How Should Men Choose Accessories?

For the nobility of Europe in days gone by, accessories were not merely fashion statements. A signet ring engraved with a family crest served not only to indicate one’s lineage but also as a tool for leaving one’s mark on documents. The Legion of Honor, founded by Napoleon and worn by him personally, was a symbol of honor signifying military merit and service to the nation.Items that represent inherited lineage. Items that commemorate honor earned through one’s own efforts. There was always a reason to wear them. So, what about modern men? Is it because it’s trendy? Because their clothes feel incomplete? Or just because it makes them look cool? Let’s take another look at the meaning behind men wearing accessories.

Learning from Stylish Men5 Ways to Approach Accessories

When it comes to accessories, what makes the difference isn’t so much what you wear, but the mindset with which you wear it.Just as aristocrats of the past used jewelry to symbolize their lineage, status, and achievements, modern men have plenty of room to consider their own approach to accessories.

Approach to Accessories 1Choose Not to Adorn Yourself, but to Uphold Your Convictions

In the past, signet rings served as symbols of lineage and status. Medals and badges are engraved with the roles and achievements of the wearer.Accessories were not merely items to embellish one’s appearance; they were tools to convey who a person truly was.Modern men have no need to display their lineage or titles. Even so, the items they wear reflect their personal values. It’s not about price or brand recognition—it’s about whether there’s a reason behind your choice. That reason isn’t meant to be openly explained to others; it’s necessary for you to feel satisfied with your choice.

For example, a promotion, starting one’s own business, changing jobs, or business success. An accessory chosen at a milestone in life becomes a tangible reminder of what one has accomplished. However, the moment one begins to flaunt it to those around them, that accessory risks becoming a tool for seeking others’ approval rather than a symbol of one’s own confidence.Milestone accessories are worn not to explain one’s success to others, but to remind oneself of how far one has come. When doubt arises, looking at the accessory helps one recall the decisions and resolve of that time. As long as it serves this personal purpose, there is no need to make it stand out more than necessary.

How to Approach Accessories 2The More Protagonists You Add, the More the Message Blurs

The movie *Spider-Man 3* was criticized for having a scattered narrative focus, as it crammed the protagonist’s inner conflict, three villains, and multiple relationships into a single film.There are plenty of highlights. Yet, it’s hard to know what to focus on. The same applies to accessories. A watch, ring, bracelet, or necklace that makes a statement—if you let each one take center stage, the look becomes dazzling. However, the moment they all try to assert themselves at once, none of them leave a lasting impression.With accessories, more isn’t necessarily better. Choose one piece that holds personal significance for you, and tone down the rest. That way, it’s easier to convey what matters most to you.

Photo: Reuters/Aflo

King Charles wears a signet ring on the little finger of his left hand, with a slender wedding band stacked against the palm side of that same finger. One ring signifies his lineage and public status, while the other represents the private promise of marriage. Though these two rings carry different meanings, they are both integral to shaping the King’s identity and are neatly arranged on a single finger.

Approach to Accessories 3Match to the Setting and Role, Not Just the Outfit

When choosing accessories, many men consider how they match with their clothes.Matching silver with black clothing or gold with brown tones is certainly an effective way to put together a polished look. However, what you should be mindful of even more than your clothes are the place you’re going and the role you’ll play there. The appropriate way to wear the same piece of jewelry differs between an important business meeting and a day off spent at the beach.In a professional setting, prioritize respect for your counterpart by keeping adornments understated. While traveling, enjoy a bangle that evokes the local culture and craftsmanship. At a formal dinner, a tasteful watch or cufflinks conveys your commitment to honoring the occasion.

However, being mindful of TPO does not mean always being understated. Around 1973, Elvis Presley asked a jeweler to create a large stage ring that would make it immediately clear to anyone watching that it was Elvis.On a stage where he commanded the attention of tens of thousands, his presence as “The King” took precedence over the restraint of everyday life. For him, the oversized ring was not merely a matter of personal taste, but a stage prop designed to make him appear even more larger-than-life as a performer.

