The gentleman essential accessories in 2024

As the year gets underway (if you’re reading this article when it’s published), you may be wondering how to have the style that will make you a gentleman. You already have some great clothes, so here’s a list of the gentleman essential accessories in 2024! Here’s a tip before you start this list: avoid wearing an assortment of obvious logos (the belt, the ring, the tie clip and the gold watch with the big logo are all nonsense), your credibility will thank you.

Discover the gentleman essential accessories in 2024

Table of content

1. For everyday life
   1. Wallet
   2. Glasses
   3. Phone case
   4. Rings
   5. Keyring
2. For the suit or the tuxedo
   1. Tie
   2. Bowtie
   3. Socks
   4. Belt
   5. Watches
   6. Shoes
   7. Cufflinks
   8. Tie clip / Tie slide

For everyday life

The wallet

The wallet is still an essential, even if many people have everything in their phone, but having money on you is always a good thing, whether it’s to reduce your bank charges by paying for small transactions or for places that don’t offer electronic payment. It’s also a handy way of carrying your cards if you lose your phone or decide to go out without it.

Try to keep it simple, without too many logos. Never forget that you’re not being paid to advertise the brand you’re buying. Another little piece of advice: if you’re a frequent traveller, avoid the colour grey, as it can be confused with the colour of the security bins. A story about this happened to me recently at Vienna airport, but that’s for another article.

In our choices, The Berluti and Brunello Cucinelli  models that are offered at Harry Rosen and Holt Renfrew.    

The glasses

Glasses. Whether they are sunglasses or prescription glasses, they will protect you or help you to see better. Try to opt for simple models that aren’t too flamboyant (forget coloured lenses, unless you’re cycling or running, for example), because very often models that are too eccentric draw the eye to the glasses, but not to the wearer’s overall style. Go for sober tones such as tortoiseshell for a chic, luxurious look, and polarized lenses for healthy eyes.

Don’t hesitate to ask your friends and advisers for help to find out if your glasses are right for you. Also consider your wardrobe when choosing your model.

Brands such as Serengeti, Tom Ford, Ray-Ban, Maui Jim, Barton Perreira, Giorgio Armani, Persol and many others have interesting choices. Once again, avoid huge logos.

Phone case

The telephone is an indispensable part of many people’s lives. Why not adorn it with a beautiful case. Something discreet that goes with your style. Don’t go for something that will break easily, but something that will embellish over time. Many leather models from luxury brands are magnificent and often minimalist. You just have to know how to recognize quality. Some of the brands mentioned earlier in this article make magnificent models. Once again, avoid huge logos. Remember to put your phone in your jacket and not your trousers, as the pockets will wear out less quickly.

Rings

Rings can, in moderation, be an interesting addition to a gentleman’s style. You don’t want something the size of a Super Bowl ring, that’s not very gentlemanly, although the achievement of that feat in itself is something. Go for something discreet.

Many models of David Yurman, Tiffany & Co., Cartier and the French-Canadian brand Deux Lions are interesting choices.   

Keyring

But more and more people have digital keys. I still believe that having a physical key is still essential. And it’s still practical. Try to find a distinguished, simple but quality model. Don’t hesitate to choose a model with an AirTag pocket, like this Hermès, a very practical accessory if you lose your keys.

The gentleman essential accessories in 2024 to go with your suit or tuxedo

The tie

According to our friends at Clusier, the tie has been given a new lease of life in 2023! So, gentlemen, it’s time to take the bull by the horns and get on board. Try to find styles and colours that suit you perfectly. What’s more, models made in Europe will always be of higher quality than those made in Asia. We love styles from Eton, Zegna, Tom Ford et Canali, for example. You will find several styles at Clusier, Harry Rosen and Holt Renfrew. Note that we prefer Canadian retailers, even if the products are made abroad.

Bow tie

In this article we talked about the tuxedo (also called dinner jacket), but to complete it, you need a bow tie. A real one, one that ties, not a pre-tied one. First of all, it’s ugly, it’s too perfect, and we know it’s pre-tied, and a real gentleman, like James Bond, always wears one that ties. It’s certainly not easy, I’m still trying to learn how to do mine properly, but with a video like this one from our friends at Eton, you’ll certainly succeed with a little practice. The Canadian company Dion as well as Brioni and Tom Ford (you need to look for the non pre-tied) make some wonderful ones.

