How to Style a Watch With Any Outfit — Men's Guide
How to Style a Watch With Any Outfit — Men's Guide
A watch is often the only piece of jewellery a man wears — which means it carries a lot of weight. The right watch elevates your outfit. The wrong one can feel out of place.
Here's how to match your watch to any occasion.
Formal and Smart Occasions
The Rules
- Keep it slim. A thin case (under 10mm) slides under shirt cuffs without bulging.
- Leather straps win. Black leather for black shoes, brown leather for brown shoes. Classic pairing.
- Simple dials. Avoid busy chronograph faces. A clean, two-hand or three-hand dial is ideal.
- Metal should match. If your belt buckle and cufflinks are silver, wear a silver-tone watch.
Best Watch Styles
Dress watches, minimalist watches, slim gold-tone watches.
Smart Casual
The Rules
- More flexibility here. You can wear a metal bracelet watch, a leather strap, or even a NATO strap.
- Medium case size. 38-42mm is the sweet spot for smart casual.
- Subtle details. A date window, a textured dial, or a coloured second hand adds personality without going overboard.
Best Watch Styles
Stainless steel bracelet watches, chronographs, minimalist watches with colour accents.
Casual and Weekend
The Rules
- Almost anything goes. This is your chance to express personality.
- Larger cases work. 42-44mm watches feel natural with casual clothing.
- Experiment with straps. NATO straps, rubber straps, and canvas straps all add character.
- Don't overdress your wrist. A diamond-encrusted gold watch with joggers looks confused, not confident.
Best Watch Styles
Diver's watches, field watches, sports chronographs, digital-analogue hybrids.
Religious and Cultural Occasions
The Rules
- Respectful elegance. Choose something clean and understated.
- Gold tones complement traditional dress. A gold-tone watch pairs beautifully with thobes and formal cultural attire.
- Avoid flashy or oversized watches. The focus should be on the occasion, not your wrist.
Best Watch Styles
Classic dress watches, slim gold-tone watches, simple leather-strap watches.
Common Watch Styling Mistakes
- Wearing a dive watch with a suit. Unless it's a slim, dressy diver, save it for casual days.
- Mismatching metals. Silver watch with gold rings looks uncoordinated.
- Wearing a watch that's too big for your wrist. If the lugs hang over the edges of your wrist, it's too large.
- Ignoring the strap. A beautiful watch on a worn-out strap looks neglected. Replace straps when they show wear.
One Watch, Every Occasion?
If you only own one watch, a stainless steel watch with a clean dial and a bracelet is your safest bet. It works with suits, casual outfits, and everything in between. Add a spare leather strap to swap for formal events.
Find a watch that works for every occasion. Shop our watch collection and build a wrist wardrobe you'll be proud of.
