Make It Your Own: Easy Ways to Accessorise Formal Wear



From job interviews and office situations to weddings, christenings and formal events, the humble suit manages to keep us gentlemen covered for a number of different occasions. If you find you spend much of your time in formal wear, it’s always worth considering investing in a high quality bespoke suit, tailored to your exact measurements and designed to last a lifetime; teamed with the right accessories, made to measure tailoring is the perfect way to stand out from the crowd.

The best way to set off good men’s tailoring is with a beautifully crisp, cotton shirt; from plain bright whites and block colours to patterns and prints, there’s a shirt out there for almost every occasion. If your suit is plain fabric, almost anything will work underneath; think small florals for country weddings or monochrome pinstripes for an office event. Fabrics with a pattern ingrained in them, such as tweed, work well with shirts that pick up on the subtle colours – just don’t be tempted to pair a statement suit with an equally eye-catching shirt, or you’ll be the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons.

A lot of men often find they overlook the smaller accessories such as socks, simply because they’re often almost totally covered by shoes or boots. Eclectic patterns, such as colourful stripes, spots and chevrons can look great emerging from the bottom of a perfectly tailored trouser leg, and provide a pleasant element of surprise. To ensure that they match your look, rather than clash with it, try to pick out a few colours in the rest of your garments; for instance, bring out the colour of a subtle blue thread in a wonderful tweed suit by pairing it with socks in a similar shade.

A handkerchief or pocket square in the breast pocket of a bespoke suit is one of the best ways to add a touch of retro styling, and is a great option for anyone who likes to give a nod to the classically styled days-gone-by. Sumptuous fabrics such as silk, satin and crisp cotton are all great options, and there are literally hundreds of prints to choose from; from plain colours and simple stripes to vintage-style paisley, florals and checks, there’s something wonderful to accompany every suit.