How much jewellery is too much for men?
There’s a fine line between being a self-assured, blingwearing man and looking like a creepy mafioso crony, reports Thomas Heaton.
As men’s jewellery gains popularity, we see more instances of guys getting it wrong, crossing over from classy to gaudy with the addition of one too many rings or necklaces, not to mention the lapel pins, chain-link bracelets and cuff links.
Some designers say there’s no such thing as “too much”, because wearing jewellery well is all about selfassurance.
Nick Klarwill, who makes jewellery under the name Nick Von K, says men have been liberated from old, conservative views and “can get away with a lot more”.
But not everyone can pull off a fistful of rings like socialite Colin MathuraJeffree, who also adorns his suits with lapel pins.
He’s often stopped by people who admire his jewellery and has never heard a bad word about it, he says.
However, he does recommend men start simply and add more as they gain confidence.
“You don’t have to do what I do and wear half my body weight in pieces.”
PUT A RING ON IT
A signet ring and a wedding band were long considered the maximum amount of rings a man should wear.
Klarwill says while many Kiwi men still wear nothing more than a single silver ring, traditional rules are long gone.
In rings alone there are skulls, matador masks, signet-style rings and plenty of other styles available around the country – just go find something you like and wear it boldly.
BRACELETS AND NECKLACES
Bracelets have been popular over the past couple of years, particularly in organic metals and fibres, with brass and muted tones appearing on men’s wrists.
Like rings, wearing more than one at a time can be done – like rapper 2 Chains, who specialises in it – but you have to be a certain type of person.
Pendants and plain gold or silver chains are most common, if often unseen.
Benny Castles, designer for World, says he’s not a fan of either, however men’s necklaces often carry sentimental value.
GET CUFFED
There are several variations on the classic generally H-shaped, functional pieces.
Plain metals, gems, jewels and fun designs are available at most formal menswear stores, and prices range from just a few dollars into the thousands.
French cuffed shirts, also known as double-cuffed, are required for cufflinks. With an increasingly casual workplace, most men only wear cufflinks when they’re at more formal occasions.
Crane Brothers founder Murray Crane has seen a trend towards brass, and much of the stores’ collection is simple and functional.
However cufflinks do present the chance to show personality in more formal business settings, such as law or banking offices, making a plain white shirt and black suit playful.
“Guys shouldn’t be looking for a cufflink that’s just a cufflink. They should be looking for something that fits into their attire,” Castles says.
WATCH YOURSELF
Watches are considered the ultimate men’s accessory, and can show off what type of person you are – no matter the size of your budget.
Plain faced, chronograph and automatic watches are just a few of the different styles available, and certain brands carry an element of prestige.
A blue-faced Rolex or automatic Patek Philippe watch is going to be noticed by the discerning eye, and show some class, however they should never be too flashy.
“Most people these days carry an iPhone or a smartphone,” notes Crane.
“The choice to wear a watch is probably more of a decorative statement.”
LAPEL PINS AND TIE CLIPS
Lapel pins add a playful element to menswear, and can make a suit look more dapper.
Jeans and a sports jacket, with a diamond lapel pin, will look odd but that does not mean pins are reserved for formal situations.
A simple and not-too-extravagant pin can set a nice jacket out from the rest without looking gaudy, while a flower design can add a playful element to a suit.
Tie clips have had a bit of a resurgence of late, which could be related to the renewed popularity of the skinny tie.