Ever noticed your favorite artists paint their nails pink or purple? Or wear gold eyeshadows in their music videos? The 5 Seconds of Summer band is a perfect example, and we couldn’t help but adore them more. Lately, masculinity has loosened up, and fashion has become more inclined to men’s jewelry.
Usually, men only wear jewelry in the form of watches, rings, and necklaces. The goal is to look simple and classy. But now, they are adorning themselves with earrings, bracelets, and even cloth decorations. Steven Tyler, Robert Downey Jr., and Robert Pattinson are but some of the top male celebrities who are rocking men’s jewelry, killing out that style through fashionable jewelry.
Why Gents and Jewelry Is A Good Mix
Now, you might have mind-boggling questions like what kind of jewelry should men wear or do straight guys wear bracelets? More so, should guys wear gold or silver, or do necklaces look good on guys? To top it all, you might be wondering why more men are wearing jewelry and how do you actually rock this new type of fashion. Get ready to loosen up and we will reveal everything in this article.
The History of Men’s Jewelry
Throughout history, gents have worn jewelry to display their social status, wealth, and affluence. Egyptians even considered jewelry, specifically gold, as the ultimate symbol of rank and power in their society. When Pharaohs die, they were buried with their jewelry. More so, warlords donned heavy necklaces, rings, and ankle bracelets to protect themselves from harm during battles.
Do men wear diamond bracelets? In Ancient Rome, men with higher rank wore diamonds and precious gemstones, such as emerald and sapphire to show off their wealth and importance. In France, Napoleon popularized the wearing of matching jewelry items to symbolize political power and status. In modern times, men’s jewelry have become even more popular with the rise of the hip-hop and rap culture. Rappers wear large gold chains and medallions and even put on silver and gold mouth grills and tooth caps.
Outstanding fashion brands were born, including Cartier, Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, Scott Kay, and more.
The Cultural Shift
In the past decades, men only wore jewelry with the purpose of displaying their social status, wealth, and political power. But now, gents use it as a way of expressing their creative and aesthetic side, establishing their unique identity. Sometimes, it’s the artist’s way of gaining popularity.
According to David Mills and Harriet Scott of the Goldsmiths’ Company, men are “spending more on themselves and are increasingly interested in decoration other than watches.” They are constantly looking for precious items that could best describe them. Harry Styles is the perfect modern example of a fashion-conscious young man interested in jewelry.
If you still belong to the stereotype society, you might conclude that jewelry is only for women, and it would be strange if more men would make them fashion. But brands are now disregarding gender norms, and have awakened to the fact that there is an increasing demand for unisex jewelry items. What used to be exclusively female jewelry brands are now launching male jewelry collections.
Men who adorn themselves with large jewelry pieces should not be addressed as “feminine,” as there is really no gender in fashion. Social discrimination must also be disregarded. It all comes down to who sets the best trend, whether male or female.
Jewelry and Self-Expression
As we have mentioned above, jewelry is a form of self-expression and a reflection of one’s personality. Hence, when you decide to create your fashion statement, you must know how a certain jewelry item connects to you and make sure that you are comfortable wearing it. Below is a list of famous jewelry symbols and their meanings:
- Infinity Symbol: represents affection and devotion towards a loved one or yourself
- Triangle Symbol: represents aspiration, rising force, and the male principal
- Hamsa Symbol: represents strength, power, blessings, and protection against evil forces
- Heart Symbol: represents love, unity, compassion, and affection
- Cross Symbol: represents sacrifice, salvation, and commitment to the Christian faith
Moreover, here’s a Birthstone Color Chart and Symbolisms:
Just like getting a tattoo or picking up your wardrobe, your selection of jewelry must be carefully thought and done. Remember, it represents you and it’s a solid proof of how creative you are and how connected you are to your inner self.
The Growing Trend of Men’s Jewelry
So now we are welcoming the new era of man bling—from piles of glittering necklaces to pearl earrings, down to fashionable bracelets and colorful rings. Cufflinks and tie clips are also on the list, along with other cloth adornments. Men’s jewelry box doesn’t necessarily have to be all colorful and dangling, you can hop on the trend with just a little sparkle. And it’s just a matter of wearing it on the right occasion, in the right place.
It is a rule of thumb that when men wear jewelry, the metals should match. It could be gold, sterling silver, platinum, or white gold. When you decide to wear a gold watch, your men’s jewelry rings, necklaces, and bracelets should be gold, too. But in modern times, it doesn’t really matter. You can wear a gold watch, a gemstone ring, diamond bracelets, and men’s jewelry necklaces of your choice. You can even top it with pearl or boho earrings. Hit up any combination you like. It’s your fashion, so make it a unique statement.
As mentioned earlier in this article, famous fashion brands were born in line with the growing trend of jewelry. One of them is Tiffany & Co., which is known to be a woman’s girlfriend. Do men wear Tiffany? Totally yes. Tiffany just launched its men’s jewelry collection and even items made for women can now be worn by gents. The brand is incredibly unisex and is now everybody’s best friend.
