Men’s fashion has gone through a massive yet welcomed shift. Gone are the days of beige khakis and jeans as the only choice. And even if you like these pieces (so do we), it’s refreshing to have options. Now, men are welcome to wear even the most traditionally feminine attire.

Pearls, for example, look great on men with pierced ears or hanging around the neck tight around the collar. The precious gemstone can be worn subtly thanks to its sheen appearance.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the many ways men can incorporate pearls into their personal style. But first, let’s look at the history of pearls and how they’ve been incorporated in the past.

Incorporate Pearls into Your Personal Style

© Can Stock Photo / YakobchukOlena

The History of Men Wearing Pearls

While 21st-century men have shied away from wearing jewelry, pearls have been a part of men’s fashion for hundreds of years. Men wore pearls throughout the Middle Ages and the Renaissance Period, mostly by kings and nobles, because they became a symbol of luxury.

Pearls became increasingly popular in men’s fashion thanks to Gen Z. It’s not uncommon for a young adult man to wear bold-colored pearls around the wrist or white teardrop pearls on the ears. Since pearls commonly come in neutral colors, they can be paired with just about anything. Pearls will look great with an all-black suit or jeans and a white t-shirt combination.

We should also give a shout-out to Harry Styles, Jaden Smith, A$AP Rocky, Shawn Mendes, and Pharrell Williams, who no doubt popularized the pearl-wearing trend in the early 2020s.

How to Choose Pearls: Looking at Different Types

Pearls aren’t just perfectly round or white; they come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. If you’re looking to accessorize with pearls, it’ll help to know the gem and its features.

Here are the 4 most common types of pearls:

  • Akoya Pearls: The “classic” pearl. They are round and come in neutral colors.
  • Freshwater Pearls: Typically tear dropped. They come in multiple colors.
  • Tahitian Black Pearls: Bigger pearls. They come in neutral colors, blues, and greens.
  • South Sea Pearls: Biggest pearls and most expensive. They come in white and gold.

As a rule, most accessories you’ll find will use round Akoya Pearls, whereas earrings will come in the freshwater style or round. When considering the price point, the more “perfect” a pearl looks, the more expensive it’ll be. Colored pearls, unless the color is rare, are less expensive.

10 Fashionable Ways to Incorporate Pearls Into Your Style

Gentlemen looking to add some flair and style to their wardrobe should consider using beautiful pearls. Here are 10 fashionable ways men can incorporate pearls into their personal style.

1. A Pearl Button-Down Shirt

A pearl-buttoned dress shirt is a perfect way to add some subtle opulence to your look. Pearl snap shirts work great on western or plaid shirts and can be paired with jeans and a belt. If you really want your buttons to stand out, find your shirt in black. More subtle? Try a white shirt.

2. Sport a Pearl-Embellished Watch

Pearl watches are still a bit rare, but even when you find them, they’re typically less expensive than their other counterparts. We can see pearl-embellished watches becoming a watch trend, but until then, accessorize with watches that include pearls in the dial, crystal, and hands.

3. Find a Pearl Tie Bar

Sliding a pearl tie bar along your necktie is an effortless way to add a bit of sophistication. You can find pearl tie bars in two forms: as a shell or as the pearl itself. A mother-of-pearl shell tie clip will shimmer next to a black tie, whereas a clip with a single pearl will blend into a white tie.

4. Get a Pearl-Studded Belt

Pearl-studded belts are very common in the fashion world, especially when accompanied by a large belt buckle. If you want to get a bit more creative, try a pearl-stringed belt that hangs near the waist. Both accessories work with an open suit jacket or a tucked-in t-shirt or sweater.

5. Wear a Pearl Bracelet

If you’re looking to dip your toe into modern pearl fashion trends, consider trying a pearl bracelet. You could try string pearls or a single pearl with a leather strap. Whether you opt for a single-strand or a multi-stranded bracelet, pearls are sure to make your wrist look stylish.

6. Invest in a Pair of Pearl Cufflinks

Already have a pearl tie bar? Why not pair it with some cufflinks? Pearl cufflinks are an easy way to add some class to any formal outfit, but you can even add them to a business-casual shirt. It’s okay to get a little extra here, as cufflinks are small enough to blend into the shirt.

7. Try Pearl-Adorned Loafers

For a more casual approach, opt for a pair of pearl-adorned loafers. Both Stuart Weitzman and Stacy Adams brought out a whole collection of pearl loafers. With that said, they don’t come around often, so you may have to get them custom-made on Etsy or from a local shoemaker.

8. Buy a Pearl-Embellished Pocket Square

Pearl pocket squares are another way to dress up a formal outfit. They’re also a great way to add some color and texture to your look. You can find pearl-embellished pocket squares in all sorts of colors and sizes; just make sure it complements the tie but doesn’t match it exactly.

9. Get the Perfect Pearl Necklace

Whether it’s a single-strand or a multi-stranded piece, a pearl necklace is a perfect way to add some glamor to your look. As a rule, longer chains should be worn with casual outfits, whereas shorter chains are for more dressy occasions. Black Tahitian pearls can be very eye-catching.

10. Wear Pearl-Encrusted Sunglasses

For a more bold statement, try a pair of pearl-encrusted sunglasses. They can either wrap around the lens or sit on the arm. The arm is the perfect place for a bar-style pearl accent, but you may want to save the glasses that feature large stones for parties or nights at the club.

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