot for the Cravat Club and wear them together!
Pocket watches are available new or second hand. When buying second hand make sure it’s from a reputable supplier and that it comes with a guarantee. Pocket watches are great if you like a vintage look, but equally nice with a sharp three piece suit. They quickly make a potentially boring suit look interesting and show you as a person who likes to stand out and be a little different.
Find more options here by U.S. Polo Assn. Classic Men’s & Invicta Men’s
JEWELRY
Yes there are necklaces, piercings, and clunky chunky bracelets and rings available but unless you want to look like a Greek business man with your shirt open to the waist or a 70’s punk I’d avoid heavy jewellery.
I don’t wear necklaces as nobody ever sees them and they always do that thing were the clasp repositions itself around to the front which is highly annoying. Rings can make a man look cheap, so I avoid these too. I do accept a thumb ring however as they tend to be worn by more creative people who make the look work. A chunky sovereign ring or something which spells DAD is a no no, even when worn on a chain around the neck. Again, if this is you, that’s fine and I respect your taste, it just isn’t the look for me.
The only jewellery I wear, aside from my wedding ring (which is recycled silver with a tree bark design) are bead or leather bracelets. I have not counted how many I have but there is a shoe box full of them. A lot of them I have made myself. They are so easy to make from a few beads bought on EBay, or a broken necklace and a piece of elastic and they can be as individual as you like. Gather a few together that pick out the colours in your outfit and pop them on your wrist — instant individualism.
See more styles by Gucci Crest Woven Leather Braclete Red .
HATS
Just some of my hat collection.
I think you’re either a hat person or you aren’t. There are a lot of people that simply do not have the confidence to wear one and there’s also the problem of ‘hat hair’. If you are a gentleman with well-coiffed locks you may want to avoid a hat on your daily jaunt to work but please give one a go.
I love a flat cap. I have four now and wear them with jeans and a T-shirt or sweater but they go just as well with a suit and overcoat in colder weather. I also have three top hats but I wouldn’t recommend wearing these on a daily basis unless you work at a funeral parlour or are a magician. I bought them just because I like them and they only come out for fancy dress parties.
I also have a vintage bowler hat which I’d love to wear to work with a sharp black suit but haven’t found the confidence to do so just yet, but I did take it to a photo shoot that I did for the London College of Fashion earlier this year.
My tall top hat, port pie hay, and dead man top hat
Last winter saw a big return on the bobble hat and while it doesn’t create a very dapper look like the flat cap does I do like them with a casual look. Don’t be tempted to wear one with a suit though as it just doesn’t work. Wear one with a pair of rolled up chinos, leather boots, and a denim jacket over a fairisle sweater.
A pork pie hat is a great hat to go for if you have the confidence to wear a hat. Well-structured with a low rise and a short brim, it can easily be worn to work on a daily basis. A trilby is also a good option.
See similar hats here: PAUL SMITH flat cap & Bailey Lord Tweed Flat Cap.
POCKET SQUARES
Another way to add interest to your grey suit is to add a colourful pocket square. These are now widely available in most men’s stores in a huge range of colours and patterns. You can buy them in a set with a matching tie and cufflinks or on their own. Pocket squares are both stylish and functional and gives you the ability to whip it out for that special lady when she gets something in her eye or has a tearful moment.
If you happen to be a Father don’t be tempted to do that thing that parents all over the world do and spit on it and wipe mascara from her cheek. She won’t thank you for it!
There are a number of ways to fold a pocket square and doing a google search will show you everything you need to know.
If you’re handy with a sewing machine or studied hand stitching and rolled edges during your school sewing classes you can easily make your own from an old shirt or patterned pillow case.
Find more pocket squares here: BRIONI patterned pocket square & EMPORIO ARMANI pocket square.
LAPEL PINS
If you follow my Instagram page you’ll know that I love a lapel pin (or several)! These add interest to a jacket and the possibilities are endless. From felt flowers to simple studs there are thousands available and for total uniqueness make your own as I do. Tie pin pins and backs are available cheaply from EBay and any embellishment you like can be glued to the head of the pin — hey presto, your very own one-of-a-kind lapel pin. If you make your own just ensure that you use a high-strength glue, such as superglue gel.
Wear one, or wear several. If your outfit has a theme, be it a colour scheme or a floral theme, it’s another way of creating a cohesive look.
GETTING IT RIGHT
If using accessories for the first time, start small and be subtle. Don’t go straight in with lime green socks and an orange belt with a red polka dot bow tie and green zig zag patterned braces. You don’t want to look like a clown; you want to look classy, individual and well curated.
Choose a theme, choose a colour and stick with that. A pair of navy and white polka dot socks with a matching knitted tie and pocket square will look great with a navy watch strap and lapel pin or two on your grey or blue suit.
Wear that tweed sports coat over a plain shirt with a paisley bow tie and a pair of button on braces. Add some bracelets that pick out the colours in the tie and a pair of socks in a similar colour palette.
A very vintage style look with accessories.
Dress up your black suit and add a yellow belt, tie, pocket square, and socks. If the suit has a waistcoat, wear a pocket watch but don’t do what I did and over accessorise by wearing your wristwatch too!
I hope this has gone some way to opening the door to the world of men’s accessories for you. If you need any more advice please feel free to email me at thatdapperchap@gmail.com and if you post your pictures to Instagram just hashtag #thatdapperchap and I’ll find you.
Should blue and green really never be seen?
HAPPY SHOPPING!
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