Elvis Presley, 1956 Photo: PictureLux/Aflo

Whether in a business negotiation where you’re vying for the upper hand with someone you’ve just met, or when taking the stage in front of a large audience, you need to project a stronger presence than usual. In such moments, a watch with a distinct silhouette or a substantial signet ring conveys a man’s resolve and standing even before he speaks. Know when to step back, and when to step forward with confidence.It’s important to understand that accessories serve as tools that support the role you play in any given situation through your appearance.

How to Approach Accessories 4Incorporating Inherited Accessories into Daily Life and Layering Your Own History

The value of a watch passed down from a father or grandfather cannot be measured solely by its age or market price.You are now wearing something that previous generations wore. That continuity is what gives it meaning. Rather than treating an inherited watch as something special and storing it away, wear it naturally as part of your daily life. Through that act, family memories transform from mere nostalgia into a part of your own life.

5 Ways to Relate to AccessoriesCarrying Memories with You Through a Treasure Found While Traveling

Accessories acquired while traveling hold memories that go beyond the items themselves.The atmosphere of the place where you bought it, the conversations you had there, and the people you traveled with. Every time you wear it, moments you’d almost forgotten come flooding back. Because this piece of jewelry is tied to specific places and experiences for you, nothing else can take its place.

You Create Your Own HistoryThe Meaning of Accessories Is Born After the Purchase

Neither an aristocrat’s signet ring nor a medal bestowed by Napoleon possessed meaning at the moment of their creation.It was only as family lines were passed down and achievements accumulated that meaning came to reside within their forms.

The same is true for modern accessories. The moment you pick one up in a store, it is still nothing more than materials and design. You wear it to business meetings, gather around the dinner table with your family, and set out on journeys.As you wear it time and again, and through the decisions and commitments you make each time, a single ring or watch transforms into a reflection of your own history. That is precisely why how you treat it after purchase is just as important as which piece you choose.

This is no longer an era where lineage or titles guarantee meaning. What you choose, where you wear it, and how much time you spend with it—the meaning embedded in a man’s accessories can only be built up by his own hands.

Photo: Launchmetrics/spotlight/Afro

Editorial Department, Mitsui

I’ve heard that in the world of the mafia, there’s a culture where the higher up you are, the more you have to dress the part. You wear these items to make your status visible. Accessories must also serve that kind of strategic role. You don’t need to explain the reason for this to others one by one. However, I believe whether or not you have the answer within yourself is reflected in the way you carry yourself when you wear them.

Editorial Department, Irie

What I usually wear is a 1970s Céline bracelet I inherited from my grandmother. I’ve been told that my grandmother, who had just given birth to my mother, received it as a gift from her brother and sister, who ran their own business at the time. My grandmother has six grandchildren.Why was it me, when she could have given it to anyone? One day, my mother told me that my grandmother had said this: “That child is the cutest, and I have the highest hopes for her. I want this house to prosper once again, just as it did when my brother and sister were running their business.That’s why I entrusted it to her.” That business has already come to an end following the passing of my grandmother’s siblings. Even so, those hopes remain in this bracelet, now on my wrist. Every time I see it, it reminds me that I want to grow up more while my grandmother is still with us, so I can show her even a little bit of filial devotion.

Editor Izumi

I chose the Hermès Ever Chene d’Ancre as my wedding ring. Then, to mark my 30th birthday, we bought the Chene d’Ancre bracelet as a gift to each other, symbolizing “Here’s to the future together.” Both are pieces of jewelry I intend to cherish for the rest of my life.I’ve been wearing them almost every day for several years now, and I still haven’t grown tired of them. Whenever I catch a glimpse of them in passing, I’m filled with a sense of satisfaction, thinking, “They really are lovely.”

As a strategy. As something passed down. As a promise made to someone. Even within the same editorial department, the reasons for wearing accessories vary this much. How about you? Please share the reason you chose the accessory you’re wearing today in our survey.