Jewelry for men has seen its popularity rise and fall over the years, but thankfully, today’s “man bling” offerings are classic, timeless, and subtle. With millennial men interested in form-fitting suits, Italian leather footwear, and Hermès pocket squares, we have seen an increase in bejeweled accessories as well. If you’re a guy who is looking to build your own jewelry wardrobe, here are four fine ways to start.
A Proper Timepiece
It doesn’t have to be Swiss, nor does it have to be expensive, but at the end of the day, it should look good, coincide with your wardrobe, and… well… tell the time (obviously). If you’re a guy who is just starting to get into the watch game and who maybe doesn’t have thousands to spend, there are two feasible routes you could take when seeking out your wrist candy.
The first way is to shop previously enjoyed timepieces like the ones we have here on TrueFacet.
But another way is to do your research on what the watch industry refers to as microbrands. A watch microbrand is an independent brand that is usually just starting out or has gone the route of crowd-funding in order to get the brand launched. Many microbrands are affordable, with some of their watches starting at just a couple of hundred dollars. Brands like Brew Watch Co. and others are making waves among younger generations because of their sleek, simple look and lower price point, but also because of their creative and quirky ad campaigns.
Yes, you read that correctly, and no, you don’t have to be a member of the mafia. The pinky ring has come back with a vengeance, but in a way that’s less Don Corleone and more Elvis Presley, circa 1956. When it comes to wearing a pinky ring, stick with the “less is more” adage. Try going with darkened metals or simple bands that add a bit of personality to your look without screaming, “Look at my pinky ring!” to your friends at the local bar.
Diamond Cufflinks
You can dress up any ensemble with a fitted sport coat, a French cuff shirt, and a pair of cufflinks embellished with a few diamonds. Wearing diamonds can easily go one way or the other for a man. In other words, some guys don’t know where the line is that crosses into absurdity, so again, it’s best to keep it as simple as possible. A pair of white gold signet-style ovals with a single burnished diamond in each makes for a gorgeous compliment to a finely-pressed shirt and tailored jacket, and that extra added sparkle gets the right people to notice that you’re setting yourself apart from the crowd.
Image via Alice Made This
A “Man Brooch”
There is no cooler accessory on a dressed-up gent than that of a lapel pin. Thanks to many of Hollywood’s most daring and dapper leading men, the #manbrooch not only earned its own Twitter hashtag, but it hit mainstream lapels shortly thereafter. With designers like the remarkable Marco Dal Maso creating whimsical and interesting lapel pins for men who like a little story with their jewelry, the popularity of these “mancessories” is thankfully at an all-time, gem-embellished high.