Accessories are an essential component in a men's suit. They offer both aesthetic and functional benefits, enhancing your appearance while improving the suit's overall function. But if you're new to men's formal wear, you may feel a bit lost and confused when it comes to accessories. Which accessories should you wear? How do you wear them? Are they really necessary? These are just a few of the many questions that you may find yourself asking.
Necktie
If there's one accessory that you don't want to skip, it's the necktie. A proper necktie will bring your outfit together in a cohesive manner, complimenting its existing colors while adding a stylish new touch to it in the process. Depending on the occasion during which you'll be wearing a suit, a necktie may actually be "required," in which case you must (or at least should) wear one. It's an otherwise simple accessory that play a major role in the appearance of your suit, so don't forget the necktie before stepping out the door.
Of course, there are several different ways to tie a necktie, some of which include the following:
- Four-in-hand knot
- Pratt knot
- Half-Windsor knot
- Windsor knot
- Small knot
- Nicky knot
- Atlantic knot
- Prince Albert knot
- Christensen knot
- Ediety knot
Tie Bar
What in the world is a tie bar? Also known as a
tie clip, it's used to keep a necktie attached to the wearer's shirt. Tie bars are small, often consisting of just 2" piece of horizontal meta. Once clipped to your shirt, however, it will hold your necktie in place, preventing it from swinging around. Of course, not everyone needs to wear a tie bar. If you plan on sitting in front of a desk or table all day long, then a tie bar isn't going to offer any real benefit, as your necktie will most likely remain in place regardless of whether or not it secured to your shirt. On the other hand, if you plan on moving around, such as supervisors at a construction site, wearing a tie bar will offer a cleaner and more sophisticated look by holding your tie in place. And when your necktie is secured, it's not going create unsightly wrinkles from being tossed around in different directions. The bottom line is that you should accessorize your suit with a tie bar if you plan on staying active and/or being on your feet for long periods at a time.
Pocket Squares
We can't talk about essential accessories for men's suits without mentioning the
pocket square. A pocket square is essentially a small piece of fabric that's folded and placed inside the breast pocket of a suit jacket or coat. Some men may find them unnecessary, but they add a unique touch of style to a men's suit that's not found in other accessories or items. If you're interested in sporting a pocket square, pay close attention to the color. Ideally, you should choose a pocket square in a color that contrasts with the color of your suit jacket or coat. Wearing a black pocket square in a similar black-colored coat or jacket isn't going to work, as the two items will blend together (and not in a good way). However, opting for a white or even light blue-colored pocket square will create a more attractive and complete appearance by contrasting with the black jacket or coat. Following this basic rule will go a long ways in creating an attractive outfit with your suit.
Cuff Links
Cuff links are used to secure the cuffs of a dress shirt. If you own a dress shirt that does not have buttons constructed into the cuffs, you'll need to come with another solution to secure them, which is where cuff links come into play. Cuff links are only intended for use in shirts that have buttonholes but no actual buttons on both sides of the cuffs. There are two different styles of cuff links: single or double-length, which as the name suggests refers to their side. They can be worn in several ways, such as "kissing" (ends pinched together), and "barrel" (one cuff link overlapping the other), the first of which is the most popular. You'll find cuff links made of a wide variety of materials, including glass, stainless steel, plastic, acrylic, pearls, silver, gold and more.
Dress Shoes
Yes, dress shoes are technically considered a suit accessory -- and an important one at that. You wouldn't want to wear your tennis shoes to an important business meeting, would you? When sporting a suit, choose a more dressier style of footwear, such as brown/black leather oxfords. The right shoes will enhance your suit while establishing a cohesive look that improves your appearance. When choosing dress shoes for a suit, however, pay close attention to the color and whether or not it matches the rest of your outfit. We've talked about this before on our blog, but you should never wear brown shoes with a black suit or vise-versa. This is a serious fashion faux pas that creates a messy, unflattering appearance. Instead, stick with a similar color for your shoes as your suit.
Watch
Last but not least, a wristwatch is an essential accessory that's ideal to wear with a men's suit. Regardless of the occasion, a wristwatch helps to complete the look of a suit by adding style to the otherwise voided area of a man's wrist. If you need help choosing a wristwatch, consider the colors in your suit and choose a watch with a similar color band. For instance, a wristwatch with a brown leather band is an excellent choice when wearing a suit with similar brown, tan or other neutral colors. Alternatively, a wristwatch with a black leather band would likely be a better choice when wearing a black suit. And if you can't seem to find the perfect wristwatch for your suit, you really can't go wrong with a chrome metal band, as it matches nearly all colors and styles.