The 14 best accessories for men to buy in 2024
Accessories for men are a critical component of their style.
They can accentuate a man beyond his wildest dreams and help him become a truly unique character.
Think of Daniel Craig, Ryan Gosling, or even Israel Adesanya.
They always have a subtle or gleaming accessory that gives them a distinct image. It might be a pearl necklace, sunglasses, or a huge fluffy jacket.
Either way, they do a great job of standing out from the crowd and presenting an image to remember.
Besides, a cool accessory can catch the eye of a beautiful woman and become a great talking point.
Who wouldn’t want that?
Keep reading to find out which accessories are the best for men. I’ll also cover some frequently asked questions about choosing and pairing these accessories.
1. Sunglasses
Sunglasses are always the first on any list I write. They’re the easiest way to give a man a distinct style. Think of James Bond and Tom Ford. They’re always wearing a pair of classy sunglasses that enhances their character. Of course, they also keep your eyes safe! So I highly suggest a pair or two. I switch between Tom Ford FT0751 and the Bailey Nelson Palmer.
You don’t need to spend a truckload of cash to rock a nice pair, they just need to suit your face and style. If you’re not sure which pair of sunglasses are best for you, find a movie star who looks somewhat similar and copy their style.
2. Baseball Cap
I wear baseball caps every other day. I think every guy should rock one, not just the balding guy who’s running out of options. If you don’t want to style your hair you can simply throw one on and call it a day. Not only does it keep you safe from the sun's rays but it enhances a casual outfit.
It’s one of my favorite men’s accessories besides sunglasses. I have a collection of 20+ hats although my go is a Black 9TWENTY Pittsburgh Pirates Cap.
See New Era NBA Classic 39Thirty Stretch Fit Cap on Amazon.
3. Bracelet
I was never a fan of bracelets until I started wearing a silver love bracelet. I couldn’t believe how many women noticed and commented on it. I found it interesting since I always wore a watch but only received comments on the bracelet.
You can choose between a metal, leather, rope, or beaded bracelet. Some might even have small pendants on them. What you choose will depend on your style archetype. Here’s a quick rule of thumb for choosing a bracelet:
- Rugged style: Leather bracelets and beaded bracelets
- Refined style: Metal bracelets and rope bracelets
- Rakish style: Any bracelet that matches your outfit
4. Watch
Watches say a lot about a man. They’re practical and stylish. My preference is a diving watch but you can choose any automatic watch that fits your budget and style. Automatic watches are usually more durable, they suit most outfits and can stay with you for a lifetime if you pick the right one. I’ve recently been wearing a Tag Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 5 and it’s been good.
5. Chain
Jewelry can be a very personal accessory. A necklace can symbolize something important like your faith or loved ones or it can simply reflect your style. However, gold and silver chains are back in fashion. Well, the truth is they never really left. They’re timeless and one of the most popular accessories for men. If you’re more on the reserved side when it comes to accessories a silver or gold chain is a great place to start.
See the MiaBella Gold & Silver Chains Made in Italy on Amazon
6. Phone case
There are two statements you can make with this. You can either avoid a phone case and look more “carefree”. This is weird but it's becoming a statement, it tells the world you don’t care if your phone breaks because you have the money to fix it. The other option is to buy a high-quality phone case that matches your style. There are thousands of highly rated cases to choose from these days so it shouldn’t be hard to find something cool. Castefiy has the largest range of cases and customization options.
7. Earrings
Earrings aren’t for everyone, which is exactly why they’re a sign of confidence and rebellion. They show the world you don’t care what anyone thinks when it comes to your style. It’s becoming more common to see guys with a pierced ear or two. You can wear a stud, diamond, or even a cross if that's your thing.
Get 18 pairs of stainless steel studs from Amazon.
8. Slim wallet
You might be thinking “why a slim wallet?”. I’ll tell you right now, thick wallets are not attractive. And if you’re like most men who decide to sit on them every day, then you’ll hurt your back. Do yourself a favor and buy a nice slim leather wallet. It’s a good opportunity to also clean out your wallet and only keep the necessities. When you place your phone and wallet on the table at dinner people will take notice. Just like a clean pair of shoes, a nice wallet will signal value.
Get the Buffway Slim Minimalist RFID Blocking Leather Wallet from Amazon.
9. Side bag
Side bags (or cross-body bags) are underrated. I personally used to hate these until I started rocking one out of necessity. They’re versatile, comfortable, and stylish. You can wear them when you’re out and about or use them as an everyday bag for personal items.
Both casual and luxury side bags are coming back into fashion and you’ll likely see a guy wearing one every time you go out. My favorite is the Bellroy Sling Mini, I keep my keys, glasses, AirPods, wallet, and lighter in here.
10. Rings
This list wouldn’t be complete without rings for men. Rings have historically been symbolic pieces of jewelry. They can signify marriage, religion, NBA championships, wealth, or personality.
You’ll often see the stylish rings on rugged and rakish archetypes. But there are many types to choose from. You could wear an animal ring, Viking ring, religious style ring, wedding ring, plain gold/silver ring, or even an Aurora ring.
11. Pocket square
A pocket square is a piece of cloth you tuck into the breast pocket of your suit jacket or sports coat. It can be folded or scrunched but the idea is that it complements your tie or shirt. Suits can be very plain and simple, a pocket square is the easiest way to take it to the next level.
Get the 47-piece pocket square set on Amazon.
12. Duffle bag
Duffle bags are both practical and stylish. You can fit your food, gym gear, and anything else you’ll need during work or travel. If you go on a cheeky trip to another state or country you can also use it as carry-on luggage. The only duffle bag I use is a black one from LuluLemon that I purchased in London. It was expensive but it’s still with me three years later.
Get the Command the Day Large Duffle Bag.
13. Tattoo
This one is a bit controversial but it gives a man an easy point of definition. It’s a more permanent accessory but similar to an earring it shows the world you’re rebellious. Connor McGregor has the notorious gorilla on his chest and Tate has the Cobra wrapped sound his arm. Both of these guys are very clearly rebellious and easily remembered by their tattoos.
[ Related article: Things every man should own ]
14. Cologne
This should be a staple in your wardrobe. You will become instantly more attractive if you smell nice. There’s no need to drown yourself in cologne but you should make sure you’re wearing your signature scent when you’re going into a social setting. Try to find an “au de parfum” since it contains more concentrated perfume oil than the “eau de toilette”. This means it will last longer and be more potent.
People will remember the way you smell so it’s important to leave a lasting impression. In some cases, this is the best way for someone to remember you - by your signature scent. If you’re looking for some inspiration Giogio Armani Aqua Di Gio is one of my favorites.
Get Giogio Armani Aqua Di Gio on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What accessories look best on guys?
This is tricky to answer without knowing your style. However, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t overdo it. One or two accessories are fine but if you’re wearing a hat, sunglasses, earrings, bracelets, rings, side bags, and more you’ll look like a clown. The key is to keep it tasteful.
How important are accessories for guys?
Men’s fashion accessories are just as important as the outfit itself.
They can complement each other very nicely. I would say they are absolutely essential.
How do you match an accessory to your style?
This is a great question and the most important thing to get right. Here are two of the most important rules to follow:
1. Your jewelry should match colors. This means a gold watch + a gold chain + gold ring OR a silver watch + silver chain + silver ring.
2. Your leather items need to be congruent. Brown belt with brown shoes and a black belt with black shoes.
What counts as an accessory for men?
An accessory is simply an item used to emphasize or complement your outfit. It's not your regular clothing but it can be a special pair of shoes or a jacket for instance. The idea is that it complements your outfit or persona.