Men’s accessories: the details that make all the difference
A beautiful shirt, a well-cut suit, or a quality coat forms the foundation of a man’s wardrobe. But accessories often give an outfit its character. A silk tie, leather belt, cufflinks, or carefully chosen scarf can transform a look without changing its essentials.
At The Nines, we pay special attention to the details that make all the difference. As specialists in men’s clothing, we see refined men’s accessories as essential pieces in their own right: they should be attractive, functional, and easy to pair. Here are our tips for choosing them and building a wardrobe that feels like you.
What are the 5 must-have accessories in a man’s wardrobe?
Tie, belt, gloves, cufflinks, and scarf: each of these accessories serves a specific purpose. Some bring structure to an outfit, while others add a personal touch or help you dress for the changing seasons. Our advice: choose versatile pieces you’ll enjoy wearing regularly.
1. The tie: setting the tone for an outfit
A men’s tie remains one of the most expressive accessories in a dress wardrobe. It adds color, contrast, and texture to a shirt or suit. Silk is particularly suited to business meetings and ceremonies, while wool or knit ties create a more relaxed look.
Our tip: to start a tie collection, we recommend three reliable choices: navy blue, burgundy, and subtle patterns. They pair easily with white and light blue shirts, as well as gray or navy suits.
We like to point out that a tie should fit naturally into the overall look. Its width should be proportionate to the jacket lapels, while its material should match the outfit’s level of formality.
2. The leather belt: an understated essential
A men’s leather belt serves a practical purpose, but it also contributes to the visual balance of an outfit. Smooth leather and an understated buckle pair naturally with a suit. By contrast, textured or braided leather adds more texture to chinos or jeans.
Our tip: with a suit, choose a slim belt in a color close to that of your shoes. A black belt with black shoes, or a brown belt with brown shoes, is a reliable combination.
We generally recommend starting with two versatile styles, one black and one dark brown. They meet many everyday needs without requiring a large collection of accessories.
3. Gloves: a legacy of men’s clothing
Once associated with social conventions and formal attire, men’s gloves remain a staple of the winter wardrobe. They protect hands from the cold while adding a polished finish to a coat or professional outfit.
Leather gloves are valued for their flexibility and classic look. Depending on the style, a wool or cashmere lining can provide extra warmth and comfort.
Our tip: pair a wool coat with black, brown, or cognac gloves. At The Nines, we recommend paying particular attention to fit: gloves should contour to your hands without squeezing your fingers or restricting movement.
4. Cufflinks: a shirt’s signature detail
Men’s cufflinks are among the most iconic accessories in formalwear. They fasten the French cuffs of a shirt while adding a personal touch.
Simple silver-tone designs are particularly versatile. Gold-tone finishes, geometric shapes, and colorful details offer more ways to express your style.
Our tip: for a wedding or ceremony, pair understated cufflinks with a white shirt and a well-cut suit. We favor balanced combinations: one distinctive detail is often enough to give the whole outfit character.
Cufflinks also make a great gift for a man who appreciates dress shirts and accessories he can keep for years.
5. The scarf: combining comfort and style
A men’s scarf is essential in the colder seasons. It protects your neck while letting you play with textures, volume, and colors to add depth to your look.
Merino wool is valued for its temperature-regulating properties, while cashmere stands out for its softness and light weight. A lightweight scarf pairs easily with a dress coat, while a chunkier knit suits a casual outfit.
Our tip: start with a gray, camel, or navy scarf. These colors pair easily with classic coats. With a dark coat, we particularly like slightly contrasting shades that add depth without overwhelming the outfit.
Which accessory should you choose for the occasion?
To help you choose, here’s an overview of five essential accessories, the materials to look for, and the occasions they’re best suited to.
| Accessory | Recommended materials | Occasions |
|---|---|---|
| Tie | Silk, wool, knit | Office, wedding, ceremony |
| Belt | Smooth or textured leather | Suit, chinos, everyday wear |
| Gloves | Leather, wool, cashmere | Coat, winter outfit |
| Cufflinks | Silver- or gold-tone metal | Wedding, ceremony, formal attire |
| Scarf | Merino wool, cashmere | Fall, winter, city wear |
How do you pair men’s accessories well?
