Men’s jewelry isn’t just for rock stars and celebrities. Both gay and straight men are wearing more jewelry these days, thanks to changing social norms and luxury brands investing more in men’s accessories.
If you’re a man who is curious about how to wear jewelry keep in mind there are definitely dos and don’ts to pulling off the right look. Let’s take a look at some common mistakes that men make when choosing jewelry, and how to wear it so your overall look makes a smash without showing too much flash.
Thinking Jewelry is Just for Women
Many guys shy away from wearing men’s jewelry because they automatically assume that it’s feminine and an accessory for women only.
Nothing could be further from the truth, particularly once you take a look back through history and consider how male members of tribal cultures wear jewelry. Headpieces and necklaces are the norms; we’re just not as accustomed to seeing as much jewelry on men in the Western world.
That doesn’t mean you’re going to want to walk around with a headpiece made out of bones, but it should at least remove some of the stigma still attached to the idea of men wearing jewelry. The market has exploded in recent years to include brands that cater to men with masculine bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and other accessories that you can sport with confidence.
Don’t be afraid to look online or window shop to get ideas of what jewelry pieces are available to men and what you might want to try on.
Not Having Confidence
This ties into somewhat with thinking only women should sport jewelry; it takes a confident man to wear an accessory with pride. It may feel strange wearing a bracelet for the first time, but after a few days, you won’t notice it at all…until you receive a compliment on it.
By picking the right piece of jewelry, you’ll definitely stand out and that will feed your confidence as well.
How to Wear Jewelry Without Going Overboard
As with most things in life, too much of anything isn’t necessarily a good thing, particularly jewelry. Accessories shouldn’t be the main reason you or your ensemble is attracting attention. Well chosen jewelry should compliment your overall look.
That means unless you’re a famous rapper or Mr. T, you’ll definitely want to leave the multiple gold necklaces at home and keep your jewelry pieces worn together to a minimum. Start with a stylish watch and maybe add some cuff links and a bracelet or ring.
Minimalist pieces can also look best with most outfits, including a casual t-shirt and jeans. Think a single thin chain or a simple bracelet. Classic jewelry is also always in style.
Mixing Metals
Men’s jewelry works best when all pieces worn at one time are of the same metal or tone, usually silver or gold. Mixing them can be visually distracting and throw an ensemble off balance. If you’re wearing an item that contains both gold and silver tones, try to make that the only jewelry you wear that day, or wear pieces that reflect the color of the dominant material.
Wearing the Wrong Jewelry for the Occasion
There are definitely two settings where wearing too much jewelry is a no-no: the workplace and funerals. Job interviews, in particular, can be jeopardized by wearing too much jewelry as it’ll be a distraction from you and your work experience.
Keep your pieces simple for such occasions; a wedding band, watch, cuff links, and subtle earring stud (if your ear is pierced) are sufficient. Also, keep in mind that some jobs have a dress code and may not allow some types of jewelry if you’re working with machinery.
At funerals, it’s unlikely anyone will be in the mood to see anything too shiny. When in doubt for any occasion, leave it at home.
Not Matching Your Skin Tone
Choosing jewelry that compliments the color of your skin is not just for the ladies. Guys should also be mindful of buying jewelry that matches your skin tone. Gold and other “warm” metals and materials look great with warmer and/or darker skin tones while paler and cooler skin is a match for silver.
If you’re unsure of your skin tone, just look at the veins on the inside of your wrists. Bluish or purple veins indicate a cool tone while green veins mean you’re on the warmer side.
Wearing Flashy Earrings
Like all other jewelry pieces, understated is the way to go when choosing earrings made for men. Although longer earrings have recently come into style, the best earrings for guys are the understated ones. You can’t go wrong with a simple stud or small hoop, especially for the workplace and first dates.
If you happen to have hairy ears, follow these grooming tips for dealing with them. Any earrings will draw others’ eyes to that body part.
Not Caring for Your Jewelry
Care properly for your jewelry, and it can last you a lifetime. Take it off before turning in and store it where it won’t get lost.
One of the worst ways to treat your jewelry is to expose it to water and chemicals in cleansers. Hard water and soap can leave stains and damage other materials such as elastic or leather.
Always remove your jewelry before showering, and take it to a professional if it needs a cleaning. A jeweler knows how to effectively clean gem and precious stones as well as metals.
Wearing Jewelry in Feminine Areas
This final tip is for men who want to uphold their masculine image, but it goes without saying that it’s possible to wear some jewelry pieces that will make you look feminine. That includes belly button piercings, toe rings, and ankle bracelets. Stick to the more traditional types of jewelry if you want to appear masculine.
Now that you know how to wear jewelry, read our other blog posts on men’s grooming tips so that you’ll always look and feel your manly best!
