The gentleman's guide to rocking the bling

From bracelets to rings and cufflinks, here is a quick guide on how to buy and wear men’s jewellery to amp up your usual look.

It is no secret that jewellery can do wonders to highlight a woman’s features and complement her outfit, but it hasn’t been emphasised enough that the same applies for men.

Trust us, guys, men’s jewellery can turn your boring old look into a stylish appeal or sexy and sophisticated eye candy if paired correctly. Just look at the likes of Liam Hemsworth, Lenny Kravitz, Johhny Depp, or even local entrepreneurs such the Zcova brothers and you’ll see what we mean.

That said, we understand the problem for some men actually starts with buying the jewellery, considering it’s not a commonly discussed topic, so here is a quick guide to buying the right jewellery along with some ideas to achieve a particular look you may be going for.

Rings

Rings are arguably one of the easiest jewellery to work with for men, and probably the most noticeable when you’re all suited up. An important thing to consider though, is which finger to wear your ring on – avoid your left ring finger, unless of course, you’re engaged or married. Feel free to match other jewellery you may be wearing, or stack rings of different shapes, colours and materials together. Honestly, it is hard to go wrong with rings so this may be a good place to start if you’re totally new to the whole idea of men’s jewellery.

For the classic gold touch

Tiffany & Co. Paloma's Grove ring in 18k gold

For the free-spirited man

Gucci Anger Forest Eagle head ring in silver

For the shining dark knight

Harry Winston Single Diamond Zalium wedding band

For the sharp, industrial style

Cartier Juste un Clou ring in 18k yellow gold

For the minimal look

Piaget Possession Ring for Men

For the unconventional accessory

Vivienne Westwood Armour Ring Gunmetal

Bracelets/cuffs

Depending on the look you are going for, the number, material and design of bracelets you should wear varies. Metal bangles or leather bracelets are your safest bet, and a good rule of thumb to follow when in doubt is to keep it simple. If you’re wearing a watch, you could wear a matching bracelet or cuff to emphasise your wrist area; for example, a black leather strapped watch could pair well with a black leather bracelet. Or if you’re planning to wear rings, you could also pair it with bracelets of the same colour and material for a seamless look.

For a casual day out

Mont Blanc Meisterstuck bracelet

For a simple edge

Tom Ford Striped T bracelet

For the rebellious demeanour

Alexander McQueen Skull Multibeaded Bracelet

For a pop of colour

Gucci Garden bracelet in silver

For the daredevil

Gucci leather cuff bracelet

Necklaces

Like bracelets, the material and number of necklaces you wear really depends on whether you’re trying to make a statement with your accessories or simply enhance your overall appearance. In the case of the former, let your jewellery stand out by stacking necklaces of different sizes, designs and materials against a plain top, but be careful not to overdo it – three is a good number to go with. But if you’re simply looking for a necklace to complete your look or highlight your neck and chest area (probably after a productive week at the gym), opt for an elementary necklace with a simple pendant.

For an everyday complement to any outfit

Tiffany & Co. Paloma's Caliper pendant in stainless steel and black titanium

For a standout accessory

Gucci interlocking ring necklace in gold finish metal

For a military tribute

Salvatore Ferragamo Men collection necklace in sterling silver with black ruthenium finish

For stacking with other necklaces (or to stand out on its own)

Santos de Cartier necklace in 18k yellow gold

Cufflinks

Designed to hold French cuffs in place, cufflinks can portray a strong masculine appearance since they are a type of jewellery that is unique to men. They are usually worn for more formal occasions such as extravagant parties and black tie events. For strictly formal functions, it is advisable to keep to precious metal cufflinks with minimal details to avoid appearing too dressy. When it comes to parties or fashion events, however, cufflinks with atypical designs and embellishments can speak volumes about your personality and style.

For the formal occasions

Piaget Altiplano Cufflinks

For added geometry to your outfit

Tiffany & Co. textured cube cufflinks in sterling silver

For a little sparkle to your sleeves

Bulgari 18k pink gold paved diamond cufflinks

For a not-so-subtle attraction up your sleeves

Mont Blanc Serpent cufflinks

For an expression of your quirky style

Vivienne Westwood Orestes Cufflinks

Tie bars

Yes, tie bars a.k.a tie pins or tie clips are in fact considered as a type of men’s jewellery too! A simple tie bar can give you a clean, dapper look and boost your confidence, allowing you to face the day without worrying about whether your tie is in place. Outside of work and formal occasions, adding a quirky, decorated pin to your tie can turn your conventional attire into something a little more fun and vibrant.