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3 More Fashion Accessories That You Should Try Out

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Last week, I did an article on the various types of men’s fashion accessories, and how you can use them to subtly put the metaphorical cherry on top of your wardrobe. I also warned you against some of the bad advice you see on other men’s websites, including “peacocking” and the idea that an accessory can save an otherwise bad foundation. I also promised that I would do another article on some of the types of accessories that I didn’t mention in my first article.

So without further ado, here are three more men’s accessories that you can really use to stand out from the crowd.

Vests

While some may dispute that a vest (or waistcoat, for my friends across the Atlantic) is an “accessory”, they are simply not an essential to a suit as they once were. And besides, I find them to really be something that makes a suit “pop”.

The vest smoothes out rumples in the shirt and gives you extra pockets, plus you can wear them without the jacket (Except for the sort of vest that has a false back, obviously those need a jacket.) The best part is, you can wear them in a wide variety of colors: you can match the waistcoat with the jacket to get the ultra-refined three piece suit look, or alternate colors to really make yourself noticeable. Just make sure that the vest falls properly and covers the belt (but not beyond that).

Combine the vest with a tie chain or pocket watch if you really want to get that “better than you” look—and I always do.

Here we can see two examples of vest usage—the left a semi-casual attire that one might wear on a date, and the latter more formal. Whether the colors match or contrast, the vest is a good look

While vests can indeed be worn as outerwear, this should be avoided

Pocket Square

One of the quintessential accessories worn with any proper jacket, whether it be a suit jacket, blazer, or an odd sport coat. Placed in the breast pocket (which should be on the left side of the jacket unless you’ve made a terrible mistake in buying your clothes), it can add color and/or panache to your overall ensemble.

Typically, a pocket square should be contrasting, like a white pocket square for a black suit, or complimentary, like a warm colored pocket square for a cool colored jacket—the one rule for pocket square coloration is that you NEVER have the pocket square be the same color as the jacket or the tie. The whole point of pocket squares is that it provides a bit of contrast and attention, and it can’t do that if it’s matching something else. It has to compliment, it is garnish.

Also know that the pocket square is NEVER used as a handkerchief, it is part of your outfit. Keep a handkerchief or tissues in your back pocket if you need one.

Folding pocket squares is itself a way to make or break this accessory. As luck would have it, the methods of folding a pocket square are pretty simple, and will be detailed in the following pictures. Bear in mind I have used a neckerchief in these pictures because it is bigger. The actual pocket square is much smaller.

The straight fold is the most basic, it is done by folding the pocket square lengthwise, then width-wise (leaving a little edge), and then lengthwise again.

The point fold is my favorite, and it is as follows:

Lay the pocket square on a flat surface, and bring one corner to another corner, making a triangle. Then fold the left corner to the right, and the right corner over the left corner fold that you just made. And finally, fold the bottom up towards the point, but not covering the point.

The Puff Fold is done by laying the square flat on the table, and pinching the middle while picking it up, allowing the folds to come together naturally. Hold the middle of the wadded fabric as you gather up the bottom of the square.

Boutonniere

Some may balk at this, but I’d recommend it. Just wearing it shows confidence and you can get them for free in the right season, and it’ll certainly make you stand out. It is properly worn on the left side of the breast, near the heart, and keeping it simple and subtle is the key to pulling it off. Remember contrasting colors, complimentary colors, etc.

You push it through the lapel buttonhole on the left side. The stem is held in place with a loop in the jacket (your jacket may not have this), the calyx should be pushed into the button hole which locks it into place. Since most jackets don’t have the boutonniere loops, try pins.

The flower is typically a carnation, white being the most formal. Various flowers are worn for various events, just avoid green carnations since that has been appropriated as a symbol of the gay community.

A carnation, the standard

An unusual boutonniere using various fruits instead of a flower, but it doesn’t look half bad. Try it if you want to create a sort of “humble yeoman” look

Yes, that is a toiletry boutonniere. No, you shouldn’t wear it. You should also know that a baseball cap + a suit = an embodiment of modern failure.

Remember, accessories are not a game changer, if your clothes are shit the accessory won’t work. But if you are already well dressed, the accessory takes from good-yet-ordinary to extraordinary

Read More: How To Choose Fashion Accessories

69 thoughts on “3 More Fashion Accessories That You Should Try Out”

  1. Black baby!! There is no greater fashion accessory. By telling the world how “progressive” and “tolerant” you are by parading around your new United Nations family unit, Neon haired SJW chicks will love you! 😀

      1. I liked it. It’s sad and more-or-less hopeless. Kind of a blueprint for “enjoying the decline,” I guess.

  2. Best fashion accessory for a man…a Walther tucked under your jacket. Without it you are never completely dressed. Salud!

