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Readtime: 20 min
The Lowdown:
Master the art of the subtle detail with this definitive blueprint to choosing, matching, and wearing the best men's accessories.
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In an era of quiet luxury and post-trend dressing, the clothes are the canvas, and men’s accessories are the signature. The problem is, most men either throw on a watch and sunnies and call it a day, or skip accessorising altogether for fear of overdoing it. Neither approach is doing you any favours.
The good news is there’s a spectrum here, and it helps to know where you’re aiming. Think of it as the Johnny Depp vs Steve McQueen scale. Depp layers on rings, scarves and hats until the outfit disappears. McQueen kept it simple with a watch and a pair of shades and let his confidence do the rest. One feels cluttered, one feels curated.
That’s where this guide to men’s accessories comes in. We don’t chase trends at Man of Many. We’re all about timeless fashion. This men’s style guide for 2026 highlights the best men’s accessories in Australia right now, how to wear men’s jewellery without overthinking it, and why a few well-chosen pieces will always beat a drawer full of forgettable ones.
The Essential Men’s Accessories List
Men’s accessories fall into a few categories. Some are functional, some are decorative and the best ones are usually both. If you are building from scratch, start with the pieces you will wear most often: a good watch, a leather belt, sunglasses, quality socks, a wallet or cardholder and one piece of jewellery.
| Accessory | Best For |
| Watch | Everyday wear, work, weddings and date nights. |
| Belt | Casual, smart casual and tailoring. |
| Wallet or cardholder | Men who still have receipts from 2018 in their back pocket. |
| Bag | Work, travel, gym days and weekends away. |
| Sunglasses | Summer, travel, driving and outdoor events. |
| Jewellery | Chains, rings, bracelets and signets. |
| Tie or pocket square | Weddings, formal dinners and smarter offices. |
| Cufflinks or tie bar | Black tie, weddings and business dressing. |
| Hat or cap | Weekends, travel, bad hair days and summer dressing. |
| Socks | Everyday wear, suits, boots and loafers. |
| Scarf | Winter, travel and smart casual dressing. |
The Head-to-Toe Guide to Accessorising
Below is a breakdown of the men’s accessories worth having on your radar. Some are everyday essentials, some are occasion-specific and some are there for when you want to push the outfit a little further. You don’t need all of them. In fact, please don’t wear all of them at once. The point is to understand the role each one plays, then choose the right pieces for your wardrobe.
Head & Face
Head and face accessories are often the first things people notice, so they need to feel like you put some thought behind them. Sunglasses, hats and caps are practical, but they also change the shape and mood of an outfit faster than almost anything else. If you’re new to accessories, this is one of the easiest places to start.
A good pair of sunglasses should suit your face shape, work with most of your wardrobe and feel sturdy enough to survive more than one summer. Hats are trickier, but the rule is simple: choose the version that fits your life. A felt hat can look great outdoors or on holiday, while a clean cap is usually the easier everyday option.
Our hat pick: The Akubra traveller hat
The Akubra hat is about as Australian as it gets. But unless you’re auditioning for Farmer Wants a Wife, it can feel a little out of place in the city. Enter, the Traveller Hat.
Made from 100% rabbit fur felt, it’s designed to be packed down flat and bounce back into shape without fuss. Structured enough to hold its shape, relaxed enough not to feel like fancy dress.
Tasmanian-born Queen Mary of Denmark recently wore one on a trip to Uluru, so if anyone questions the look, you’ve got a pretty strong reference point.
- Price: $320 AUD.
- Why it works: UPF50+ sun protection, durable felt construction and available in 11 colours.
- Best for: Guys (or gals) who want a hat that works just as well in the city as it does outdoors, without leaning too far into outback cosplay.
Our sunglasses pick: Jacques Marie Mage Dealan
If you’re a low maintenance man, finding the perfect pair of men’s sunglasses is one of the easiest ways to level up your style. Minimal effort, immediate impact. Jacques Marie Mage’s The Dealan is bold without being loud, featuring thick, sculptural frames that hold their own but don’t overwhelm everything else you’re wearing.
