Men’s accessories are an important consideration for men’s fashion as accessories can make or break an outfit, choosing the right accessories can individualise an outfit and set you apart from the crowd. Ties, tie bars, cufflinks and pocket squares are all great accessories, but when considering trousers, do you opt for a belt or braces.

As well as having a functional and essential role of holding up your trousers, belts and braces, known as suspenders in the United States, can make great accessories to enhance and individualise your look with a splash of colour or by adding some personality to your outfit, as well as fulfilling their practical role

There are a few simple style rules for belts, which are very easy to remember, Your belt should always match the colour of your shoes, black shoes will require a black belt and brown shoes a brown belt, if you can’t match them up then the best advice is not wear a belt at all as the colours will clash, look awful and make you stand out for all the wrong reasons. For a formal occasion opt for a thinner, preferably black belt with a small buckle, and generally avoid large buckles especially large novelty buckles altogether, whatever the occasion and even if you are wearing casual clothes or jeans.

Braces have recently become very popular and they offer a great alternative to a belt and a they can be a great accessory which can personalise your look. If you haven’t worn braces before they are perfect for both formal and casual wear and are available in both button down and clip on styles. Plain, neutral colours, such as black or navy, are very safe as they will compliment most clothes in your existing wardrobe. When opting for braces also consider your own body type, if you are a taller or thinner build opt for the thinner styles, while a broader person should opt for the wider style of braces. Read the rest of this entry »