Matching Accessories The RIGHT Way Essential Men's Accessories And How To Use Them
[0:00:00] The word, over-accessorize, it’s a verb
and the definition is to wear too many accessories.
But, what that does mean?
How many is too many and how do you coordinate them if you want to wear them?
In today’s video, gents, I’ve got twenty accessories and I’m going to teach you how
to wear them with style.
[Music] Rule number one.
Is the accessory visible?
Because if it’s not visible, then you don’t have to worry about coordinating it.
So, if you’re going to wear a necklace, you’re going to wear suspenders, you’re
not going to take your jacket off, you’re going to wear a belt with a suit, understand
that, okay, it’s not visible so I really don’t have to worry too much about the coordination.
Rule number two.
Do you need the accessory?
So, when it’s 20 below 0 outside, you don’t have to worry too much about coordinating
your gloves with your hat.
You worry about actually staying warm.
Rule number three.
What’s the norm in your culture in your environment?
So, the accessory rules in Iowa City, Iowa are going to be different than over in Paris,
France.
So, just pay attention to your environment.
Rule number four.
Know your history.
So, you may be asking, Antonio, what’s with the red poppy?
Well, if you know your history if you know what it stands for, you’ll know that I can
wear this with any piece of clothing at any time because it has meaning and history.
Rule number five.
Do the items work with each other?
Now, many of these rules you’ve heard before like match metals to metals.
So, right here I have a metal watch with a silver ring with actually a bracelet that
has a bit of silver and a bit of copper right in it.
And this is going to work.
Another thing that I’m going for here is balance.
So, I’ve got the ring, I’ve got the bracelet and I’ve got the watch over here.
So, you don’t want to go too heavy on one side.
Other rules that you’ve probably heard match leather to leather, maybe go with formal unformal,
keep casual with casual.
Now, watches are a great way to start and when you look at a watch like this, what are
you immediately thinking?
Okay, this is going to be casual because it’s got the three complications in it.
It’s got the light-colored leather.
So, if I’m going to match this with a bag any other wallet, if I really wanted to go
for coordination, I’ll probably go for lighter colored leathers.
By the way, you may be wondering, Antonio, where did you get that beautiful watch, that
watch?
And all of the ones I’m going to show you guys are over at MVMT.
They’re the paid sponsor of today’s video, guys.
I’m linking to them down in the description with a great discount code.
Now, guys, MVMT, an amazing company they’ve got a twenty four-month warranty.
They’ve got free shipping free worldwide returns.
They’ve been around since 2013, shaken up the watch industry.
An amazing company which for two years I’ve actually had this one out of their 40mm series.
It’s called the Silver.
And I love it, it’s timeless.
I’ve worn it many times and it’s still running like a champ.
Now, here I’ve got quite a few other watches that I want to show you guys and teach you
how to coordinate with different outfits.
So, the first one right here, this is their Desert and it’s going to be out of their
Voyager Series.
But, this watches in particular if you were to coordinate with the other accessories in
your wardrobe.
Let’s look at the black.
So, what are the rules on matching black?
Well, if you’re going to wear silver you’re going to wear gold, it can go with any of
the other metals.
Now, let’s look at the strap of this particular watch.
The strap is a canvas strap, very casual, therefore this is not a dress watch.
Understand, it’s going to dress down the outfit a bit.
Next up, at a MVMT Revolver Series we’ve got the Avalon.
Two things I immediately notice about this watch.
First up, the black color.
I can match this with gold, I can match this with silver, but the simplicity of the watch
and overall built of it, it to me screams elegance.
I’m going to think this is going to be a dressier watch.
The black color it’s not necessarily classic compared to the silver right here.
The color the overall the white face, this to me feels a bit dressier, but both of these
watches I could easily wear it with a sports jacket jean combination, casual suit.
This one I think I can wear it with a full suit.
So, this next watch out of MVMT’s Chrono Collection is going to be the Gunmetal in
sandstone.
When I look at this watch, first impressions are this is a casual watch.
So, it’s going to be the light-colored leather right here instantly, then I’m going to
look at the size of the face.
This is 45mm across.
Larger watches are usually going to be more casual.
And I see the blue accents, the three complications on this, more of a casual nature watch.
Could you pull this off with casual sports jacket pair of jeans?
Yeah, but this is definitely not something you would want to wear with a suit.
This next MVMT watch comes out of their Modern Sport Collection.
It’s called the Mariner.
Now, this watch when I look at it, immediately I’m thinking, okay, this is a sports watch,
this is something I’m going to wear it, I can be sweating.
I can wear this with shorts, t-shirts, I’m going down to the beach.
Why?
Because I’m looking at the strap right here, made from rubber.
This immediately signals casual.
So, rubber straps you’re just not going to wear that with anything formal, anything
dressy.
The other thing I’m looking at the bezel, I’m looking at the face, everything here,
you know, rotates, so those small details right there.
Okay.
This is a sports watch, I want to wear in a very casual environment.
