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Men’s
fashion magazines, such as Details and GQ, have always placed an
emphasis on looking good. However now more than ever, part of that
look involves jewelry. From the traditional watch to the versatile
pendant, men’s jewelry has begun to move beyond the expected and
more towards the unique, the classic, tough, and stylish, with cues
being taken from athletes, celebrities, and bikers alike.
In response to
this recent boom, the door has been opened to new styles, designs and
opportunities for a niche that’s been waiting to turn the corner
for some time now. Thanks to a number of factors, jewelry sales for
men have increased over the past few years, with signs pointing to a
continuing trend. So much so that designers are now creating lines
specifically "for" men, with the confidence that there is a
buying audience out there – a consumer base that is widening and
getting stronger. Factors that could explain this shift include:
Media
influence
Men becoming
more style-conscious
A greater
variety to choose from
An overall
younger market
Women
continuing to buy for their significant others
Gone are the
days when cuff links and watches were all that was available for men
as far as fashion. While these stylish standards remain a big part of
the selection that’s out there, there are also now earrings,
rings, bracelets, necklaces, and pendants to choose from. Indeed,
men’s fashion is becoming more varied, with men themselves
making purchases and becoming more conscious of their style and the
image they project. Bracelets for instance, have become almost as
common as watches, thanks to new, masculine designs made of wood,
shell and alternative metals, ranging from gold and platinum to
anodized aluminum. Designers are mixing and matching materials into
fashionable takes that work with corporate looks as well as more
casual ensembles. The versatility of designs has emerged as a selling point.
Mens stainless
steel jewelry remains popular, even with the rise of the alternative
metals. Again, it provides a look a strength that is always
attractive for men. From cuff links to dog tags, stainless steel is
often used in combination with complementary metals, such as white
gold and sterling silver. Muted gemstones are also an element of
design that’s being employed with more regularity. In addition,
new designs have been inspired by the past, as the time-tested has
suddenly become hip and modern. Some designer trends you might be seeing:
Biker and/or
motorcycle jewelry
Skull and
crossbones jewelry
Bracelets as
fashion-musts
Pendants, such
as dog tags, growing in popularity
Earrings an
accessory for men as much as women
Quite
recently, skull and crossbones motifs have entered the fashion realm
for both men and women, emerging in the forms of scarves, jackets,
ties, shirts, and of course, jewelry. However, a bit of research
reveals that motorcycle jewelry has featured skulls, crossbones,
serpents, and iron crosses for years. The biker niche has always been
one to embrace men’s jewelry, with the aforementioned symbols of
power, rebellion and strength being key to their appeal. Only now the
motifs have entered into pop culture, making them more readily
available and in styles and designs that are perhaps less harsh and
thus, wearable anytime.
What made the
recent "skull" craze so widespread was the fact that
designs were being incorporated in ways that were almost
"cute," such as a crossbones scarf or a skull charm. While
this trend overall is likely to transform into a fading fad, the
presence of skull jewelry for men should remain a factor in
fashionable selection for years to come. Now that it has been
introduced into designer lines, the look should continue to flourish.
This being said, bikers, goths, and punk rockers should certainly be
credited as being the originators of the symbolic design, with skull,
crossbones, and knives being linked to outlaw personas. Today,
standards in skull jewelry, such as skull rings, pendants, and
buckles, are complemented by wrist links, chunky chains, and even earrings.
Speaking of
biker jewelry, this category continues to expand, with necklace
chains, pendants, bracelets, and earrings being just the tip.
Traditionally made of sterling silver, gold and stainless steel,
modern biker jewelry also makes use of titanium, aluminum, and other
solid materials. Turquoise, onyx, and amber are often crafted into
designs as well. Today, fashion designers have picked up on the
masculine designs of biker and motorcycle jewelry, creating lines of
their own that would appeal to both the hard-core biker and Casual
Friday worker.
Indeed, the
range of men’s jewelry has exploded to be versatile and
inclusive. Media has play2ed a role in the boom, as outlets such as
YouTube and of course cable, have made our culture as a whole more
conscious of what we wear and what we look like. What image do we
project? Men, as much as women, have begun to emulate their idols.
From athletes to entertainers, Joe Public is taken his cue from the celebrity.
Take a look at
a sports star’s press conference and chances are you’ll see
him decked out in his best threads, with the finishing touch being a
rope chain, a stainless-steel dog tag, titanium bangle, or pair of
earrings. Diamond studs are no longer exclusive to women. No,
men’s diamond earrings can be purchased from any jeweler, as can
gold hoop earrings for men. These styles have become unisex with men
styling their own "bling" for all to see. The more nazzy
the outfit, the more accessorized the man.
In the past,
women were the primary buyers of men’s jewelry, as they
attempted to add a bit of style to their significant other’s
wardrobe. Today however, men are looking for such additions
themselves, thanks to the influence of television, marketing, and magazines.
In summary,
while trendy fads come and go, the boom in men’s jewelry appears
to be one with staying power, which is welcomed news for retailers.
The decision by designers to create lines specific for men is one
sign of the positive shift. Another is the fact that the market is
being impacted by younger buyers, who might be more willing to take
on fashion "risks" and in the end, set the new standards
for style. |
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