FASHION

The History Of Suit Accessories

Since the early 1800s, Suits have been a staple piece within men’s wardrobes worldwide. Symbolic of professionalism and representative of a person’s status, suits have shifted from solely being outfits of historic aristocrats to a piece of fashion for all sorts of professions and occasions. Whether it’s the traditional long-tailed suit coats of the french revolution or the renowned hunt clothing of the Cotswolds tailors, suits throughout history have come in all shapes and sizes.

However, the traditional silhouette of the suit has only continued to shift and change throughout the eras, giving this piece of clothing a brand new aesthetic, resemblant to the relevant periods the suits come from. However, accessories help define the final look of a suit, with various ones you can add to highlight your final look.

Each unique accessory you add tells something different, each carrying its piece of personality within. If you’re looking for the best suit accessories or searching for more unique aspects to help inject your fit with some additional flair, contact a bespoke tailor. On the contrary, this piece will also cover all you need to know about suit accessories.

What are Suit Accessories

When accessorizing a suit, whether for an event or just for business, people often assume that adding other things to their professional suit will make it too formal or not formal. Accessories come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, with bespoke tailors aiding in your mission to convey the desired tone for your overall outfit. We will detail some of these accessories below.

The Men’s Suit Tie

Beginning with the most common accessory, ties are almost synonymous when pairing one with a suit. The addition of a tie can be traced back to the early 1600s; during the 30 Years’ war, the necktie was traditionally a knotted neck chief used by mercenaries.

These served a more practical use by holding the top of their jackets together instead of being an item to enhance the uniforms. The association of these neckties being a professional addition to the suit was due to the French King. Upon seeing his hired mercenaries’ unique accessory, he made it a mandatory accessory for guests to wear to Royal Gatherings and events.

The necktie has had numerous different styles throughout the years. However, most modern ties are now similar in design, with a contemporary slim pointed piece of silk fabric the most common. It’s worth noting that the traditional necktie is not limited to this, with varying patterns, materials, and designs, such as a bowtie also acting as the defining centerpiece of a suit.

On the contrary, there are also a few essentials when adding a tie to your overall look. Ensuring the color is not overly loud and matches the original suit color should be considered, as well as making sure the length and width of the tie are not too long, thick, or short.

Cufflinks

Cufflinks

Similarly to the neckties, Cufflinks were another accessory popularised by a monarch. Charles II introduced them in the 17th century, often wearing them in public. As a result, the general public began to be influenced by their leader’s fashion choices, so the adaptation of cufflinks rose. Buttons were just used to fasten the sleeves; however, with fashion-conscious aristocrats of the high society beginning to adopt cufflinks, their popularity boomed.

Contemporary cufflinks now come in various designs; however, all still adorn the traditional button style design held together by a metal chain. Moreover, the design of the buttons helps accentuate the sleeve’s design, with different shapes with varying levels of expensive materials also being able to be added to the cufflinks.

Pocket Square

In need of accentuating your jacket with a bit of flair? Pocket squares are a simple yet ideal accessory that can benefit your stylish appearance. Western Europeans adapted the pocket square’s origin in the 18th century.

The pocket square’s origin can be traced back to the ancient Greeks, who used white linen handkerchiefs as part of their outfits. Conversely, the Greeks weren’t patrolling around in 3 piece suits, with this accessory adapted later in history. The pocket square became more of a fashion accessory when nobles began making their handkerchiefs from more exotic materials, with some wealthy wearers even embroidering them to make them bespoke.

The pocket squares’ minimal effort adds a touch of style and elegance when it comes to more modern suits. A simplistically designed bespoke suit can be immediately upgraded by an intricately designed pocket square, with flat colors, patterns, and even pieces of artwork all present with modern pocket squares.

Hats

Not only just shielding the head from the elements, but hats have also acted as a symbol of social status and a centerpiece of any fashion outfit.

From the traditional top hats of the late 19th and early 20th century to the peaky blinders caps, which have seen a resurgence in popularity in recent times, hats can come in all different styles and designs. Each hat can either contrast or match your bespoke suit, with bespoke tailors allowing you to have a perfectly matched and fitting headpiece.

Other Popular Suit Accessories

When it comes to accessorizing your suit, you are not only limited to these options above. Watches are another accessory that could be added to a suit to add a layer of luxury to the completed fit. Belts are below the waist option when it comes to accessorizing the lower half of the suit whilst also providing that additional functionality and allowing the possibility for intertwining additional accents into the outfit.

If your one to don a suit without a jacket, suspenders could be an accessory to consider adding to your outfit. Once again, providing the wearer with additional functionality, this more traditional accessory could give your outfit a more old-school look should you adopt this underlayer.

How to Accessorise Correctly

Although you can add a wide array of accessories, it is essential to note that it is possible to over-accessorize. When it comes to it, less is more, with just a slight drop of color through a pocket square or a simple matching hat, all aiding to enhance the overall level and look of your outfit.

Consulting with a bespoke tailor can also help you match your accessories properly, as it’s important that the accessories you chose fit in line with the design of your bespoke suit. Ensuring you pick the colors, materials, and designs gives you the real possibility to mix and match as you desire, as long as they complement each other.

Summary

With these accessories in mind, you can choose the ideal accessories for your outfit, helping you look sharper than ever before. Each unique accessory can add a unique piece of personality to your suit, all of them adding a new color, material, or design to your outfit.

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