Men in chains?
Remember open neck collars and gold chains? Medallions and pendants à la Steve Martin on-the-make in Saturday Night Live? Isn’t all that OUT?
Men in chains? And all manner of other bling bling?
Not my thing.
According to AskMen, the change in men’s jewelry fashions appeared following World War II, a time when practical accessories (watch and wedding ring) became the norm. I love a man who is individual in his fashion sense, but when it comes to jewelry, I believe less is more. Elegant cuff links for the right occasion? Fine. A handsome watch, or watches? Absolutely. A simple wedding ring, even if it’s substantial in heft or size? No problem.
More than that? No thank you. So what’s with all the man jewels since the 70s??
And by the way, I think I prefer ‘less is more’ on women as well…
Young men and jewelry
I admit, I find all kinds of fashion experimentation much more acceptable in young men. It’s about personal statement, and association with a peer group. My 18-year old son and his friends – male and female – wear assorted cords, ribbons and occasionally beads on the wrist. But anything else? Nope.
My son’s wrist bands were picked up at music festivals. He leaves them on until they’re literally in tatters. I realize they are statements of identity, perhaps status symbols, and mark concerts he has attended both overseas and in the States. They don’t bother me in the least.
Jewelry for men
Ever since Jimmy Smits in the 1980s television series L.A. Law, I’ve been fine with a single pierced ear (or even two, depending upon the man). A small hoop or diamond – pretty hot!
Of course, Jimmy Smits could wear almost anything (or nothing at all), and I would’ve found him sizzling.
But string together precious stones or chains, amulets or beads on cords, a man decked out in necklaces and bracelets? Heavily jeweled rings? Um, not so much. At least, not to me.
The fact is, some men’s jewelry is gorgeous. It’s beautifully designed, uses high quality precious stones and other materials, and I would happily wear the results. But see them on my man? Is it a question of personal style? Of moderation? Of age – his, or mine?
Adorning the male figure
Several years ago, I dated a gentleman who wore a necklace and occasionally a bracelet. Each was silver and fairly simple. He was forty-something, I never said anything, but I would’ve preferred his look without them.
But hey, that’s just me.
Men have adorned themselves throughout history, so what’s the big deal in the pendants and bracelets, cords and spirit beads?
Is it that I’m old enough to recall chain bedecked chests in the 1970s, and I can’t help but think (OMG) of polyester? Of Travolta and Saturday Night Fever?
What’s your take? Pro or no?
Go for it is what I say! When done tastefully.
A pierced ear or both ears pierced with reasonable sized posts is fine. I am drawn to a cashier at a local grocery, though, whose earrings were – hopefully – fake and bigger than my thumb nail. YUCK!
Small chains with pendants that have meaning – a definite yes! Dog tags – like you have pictured and like I wore as a child – maybe. Depends on the male.
Plastic wrist bands – well, I can’t say no but sometimes that bright yellow band under a suit is just not the place to wear it.
I’m not for man jewelry either. I once went on a match date with a guy who showed up wearing a chain resting in his exposed chest hair. I wanted to hurl. Needless to say, it was a very short date.
OMG! I would’ve run screaming for the bathroom! (You were very well mannered to remain through your date.) It’s the chest hair detail that does it, Mindy.
I would love it if my husband wore some leather cuffs or long corded necklaces. Something to rough him up a bit. But alas, hell would have to freeze over before he’d let me adorn him like that!
Depends on the man and the jewelry but for the most part, I’m not crazy about bejeweled men.
NO, I am all man, but the only jewelry I will wear is my wedding band. I think a lot of men wear it because of who they see wearing it. Men are creatures of habit and men are usually followers. We see baseball, football, well any athlete, actor, musician wearing jewelry and we think “Hey I can be like him, look cool and get the ladies.” Thing about it is that to be sincere and genuine just be yourself and plain and the real person stands out more than the jewelry.
I hate wearing jewelry. In high school I wore a silver chain necklace with a dog tag that said I had asthma and allergies. That came in great when the PE teacher told the class to run laps, and I wanted to beg out. Haha. Now I’ve outgrown the asthma, and I enjoy running (I’ve completed 7 marathons!) But no more jewelry for me, thanks.
Wedding band, watch… period. More only means your personality or looks need some … ahemm enhancement 🙂
EWWWWW. Men+Jewelry=wrong. I always think of Leisure Suit Larry from Three’s Company!!
Men in chains? a big fat NO 🙂 But that’s just my taste 🙂
OMG, Jimmy Smits…forgot about him. But oh how he is clear in my mind now. The earring? Non. A gaudy beaded necklace or pendant on a guy? Non, not so much thank you. 🙂
I think I’m with the majority here: no, thank you, to anything other than a wedding ring (if applicable) and a watch.