An accessory should never be chosen entirely independently of the rest of an outfit. At The Nines, we recommend aiming for harmony among colors, materials, and proportions rather than piling on details.
Three combinations to try for different occasions
- For the office: a navy suit, white shirt, burgundy tie, and brown leather belt paired with shoes in the same color family.
- For a wedding: a gray or navy suit, a silk tie, and understated cufflinks with a French-cuff shirt.
- For winter: a wool coat, leather gloves, and a scarf in a complementary shade.
Our approach is to see accessories as a natural extension of a man’s wardrobe. A tie should work with the shirt, a belt with the shoes, and a scarf with the coat. Paying attention to these pairings is what creates a cohesive look.
Refined men’s accessories - The Nines
At The Nines, we believe accessories are more than finishing touches: they help define an outfit’s personality. That’s why we pay close attention to the details of men’s clothing, from ties and cufflinks to belts and seasonal accessories.
Our specialty is men’s dress clothing and accessories. We help men complete a professional outfit, prepare for a wedding, find a piece for a ceremony, or simply add more character to their everyday wardrobe.
Our expertise includes the art of pairing pieces. Choosing a tie isn’t just about picking a color: you also need to consider the shirt, suit, and occasion. Likewise, a belt should coordinate with your shoes, and cufflinks should complement your outfit without overwhelming it.
How can you recognize a quality men’s accessory?
A fine accessory stands out for the quality of its materials, the care taken with its finishing details, and its ability to complement different outfits. At The Nines, we recommend looking beyond appearances: an accessory should also be comfortable to wear and suited to its purpose.
Before making your choice, we recommend checking four things:
- Materials: silk for a dress tie, leather for a belt, and wool or cashmere for a scarf.
- Finishing details: even stitching, clean edges, and properly assembled metal components.
- Comfort: a belt in the right size, well-fitting gloves, and a scarf that feels good against your skin.
- Versatility: shapes and colors that are easy to pair with the clothes already in your wardrobe.
We favor a simple approach: a few well-chosen accessories you wear often are better than a collection of pieces that are hard to pair with anything.
FAQ: everything you need to know about refined men’s accessories
Where can you buy refined men’s accessories?
At The Nines, we specialize in men’s clothing and accessories. We help men choose pieces suited to professional attire, ceremonies, and everyday wear. Explore our collection online or visit our stores in Paris.
What accessories are essential for men?
The five essential accessories are a tie, leather belt, gloves, cufflinks, and scarf. At The Nines, we recommend starting with versatile pieces in easy-to-pair colors before adding more distinctive designs.
What accessories should you wear with a suit?
With a suit, we recommend a silk tie, a leather belt that matches your shoes, and cufflinks if your shirt has French cuffs. These accessories let you personalize your outfit while keeping the overall look cohesive.
Do all your accessories need to match?
No. An outfit doesn’t need to be perfectly coordinated to look harmonious. At The Nines, we suggest repeating a few colors and subtly varying the textures instead. For example, a burgundy tie can complement a navy suit without every other accessory being burgundy. Likewise, a camel scarf can create an interesting contrast with a dark gray coat.
How do you choose quality men’s accessories?
We recommend considering the materials, finishing details, and intended use. Silk is particularly well suited to dress ties, leather to belts and gloves, and wool or cashmere to scarves. Timeless colors also make these accessories easier to wear season after season.
What accessories should you give a man who likes to dress well?
A silk tie, cufflinks, or a scarf all make great gifts. At The Nines, we recommend choosing an accessory based on the recipient’s dressing habits: a tie for someone who loves suits, cufflinks for special occasions, or a scarf for everyday winter wear.