There’s a reason you’ll see them on the likes of Jeff Goldblum and Brad Pitt (who famously wore them in the film Babylon). They don’t feel trend-driven, they feel like a considered choice.
- Price: $960 USD (approximately $1,500 AUD).
- Why it works: Small-batch production, handcrafted in Japan, and released in limited runs that rarely come back, so you’ll feel like part of the exclusive JMM club.
- Best for: Anyone ready to move on from throwaway sunglasses and invest in one pair that carries everything else you’re wearing.
Wallets, Cardholders & Bags
A wallet, cardholder or bag may not feel as exciting as a watch or a pair of sunglasses, but these are the accessories men use every day. A bulky wallet can ruin the line of good trousers, while a tired backpack can drag down an otherwise cool outfit.
If you carry only a few cards, a slim leather cardholder is the cleanest option. If you travel often, a wallet with space for receipts, cash and documents makes more sense. For bags, match the formality to your lifestyle. A leather tote or briefcase works well for the office, a canvas tote is ideal for weekends, and a weekender bag is the difference between “travelling well” and “taking a gym duffel to a hotel.”
- What to look for: full-grain leather, durable canvas, strong zips, clean stitching and structure.
- What to avoid: oversized wallets, collapsing work bags and anything with too many logos.
Neck & Torso
Neck and torso accessories are where men usually get nervous. Fair. The safest approach is to start with one piece and let it settle into your wardrobe before adding more. For casual dressing, a fine chain or simple pendant can make a plain T-shirt feel finished. For tailoring, a tie, pocket square or lapel pin adds texture and occasion. The key is restraint. If the shirt, jacket and accessory are all screaming for attention, no one wins.
Our pick for neckwear: M.J. Bale Pure Silk Pocket Squares & Knitted Silk Ties
Adding a pocket square or tie to your fit is the easiest low-effort win in menswear. M.J. Bale’s silk pocket squares and knitted silk ties do what the best accessories should: make the stuff you already own look better.
If you’ve recently built a capsule wardrobe, these are what turn a navy blazer from safe to sharp. And if your pocket square technique is still the “scrunch it up and hope for the best” method, our guide on how to fold a pocket square will sort you out.
- Price: Pocket squares from $49 AUD, knitted silk ties from $89 AUD.
- Why it works: Knitted silk has a texture and drape that feels relaxed rather than boardroom, which is exactly where modern tailoring has landed.
- Best for: Weddings, formal dinners and any event where a suit or blazer needs that final touch.
Our pick for necklaces: Tom Wood Curb Chain Slim in Sterling Silver
Every man needs a “set and forget” necklace. One you put on in the morning, don’t think about all day and somehow still get compliments on at dinner. Norwegian brand Tom Wood’s Curb Chain Slim in sterling silver is exactly that. It’s clean, weighty but not so heavy that you feel like a bouncer, and looks good with just about anything.
Wearing a chain for the first time can feel like a stretch, like maybe it’s not for you. Trust us, it is. You’ll forget you’re wearing it until you hear: “mate, where’d you get that?”
- Price: From $239 USD.
- Why it works: The flat, interlocking links sit flush against skin so it never snags or twists, and every piece is made from 100% recycled sterling silver, so it’s a sustainable buy too.
- Best for: Every day wear. Under a T-shirt, against an open collar, or layered with other chains.
Men’s Accessories for Wrists & Hands
The wrist is prime accessory real estate. Watches, bracelets and rings are small pieces, but they carry a lot of style weight because they are always in motion. If you talk with your hands, and most of us do, people will notice what’s on them.
A watch is still the easiest entry point. Choose one that fits your lifestyle before worrying about status. A dive watch, dress watch, field watch or smartwatch can all work if the proportions, strap and setting make sense. From there, add jewellery slowly. One ring or bracelet is usually enough.
