6 Tips on How to Match Watches with Clothes (2024)

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From the type of occasion, colors, and straps, learn how to match watches with clothes to create a perfect pair and an elevated look!

Apr 15, 2024

Mastering the art of matching watches with clothes can elevate your overall look and make a significant fashion statement. So, how to match watches with clothes to get the perfect look?

Basically, it's imperative to know how to match a timepiece with your wardrobe. While men tend to limit the use of jewelry, watches would be the best way to elevate their appearance with accessories.

In many cases, watches with bold and rugged designs are common in men's style. However, knowing that you can't just simply strap a skeleton watch to pair with a suit. The watch does make a strong presence but it would just make your appearance lacks of something.

However, there's always a way to fix anything. This guide aims to help you understand the principles and the best way to match a watch with an outfit.

Understanding the Basics

Knowing how to match watches with clothes is a blend of art and science, guided by some fundamental principles. Find out the tips to properly wear a watch and get the overall look elevated.

1. Occasion Matters

Consider the event or occasion you are dressing up for. A formal event may require a different watch than a casual outing or a sporting activity. Choose a watch that suits the context. That way, you can properly wear a watch that matches your clothes.

2. Color Coordination

Matching watches with clothes is also about finding the perfect pair of colors. Harmonize the colors of your watch and outfit. Mix and match don’t always go well when it comes to wearing a watch.

Instead, complementary or analogous colors work well. For instance, a brown watch can complement earth-toned outfits, while a black watch suits most colors.

3. Style Alignment

Align the style of your watch with the overall style of your outfit is also helpful in matching watches with clothes. A sporty watch may not match well with a formal suit, whereas a sleek, minimalist watch might.

4. Strap Material

It might seem just a little matter when it comes to matching watches with clothes. But, the material of the watch strap matters. There are two simple guidelines about choosing the right strap and matching it with your outfit.

A leather strap often works with formal or business casual attire as it is considered more formal. Meanwhile, metal or rubber straps suit more casual settings and, thus, you can wear them on less formal occasions.

What about a gold or silver bracelet? It might not suit most formal gatherings. However, they can still be fitting for elegant events if they harmonize well with your overall ensemble.

5. Watch Size and Proportions

Ensure that the size and proportions of the watch match your wrist and overall body frame. A large watch might overpower a small wrist, and vice versa.

6. The Power of Contrast

Contrast can be a powerful tool when matching watches with clothes. A white-faced watch against a dark outfit or a black-faced watch against a light outfit creates a striking contrast that draws attention to your wrist.

Read also: Which Hand Do You Actually Wear a Watch? (Right or Left?)

How to Match Watches with Clothes

Now, that you understand the basics, let’s scrutinize the tips to effortlessly coordinate your watches with various outfits.

Formal Attire

When wearing formal attire, such as a business suit or a dress shirt and trousers, opt for a classic, minimalist watch. Choose a watch with a simple dial, preferably in metallic shades like silver or gold. A black leather strap is a timeless choice that complements a formal look.

Business Casual

For a business casual look, consider a watch with a leather or metal strap in neutral colors like brown, black, or silver. The watch can have a slightly more detailed dial compared to a strictly formal watch but still maintain a level of elegance.

Casual Wear

Casual outfits, such as jeans and a t-shirt or a sundress, offer versatility. Here, you have the opportunity to experiment. A smartwatch or a sporty chronograph can add a contemporary touch. Alternatively, a colorful watch or one with a unique design can be a statement piece.

Sports and Athletic Wear

When engaging in sports or any physical activity, opt for a sports-specific watch. These watches often have features like water resistance, a durable strap, and additional functionalities like a stopwatch. Choose a watch that is comfortable and durable to withstand your activity.

Black-Tie Events

For black-tie events, a formal dress watch with a black leather strap and a simple, elegant dial is the ideal choice. It should be understated yet sophisticated, complementing the formal attire.

Seasonal Considerations

Take into account the season and its color palette. Brighter and lighter colors often suit spring and summer, while deeper and richer hues are more appropriate for fall and winter. Adjust your watch choice accordingly.

Final Thought

The tips on how to match watches with clothes would end with the idea that your personal style and preferences also matter – they should always guide your choices.

While understanding these principles is essential, experimenting and finding what works best for you will help you curate a unique and personalized watch collection that complements your style impeccably.

Moreover, by understanding the basics of occasion, color coordination, style alignment, strap material, and watch size, you can also effortlessly coordinate your watches with different outfits.

