'Bling' it on

There has always been a quandary on men and jewellery. Should men wear jewellery or will they be deemed as being overly effeminate? With "man bling" now accounting for about 10 percent of the annual $48.3 billion in fine jewelry sales in the United States, according to a study by National Jeweler magazine, some emphasis has to be put on it.

By "man bling", I do not mean over-the-top things like piercings, huge nose rings and stretched ear lobes. I am referring to the simple bracelet, necklace, pendant, ring and the ever-so-classic wristwatch.

Just so I'm not closing all doors, if you do have to make a piercing, keep it to a simple ear stud. A nice diamond stud for your stereotypically heterosexual left ear will make a difference to your overall look as you dress up and hit the streets.

Of course, it does not mean that you are gay if you pierce your right ear. Just for the record, this author thinks that you are only gay if you get caught on the streets holding hands or making out with another guy. You should also note that an ear stud with a suit is a big no-no.

Since ancient times, males have always had their "bling". Think of the Mayan empires, Indiana Jones and stories of ancient hordes of treasures, who wore all those stuff? However, it has only been brought into the spotlight with the recent shift in trends due to the influence of the hip hop and metrosexual cultures.

Now let's see what could add to your arsenal of "man bling".

A ring is a great way for a man to incorporate a little bling into his life. Many rings designed for men are sleek, in pure white gold or silver sculpted in masculine shapes. A nice discreet way to show off your man-ring will be to rub your chin in the midst of a conversation, which ought to get you a few compliments.

The latest bracelets for men are far from feminine, incorporating materials like brushed steel and rubber for a refined yet rugged style. I remember a few years back, ok maybe more than a few years back, when I was but a wee teenager.

People were really getting into bright-coloured rubber "Live-strong" wrist-bands. Well, those look good but only if you are dressed up in some sports gear. For a trendy sleek look, stick to steel or leather ones.

Necklaces were not made for men previously. Now, men are wearing charms on their necklaces. Rummage through some shops and get yourself a nice silver chain. Thread a ring, a large safety pin and maybe a dog tag through it and there you go!

Wristwatches are probably the most classic of men's bling. A nice watch will easily bring you some "ohs" and "ahs". It is important that your watch is nice and thin. Wearing huge watches with dress shirts or suits just don't make the cut. You want a slim watch with a simple timeless design that exudes elegance and style.

Ultimately women will always dominate the jewellery industry but men should not be excluded from it. Come on men of Singapore! Lets "bling" it up a notch!