Man Up

Jacquemous (left) and Dior (right) get strap happy with men’s accessories, while Vetements collaborates with Oakley to revive cyling shades.

(Photos courtesy brands.)

There is no better time to be a guy who like clothes and has penchant for style. In Paris, Kim Jones is now imbedded at Dior, and Virgil Abloh is at Louis Vuitton. Jacquemus does menswear and in men’s world the good times are a rolling.

For many designers, the biggest shift this season was to suit up. Tailoring is back, down with the sneaker for every occasion, shorts are short and sage is the color of the moment. But let us hone in on accessories. A well-chosen accessory can truly take an outfit from boring to wow and should not be overlooked. Accessorizing means you haven’t just thrown a look together but spent time adding that extra stylish zing to an outfit. Do not be afraid, I’m not suggesting you do anything radical, just that you put a little thought into your final look. I’m here to help.

The best way to overhaul your accessory game is with a bracelet. Your personal style will dictate the bracelet which will work for you. Metallic, leather or beaded like those made by local designer Kiwami at Neiman Marcus will add a touch of luxury as well as being a symbol of strength. Don’t forget stacking a few different ones, it will add a ton of style credit. Just be careful about working them on both arms or you’ll tread into costume territory.

Sunglasses by tradition save your retinas but they make a big statement, too. Literally in your face! Investing in one timeless and versatile pair such as a wayfarer or aviator will take you from the beach to the office. In the fashion stakes, bicycle-style glasses made an appearance on the fashion stage such as those seen at Vetements. Colored lenses seemed to be a thing as well. Just take the time to find some that suit your face shape.

Although it’s by no means the end of the accessory road, let’s round things out with some bags. Don’t recoil in shock! Men have stuff. The original Dior saddle bag created by John Galliano has been reinvented and created into a men’s crossbody style and even belt-hanging wallets. Prada’s leather shoulder bags are beautiful and much more masculine than they sound. My favorite look was the wallet worn around the neck as a necklace. Check them out on many of the models at the Jacquemus show. If this is too much for you, take a look at the great travel accessories at Louis Vuitton.

Kim Smith has been a professional wardrobe stylist in Honolulu since 2004. Born a true Londoner, Smith had a successful career in public relations in the fashion industry in London for more than eight years before moving to Hawai‘i in 2002. Smith’s work spans a vast array of magazines, retailers and television as well as working with individual clients on their specific style needs. See her work at kimsmithstyle.com.