Sep 28, 20263 min read

How to Match Men's Accessories: Belt, Shoes, Watch, Tie and More

By Oswin Hyde · Last updated 28 September 2026

The short answer: match the leathers, match the metals, and let one accessory stand out. Your belt and shoes should be in the same colour family; your watch strap and wallet can follow them. Buckle, watch, cufflinks and tie bar should all be the same metal. Then choose one point of interest, such as a patterned tie, a bright pocket square or bold cufflinks, and keep everything else quiet.

The three rules of matching men's accessories

Rule	What it means	Example
Match your leathers	Belt, shoes, watch strap and wallet in the same colour family and a similar finish	Dark brown belt, dark brown Oxfords, brown watch strap
Match your metals	Buckle, watch, cufflinks and tie bar in one metal	Silver buckle, steel watch, silver cufflinks
One statement at a time	Let one accessory be the focus and keep the rest simple	Bright pocket square with a plain tie

Belt and shoes

This is the pairing people notice first. Black belt with black shoes; brown or tan belt with brown or tan shoes. Match the finish too: suede with suede, polished leather with polished leather. Try the smooth Gavin Brown with brown Oxfords, or the suede Kenneth Tan with tan suede loafers. Full detail in our guide on how to match your belt and shoes.

Watch

Match a leather watch strap to your belt and shoes. A metal bracelet should match your buckle and cufflinks. For black tie, choose a slim watch on a black leather strap, or none at all.

Tie and pocket square

The pocket square should complement the tie, not copy it. Pick up a secondary colour from the tie, or pair a patterned tie with a plain square. A simple formula: plain navy tie with a patterned square, or patterned tie with a white square. See our tie guide and pocket square guide. Try the Navy Geometric silk pocket square with a burgundy tie.

Cufflinks and tie bar

Match the metal to your watch and buckle. Keep business cufflinks small and simple, such as the Square Black; save colour and novelty for weddings and parties. The tie bar should be narrower than the tie. More in our cufflinks guide.

Socks

For formal outfits, match socks to your trousers, not your shoes. For smart-casual, socks can pick up a colour from your tie or pocket square.

Wallet and card holder

Your wallet is only seen when you pay, but matching it to your belt and shoes looks considered. A black Holborn card holder suits a black-leather outfit; a brown Leicester bifold suits brown.

Matching cheat sheet

Outfit	Shoes and belt	Metal	Statement piece
Navy business suit	Dark brown or black	Silver	Patterned tie or pocket square
Charcoal suit	Black	Silver	Burgundy tie
Grey suit, summer	Tan or mid-brown	Gold or silver	Bright pocket square
Chinos and blazer	Brown suede	Any, kept consistent	Knit tie or colourful socks
Black tie	Black patent	Silver or black	None: keep it classic

Frequently asked questions

How do you match men's accessories?

Match your leathers (belt, shoes, watch strap), match your metals (buckle, watch, cufflinks), and let one accessory stand out while the rest stay simple.

Should your belt match your shoes?

Yes: the same colour family and a similar finish.

Should your watch match your belt?

A leather strap should match your belt and shoes; a metal watch should match your buckle and cufflinks.

Should a pocket square match your tie?

No. It should complement it, picking up a colour or contrasting in pattern.

Should socks match shoes or trousers?

Trousers, for formal outfits.

Shop the pieces in this guide: belts · ties · pocket squares · cufflinks · leather accessories

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