The evolution of men’s fashion is one ruled by history and tradition, from the Victorian gentleman of the early 1900s to the power dressing of the 1980s. Social, political and economic trends dictated what was acceptable or not – and this can still be seen in the current era of great individuality in fashion.
Accessories have always played a crucial role in fashion history – think of Victorian gentleman expressing their wealth through top hats, pocket watches and elaborate canes – but accessories can be tricky for a gentleman to master, with a wide array of options available at any given time.
But a sure way to stand out above the crowd is to spend big. Find out more with our guide to the most expensive men’s accessories and who wore them:-
6. Carbon Fiber Wallet ($1400)
The only place to start is the location of your wealth: the wallet. Evolving from a simple piece of fabric to hold coins for the market to a beautifully handcrafted statement of wealth.
Traditionally the main material used has been leather with most skilled craftsmen hoping to use the softest or rarest leather available. However, the advancements of technology in both construction and payment has meant the introduction of new materials.
Lewis Hamilton uses the $1,400 Dunhill Carbon Fiber Biometric Wallet, which is made from carbon fibre with a leather interior. While light and durable with modern styling, it also packs secret features. Metal implants prevents any unauthorised card intrusions, while it also requires a fingerprint to open.
5. Umbrella ($50,000)
The umbrella is one of the few accessories that most men hope not to use. But if you are to get caught in a downpour in rainy season, then it is important to look dapper while dealing with mother nature.
The eye-catching umbrella designed and created by Italian Formula One mogul Flavio Briatore and designer Angelo Galasso is sure to tick this box. Bypassing the more frequently used polyester, this $50,000 masterpiece was constructed out of genuine crocodile skin that is naturally water resistant.
4. Shoes ($50,000)
Conventional wisdom would point to a fine pair of brogues or oxfords as the fashionable accessory but ‘sneakers’ have seen such a stark revival in fortune over the last few years that they are impossible to ignore.
The sneaker trend has managed to infiltrate itself into many social standings, so it is no surprise that brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci have entered the market with their own designs.
However, Nike still holds the title of the world’s most expensive pair, with rapper Big Boi splashing out $50,000 for a pair of diamond encrusted Air Force 1’s.
3. Sunglasses ($408,000)
The modern epitome of cool is also one of the very few accessories to have stemmed from a health perspective.
Sunglasses are one of the easiest accessories to get right, simply finding the right fit for your face shape will open the endless number of options available in market. Traditional styles like wayfarers and aviators never go out of fashion, while continuing to inspire modernised imitations
Like the De Rigo Vision pair by Chopard, an exclusive Swiss watch and jewellery maker. Selling for a cool $408k, these excusive sunglasses combine 60 grams of 19 carat gold for the temples, hinges and screws, coming luxury with durability, and 51 full-cut River diamonds set with a special technique so that the stones create a radiant carpet.
2. Watches ($ 28,00,000)
No element of men’s style combines fashion and function like the wristwatch. Nor does any other male accessory inspire such devotion and interest.
These magnificent devices have grown from very practical beginnings to exquisite works of art. The real beauty in the wristwatch, is that there is a watch for every occasion, hence the desire of many to curate a small collection and the need to invest in watch winders so that all timepieces are perfectly maintained.
Though expensive watches are common for the connoisseur, with exquisite pieces from Blancpain or Patek Philippe regularly costing over $100,000, the Hublot Bing Bang Watch is still the one to beat in terms of price. Taking a team of seventeen people over fourteen months to create, the watch comes with 637 diamonds. The cost to Beyoncé as a gift to her husband Jay-Z? $2.8 million dollars.
1. Cufflinks ($42,00,000)
Style is in the details, no matter how small. That extra bit of care taken over your appearance, can make all the difference, that’s why it is no great surprise that the most expensive item on the list, is also the smallest.
Cufflinks first appeared back in the 16th century but it was not until the 18th century that they were more commonly found. Traditionally they were one of the few pieces of jewellery that men would be allowed to wear, bringing about extensive design and interest in them.
This interest resulted in Jacob & Co creating a stunning $4.2 million pair of diamond cufflinks. The centrepiece on each cufflink features a 10.5 carat yellow diamond framed with an additional 5 carats of baguette cut diamonds. These stunning works of art are sure to adorn the wrists of many royals around the world.
