Wearing a suit and tie is most commonly considered work attire, but it is also worn for formal social occasions such as weddings, graduations, and barmitzvahs. It is important for men to dress appropriately for these different occasions, and accessories play an important role in setting the formal look. For example, ties can be worn with big, bold patterns and cufflinks with sparkling crystal designs for a social event. In addition, there is a different style of dress for social events that is more in keeping with the cheerful mood. It’s a particular knack for elevating your formal wear beyond a typical ‘day at the office’ to something a little more special. In this article, I’ll look at how men can accessorize to elevate their formal appearance.
The most important formal accessory for men is the tie (or bowtie if you prefer), as it is the best opportunity to accessorize formal wear and demands the most attention. For a formal social occasion, the tie should reflect the mood through color combinations and tie patterns. Big, bold patterns tend to work best, and large flowers are a particularly popular choice for weddings. Polka dots and paisley ties are more associated with the office environment and should be avoided. Striped ties are very popular for work, as they are considered a symbol of power and status. They can also work for social occasions, but should be less obvious and with a more unusual stripe (variations in the thickness of the stripe).
Men should avoid dark or heavy colored ties as they tend to present a more serious and somber mood. Light colored ties are fresh and ‘springy’ and often match a wedding décor. Just think white lilies, cream linen and canopies. Light colored ties can be accented with darker patterns. In fact, the contrast of, for example, a lemon yellow against a navy blue gives a wonderfully rich and dramatic look, but the dominant color should be light. Keep your color palette simple with a single dominant color and avoid ties that are too flashy. Here are some great combinations to try gold and navy, light blue and purple, pink and navy. Neutral tones like beige and brown can also work very well.
Try to combine the color of your cufflinks with the color of your tie. Many designer brands produce matching sets, such as Duchamp-London. It is also appropriate to wear a cufflink made with semi-precious materials such as mother-of-pearl (ideal for weddings), onyx and hematite. Simon Carter has a wide range of semi-precious cufflinks that are decorated with stones, including sapphires. These cufflinks have a special flavor, as opposed to an everyday style made perhaps with colored enamel. For glitzy and glamorous social events, crystal cufflinks will add that extra touch of sparkle. While black and white crystal cufflinks are a classic look for a black-tie event, multi-colored crystal cufflinks can add a bit of color to a monochrome outfit. Cufflinks are a pretty subtle accessory anyway, so they won’t overpower your look.
Tote bags and dinner scarves are considered old-fashioned and a bit over the top by many people. Very few men wear them anymore, so these accessories can act as a design statement and help you stand out from the crowd. A matching bag and tie speak of old-fashioned sartorial elegance, a gentleman with an eye for detail. It’s also another chance to inject a bit of life and color into a suit. Admittedly not for everyone, it takes a man with real self-confidence to wear one. The leather belt should match your more dynamic look, which can be achieved through a more unique buckle such as a plate or elongated design. Fashion socks are also an integral part of a lively formal outfit, with stripes being particularly popular. If you can match color or pattern across all of your different accessories, then you’re creating a cohesive and dynamic look for a formal social occasion.