Our bracelet pick: Paspaley Kimberley Dusk Pearl Bracelet
Harry Styles made them cool, Pharrell’s been wearing them for years, but you don’t need to be famous to pull off pearls. Personal stylist Kerrie Carucci sees this kind of confidence becoming the norm. “Men have become far more confident in using accessories as a form of self-expression, not just a finishing touch, but a focal point of their outfit.”
If you’re ready to experiment, Paspaley’s Kimberley Dusk collection is a gentle ease into pearls without feeling too out there. Worn solo or as a stack, these are pieces you buy once and wear for years.
- Price: From around $1,080 AUD.
- Why it works: The baroque pearls are naturally irregular, so no two pieces are the same, and with 20% of proceeds supporting cancer research through the Garvan Institute, you can feel good about this purchase too.
- Best for: Those already comfortable with jewellery who want to invest in something more distinctive that will hold up over time.
Our watch pick: Bausele Elemental Oceanic Blue
We’re suckers for a good origin story at Man of Many, and Bausele’s hits close to home. Swiss-born Founder Christophe Hoppé left a finance career to build a watch brand in Sydney and as he puts it: “I didn’t set out to build a watch brand. I set out to build something that mattered.” We’d say it’s worked out pretty well.
Our pick is the Bausele Elemental Oceanic Blue. It features a 40mm stainless steel case, Swiss automatic movement and 200m water resistance, and inspired by the Australian landscape, contains actual sand from Sydney’s Manly Beach.
- Price: $1,200 AUD.
- Why it works: Everything you’d expect from a solid everyday dive watch, and limited batch releases keep it feeling considered rather than mass-produced.
- Best for: Ocean swimmers, watch collectors and anyone living a coastal lifestyle.
Cartier: The Tank Must
If the Bausele was built for Chris Hemsworth on a jet ski, then the Cartier Tank Must was made for James Bond at a black-tie dinner. With a clean rectangular case, blue hands and a sapphire cabochon crown, this sleek wristwatch is a timeless classic that adds sophistication to any attire. If you want to explore more options at different price points, our luxury watch guide covers the full range.
- Price: $5,700 AUD.
- Why it works: Smaller proportions add sophistication and confidence, without the boldness of a bulky oversized watch. When it comes to luxury men’s accessories, you can never go wrong with Cartier.
- Best for: Those who want a tailored, understated style you can dress up or down.
Our ring pick: Scarlett Jewellery Label Cushion Signet Rings
A signet ring used to mean a family crest or generations of inheritance. These days, you can skip all that. Buy your own, start your own tradition, hand it down later if you want to. Either way, a signet ring belongs on every man’s hand.
Melbourne-based Scarlett Jewellery Label makes signet rings that feel modern without losing the weight of the original. Their Cushion Signet Ring with Flush Set Diamond in yellow gold features a cushion-shaped face, a flush-set diamond and two hand-engraved lines. Simple, sophisticated and stylish.
- Price: $2,330 AUD.
- Why it works: Solid 9ct yellow gold with a flush-set diamond means it’s built to last decades, not seasons, and the clean profile is highly adaptable for any style situation.
Best for: Anyone who wants a meaningful everyday ring or a non-traditional wedding band that holds up over time.
Waist Accessories
Belts are functional, but they are also one of the easiest ways to make an outfit look finished. A good belt should work with your shoes, sit cleanly at the waist and match the formality of the outfit. Smooth leather is best for tailoring, textured or woven leather works well for smart casual dressing, and canvas is better kept for relaxed weekends.
If you only buy one, make it a dark brown or black leather belt with simple hardware. If you already have that covered, a woven belt adds texture.
Our pick for belts: R.M. Williams Drover Belt
A quality leather belt deserves a place in every man’s life, and the R.M. Williams Drover Belt is the perfect all-rounder. Full-grain leather, brass hardware and a weight that tells you this thing will outlast most of what’s in your wardrobe. If you already own a pair of R.M. boots (and if you’ve read our guide to the best Australian shoe brands, you probably should), this is the natural companion.
