The Right Fashion Accessory for Your Age
Although men’s fashion has changed very little through the ages, a large part of it is still pretty much age-dependent. That is, ‘dressing your age’ entails more effort than it might at first suggest. Every little piece down to the accessories you wear should be consistent with the style that’s appropriate for your age. Unfortunately, not all men have the same – or the right – idea of what constitutes ‘appropriate’ fashion for them.
Lose the Bling
Once limited to the pre-2000 hip-hop subculture, bling – big and clearly visible chunks of jewelry – grew into a major trend, thanks to pop stars sporting them everywhere from the streets of LA to the red carpets of NYC. No matter where you are in the world, though, excessive jewelry simply will not look good on you.
Understatement and subtlety are two of the cornerstones in men’s fashion, even though a trend or two might occasionally suggest otherwise. Stylish, mature guys don’t resort to wearing huge, gaudy jewelry, no matter how expensive it might be. Unlike with women, details like a necktie or a simple accessory will suffice to convey all the messages you could possibly need to send.
Instead of wearing a Charriol store’s worth of precious metals and stones, less expensive but equally effective accessories ought to be used. Try a hefty silk power tie if you want to convey authority, or a high-end watch and designer leather shoes to display wealth. These accessories hardly scream – quite the contrary – but anyone who knows their value will immediately notice you.
Tie Your Own Tie
Clip-on bow ties and elastic neckties are generally considered sins against fashion, and typically overlooked if you’re under 21 or attending your first prom. The grown-up man, on the other hand, should at least know his way around his knots – it’s a skill that sets the men apart from the boys.
Neckties are the bare minimum requirement for the adult male; an elastic slip-on necktie will hardly earn you cred in the office. You want to be able to create that perfect, dimpled knot in the morning and pull off the tie in the afternoon like all the other guys. If you’re yet to learn any of the knots, master the four-in-hand first. It’s the simplest and most versatile of all the knots in existence – the only one you absolutely have to know, really.
Bow ties tend to be considered a little differently, partly because the traditional bow tie is a lot harder to find today than the pre-tied or clip-on varieties. Although it has become more or less acceptable to wear clip-ons with casual attire, you’d still do well to know how to handle the real thing for formalwear. If an invitation says black tie, you know that it doesn’t mean clip-ons.
Love Your Leather
Growing up doesn’t necessarily mean giving up your rubber shoes; a pair of clean white Chuck Taylors is about as classic as shoes can get. You do, however, also have to learn to appreciate leather accessories for their sleek charm and that subtle style statement that they tend to make for you.
By the time you’re 20, at least two pairs of formal leather shoes – brown and black – must be in your closet to cover all possible dressy outfits. Be sure to have belts to match. By 30, a leather bag – try a tote or portfolio if a briefcase is too pricey – should have been added to your wardrobe. If you have cash to spare, pick up more casual pieces like loafers or a messenger to take care of your day-to-day requirements.
Leather is a dressy material, yes, but that doesn’t mean you should only wear it with a coat and tie. Jeans can be dressed up with lace-ups, loafers can be dressed down with shorts and a leather bag (with the appropriate outfit) can create a look that’s artisanal, bohemian or vintage.
Age might not always require being formal, but it does mandate a higher level of style sophistication. Once you’re past your teen years, it’s time to start paying closer attention to the fashions you wear and how you wear them.
Other Suggested Readings from Our Blog:
Dressed Down Mens Fashion
Fashion for Men in Their 20s
Your Mens-Ties.com Team