Men’s High Fashion Office Accessories
There’s a simple reason to investing in office-bound fashion: you get a lot of mileage out of them. They get worn, seen, mixed and matched up to five times a week, which is good value regardless of how much you’ve paid for them. At this point, however, you may be looking to diversify beyond the usual neckties and suit jackets. It’s high time to look into the everyday office items you use, because they can well be your next style statement.
Pen and Planner
Here’s a pair of items you use a lot. Even without meaning to, men at the office tend to turn their pens and daily planners into mini-status symbols. Just notice how the top brass tends to have silver- or gold-plated pens and leather-bound daily planners. If you can afford them, the right materials can make a good complement to your power tie look.
Do you remember the principle of office neckties? Finer materials and more traditional styling imply a more powerful wearer. That’s why hefty, moderate width neckties suggest supervisory aspirations. The same idea applies here. With higher end writing materials, you show that you have good taste and attention for the little details. Sooner or later, your bosses and clients will have to take notice.
Just because you’re looking at stationery doesn’t mean it’s going to come cheap; these are luxury materials, after all. You’ll want to look at cheaper leathers and plated metals for now. The pebbled Italian leather binding and rose gold sign pens can wait until you get an actual executive salary.
Man Bag
Everyone at the office sees your bag at least twice a day, once when you arrive and once when you leave. It’s one of the likeliest items to become part of your style signature since it gets that kind of exposure. If you’re serious about making an office fashion statement, there’s no way you could ignore the importance of what you’re toting around.
Backpacks, for example, are a no-no from the get-go, unless you’re a college student in an office with other men your age. As soon as you get out of high school, though, you should seriously consider more mature alternatives like the messenger bag, the briefcase or the tote. With the right styling and materials, any of the three should be able to bring all your office needs to work in high style.
If you’ve just started at an office or workplace, you might want to try a nylon or canvas bag first. No secretary comes to work in a power tie and dressed like the boss, so you’ll want to keep it low profile at first. After your first couple of pay rises, aim for a finer canvas bag or a mid-range leather piece for the office. Only after you’ve earned a title should you consider those limited run Italian jobs with precious metal hardware.
Card Cases
Dispensing business cards is good for more than just introducing yourself to a partner or client. It’s also an occasion to display your high style and fine taste – if you have a great card case, that is. When you’re trying to create a good and lasting impression, tucking your business cards into a compartment in your wallet simply will not cut the mustard.
You can start with a sleek steel card case to show how serious you are about your job and how streamlined you are with your practices. Once you’ve moved up to a position with an office, upgrade to a case in leather or silver-plated metal. It has that ideal combination of being discreet yet impressive. As soon as you’ve assured your place in the boss’ chair, it’s time for an engraved gold- or silver-plated case to make the introductions for you.
Each of three items above is ordinary and commonplace in the modern man’s office arsenal. The right materials and a sufficiently high degree of craftsmanship, however, will make them noteworthy and coveted – just like you should be to your bosses.
Pohl not only writes about mens fashion at guest blogs but he also has his own mens fashion blog and manages several websites selling mens ties, bow ties, cufflinks, and other mens fashion accessories.
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