The following types of suit accessories can add personality and a twist to the monotony of your daily office attire. If you are planning your wedding in the near future and are looking for the perfect wedding suit, we listed 10 of the best suits for the groomsman for the big day and after. Now let’s see the best suit accessories, that will get your outfit to the next level.
We’ve updated this article, make sure to read the new version: The Complete Suit Accessories List
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How Many Accessories Should You Wear with a Suit?
Generally speaking, you should wear a maximum of four accessories with a suit to maintain a polished look. Common accessories include a tie, pocket square, belt, and watch. However, the number can vary depending on personal style and occasion.
The rule of thumb is that the more formal your suit is, the fewer accessories you need. Nevertheless, this article serves as an inspiration to help you understand the array of accessories you can choose from to make your suit outfit more notable.
Best Suit Accessories Listed in the Article
- Mio Marino Genuine Leather Dress Belt with Single Prong Buckle (Amazon, $19.99)
- Luca Faloni Light Brown Leather Woven Belt (Luca Faloni, $125)
- Steve Madden Dress Casual Leather Belt (Amazon, $17.99)
- Ralph Lauren Warren Stretch Jaspe Braces (Ralph Lauren, £175.00)
- Dickies Solid Straight Clip Adjustable X Back Suspender (Amazon, $12.99)
- HISDERN Polka Dot Tie (Amazon, $15.99)
- Tommy Hilfiger Pure Silk Woven Tie (Tommy Hilfiger)
- Hugo Boss Brass Tie Clip with Monogram Insert (Hugo Boss)
- Hugo Boss Double Sided Pocket Square in Printed Silk (Hugo Boss)
- Persol Aviator (Amazon, $279.00)
- Ray-Ban New Wayfarer Square Sunglasses (Amazon, $160.00)
- Hugo Boss Dress Shirts (Hugo Boss)
Best Suit Accessories for Men
When wearing a suit, essential accessories include a matching tie or bowtie, a dress watch, a pocket square, cufflinks, a belt that matches the shoe color, and dress shoes. Additionally, consider a lapel pin, a tie clip, and stylish socks to enhance your overall look.
A suit is a great choice on its own, but anyone can wear one. The way you accessorize it will set you apart from everyone else. Now let’s see the complete list:
1. Formal Shoes
Generally, shoes can make or break your outfit – whether you talk about a casual outfit or your sharpest-looking suit. If you mess up the shoes, your outfit won’t look like it should.
There are many styles of formal shoes you can pick for your suit. Also, you should be aware of not only the style but the color as well. These make shoes one of the most important suit accessories.
How to Choose the Right Shoes for Your Suit?
Choosing the right shoes for your suit is easier said than done. When shopping for shoes, I recommend going to the store in your suit and with the desired belt so that you can match the perfect shade, whether it is black leather, brown leather, or a pair of suede loafers.
Once you have the right shoes to go with your suit, make sure they are always in good condition, as we covered this topic in a previous article. There are a few rules to follow when choosing shoes to go with your suit, and if you are not sure, please refer to the table below:
2. Watch
When it comes to accessories to wear with a suit, watches are one of the most stylish and fundamental pieces that you shouldn’t overlook. Although the primary function of watches has evolved from merely telling time to making a statement about our style and personality, their impact on your outfit remains unchanged.
There comes a time in every man’s life when he should invest in a quality timepiece. What “invest” means to you will depend on your budget. There is no shame in an affordable watch if it looks good and you’ve styled it well, but having a good-looking timepiece to go with your suit is essential.
If you are looking for an affordable watch to wear with a suit, choose a stainless steel one. They generally complement most suit and shoe colors, so you don’t have to worry about matching them with your shoes, as you would with a leather band watch.
3. Belt
Picking the right belt can be as important as the shirt for your suit. Although it is a bit easier to pair if you already have the right formal shoes for your suit. Once you have the right formal shoes, all you have to do is choose a formal belt of the same color.
Of course, if you have side adjustable suit pants, you can skip the belt entirely. Some say that the most stylish way to wear suits is to not wear belts or suspenders at all and have side adjustable pants. In my opinion, a suit with belts or suspenders can be just as or even more stylish.
4. Suspenders
Suspenders are worn to hold up pants by attaching to the waistband and looping over the shoulders. That’s why perhaps I should consider placing suspenders in the same category as belts.
However, in my honest opinion, there are significant differences between belts and suspenders. While both serve the purpose of keeping your pants up, they do so in distinct fashions.
Generally speaking, a suspender is more elegant than a belt, but you need to pick the right color, width, and design for your suit, or you will ruin your outfit. If you are not sure about which suspender goes well with your outfit, put on a belt – it is easier to match with your shoes.
5. Tie
When it comes to ties, you have two choices – the bow tie and the classic necktie. There are two more categories – called Ascot and Cravat ties, but we will focus on the more common ones today. Although the number of tie types is low, it doesn’t mean it’s easy to find the perfect one.
There are numerous fabrics, patterns, colors, and widths to consider when purchasing a tie for your suit.
Choosing the right tie is only half the story. Pairing it with the appropriate shirt for your suit will make a difference to your overall look. Once you have the perfect necktie, you can experiment with various tying techniques — a topic we’ll delve into in a future article.
If you’re concerned that you only have one suit in your wardrobe, purchasing a few ties and different dress shirts can transform your single attire into a variety of outfits. Additionally, if you are looking for a casual look with your suit, you can skip the tie.