Remember to consider the occasion, your outfit's style, and your personal preferences to master the art of watch and wardrobe coordination. Happy accessorizing!

Read also: How to Wear a Watch with a Suit: Pull Your Look Together

6 Tips on How to Match Watches with Clothes (2024)

FAQs

6 Tips on How to Match Watches with Clothes? ›

We can say that white and black face watches have better readability than others. But to call them "better" in absolute terms is not something that does them justice. So we can say that a watch with a white or black dial is a safe choice for all occasions: they are (more or less) watches that go with everything.

What watch goes with every outfit? ›

We can say that white and black face watches have better readability than others. But to call them "better" in absolute terms is not something that does them justice. So we can say that a watch with a white or black dial is a safe choice for all occasions: they are (more or less) watches that go with everything.

How to pair a watch with outfits? ›

Choose the leather strap of your watch by matching it with the colour of your shoes and belt. The metal that is used in the watch's case or band should be the same colour as your belt buckle, cufflinks, shoe buckle, ring etc, either all the accessories should be gold or they should be silver.

How should a watch look with a dress shirt? ›

The second rule is that your watch should always stay under your sleeve. You should wear your watch under your clothing, not above. The third rule is that the watch should be thin enough to slip easily under the sleeves of the shirt or jacket. The fourth rule is that the strap should fit firmly around your wrist.

Can you wear a watch with jeans? ›

Dress watches are the best for everyday wear

They can be worn with anything from jeans to suits, and they look great on both men and women. Dress watches come in many styles, so there is something for everyone. Some have classic faces while others feature bold colors and designs.

What watch does Zendaya wear? ›

Zendaya Zeitgeist

Take her 35-mm rose-gold Patek Philippe Nautilus, for example; a watch she shares with her friendly-neighborhood boyfriend, Tom Holland. Or her 41-mm Bulgari Octo Roma that is generally otherwise only seen on the wrists of men, given its larger size.

How do you match the perfect outfit? ›

A mix of Neutral and Complementary colors

Neutral colors are quite important as they can add more balance and harmony to your outfits. Neutral colors also match with any bright, soft, or primary colors. The only thing to pay attention to is to match cold neutral shades with cold shades of other colors and vice versa.

What color goes with every outfit? ›

White. On the opposite end of the color spectrum (quite literally), white can offer the perfect blank canvas with which to build the rest of your look. If you're a fan of classic black but want to branch out, white is your intuitive next step.

How to teach kids to match clothing? ›

Show him or her how to combine prints with solid colors and neutrals with anything. Then mix all the clothes up and have your child try to do it. You might even purposely put some obviously non-matching outfits together and have him or her pick out which ones don't work. It's a really fun learning game!

How should a girl wear a watch? ›

Etiquette dictates you wear your watch on your left wrist, but that really came about as most people are right-handed, and could therefore wind their watch with ease with the crown being on the right-hand side. Most watches nowadays don't need winding, meaning you can wear it on the wrist of your non-dominant hand.

What is the rule for wearing a wrist watch? ›

Wear your watch on the wrist that suits you

Most people will default to wearing a watch on their non-dominant wrist. This means that right-handed people will choose to wear the watch on their left wrist, and left-handed people will adorn their right wrist with their timepiece.

Can you wear a watch 24-7? ›

You may feel wrist pain.

If you never take off your watch, the continuous compression of the nerves at the wrist might cause painful sensations.

Does your watch have to match your suit? ›

When it comes to wearing a watch with a suit, it's essential to match the right watch with the right suit. It's all about finding the right balance between the formality of the suit and the style of the watch.

What outfits to wear a watch with? ›

A dark conservative suit pairs best with a classic dress watch or a diver watch with a leather strap. Business Casual – A light-colored suit with no necktie complements a high-end Chrono, pilot, or field watch. Casual – If a watch has a metal band, it is considered less formal.

Do girls wear watch on left or right? ›

Traditionally, women have been encouraged to wear their watches on their left wrist, mirroring the societal standard for men. In this article, we're going to explore the realm of how to wear a watch elegantly for a woman, especially in decoding the watch placement.

How do you show a watch when wearing a suit? ›

Ideally, the cuff of your shirt should almost, but not quite, cover the watch. If you want to be regarded as elegant and sophisticated, never (we repeat, never) wear the watch on top of the cuff. This means that you need a band that fits correctly. Too loose, and it will flop onto your hand as your arm hangs naturally.

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