    1. Don’t forget the stiletto knife tucked neatly underneath your coat sleeve.

      1. “Don’t forget the stiletto knife tucked neatly underneath your coat sleeve.”
        RIGHT! Thanks for reminding me. Cheers!

      2. Or the neatly wrapped up steak knife in the laptop bag, for those of us in no carry zones…but I wouldn’t know anything about that…

        1. “Or the neatly wrapped up steak knife in the laptop bag, for those of us in no carry zones…but I wouldn’t know anything about that…”
          The “real” Golden Rule is ‘Don’t Get Caught’. That’s in any zone, every zone, and you don’t need city council to “zone” it for you. I hope this helps.

        3. You mean, “White privilege is carrying illegally without worry?” I’ve been pulling over for speeding on more than one occasion, told officer there were firearms & ammo in vehicle, & they always ignored that & went on with bullshit speeding ticket. One was with semi-auto on passenger seat.

        1. “Or a James Bond Walther PPK.”
          I prefer the P99. But if the PPK suits you better then so be it.

        2. Actually it would be either a P88 or P5 Compact. Expensive and hard to find. I’m not a polymer frame fanboy even though I own 2 Glocks and looking to buy an XDM.

        3. Dude, this is America. We have Kahr 9mms, Trayvon Martin specials, Rugers, etc in spades. PPK is overrated.

        4. Exactly. Piss off the over-priced UK crap & holster an ugly as piss Glock or Springfield. James Bond was no Clint Eastwood.

    4. I respect the Bond reference, but no self-respecting American man would have that British engineered, shit hog leg tucked in his jacket.

      1. “… no self-respecting American man would have that British engineered, shit hog leg tucked in his jacket.”
        The Walther P99 is German engineered and manufactured. I have plenty of self-respect. And I have owned many guns. The Walther is among the very few I consider to be the best.
        I respect your opinion. And this class is over.

  4. Next time I go to an important event, I’ll wear a vest with nothing under it and a wrinkled blazer with a toiletry boutonniere. If I get a runny nose, I’ll have a couple pocket squares ready in my back pocket.

  5. More of these fashion articles.
    My accessories:
    1. Glock 19 housed in an inside waistband holster at the 6 o’clock position.
    2. Tanto edged flip knife carried in the appendix position.
    3. Riggers belt with a D ring.
    4. Para-cord bracelet with a ferro rod in the clasp.
    Bitches swoon at my EDC. Fuck your pocket squares.

    1. IWB Glock? Are you serious? Maybe an XD, but I’d prefer something with a hammer like a SIG or Beretta. But, you’re in the right mode of thinking.

      1. Yes a glock, they make great conceal carry guns. 15 in the mag loaded with RIPP rounds. The trigger is butter with an easily controlled kick. Accessories for glocks are abundant and reasonably priced.
        Striker fire is best for conceal and everyday carry. I gave up on hammers because of the harder trigger pull making several quick placed rounds harder to manage. The only hammer gun I have left is a .44 mag with a ported barrel.
        At the end of the day, the best gun is the one you practice with often.

        1. I’ve got a 19 and a 23. Decent guns. I like the ease of working on them when compared to say my Colt Commander. I’ve thought of trying the ZEV trigger and/or Ghost connector. Personally, I like the Sig P320 better. The Army was smart choosing that over the G17. But I’ll give Glock props for having cheap-priced, yet high quality magazines. I wish my CZ compact and P229 mags were that cheap. And I give Glock more props for the G20. No one else other than EAA makes a 15-rd 10mm.

        2. Damn hack, need 15 rnds to accomplish something? Carrying that is retarded, why not 7-8 in a single, slim stack? Might as well carry a Browning Hi-Power

        3. 15 rounds is 15 targets with 8 wound channels each using RIP rounds.
          While you’re reloading after your 8 shots I’ll have put down 7 more targets.
          As we know, most ferals hunt in packs.

        4. Their attempts at running with pants wrapped around thighs will give me plenty of time to swap mags.

  6. Two things about vests:
    1. Never wear a belt under a vest as it creates a bulge in the wrong place with the vest buttoned.
    2. Never wear a vest so short (or pants so low rise) that you have shirt showing between them. That is the current trend – unless you do want to look like you are in a gay boy band or a hipster.

