GAME, SET & MATCH

A quick tutorial on how to match your watch with your outfit for the holidays

Your average guy is quick to loathe most kinds of jewelry.  And unless you happen to be a Saudi Arabian oil baron or Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, 50 Cent or Kanye, your jewelry will most likely be limited to a couple of rings, max, and your watch.  That’s right sans most forms of jewelry a wristwatch is probably the most overt expression of the personality of most guys.

With the application of the Goldilocks theorem, which suggests that there is a watch “just right” for every type of occasion, that overt expression of the personality of most guys takes on a definite formal stance when it comes to the holidays.  Indeed, watches come in all sorts of shapes and sizes but Christmas and New Year dictates a more formal approach to evening wear.

Especially the New Year revelry, with its end-of-the-year; out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new party themes that look back on “days gone by” while simultaneously looking forward to “what comes next,” your watch of choice becomes a little more important because you are probably looking at a black tie event.  So, imagine standing there in your tuxedo, looking all dapper and dashing.  You casually lift your left arm to check the time… only to see a bright yellow Casio G-Shock with a bright yellow rubber strap and all.  Unless you happen to be Ed Sheeran, there’s no way you’re pulling that off.

This is the power of the wristwatch, which like a belt, is a small accessory that can either make or break you’re entire ensemble.  And since wristwatches come in many forms and sizes it’s important to consider the different factors when it comes to matching the “right” watch to the type of outfit, not the least of which is the style, color, and materials of the watch. 

Bulky and “rugged” watches will always be better suited with casual outfits and will probably look out of place in a formal setting.  Sleek and elegant watches, on the other hand, will always be better suited with formal attire.  Some watches however, somehow pull off that enviable task of doing it all, and be a match for any attire.  Here are some recommendations for the best watches to match formal outfits:

1. Dress Watches

 typically sleek, minimalist, and elegant, with a thin case and a simple dial dress watches are perfect for formal occasions and can be worn with suits, tuxedos, or dress shirts. Indeed, a dress watch with a leather strap and a classic design will complement any formal attire.

1. Luxury Watches

 These watches from high-end brands are often associated with formal occasions. They come in various styles, including dress watches, chronographs, and classic timepieces, and are made with premium materials like precious metals and high-end composites.  These watches are typically expensive and are considered investment pieces that can be passed down through generations.

1. Vintage Watches

 timepieces that add a touch of nostalgia and feature loads of character can also do wonders to any formal outfit.  They come in various styles, such as dress watches, pilot watches, or vintage divers, and can be paired with formal ensembles to create a statement look.

In addition to the style of the watch, consider the color and material that would complement your formal outfits.  You cannot go wrong with the versatility of classic styles as they can be matched with “anything,” and can blend seamlessly with both casual and formal outfits.  Still, stainless steel, titanium, or nylon straps in colors like black, blue, or green are popular with casual wear.  While formal wear tends to favor precious metals, matched with leather straps in classic colors like black, brown, or tan.

Find a watch like this, and it will definitely complement that super dashing tuxedo you’re wearing.  Even if its just a rental.