I own 3 different style of dog tag from designer DAVID YURMAN. His jewelery is TASTEFUL, not over the top, and its all silver. I own a cross necklace, that has a silver BOX CHAIN on it, and it has a black BLACK ONYX inlay. If i wear black, this is the necklace i would wear.
I also own a Pietersite and silver dog tag, that is BLUE, a Tiger eye dog tag that is black/yellow/brown and a Picasso Jasper inlayed dog tag that is black and white with silver. Depending on the outfit i am wearing, i will mix up the style chain i wear. IM SORRY but it makes my outifts look SO MUCH BETTER. I am a 29 year old businessman who works 830am-5pm and wears a collared shirt, dress pants, and occasionally a tie to work. MyDavid Yurman collection has cost me upwards of 2000$, but in my eyes, it was well worth what i have spent. See links below for product details. it is NOT something BAD if a man wears a necklace, a tasteful, matching necklace. If someone wears a blue stone inlay dog tag, with a red shirt, it will look stupid. I guess having a good fashion sense is my problem.. if there was a way to show you exactly what i am talking about i would.. but realize this. It takes a CERTAIN MAN, a certain TYPE OF MAN to be able to pull off David Yurman jewelery to begin with, and also, takes a good fashion sense to even do such a thing. EVERY DAY i get a compliment from someone about the necklace i am wearing. Go check out the “mens” collection on Davidyurman.com. I own the 2nd, 7th and 8th necklaces shown above in the picture, and own a cross with the black onyx that looks just like the 6th item above.
It takes a REAL MAN to wear REAL jewelery, and a REAL MAN could only be able to pull off style like david yurman. I mean Colin Farrel, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney (just to name a few examples) cant be wrong.. They all wear mens david yurman jewelery, and by the looks of it, are doing mighty well in life.
Brian
When I was 13, I asked my Dad if I could get a ring. My Dad was a well educated, extremely well dressed, conservative man, and he told me that jewelry was ONLY for women and men who lived off of women. He told me that a well dressed man should wear a watch and cufflinks (if you are wearing French cuffs.) That is all. My father wore an 18K gold Rolex watch with a black Rolex leather strap with a gold Rolex buckle. He also had a pair of oval shaped conservative 18K gold cufflinks with his monogram. When I graduated from college, my dad gave me the exact same watch. When he passed away, my Mom gave me his Cuff Links. Remembering what he told me so long ago, that is the only jewelry I wear to this day.
Wow, Ron. Anazing how these early influences become ingrained. (I think I agree with your dad.) 🙂
To this day, many elements of my taste can be traced to my mother’s aesthetic.
Yes D.A. I would suggest that we are all a “Product of our environment.” But to be fair, I do want to say that in today’s world, I don’t think there is anything wrong with men wearing “Understated” jewelry. It just doesn’t work for me. My Mom used to always say, “Everything in Moderation.” I expanded on that and use it as my signature line:
Everything in Moderation
Keep it Simple
Less is Best.”
D.A. I just joined your E Mail Subscription. I stumbled on your site by accident this AM. I had no idea what it was but saw the item about Men in chains. After commenting, and your reply; I read about you, your site, read some articles (Excellent), and thought to myself, this is my kind of “Gal.” I’m just a retired businessman, who now spends most of his time on the Golf Course. Golf is my passion, along with a voracious appetite for reading novels, and anything else where I can continue to learn, and I love intelligent conversation! Glad I found you.
RON – Huntington, LI, NY
Ron – What a nice comment. Delighted you stumbled onto this little spot. Please do stop by often and join the conversation (or suggest some). And bring those voracious intellectual appetites along with you. They are most welcome here. Best, D. A.
Hi D.A.
I just came across this post while doing some research for my company- some really interesting comments. While our company is involved in selling men’s jewelry, I myself do not wear any (other than a wrist watch). As is mentioned above, your upbringing can have a huge influence. My dad never wore jewelry and none of my 3 brothers wear jewelry.
Having said that, jewelry really suits some men. It really depends on the person and their sense of style. I’ve come across so many instances where I see someone like Idris Elba or Brad Pitt wearing a really cool necklace that suits them 100%, but there is no way that I’d wear something similar (I wouldn’t be comfortable wearing it).
And I’m not saying that only famous, good looking men can carry it off. It’s like most things- if you’re comfortable with what you’re wearing then it shows (and as a result it suits you). Anyway, good post and I’m going to sign up for the newsletter now (better get back to my day job)
All the best,
Caemin
Nice wrist watch and medium yellow or white gold wedding band is all a man needs. Just dress in nice clothes and shoes with confidence and personality. Good to go!
Agreed! And yet… Here I am nine years later, and while I still prefer my “male company” in the less-is-more style of jewelry, these days I’m much less judgmental of anyone’s personal style. My take? Whatever makes you happy! Ditto on tattoos and piercings though I personally may not care to indulge.
I had forgotten about this post! Man, I’ve been rambling here for a long time…