The oldest known piece of jewelry dates back 130,000 years. Created from a variety of eagle talons, even as far back as neanderthal man, people were adding items to their outfits for dress purposes. But do you know what the essential accessories for the modern man are?

There are several items you must have in your wardrobe for all occasions. Read on as we give our guide to men's accessories. 

What Are Men's Accessories?

Accessories are an item worn for mainly decorative purposes, as opposed to essential items of clothing. They can be used to improve the aesthetic of a look or style. However, in some instances, like with belts or bags, they may also serve a more functional purpose but still add depth to a look. 

Men's accessories tend to be bulkier and heavier than women's. However, many items are worn by both members of the sexes. 

Essential Men's Accessories

Even the most plain of outfits can look fantastic with the addition of the correct accessory. Below are the items you should have in your wardrobe for all eventualities. 

Bags

Bags can serve several different purposes in your day-to-day life. You may need them for moving formal documents or electronics such as a laptop. In other instances, you may require them for social outings like going on holiday or to the gym. 

Once you have the practical bags, you need like cases and laptop bags, invest in a hard-wearing, casual bag. This can be used for taking clothing to and from the car or on public transport. You may also wish to include smaller bags, such as wash bags to group items together. 

Watches

Watches come in a wide range of styles and mechanisms. The most high profile of these will be an automatic dress watch, which you can use to add a luxe touch to your outfit. After this, make sure you have a range for other situations, including casual and sports models.

Belts

Just like watches, belts come in a range of styles and types. Generally, they can be broken down into leather and fabric belts. 

Always make sure you have at least two quality leather belts in black and brown. This will allow you to match one to any outfit, be it a casual or formal one. After this, you can pick more individual belts that are made from different materials like fabrics. 

Bracelets 

Bracelets are not an essential item. However, they can add a much-needed touch of style and help to build layers.

Like watches, they should be bought for casual and formal purposes. Get a range from relaxed, beaded, and natural items to precious metal, more smart-looking options. 

Ties

Ties are another essential choice, and it helps to build a catalog of them to match different outfits. The black tie is the most essential, the height of formality. You may also want to back it up with a bow tie for any high event dinners and balls. 

The tie does not just have to be reserved for the formal either. You can combine them with casual items like a shirt, jeans, and trainers for a hybrid look. 

Cufflinks

The cufflink is an often overlooked item. They are used to pass through the buttonholes of shirts, holding your cuffs in place. This gives them a much more formal look. 

Cufflinks must match other accessories on your person. For example, if you want to wear tie clips and rings, make sure they fit with them. There is a world of different ones out there, some of which you may want to stock for more informal occasions.

Tips for Accessorizing

When it comes to accessorizing, there are a few simple rules you should follow. Below are our essential tips on accessories for men. 

Stay Simple

You don't need to wear every accessory you have. In fact, in some instances, less is more. Pick a few quality items that showcase the look and stick with them. 

Check Sizes

Men's accessories, particularly jewelry, are seldom small and delicate. Watches, rings, and bracelets often arrive large and chunky. This makes it imperative you get the right sized ones. 

Even just a few sizes bigger and you will find that it takes over the whole outfit. The bigger the item, the fewer accessories you should wear elsewhere. Smaller ones mean you can fit more in other areas. 

Always Wear a Watch

The watch is the quintessential luxury accessory. You only need two or three in your collection, ideally a sport, casual, and dress watch. This allows you to make a statement with any outfit you wear. 

Ensure you only wear high-quality pieces. Cheaper ones will quickly show their poor quality and won't have the impact you desire. Invest in top-quality timepieces and let them carry your outfit. 

Stick To Three Main Colors

When working out accessories and matching them to an outfit, always stick to three main colors. Once you hit four and above, outfits tend to become overly busy. 

For example, if you are combining a white shirt with blue jeans, then make sure existing accessories like jewelry, shoes, and the belt are one color. In some instances, you can go over this, but only if the color is muted and in small splashes. 

Finding Quality Men's Accessories

Now you know the essential men's accessories, start to shop around. Don't skimp on quality, as you will find items that look cheap quickly and don't last as long. Make sure you get the essentials and then add more unique items later. 

Hansen's should be your first stop for high-end men's clothing. From essentials to accessories, we can provide your wardrobe needs. Click here to see all our current outlet gear.