I’ve never given much thought to men wearing jewellery, other than what kind of pieces a man might wear that wouldn’t turn me off. The same image kept popping up: someone wearing a T-shirt, well-worn skinny jeans, black suede boots, maybe a bomber jacket thrown on for good measure, and a thin chain around his neck.
Pretty specific, isn’t it? But if you look around, there are plenty of guys dressing like that these days.
A brand that has come to my attention is Regime NY, a jewellery and accessories line founded by 20-year old New York student Ariel Neman. His aesthetic is classic street style — rustic bracelets, gold Roman coins draped along chains, and braided details around sophisticated cuffs.
The key is to keep it real and simple. Neman’s Tribal Power necklace, for instance, is one of his more embellished pieces. Plated in 18k gold, its dangling Native American components contrast with the rest of the basic chain, so one can throw it on over any outfit and make it look like the piece is something he’s been wearing for years. As is the Titan glass beaded bracelet and Marlon slip-on bracelet — a favourite of actor Jamie Foxx.
Jamie Foxx X Regime NY. Wearing our Marlon bracelet. Available Now! Regimeny.com #regime #regimeny #nyc #madeinnyc #la #jamiefoxx #marlon #actor #artist #alist #celebrity #stylish #innovative #fashion #trendy #men #mensfashion #menswear #jewelry #menstyle #lifestyle #streetstyle #culture #harpersbazaar #elle #gq #1oak A photo posted by Regime NY (@regime.ny) on
Women’s jewellery designers too are jumping in, offering unisex pieces or limited edition lines, like Solange Azagury-Partridge’s Alpha collection back in 2014, or Jennifer Fisher’s recent capsule collection with Russell Westbrook for Barneys New York. But this beckons the question: what do women think about this shared passion for accessorising?
Personally, I suppose it depends on the man and the occasion. If you’re going to work, a simple leather or exotic skin bracelet will do. If you’re out on the weekend, a silver or brass chain à la Kanye will work. Just make sure you grab one that’s long and thin enough. It can even be weighed down by some interesting artefact like old coins or keys — just like the ones that Regime NY makes.
Other pieces to consider include signet rings, ID bracelets and thread jewellery with tiny embellishments. But ultimately, any man worth his salt in style needs to keep things in check. Don’t be flashy, don’t adorn yourself with more sparkle than a Vegas showgirl. And never wear anything you don’t feel confident in pulling off.
Image opener: Silver chain bracelets
All images courtesy of Regime NY