Find the perfect model at Clusier, Harry Rosen and Holt Renfrew.

The socks

Socks . . . they’re probably the accessory you think about the least, but see the most. Especially when you’re sitting down. Avoid Canadian brands that have their products made in Asia—the quality isn’t there. Go for brands that make quality socks with fine woollen from Italy, for example. A brand like Marcoliani is an excellent choice and offers several models and styles.

Belt

The belt is an essential unless you prefer suspenders, but never both at the same time—they serve the same purpose. Take a good look at the material it’s made from. Choose good quality leather rather than “leatherette,” which will wear out quickly! Avoid the logo buckle. It’s sometimes nice when it’s a minimalist, tone-on-tone style, but when you see the predominance of the big gold brand icon, forget it, gentlemen. And try to match your belt to your shoes for a winning combination.

Why not try making your own? Les Affutés in Montréal offers a workshop for that. Choose your leather carefully. Otherwise, once again, Clusier, Harry Rosen and Holt Renfrew offer an excellent selection, even certain of them have the beautiful ones from Brunello Cucinelli.

Watches

Watches can be dangerous. If you have seen the latest releases from LVMH Watch Week (LVMH for Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy), there are some pretty incredible models! Zenith, whose name is just above, Hublot and TAG Heuer, to name but a few, have unveiled models that are each more attractive than the last. 

Yes, watches are interesting, but opt for those with dials rather than digital watches. What could be more insulting than having a conversation with someone who is always checking their notifications on their watch? It’s good for sport, but then again, do you want to invest in something that will be disposable in two years’ time? Prefer a watch like the Tank model from Cartier for a smart evening out in your dinner jacket, or an OMEGA watch to impersonate James Bond when you are on a mission . . . to bring contracts.  

Many retailers offer an incredible variety. In the greater Montréal area, I can think of Bijouterie Italienne, Kaufmann de Suisse, the Maison Birks, Château d’Ivoire et Breitling, to name just a few. If you’re passing through Vancouver, make a stop at the OMEGA boutique at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, although the New York boutique may be closer, but you will have to pay customs fees on your return.

The shoes

It is easy to find shoes that will not stand the test of time. You will find relevant advice that also applies to shoes in this article, where we talked about boots. The great European brands such as Berluti, John Lobb, Loake, Carmina et Crockett & Jones (the shoes of James Bond) have been around for decades and their expertise in footwear is unrivalled. For some brands, you can even have your own pair of shoes made to measure. Do not hesitate to touch the shoes, to try and see the material they are made from, to find out if they will last you through the years. Avoid white soles, they are anything but stylish.

Do not be too eccentric, try to find a model where you will be comfortable, that is the number one point, not style, comfort. Think about how long you will be wearing these shoes. It is an investment that will probably last for years if you pay attention to it.

The cufflinks

This is one of the essential accessories for a gentleman in 2024, and it goes wonderfully well with shirts like these from Eton, for example. It is practical, it is pretty and it adds style. There are gold, silver and even personalized ones to suit your taste. Once again, discretion is the order of the day, but there is nothing to stop you from having a little nod to the things you love on your cufflinks, such as an animal, a car, a hobby or other. Once again, Clusier, Harry Rosen, Holt Renfrew and Maison Birks offer some magnificent examples.

Tie clip / Tie slide

To round off our list of essential accessories for the gentleman in 2024, the tie clip. An essential ally of the tie, it keeps it firmly in place. Very practical for eating, leaning over a buffet, or during strong winds, you will be very grateful. But be careful where you place it. Choose a clip no longer than three quarters the width of your tie. Place the clip straight on your tie, adjusting it if necessary, at the fourth button of your shirt, between your solar plexus and your navel. If it is too long, change it or change ties. Tie clips have no place on skinny ties, and you should avoid this style of tie as it does not look very gentlemanly. Benson & Clegg’s James Bond tie slide is available here.

I hope that these essential accessories for the gentleman in 2024 will help you to have impeccable style for the coming year. Feel free to share this article with your colleagues who make certain faux pas, don’t judge them, we all go through it.