      1. No, pants that fit. As in, sit at or above waist, & you are in shape. If you have enough class to own a leather jacket, you learn quick that jeans below the waist are poverty-level shit.

      2. Yes, or the pants that are fitted properly with the adjustment straps. Elasticized pants are as bad wearing a toupe.
        As Dirty Harold mentions below, properly fitted pants are the key as well as being in shape.
        If not wearing a vest, a belt is fine, but still with pants that have a proper rise and not the hipster low rise garbage.

    2. 3. Always clarify (as the article did – credit where it’s due) that you’re talking about waistcoats. Across the pond, what we call a vest is what you would call a wifebeater.

      1. As it was clarified in the article, and my response is in context of the article, I saw little need for repetition.

        1. I was posting more for the benefit of US readers who might be wondering what ‘vest’ means in the UK, as the article didn’t mention this.
          Also, some US readers might be under the impression that although ‘vest’ is ‘waistcoat’ in British English, a Brit will still know what a Yank means when they say ‘vest’ as a Yank might think that we don’t use ‘vest’ to refer to anything else (like the words ‘pantyhose’ [tights], ‘band-aid’ [plaster] and ‘checkers’ [draughts], for example). But the word ‘vest’ is like the word ‘chips’ in that there is much potential for confusion.
          NB: UK Chips = US Fries. US Chips = UK Crisps. If a Yank on holiday in England were to ask a local where he can buy some chips, he would be directed to the nearest fast food outlet.

  7. 1) Hogleg pistol in reach
    2) Knife in pocket
    3) Knife in boot
    4) Knife in other boot
    5) Other pistol concealed
    6) ASP baton on leg
    7) Serious agressive lawyer number in phone.

  8. A small wild game feather or two in the boutonniere can look fresh/debonair if the arrangement is done well. Overdo it and your headed into the ‘mo zone. Beyond the ritual dances of our teenage years, I think the boutonniere is best reserved for weddings.

  12. I’m not sure I agree that your pocket square should never be the same colour as your tie, just that you don’t want to have them match exactly, like part of a set. That’s like wearing a clip on tie. But generally I agree that you want a complimenting colour.

  14. Suits! Gentlemen… SUITS!
    Invest in a good suit! A 150 dollar suit and tie will look better than 200 dollars of anything else! Get your lazy-ass to Mens Wearhouse, and ask for help if you don’t know what you’re doing. “I want a good suit.” They know what they’re doing, and will help you.
    My sister said it best:
    “About 150 years ago, men figured out what looked good on them: Suits and Ties. Not togas. Not blue jeans. Not those rags men in the Middle East wear. Nothing else! Suits and Ties! Other cultures wear some variation of suits and ties! 1,000 years from now men will still be wearing some variation of a suit and tie. Guaranteed. On the other hand, women have spent the last 5,000 years trying to figure out what looks good on them…”

    2. Tell your sister- LONG HAIR-BRAIDED, STOCKINGS, perhaps a choker or anklet, & HEELS

  15. Good advice, but 99% of American men no longer give a shit about classy elegance or dressing to enhance their body types. It’s all about appearing “cool” which is becoming more degenerate with time. Americans are killed by the concept of cool.

    1. It kills me to admit it, but “cool” is becoming a dead end. Coolness needs a reboot.

      1. America invented “cool” in the days of Bogart, Cagney et al — but now it represents total douche bag degenerates.

    2. Imma jus grow an unkept beard & get shit tattoos everywhere…thas hawt right? SMH you can actually buy “beard oil” these days. How about learn to shave like a fucking man, daily, & splash on some bay rum?

  16. I like silk pocket squares a lot. Like walking around with a pair of bunched up panties in your pocket. Classy and subconsciously sleazy all at once.

    1. Nice analogy! I’d been sceptical of pocket squares up to now but, with this image in mind, am sporting one with sleazy pride today.

  18. Have worn vests for decades, I have some real beauts. OTOH, flowers in my lapel?? No fucking way.

  19. Nice one. I have a fancy pocket square but if I don’t have one on hand I fold a napkin in a pinch.
    I will need to look into vests, as all I really wear that is vestlike is a blazer/sportcoat. But even I am finding blazers a bit stale sometimes.
    Thanks for another article to spice up my closet Mr. Halleck.

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