6. Tie Bar
Classic items like a tie bar – sometimes called tie clip, are an inexpensive accessory that will make your suit look and feel more special – but what is a tie bar used for exactly?
The tie bar is a men’s fashion accessory that serves to hold the tie in place. The tie bar clips the tie to the dress shirt – so it doesn’t move around. This feature comes in handy during strong winds or for keeping your tie out of your lunch.
Where to Place a Tie Bar?
There are two things to consider when choosing a tie bar. Make sure you put the tie bar in the right place, and that you pick the ideal length for your tie. See the following image for help with tie clip placement:
7. Pocket Square
Suits are worn in many ways these days. From formal wear to more casual wear with sneakers. Whatever the style is, if you want to give a timeless look to your suit, pick a pocket square that will compliment your suit jacket.
Pocket squares are a simple and inexpensive accessory often overlooked – but if you choose the right one, it will give that finishing touch to your look.
A short history: The pocket square was originally used for hygienic purposes and was put in the front breast pocket of the jacket to prevent it from getting crumpled or dirty in your trouser pockets. Soon it became a fashionable accessory for men and gained popularity amongst them.
Like with ties, there are many ways to fold your pocket square as well. My go-to fold is the classic Presidential fold, but it is fun to experiment with different folds.
Although pocket squares are still used, we do not see them as often as a necktie, so you will surely turn some heads by having a pocket square.
8. Cufflinks
Cufflinks are items of formal jewelry traditionally worn by men. They are used to fasten together the sides of shirt cuffs and are typically worn for formal occasions. It is a traditional piece that never felt out of style.
Although many formal shirts have buttons at the cuffs, you can find custom-made or high-quality shirts with French cuffs where you can use your cufflinks to fasten your shirts. Moreover, wearing cufflinks is a great way to stand out and make your outfit more special.
If you have ever wondered whether you can wear jewelry with a suit, now you know that certain pieces complement a suit and others that don’t. For instance, I do not recommend wearing leather bracelets or excessive rings with a traditional ensemble.
Keep those accessories for a more casual look on the weekend. The more formal your suit looks, the more subtle your accessories should be.
9. Lapel Pin and Lapel Flower
A lapel pin brings a dash of classic elegance to a modern suit, but try to avoid any trendy ones for your outfit. Your lapel pin should be a subtle enhancement that expresses your personal style without distracting or detracting from the overall look. If you want to stand out from the crowd, this is your chance.
A boutonniere is a formal lapel accessory made with a live flower. Modern lapel faux flowers can also be fashioned from fabrics like wool or silk.
Important: Don’t wear a boutonniere to the office – save this suit accessory for formal celebratory occasions like formal dances, weddings, or high-school prom.
Badge pins are another variation often styled to indicate affiliation with something – like a national flag, a family crest, or a military medal. Wear your pin of choice through the buttonhole on your left lapel.
If your jacket does not have a buttonhole, pin it directly through the fabric. Position it higher than your pocket or pocket square at an angle that matches the angle of the lapel.
10. Sunglasses
Lastly, it is an optional accessory, but an important one that could easily improve the look of your suit. Whether you wear it in your front pocket or on your face, sunglasses have a huge part of the look of your suit.
There are no special rules for picking sunglasses for the suit – it has more to do with your face shape and what is your personal taste.
Try to avoid any colorful plastic sunglasses. If you have subtle sunglasses that you wear for your casual outfits, they will probably work with your suit as well.
11. Extra – Dress Shirt
Although a dress shirt is not considered a suit accessory, it should be an obvious part of your outfit – that’s why I left it to the last point. A proper dress shirt can make or break your suit outfit. I hope I could help you to make your suit a bit more special.
I started wearing more accessories with my suit in the previous years, and when I look back, I can clearly see that these accessories make my suit look way better.
Five Rules for Wearing Suit Accessories
There are a few basic rules to achieving a balanced look with your suit. Your accessories should harmonize without overpowering your outfit, so coordination is key — metals, ties, and pocket squares should work together seamlessly with your suit.
Tie Width and Lapel Width
Match the width of your tie to the width of your lapel. A wider tie pairs well with a suit jacket that has broader lapels, and a narrower tie complements a jacket with narrower lapels. Also, check your shirt’s collar for appropriate tie selection.
Pocket Square Coordination
Coordinate your pocket square with your outfit, not just by color, but also by style. If your tie is patterned, choose a pocket square that complements the colors without directly matching the tie pattern.
Belt and Shoe Color
Ensure your belt color matches your shoe color. For formal occasions, stick to black or brown belts and shoes that match. Mixing black and brown accessories is generally not advised in formal settings.
Tie Length and Shirt Collar
Your tie should just reach your belt buckle, and it should sit snugly against your shirt collar. Avoid having the tie too long or too short, and ensure it’s properly centered.
Cufflinks and Watch
If you’re wearing cufflinks, they should complement your outfit’s formality. Pair simple cufflinks with business attire, and save more decorated ones for formal events.
Your watch should also match the occasion – a classic, understated timepiece for formal settings and a more casual one for less formal occasions.
Remember, while these rules provide a general guideline, personal style, and experimentation can also play a role in accessorizing a suit.
Conclusion
Now, I hope that the next time you ask yourself, ‘How can I make my suit more attractive?’, you’ll know the answer.
A well-dressed person knows that attention to detail – such as selecting the right accessories, like a stylish pocket square, a well-fitting dress shirt, or the perfect formal shoes – can make a significant difference in their overall appearance.
Keep on reading: A Gentleman’s Guide for the Best Morning Routine
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