I used to think wearing jewelry was a bit much, something only for the super flashy. But I finally figured it out.
Think of it like music. In jazz, "swing" is when musicians keep the basic rhythm but play around with the timing a bit – a note here, a beat there, a little off-kilter but always returning to the main pulse. It’s what makes the music feel alive, not just a stiff, metronome-like beat. You know that feeling when a song just grabs you and you can’t help but bob your head? That’s the groove. Beginner musicians stick to the rules, but the pros know the rules so well they can bend them to create that feeling.
Style works the same way. Your clothes are the steady beat: a classic shirt, some nice trousers, a simple jacket. They’re reliable, on time. Jewelry? That’s the swing. It changes the feel. A ring that catches the light when you gesture, a necklace that moves with you when you laugh. It’s a little unexpected, a subtle difference that turns a basic outfit into something with rhythm and personality.
When I Started Liking Jewelry
For years, I felt like anything more than a watch was a costume. If I tried on a bracelet or a chain, I’d imagine people thinking I was auditioning for a pirate movie. Who wants to be "that guy wearing a SILVER BRACELET"?
Then Brad Pitt came along and messed up all my preconceived notions. I was watching the F1 movie with a friend, and almost immediately, I noticed his character’s style. His clothes were simple, rugged, and worn – faded sweatshirts, open shirts, suede jackets. They had this cool 60s and 70s vibe that was masculine and refined, not flashy at all. But what really caught my eye was the jewelry. He was wearing a lot of it: multiple rings, a couple of bracelets, a few chains.
His clothes were understated, but his jewelry felt different. It was layered, almost like tattoos, making his whole look feel authentic and lived-in. It wasn’t just decoration; it gave his entire outfit that "swing." Suddenly, I wanted that same feeling of effortless cool. Not to copy his exact look, but to capture that sense of ease.
Why It Feels So Weird At First
For many guys, wearing jewelry comes with a lot of baggage. We ask ourselves: Is this too much? Too feminine? Am I going to look like I’m trying too hard?
But men have always worn some form of jewelry – rings, chains, medals, cufflinks. It was part of their identity. This hesitation we feel actually became common after the Great Depression and World War II, when practicality took over and middle-class men focused on just the essentials. That simpler look stuck, and by the early 2000s, anything beyond a watch felt a bit suspicious due to the rise of minimalism.
Even so, jewelry never truly disappeared. Plenty of regular guys wore it without a second thought. My own dad wore his class ring daily for decades, which was pretty normal back then. The costume designer for the F1 movie mentioned that he drew inspiration from cool guys of the 70s like Kris Kristofferson and Steve McQueen, who weren’t always "clean cut." In fact, many of the jewelry pieces Brad Pitt wore in the movie were reportedly his own!
So, the hang-up about jewelry isn’t some age-old tradition; it’s a modern worry about "being caught trying" too hard. Your clothes provide the stable rhythm, and jewelry adds the interesting variations. That’s why it can feel a bit risky, like a new drummer worried about messing up the song for everyone.
What Good Jewelry Really Does
It adds texture and depth. Think of a simple gray t-shirt, navy chinos, and white sneakers – it’s like plain oatmeal. Jewelry is the salt and butter, giving it flavor and interest. It also helps create a consistent personal style. If you always wear the same necklace, it stops being just an "accessory" and becomes part of who you are.
Even minimalists can appreciate this: it’s the easiest way to add dimension to your look without buying a whole new wardrobe. You just need a chain, a ring, or a bracelet.
How to Start Without Looking Over-the-Top
My interest in jewelry began long before Brad Pitt’s F1 role. A style contributor I know, Daniel, had been wearing rings, bracelets, and necklaces for years. I was fascinated, like my dog, Leela, when she sees water – eager to jump in but pulling back at the first touch.