Gentlemen, if you like any of those watches I just showed you, go check them out over
at MVMT.
I’m linking to them down in the description with an awesome discount code.
And, again, what I love about this is that you can really accessorize with these watches
because you can change out the straps.
Yes, they make it very easy to change out from rubber straps to metal straps.
At the end of the day, gents, a great watch at a great price.
[0:05:07] So now, that we’ve covered the basics on
how to coordinate your watch with the other accessories in your wardrobe, let’s talk
about those other nineteen accessories.
So, the first eight items are jewelry, the next seven items are going to be functional
accessories, and then the final five are going to be clothing accessories.
So, the eight jewelry accessories: Watches, bracelets, rings, cufflinks, pens, boutonnieres,
necklaces which you cannot see, and tie clips.
Let’s talk about bracelets.
The key with the bracelet is to bring balance.
So, if you’re going to wear a bracelet, you want to make sure that you wear it on
the opposite side of the watch.
Now, you can wear it on both ends, but, again, you’re looking for balance.
Next up, let’s talk about cufflinks.
So, with cufflinks you want to look at, okay, in general cufflinks are going to be more
formal.
So, you’re going to be wearing those with a suit and tie, you’re going to be wearing
them with a shirt that can take cufflinks.
You don’t have to match stones exactly, but I do like to see the metal coordinate.
It can be a mix of silver and gold.
It could be something black, again, going with a non-color and that’s going to work
with pretty much any metal.
Now, when it comes to rings.
So, again, we’re looking for balance here.
Now, this is a wedding ring.
I was married in Ukrainian Eastern Orthodox Church.
I wear it on my right hand.
Most Americans are going to wear it over here on the left hand right here.
Wedding ring, you don’t have to match the metal at all.
The rules do not apply to that because it has history, because it has meaning.
So, understand, again, very similar to the boutonniere, one that has history it has meaning.
Like this one right here is for the remembrance day, so things like this – things like this
they are exempt from the rules.
And speaking of being exempt from the rules because no one is going to see this pen when
I put it away, this right here it doesn’t actually have to coordinate anything.
You see how that works?
Tie clips, I like to actually try to coordinate it with the other metals.
Now, the last thing the necklace.
Necklace isn’t something because most of the time it’s going to be covered.
Because it’s not visible, I think you can bend a lot of rules on it, but if it’s something
people are going to see you’re going to wear it to a casual environment, then in that
case just make sure that, hey, you understand the environment that you’re in.
If it’s something that’s going to raise a lot of eyes, you may want to second guess
it especially if it’s going to be something related to work.
Now, let’s get into functional pieces.
Within this category, I’ve got glasses, I have bags, I have belts and suspenders,
we have cell phone covers, I have wallets, I have pocket knives, and I have lighters.
Let’s get into it.
First up, let’s talk about coordinating your glasses and I’m talking about both
eyeglasses and sunglasses.
Now, maybe a lot of you guys are wearing glasses that don’t draw a lot of attention and this
is understandable.
If you just simply want something to help you read better.
But why not bring a little bit more of a frame to your face, maybe go with something this
right here it’s what?
Tortoise.
This frame right here is going to make you look smarter.
Why?
It’s going to draw more attention to the eyes.
It’s going to better augment them.
Maybe if you’re creative maybe why go for, you know, there’s a guy named Seth Godin.
If you haven’t seen him, he uses bright colored glasses.
Why not if you’re in a creative field, actually have fun with your glasses.
Now, when it comes to sunglasses, what you want to do is right here plastic aviators,
I think are going to look great for about 90-95% of you, a great one to start off with.
But, it you want to have a little bit more fun standout from the crowd, go for a pair
of wayfarers.
Again, use glasses as an accessory black non-color will match anything.
If you wanted to start going with silver, gold, again, I like to kind of coordinate
my metals, but you don’t have to.
Next up, coordinating your bags coordinating your luggage.
Okay.
So, we see the difference here.
This one right here says professional, this one right here says student.
So, there is a message being sent I like to match leathers with leathers or keep them
close and I really pay attention when it comes to the bag, the formality or the casualness
I try to match that up.
Next up, gents, we’ve got belts and suspenders.
The first rule do not wear your suspenders with your belt.
They’re not made to go together.
They are made to keep your trousers up, so choose one or the other.
So, when it comes to suspenders these are going to be more formal, they’re going to
be dressier.
And, in general, you want to try to match leather with leather, metal with metal.
Now, let’s talk about belts.
So, you’re going to see a wide range, these are going to be more casual than suspenders,
but this belt right here is a dress belt.
I do like to match my leather to my leather, my metal to my metal when it comes to a dress
belt.
You got a lot more leeway when it comes to a casual belt of matching leather to leather
or matching the metal to the metal.
Coordinating your wallet.
Gentlemen, because it’s not seen very often, I don’t think you have to coordinate the
leathers or the color instead just simply make sure you’ve got the right wallet for
your particular needs.
Coordinating your cell phone case.
