Men’s fashion is more complicated than ever before. The ever-changing and increasingly experimental trends have made it difficult to know what basic items you should own. That’s why we put together a list of accessories that every man should own regardless of their age, job or fashion. The list includes items you may not need to use every day, but you’ll be thankful you have them when you need them
A Wrist Watch
A wristwatch is possibly the best accessory any man can own. It serves a clear function and gives a cool and elegant look to any style. Try to choose a classic design with a leather or metal strap rather than a digital watch.
When it comes to smartwatches, if you’re into that kind of thing, they can be great for everyday use but switch it out for an analogue watch for a smarter look for a celebration or event. A wide range of straps are also available, so change the original strap for something a little more fashionable.
No everyone can run out and buy a Rolex but there are plenty of trusted brands who create quality watches for a reasonable price. You may not be a “watch guy” but even if you only wear one on a special occasion, they’re still an excellent thing to own.
A Decent Leather Wallet
It’s fair to say, by the age of 21, you should have ditched your velcro wallet. They’re tacky and generally ineffective. Pick up a functional, leather wallet that’s built to last. Keep it classic in black or brown leather with any other colors on the inside.
Keep the contents to a minimum. Don’t carry around receipts or loyalty cards with a single stamp on them for a place you’ll never go back to. Just carry the bare essentials – credit cards, ID and emergency cash.
A Nice Pair of Cufflinks
Every suit needs a well-fitting dress shirt to finish it off. And every dress shirt needs a a nice pair of cufflinks to finish it off. So whenever you’re wearing a suit, if you want to look your best, you’re going to be wearing cufflinks.
Cufflinks come in all kinds of shapes, sizes and designs. Opt for a classic and stylish pair that can be used every time you wear a suit. Stick to a plain design that won’t date for a pair that you’ll be able to wear for years.
A Signature Scent
Although this may not be a traditional accessory, every man needs to have a couple of good colognes for both everyday use and special occasions. Avoid buying cheap aftershaves from inappropriate shops and stick to department stores and well-known brands.
As we’ve noted before, every scent will smell different on different people. Test out an aftershave before buying it.
You should avoid drowning yourself with the stuff. Even the nicest cologne will become unpleasant if it’s too overpowering. Keep it to a couple of sprays on the neck for the best results. This will help make the aftershave last for at least a year or so and keep your cost down.
Good Sunglasses
Whether you wear them every day or just when you’re on holiday, every man should have a good pair of sunglasses. They help protect your eyes from the bright light of the sun whilst looking great. Sunglasses also stop you squinting, a contributing factor to eye wrinkles.
Try to choose a pair of sunglasses that suit your face, don’t just pick up the first cheap pair you find. You may think the guys from Top Gun look cool in their aviators but if they don’t suit you, don’t wear them.
Hair, Beard and Skin Product
Every man should establish a skincare and grooming routine that’s suitable for them. Work in a face wash, an anti-ageing moisturizer no matter what age you are as well as hair and beard products to style yourself.
Each of these products come in hundreds if not thousands of different lines (though we are always happy to shamelessly plug our house brand Rascal) so find a product that works well for you. When it comes to your hair and beard, ask your stylist or barber for their advice. They’re fully trained and deal with different styles and hair types every day. Use their experience as they’ll be happy to help.
Tie Collection
Wearing a tie with a suit may not be quite as common as it once was, however, it’s an easy way to add a touch of class to your outfit. You should own a few classic neckties in different colors to match your suits but black is a definite must. It’s worth also owning at least one bowtie and one wool tie to make sure you’re ready for any occasion.
In addition to your ties, you should also have a tie clip or bar to keep them in place. They’re an additional eye-catching accessory opportunity for a better look.
A Good Pen
It may be a digital world we now live in but you never know when a pen will be come in handy.
Find a reliable pen with black ink that you can easily keep on your person at all times. You may not need it very often but you’ll be thankful you have it when you need it.
Is there an accessory you love that you would add to this list? Share in the comments below to get 20% off any accessory purchase at your next visit to one of our clubs.
A Pen is a good suggestion, but probnably not a fountain pen. Fountain pens are more delicate compared to gel or ball-point pens.
While the writing experience is superior, and the end product is more unique and expressive, fountain pens are not a sick-it-in-your-shir-pocket-and-forget-it device. They require regular use and mantenance.
If you only use the pen occasionally, a fountain pen can dry out, leaving you with a non-functioning pen on the rare occasion when you do need it. Fountain pens can also be more finicky regarding the paper used. I often have issues sriting on thermal receipt paper, for instance.
Carry a nice gel or ball-point pen instead. I recommend the Retro 51 Tornado line for its retro looks and wide variety of styles. For those preferring a slimer, sleeker design, there’s their Hexomatic line.
Both the Tornado and Hexomatic lines also feature 0.7mm matching pencils.
And Retro 51 is based right here in Richardson Texas.
Hey Robert,
Thank you so much for your comment! We have added 20% off any accessory purchase on to your account. See you soon!