Pearls – the thought of them probably conjures up thoughts of gifts for your wife, mom, or girlfriend. The classic gemstone has been worn by women across the globe for hundreds of years, and they’re most often associated with femininity for this very reason.
Time to buck the trend. Hollywood’s A-list guys are rocking pearls of their own, and they’re swinging for the fences with new, untested looks that quite honestly are getting a lot of approval from fashion icons and mainstream media alike. It’s tricky, and admittedly not every guy can pull it off. But if you can, you’ll be in good company. That much is for certain.
Here’s a quick guide to wearing pearls like a man.
With Watches
Source: Pinterest
Every guy has a go-to watch (and preferably two: one for more formal occasions and one for casual events). There’s no question that the right watch on its own can be a statement piece in and of itself. An amazing Patek Philippe or vintage Rolex typically needs know accompaniments. That said, there’s a time and a place where a few accessories can go a long way. Try pairing your casual watch with a few Tahitian black pearls strung on a piece of leather, twine, or rope. It’s a killer look for a ball game, catching a concert, grabbing a few drinks with friends, or for more casual work events. Best of all, you don’t have to spend a fortune. There are plenty of sites where you can grab some of your own on the cheap.
Remember: Don’t overdo it. Less is often more with a look like this, particularly if you’re pairing your pearls with a watch that’s a bit on the blingy side.
Cufflinks
Out with the silk knots, in with the pearls. If you’re a French cuff kind of guy, have your jeweler make you a pair of cufflinks using black pearls. You can also go with various shades of blue and green depending on your wardrobe preferences. Point is, most cufflinks are there to make a statement – otherwise you’d just have buttons. Don’t be afraid to mix it up a little. Hollywood’s leading men (here’s a nod to Bradley Cooper and Brad Pitt) don’t shy away from making a statement with their cufflinks.
Bracelets
Again, a little goes a long way; nobody’s recommending multiple strands of white Akoya pearls (but if you can pull that off, hey, more power to you – we’re not here to judge). Try a leather cuff bracelet matched with some black or green pearls strung on twine. Or if you’d simply prefer to stick to leather 100 percent, find one studded with a couple of black or blue pearls for a completely unique look. Finding one won’t be easy, and if you can’t get your hands on one your local jeweler can probably help you out…or at the very least point you in the right direction.
Whatever you do, do some research before jumping in. There are many different types of pearls, and not all are suited to be worn like this. Check out some online resources before plunking down a credit card.
Tie Bar
Yeah, we know what you’re thinking: No way you are studding your tie bar with pearls. Understandable, and to be clear that is absolutely not what we’re recommending. That said, mother of pearl looks 100 percent badass on a tie bar. Check this one out from Brooks Brothers and you’ll see what we mean.
