Small Details That Make a Big Statement
There’s a certain magic in the details. The suit, the tux, or the jacket are just the starting point. Accessories tie everything together—no pun intended. They don’t shout as loud as the vows or the music at the reception, but they elevate the overall outfit without anyone necessarily being able to pinpoint why you look so good. Maybe it’s the flash of a watch under the cuff, or the way your brogues seemed custom fit. This is the territory where small choices become big statements. Here are twenty stylish accessories grooms can wear on their wedding day.
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1. Cufflinks
They’re tiny, almost dismissible, until someone shakes your hand and notices them glinting in the light. Cufflinks can be heirlooms—a grandfather’s initials engraved decades ago—or playful, like tiny enamel guitars. They’re the subtle wink in a room full of straight faces.
2. Pocket Square
Not the same as a handkerchief, though people confuse them constantly. A pocket square is pure flourish. A crisp white linen folded in a presidential style feels timeless. But a patterned silk, with just a hint of color peeking out, can suddenly tilt a whole outfit toward a higher level of sophistication.
3. Tie Bar
It’s utilitarian, sure, and keeps your tie from flapping into your soup. But when chosen carefully—say, a slim silver one tucked just above the third button—it becomes far more than that. A tie bar whispers that you’ve given some serious thought about this day.
4. Boutonnière
Fresh flowers pinned against the lapel give your outfit a touch of class. A rose is expected, a sprig of lavender less so. There’s a quiet charm in the groom’s boutonnière matching the bride’s bouquet. Sometimes it’s the only pop of color on an otherwise black-and-white ensemble, and that contrast can be stunning.
5. Suspenders
Belts are fine, but suspenders have old-timey character. They make you stand a little taller and give off an effortlessly vintage aura. Navy blue suspenders under a dark suit can feel like a hidden layer only your partner gets to see when the jacket comes off later.
6. Watch
Here’s a big one. A Rolex can gleam, yes, but the watch your dad wore to his own wedding is far weightier. Some grooms even buy a new watch specifically to mark the occasion. Years later, it’s not just a watch—it’s the watch.
7. Tie
This one may be obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning. The tie sets the tone of the suit. A skinny black silk tie reads far more youthful than a wide patterned one. And some grooms skip it entirely in favor of an open collar, which can either look careless or incredibly stylish depending on how well you pull it off.
8. Bow Tie
This isn’t simply for black-tie events. A velvet bow tie, for example, in deep green or burgundy, can look outrageously sharp at a winter wedding. If you’re like many of us, opt for the pre-tied version and save yourself the headache of trying to navigate that knot on your own.
9. Shoes
They may be below people’s line of sight, but trust us when we say your guests will make a point of glancing down. Polished cap-toe oxfords, gleaming loafers, or even boots can work depending on the venue. The wrong shoes can sink an otherwise perfect look, so pay it some mind.
10. Socks
Here’s where personality often sneaks in. There’s a thrill in lifting up your pant leg just slightly to expose bold stripes, polka dots, or maybe even cartoon characters hidden under otherwise formal wear. Matching groomsmen socks are cliché, but they still get a laugh.
11. Belt
It should match the shoes, of course. But belts can do more than simply hold your pants up. A braided leather belt with subtle texture adds dimension. If all else fails, you can’t go wrong with sleek black leather.
12. Tie Pins and Lapel Pins
These are different from tie bars, in that tie pins go through the fabric itself. Some are simple gold dots, others are miniature sculptures. A lapel pin, not to be confused with a boutonnière, can carry meaning—signifying military service or a family crest.
13. Glasses or Sunglasses
Glasses can completely shift the mood of a face. Sunglasses, though? They’re trickier. Indoors, no. Outdoors, maybe—but choose carefully, because the photos last forever. Aviators at a beach wedding make sense. Not so much in a cathedral.
14. Vest
Although it’s technically part of a three-piece suit, vests are often treated as an accessory. Sometimes just swapping in a contrasting vest—light gray under a navy suit, for instance—changes the whole character of the outfit.
15. Hat
This one isn’t for everyone. That said, a fedora or Panama hat can be the kind of risk that pays off if worn with conviction. Think summer weddings outdoors, when the sun’s too harsh to go bareheaded, or a late autumn ceremony where wool strikes the right balance between functional and timeless.
16. Grooming Accessories
Beard oil, mustache wax, and a dab of pomade aren’t visible the same way a tie bar is, but their presence is felt. A well-kept beard and hair that holds in place all night matter more than anyone cares to admit, not to mention the pleasant scent that lingers when hugging relatives.
17. Bracelets
Although not everyone’s go-to, leather bands or thin metal cuffs can look good against a watch. There’s a line, of course—too many accessories and it starts to feel like a concert rather than a wedding. If chosen with intent, a bracelet can balance out a wrist beautifully.
18. Rings Beyond the Wedding Band
Some men wear a signet ring; others opt for a simple silver band on the right hand. There’s something grounding about the weight of jewelry, especially if it’s something you’ve worn for years. It tells a story, silent but noticeable in photos.
Elian Emanuel Coutinho Roehrs on Pexels
19. Pocket Watch
It may seem old-fashioned, but that’s entirely the point. There’s a wonderful theatricality in pulling a watch from a vest pocket to check the time. It feels like an accessory from another century sneaking into the modern age.
20. Cologne
Although technically invisible, it’s far from forgettable. Stick to the classics: a woody scent, citrus notes, or something musky. Years later, one whiff will transport you back to that exact day, the dance floor, the toasts, and your nervous excitement.