Now, do I think you need to coordinate your cell phone case with the other items that
you got here?
Not exactly except on the formality.
Why?
Well, think about you’re in a business meeting you pull out your phone and it is bright pink.
It can be distracting, it may not send the message you want to send.
That’s all I’m saying here, guys.
Lighters, pocket knives, I know a lot of you guys carry these items.
I don’t think you have to coordinate them because they’re hidden.
[0:09:57] Now, let’s talk about ties, scarves, pocket
squares, hats, and gloves.
Now, that we’re getting in the clothing accessories, understand that colors start
to matter a lot more.
So, when we’re coordinating the necktie with our outfit, what we’re looking for
first off is it formal enough to go with the outfit.
Silk in general is going to be more formal.
A small repeating pattern like we’ve got the dots here, this is actually going to be
pretty formal of a necktie.
Not as formal though is a solid with what I’m wearing here.
Try to keep formal with formal, casual with casual.
Next up, we’re looking at the overall proportions and the size.
You don’t want to wear something that’s overly large, something that’s really thin.
You’re going to match -- look at the lapels on your jacket.
You want them to about match up over here.
Now, this should also coordinate with you as a man, you don’t want to be some really
big guy trying to wear skinny ties, skinny lapels, it’s just not going to look great.
Again, pay attention to the proportion.
Next up, let’s talk about colors.
So, I’m going to recommend that you get a color wheel, but understand that analogous
colors are going to be colors that are close to the same color.
So, right here I’ve got this blue with this green.
Now, they’re not exactly analogous, but they’re not going to be complementary.
Complementary are when things are on the opposite side of the color wheel and that’s why when
you look at something, they just have a stark difference, but they still work together.
And, understand that neckties are great for whenever you want to have a complementary
color because it’s not going to be so jarring as putting two large pieces of clothing together
because instead it’s like a spice, you’re just adding that small accent.
Next up, we’ve got scarves and coordinating them with your outfit.
Now, understand that if you’re wearing a necktie, you can’t throw a scarf right on
top of that especially if you’re going to have an outer jacket.
Now, if you’re not going to have the outer jacket, let’s say you just wanted to accent
this with a scarf maybe a silk scarf, that would be really pushing it as I already have
neckwear that’s bringing the outfit together.
But, when it comes to formality in scarves, this scarf right here is made from silk and
it’s going to be a dressier a nice scarf.
It – why is it going to be dressier?
Because the function is secondary to the style and color it would bring to whatever jacket
I would pair this with.
This scarf right here is going to be more for the function aspect and there are a wide
variety of functional and very colorful scarves.
When you’re coordinating the scarf, pay attention to the function, that’s the number
one thing we want to make sure is working.
Next up, we’ve got pocket squares.
And it’s easy guys if you’re wearing a jacket, it has a breast pocket, stuff a pocket
square in it.
It’s just going to look better.
If you want to get started, you don’t know what to do, take a simple white cotton or
linen handkerchief like this pocket square, fold it neatly, put it right in there, you’ll
get that presidential fold that looks great.
If you want to have a little bit more fun, bring in some color.
And, when it comes to colors I think pocket squares and the patterns that you can bring
in can really be all over the place.
It should complement not exactly match especially your necktie.
So, you see those outfits out there that come with a matching pocket square and matching
necktie?
You can buy those, but just don’t wear them together, make sure they complement they work
with each other.
Again, go back to that color wheel.
Next up, we’ve got hats.
And hats for me are all about function.
This hat right here, all of a sudden I can turn it out and I’ve got ear protection.
This is stylish and it’s going to keep my head warm in cold weather.
If I’m outside and it’s relatively cool and I want to keep the rain off I want to
keep the sun off, this hat is going to work great.
I will look great on the beach.
This hat is functional, going to do a good job there.
I’m at a football game, I can wear this hat right assuming that, you know, Texas is
playing.
The point is, guys, hats are functional and I think they’re a great accessory.
Next up, gents, let’s talk about gloves.
So, first up, gloves are about function.
If it’s cold, have winter gloves.
If you’re going to be going to the gym, you may need weightlifting gloves.
If you want to look great and feel great driving get a better grip, have driving gloves.
Now, when it comes to coordinating leathers, I think it’s a little bit less important.
I like to go with darker colors.
These right here are a navy blue and I can wear them with brown, I can wear them with
black, I think they look great.
But, if you’re going to go for maybe a bright red, bright yellow, and you’re going to
own that look, you’re going to have fun really accessorize, go for it.
All right, gents, now it’s your turn.
Out of those twenty accessories, how many do you think you could pull off at one time?
Me nineteen.
And, let me know in the comments if you think you can guess the one item that I probably
wouldn’t – I won’t be carrying I won’t be wearing on my purse.
And, guys, if you want to check out more the watches over at MVMT, great company great
deals, I’m linking to them down in the description.
Go check them out.
I appreciate you.
I appreciate everything we build here at Real Men Real Style.
I will see you in the next video.
Take care.
[Music] [0:14:50] End of Audio