Daniel once told me that if you’re new to jewelry, start with a watch. After that, a bracelet is a good next step because it feels more personal, often like a gift. Another easy choice is a simple necklace, maybe a light gold chain with an interesting but not too complicated design. You can tuck it under your shirt, or if your shirt is unbuttoned, it frames your face nicely. These are great starting points. From there, you can add more bracelets and eventually venture into rings, even on several fingers.
The key thing I learned from him was that jewelry should just show up. It shouldn’t announce itself or jingle around like a bell on a cat.
So, start with one thing. A watch, a ring, a leather bracelet, or a chain you can easily hide under your shirt.
Pendant Necklaces
When choosing pendant necklaces, go for small and subtle designs. Simple shapes in silver or gold work best; anything too big or ornate can quickly look like a costume. If you want to layer pendants or combine them with plain chains, make sure they hang at slightly different lengths for a natural look.
Materials Matter:
- Silver: Cool, effortlessly stylish.
- Gold: Warm, classic.
- Brass: Has an aged, rugged feel.
- Steel: Industrial, no-nonsense.
- Leather or cord: Casual, tactile.
- Stone or beads: Earthy, relaxed.
A little tip: unless you’re actually a hardened warrior, skip the skulls. Also, avoid prominent slogans or logos. Aim for clean, simple shapes that look like they’ve been part of your collection forever.
Box Chain Bracelets
Box chains are great because you can find them at various price points. If you’re just starting out, grab a more affordable one. I got a really nice one as a birthday gift, and it feels more special when I wear it. They look good on their own, stacked with other bracelets, or next to your watch.
Layering Without Getting Carried Away
Layering jewelry isn’t about perfectly symmetrical arrangements. Think of it more like cooking than baking – it’s about improvisation that looks good to your eye, not following a strict recipe.
Your pieces don’t have to perfectly match. A gold necklace with a silver ring is totally fine, as long as they feel right on you. Small, delicate pieces might disappear on their own, but together, they build up an interesting look.
The trick is to let one part of your body be the main focus. If your wrist is covered in bracelets, keep your neck and fingers simpler. If you’re wearing a lot of rings, give your wrists a break. This gives your look some "breathing room" so it doesn’t seem like you raided Mr. T’s jewelry box.
Signet Rings
These rings are simple, have a nice weight to them, and are meant to look like they’ve always been a part of your style.
Fabric & Beaded Bracelets
You can find colorful fabric bracelets in multipacks that are pretty inexpensive. The goal is to eventually pick up a unique one on a trip and swap it in. They can be vibrant for a well-traveled vibe or subtle for something quieter. If you go for beaded bracelets, keep the beads smaller. Big beads can go from a subtle accent to an overpowering statement, especially when you’re just getting started.
Wear It Like You Mean It
Don’t give up on jewelry after just a week. At first, you’ll probably catch yourself staring at it, fiddling with it, and wondering if everyone else is staring too. That’s the moment you need to push through. Wear that bracelet until you completely forget it’s there. Let that chain peek out subtly from your collar. Wear the ring until you stop playing with it absentmindedly in meetings.
What You Really Want
Ultimately, you want three to five pieces that truly feel like you. Maybe a watch, a chain, and a couple of rings. These aren’t just "for the outfit"; they’re not borrowed or rented. They should feel as comfortable and personal as your favorite coffee mug or your well-worn sneakers.
As Daniel said, these pieces often accumulate over time: one gifted, one found on a memorable trip, another bought because Brad Pitt inspired you. Eventually, they aren’t just "accessories"; they’re simply what you wear. Like a drummer leaning back on the beat, these few pieces subtly shift the whole rhythm of your wardrobe, adding a unique personal touch to your style without changing the clothes themselves.
The real goal is for people not to notice your jewelry first. They should notice that you look good. Then, as you chat, maybe they’ll spot the chain, the ring, or the bracelet. That’s when it works.
Because when jewelry is worn this way, it doesn’t add flash. It just adds that little skip in the beat, that human rhythm that keeps an outfit alive. And the day you forget to wear it, you’ll feel just a tiny bit off, like a drummer trying to play a song without any swing.