Along with Tiffany is Pandora, a jewelry manufacturer known for its customizable items. Does Pandora sell men’s jewelry? Definitely yes. They have artistic danglings, charm bracelets, cufflinks, pendants, authentic rings, and more. If you are a trendsetter, SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy), or just too rich, then Pandora is your best buddy. Besides, having customized jewelry pieces is actually cool, right?
Best Men’s Jewelry Brands
Looking for authentic, fashionable, and pocket-friendly men’s jewelry rings, necklaces, earrings, or chains? We’ve got the list for you:
- Martine Ali. Features heavy chains, crosses, and clips that are inspired by the 2000’s hip-hop and rap culture.
- Emanuele Bicocchi. Run by an Italian designer that crafts Baroque-style skulls and crosses, which his city is famous for.
- Peyote Bird. A Mexico-based manufacturer known for its cool and relaxed jewelry items that mix beads, metals, and stones.
- Gucci. This brand is incredibly famous for producing iconic designs, including the “Double G” logo into their jewelry.
- John Hardy. Offers high-quality pieces and intricate designs that can be worn for a lifetime.
- Mikia. A Japanese jewelry brand that offers contemporary designs that are made for travel.
- David Yurman. A jewelry label famous for its cable bracelet. Items are made from high-quality metals and stones.
- Alan Crocetti Jewellery. Designs are inspired by life elements, including animals and fire, and are built with high standards.
How to Wear Men’s Jewelry
We indeed mentioned that you can choose whatever glam style you want as long as you are comfortable with it. However, things might be different if you wear jewelry on a daily basis. Wanna rock that trend without looking wild? We’ve got some tips for you.
First, bracelets—aim for minimalism. You can combine a simple cuff with another bracelet that is made of rope or leather. The goal is to have refined layers and avoid an “arm party.” If you’re already wearing a watch on one wrist, just add a simple metal or cord to the other hand.
Next, rings—less is more. Avoid wearing more than two rings in one hand as they may prove uncomfortable in your daily work. If you’re into fashion, know that heavy bands are already outdated, so shift to lightweight and minimal rings. You will barely notice that you are wearing them while simply stunning your lookers.
Lastly, necklaces—minimal and more personal. Choose men’s jewelry chains and necklaces that can either be worn on top of your shirt or tucked in around your neck. If you want a killer style, you can put on some necklaces with mid-chest lengths. Unless you are a hip-hop star or rapper, do not wear oversized and thick chains.
If you want to put on some cufflinks or tie clips, do not overdo it. Make it simple and classy: just right for business or whatever event you are attending. Whatever jewelry piece you want to adorn yourself with, go for something that you truly love and makes you feel comfortable all throughout your daily activities. It should become a part of you without you really noticing it. For more tips, check out our guide on “The Do’s and Don’ts in Wearing Jewelry”.
What Influenced the Men’s Jewelry Trend
According to fashion researchers, males barely drew inspiration from magazines in setting the men’s jewelry trend. What most influenced them are social media, particularly Snapchat and Instagram. Social media is really a game-changer for millennials and other generations, namely the Baby Boomers, Gen X, and Y. With just a few uploads, a normal style can become a trend overnight.
Top items are men’s jewelry rings, followed by chains and necklaces. Currently, bracelets are aiming for the third spot, and for sure, it will succeed. Jewelry does not only make men attractive these days, but it even makes them sexier, more classy, and more masculine. Weird, isn’t it? But as time passes, jewelry will surely be unisex, given that gents are already wearing female-designed accessories and they are totally rocking it.
What Women Think of Men’s Jewelry
Women think it’s actually cool for guys to wear jewelry, be they men’s jewelry earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, or cufflinks. Rappers and male artists appear sexier when they wear big gold chains and sometimes nastier when they put mouth grills and tooth caps. But if a guy is wearing jewelry as a daily accessory, women like it to be simpler and more minimalistic. Sometimes, simplicity is hotter than too much adornment.
After all, men’s jewelry is all about self-expression and personality reflection, so gents should not overdo it—unless one is seeking unnecessary attention. Women’s general tip is to keep it cool and light, find your own style, and carry it with confidence and class. Again, comfort is key in rocking men’s jewelry. This is why googling “men’s jewelry cheap” is common practice.
Find the perfect man piece for you
Gender norms are out of place. People are seeking equality by all means—clothing, accessories, and even jewelry. More men are now hopping into the jewelry trend to express their aesthetic side and unleash their personality. Fashion statement is not about social status and political power anymore; it now has more to do with self-expression and personality reflection.
Whether you’re a guy who’s up for pearl earrings just like Harry Styles or big chains just like Jay Z, go rock that style and show your creative side to the world. Remember that you have to adorn yourself with purpose and nothing can go wrong if you truly love your look and are comfortable with it. Find the best brand that suits your taste and shop away!