- Price: $169 AUD.
- Why it works: Quality craftsmanship and RMW debossed branding makes this a considered style choice.
- Best for: Durability, practicality and style, works with both formal and casual wear.
Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Woven Belt
Bottega Veneta’s Intrecciato woven leather belt is the perfect piece to dress a formal suit down. The woven texture adds a softness that rigid leather can’t, which makes it ideal for modern, less structured tailoring. If your 9-5 is more relaxed than corporate, this is the belt that matches that energy.
- Price: $1,140 AUD.
- Why it works: A signature woven leather construction that’s stayed relevant since the 60s, with a tactile softness that pairs perfectly with relaxed, modern tailoring.
- Best for: Smart casual through to soft-shouldered suits. Anywhere a dress belt feels too corporate.
Feet Accessories
Socks are not the headline act, but they can make or break an outfit. With tailoring, they should bridge the trouser and shoe rather than interrupt them. With casual dressing, they are a low-risk way to add colour, texture or personality.
The safest move is to own three types: fine dress socks for suits, merino or cotton socks for everyday wear, and one or two statement pairs that show you have a pulse. Novelty socks are allowed only if you are under twelve or your uncle has bought them for Christmas and is watching you open the gift.
Our pick for socks: Comme Si Agnelli Sock
If you’re a style-conscious man still wearing novelty or cartoon socks, consider this your intervention. Named after Gianni Agnelli, the Italian industrialist who famously wore his watch over his shirt cuff, Comme Si’s Agnelli Sock is all about one well-placed flash of colour. In ochre, forest green or burgundy, a strip of quality cotton between your trouser hem and shoe turns a dead zone into a detail people actually notice.
- Price: $149 AUD for the Agnelli Trio (set of three socks).
- Why it works: A light, fine-ribbed sock made from Egyptian Cotton brings a touch of style and luxury to your every day ensemble.
- Best for: Those who want to level up their every day sock game, or as the perfect gift.
Merino Half Beast Lifestyle Socks by Wilderness Wear
You don’t have to spend a fortune on socks to feel the benefits. Wilderness Wear’s Merino Half Beast Lifestyle Socks are made from Tasmanian merino wool, keeping your feet warm when it’s cold and cool when it’s not. They’re breathable, moisture-wicking and, most importantly, they won’t get smelly like cheap cotton blends.
- Price: $29.95 AUD
- Why it works: Merino wool naturally adapts to your body temperature. Add in reinforced stress zones and a comfortable mid-weight feel, and they outperform anything in your standard sock drawer.
- Best for: Everyday wear, from office days to weekends to adventurous holidays.
James B. Young: Kangaroo Leather Boot Laces
Here’s a small upgrade that pays off more than you’d expect: swap the standard laces on your favourite pair of boots for a bespoke laces from Alice Springs-based shoemaker and outfitter, James B. Young. The Kangaroo Leather Boot laces are cut from vegetable tanned kangaroo leather, formed around natural hemp thread and set with brass anglets.
- Price: $58 AUD.
- Why it works: It takes two minutes, costs almost nothing and it refreshes shoes you already own without buying new ones.
- Best for: A worn-in pair of boots that need a minor upgrade that makes all the difference.
How to Accessorise Without Overdoing It
The Rule of Three
If you’ve been wondering how to dress like Jacob Elordi, the secret isn’t what he wears, it’s what he leaves off. If you’re a t-shirt and jeans kinda guy and accessorising feels foreign to you, the rule of the three is the simplest framework to follow. Never wear more than three visible “hard” accessories at once. A watch, a ring and a pair of sunglasses is the complete look. “Soft” accessories like a pocket square, patterned socks or a textured belt don’t count toward those three and can be added to complete the look.
Men’s Personal Stylist Elle Lavon says when it comes to choosing accessories, it’s important to go for pieces that feel right for your personality and your overall vibe.
