DALLAS, Aug 16, 2010 / FW/ — Donatella Versace once commented, “Never allow a rapper to out-bling you.” Interestingly enough, though most rappers are men, that advice was directed towards women on wearing jewelry when attending a gala party.
Hence, that brings us to the obvious question, can everyday men out-bling rappers?
“It would take a SUPER stylish & hot & handsome & confident guy like David Beckham to pull that off,” says New York-based designer Zang Toi when FashionWindows asked him that question.
But, Zang Toi agrees that today’s men have more leeway in wearing jewelry than their fathers who basically had their wedding bands and wristwatches as their “only jewelry.” In fact, for men, wearing more jewelry can begin on their wedding day!
For grooms, Zang recommends wearing a simple yet elegant pair of white Tahitian South Sea Pearl cufflink with platinum finding for additional bling.
A veritable tastemaker who has dressed some of the world’s most recognizable faces like Melinda Gates, Ivana Trump, and Sharon Stone, Zang Toi urges that a groom can use jewelry besides his wedding ring to distinguish himself from his attendants.
“An elegant vintage diamond & platinum watch brooch worn on the lapel differentiates the groom from the groomsmen who are wearing boutonnieres,” says Zang.
Speaking of watches, instead of a watch brooch, grooms can go retro and wear a pocket watch. With the vest usually having a place to connect the watch’s chain, allowing the fob to rest in the pants’ pocket, the fob’s silver or gold chain becomes a functional piece of jewelry that emanates old world charm.
Nowadays, it is also not surprising to find grooms wearing gold chains under his tie. Usually a tiny gold chain about 3.5 mm in width (just under 1/8 of an inch) to 7mm, worn under the necktie or below the bow tie. Seen only in-between collar points, the gold chain have come to symbolize the everlasting love that the bride and groom share for each other.
With the changing mores in our society, Miss Manners has not really laid out the rules for the do’s and don’ts of what jewelry grooms can wear or not wear at their weddings, though the fact remains that today’s men are allowed to wear more jewelry than before.
Asked what advice he has for grooms regarding jewelry, Zang Toi said, “Remember, the real gem is the woman in your arms you promise to share your life with.”
[MARI DAVIS]
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