You might only have one suit, but that’s ok. Either way, you still need some accessories. You’ve got your shoes and belt, but what else? Maybe you’re headed to a wedding. Maybe you’re going somewhere on a date. There’s always a good reason to add zest to whatever is protecting you from the elements. It doesn’t matter what kind of suit you’re wearing, you can always add a little more without it being too much. Unless it’s a top hat. Then it’s too much.
You can always find a picture of a former President Obama wearing a lapel pin. This Time article has an explanation as to why this is the case. Lapel pins are like bumper stickers. They’re a way to wear your patriotism on your shoulder (in Mr. Obama’s case).
They can be minimalist or eyesores or anything in between. They make for good gifts if you’re looking to get something for someone who’s going to wear a suit on graduation day (regardless of what they’re graduating from).
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These are a minimalist type of jewelry. They’re a way for you to bedazzle your getup without going all out. You can get different types of designs. They’re pretty nifty in the varieties from which you can choose. Cufflinks, like rings, range in price from cheap—to a flagrant fart in the direction of the poor.
Cufflinks are also a great way to stow away a secret lockpick, in case you become so dangerously good looking that someone comes up to you and accuses you of stealing someone-better-looking’s face. The police are then called to the event and you comply. While in the back of the police car, it then occurs to you, hey…I have cufflink lockpicks. You then proceed to break free.
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Suspenders hold up your pants. Wearing suspenders with a suit is very stylish. The best comedy bit about suspenders goes to Jon Dore. These are used as a replacement for a belt and have either an X or Y-shaped back to them. These are the most practical item on this list. Holding up one’s pants is a very important thing. These just so happen to do so in a stylish way.
As practical as suspenders may be—they are, nowadays, only used by those wanting to be notoriously good looking. Mission accomplished. They look cool.
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Bill Nye the Science Guy wears one. So should you. They are an interesting route to go if it isn’t a supremely formal event. Wearing a bowtie with a suit is more of a statement nowadays than it used to be. They are a good way to stand out. Depending on your body type, it may make you look like a dapper 007 or dorkalicious.
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These are great for when you’re wearing a tie and moving more than a statue. Normally, the more you move around, the more your tie knot becomes twisted or slightly undone. Tie clips also prevent your tie from going into food or blowing in the midday wind.
It adds a pristine, crisp look to your ensemble that can’t be paralleled by a paper clip. When no one else is wearing a tie clip, you stand alone in your awesomely made choices, victor of the best-looking-among-friends-and-family event.
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Many people don’t know how to tie a tie, these days. If you’re required to go to a formal event and don’t have an older male to teach you how to tie a necktie, go on YouTube and learn. In the meantime, get yourself a quick fix.
Some clip-on ties have zippers. Zippers get stuck and broken. Don’t get a zipper, clip-on necktie. Get a real one.
Pocket squares are traditionally for higher-end occasions or bigwigs. There are many types of folds. They add to the ambiance of a suit in a way that very few other ensemble pieces could.
While almost no pocket square has ever looked like it could cost hundreds of dollars, they do in fact run into the hundreds if you feel like burning your money. Just stuff a 100-dollar bill in your pocket. If you have more, go buy an antique 1,000-dollar bill to stuff in there. If someone upsets you enough, burn it in front of them and blame said person.
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The vest is a genuinely great addition to any ensemble, even if you forgo the slacks and don jeans, you can still get away with a vest: be a walking, talking maverick. Just make sure to wear (at the very least) some derby shoes. It can help you hide your gut, too…if you’re concerned about that type of thing.
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People generally like hats. A bowler hat might be a good way to go. Maybe you’d like to be known for your eccentricity. If that’s the case, don a top hat. A top hat is fetchingly dope.
There’s (almost) never been an occasion that couldn’t have been improved by a few more hats. There are many types of dress hats, too. Not everyone needs to be wearing a fedora, but you should at least know what your options are.
These are mostly worn by those in marching bands, wedding, serving tables, or attending tuxedo events. No one says you can’t wear one when you aren’t going somewhere intensely special. Anytime a suit can be worn, go all out.
In fact, if you were going to create a nice outfit for Halloween that you needed a suit for, go over and pick up a cummerbund. James Bond with blood makeup is great and all, but you need to be wearing that cummerbund to bring it all together.
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