“If you’re a classic guy, chances are you don’t want to go all ‘Russell Brand’ with things. And if you’re more of a natural, rugged dude, chances are shiny bling isn’t going to feel right,” Lavon says.
Match the Moment
The mistake most of us make isn’t picking the wrong accessories, it’s wearing the right ones at the wrong time. A mate’s wedding calls for refined choices: a dress watch, a silk pocket square, polished leather boots. Wear that same combination to a Saturday brunch, and you’ll look like you’ve pulled an all-nighter. Accessorising well isn’t about building a signature look and forcing it into every setting. It’s about having a bit of range, and knowing when to tone it down or step it up.
The Best Men’s Accessories by Occasion
The easiest way to get accessories right is to start with the setting. A chain that looks great with a white T-shirt might feel out of place at a black-tie wedding. A silk pocket square that works beautifully with tailoring may look a little intense at Saturday brunch. Accessories should match the mood before they make a statement.
| Occasion | What to Wear | What to Avoid |
| Everyday casual | Watch, sunglasses, cap, leather belt, simple chain or bracelet. | Too much jewellery at once. Let one piece do the talking. |
| Office | Dress watch, leather belt, cardholder, work bag, subtle socks. | Loud novelty accessories unless your office has beanbags and a slide. |
| Wedding | Dress watch, pocket square, tie, cufflinks, polished belt. | Smartwatches with formal tailoring unless the strap has been upgraded. |
| Date night | Watch, ring, subtle fragrance, sharp sunglasses, minimalist belt. | Anything that looks like you’re trying to audition for a cologne ad. |
| Travel | Sunglasses, weekender bag, travel wallet, cap, quality socks. | Overpacking accessories you won’t wear. |
| Summer or beach | Sunglasses, cap, woven belt, canvas tote, lightweight watch strap. | Heavy leather and jewellery that feels uncomfortable in heat. |
Common Men’s Accessories Mistakes
Most accessory mistakes come from doing too much, too quickly. The aim isn’t to make every piece visible from across the room, but to make the outfit feel more complete when someone’s close enough to notice.
| Mistake | Better Move |
| Wearing too many accessories at once | Pick one focal point and keep the rest simple |
| Mixing every metal in the drawer | Stick mostly to one finish, especially when starting out |
| Choosing accessories that do not match the setting | Dress watches for formalwear, sportier pieces for casual outfits |
| Buying only trend pieces | Start with versatile pieces you will still wear in five years |
| Ignoring proportion | Match watch size, belt width and jewellery weight to your build and outfit |
| Treating accessories as costumes | Choose pieces that feel natural to your style |
The Final Tip (Courtesy of Coco Chanel)
Coco Chanel had a piece of advice that still holds: before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off. Restraint, not accumulation, is what separates a well-accessorised man from an overdone one. The hard part is knowing what to keep on.
That comes down to personal experience, and Lavon’s advice is to try things on and pay attention to how you feel. Practically, does the piece annoy you? Is it getting caught on things? And stylistically, do you feel confident wearing it? Does it give your outfit the vibe you were going for? If the answer is yes across the board, you’ve found a keeper.
Invest in accessories you’ll still want to wear in five years, not just this season.
Men’s Accessories FAQs
Start with the essentials: a good watch, a leather belt, quality sunglasses, a slim wallet or cardholder, and a bag that works for your lifestyle. Dress socks and casual socks also matter more than most men realise. From there, add jewellery, scarves, ties, cufflinks, hats and grooming accessories as your wardrobe demands.
Two or three visible accessories is the right call for everyday outfits. A watch, sunglasses and a belt is usually enough. If you’re adding jewellery, scale back everything else so it reads as intentional rather than busy.
If celebrity fashion and style is anything to go by, then absolutely. It works best when it feels natural to your style rather than like something you’ve just started trying. Begin with one piece like a chain, bracelet, ring or signet and build from there. Keep metals consistent early on, and don’t stack too much before you know what suits you.
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