Walk down any city street today, and you’ll notice something that would have raised eyebrows just a generation ago. Men in hoodies and sneakers wear gold chains and silver rings that wouldn’t look out of place in a Milan boardroom. Professionals in tailored suits are finishing their looks with earrings, leather bracelets, or pendants that once belonged to casual wardrobes.
The once rigid lines that separated “business jewellery” from ‘street jewellery’ have faded. Today, men’s jewellery is a tool for self-expression that can move fluidly between styles, moods, and settings. This shift hasn’t happened overnight. Jewellery for men has always carried a specific symbolism.
For decades, the watch was the acceptable accessory in professional life, with cufflinks and perhaps a signet ring as distant companions. Necklaces and chunkier rings were seen as belonging to casual wear, often associated with youth culture or rebellion. That divide made sense in an era where workplaces expected conformity, and masculinity was carefully policed. Yet as culture has opened up and personal style has become a language, men’s jewellery has entered new territory.
The Influence of Streetwear
This evolution can be traced to streetwear’s rise in the 1990s and early 2000s, when hip-hop artists, skateboarders, and subcultural figures used jewellery to mark identity and belonging. Chains, grills, oversized pendants, and stacked rings became visual statements. These weren’t subtle accessories. They were cultural declarations.
Streetwear created a stage where jewellery was not just an add-on but a defining feature of the look. Fast-forward to today, and the influence is unmistakable. High-end designers have collaborated with streetwear brands to create collections where diamond-set pendants sit next to tailored jackets.
What was once coded as casual or rebellious now sits comfortably in the mainstream. Jewellery has become part of the broader dialogue between luxury and street, creating a hybrid style that speaks to both.
Breaking the Workplace Barrier
Equally important is what’s happening in offices and boardrooms. Professional dress codes have relaxed in many industries, allowing individuality to play a larger role. While a brightly coloured tie once signalled personality, a slim silver bracelet or an understated chain can serve the same purpose.
Though still central, watches no longer dominate as the only acceptable form of jewellery. Earrings, for example, are no longer exclusive to creative industries. A small stud or hoop can be part of a polished look, communicating authority.
This acceptance is not uniform across all professions, but the trend is clear. Men are testing the boundaries of what ‘professional’ style means, and jewellery has become a discreet but powerful way of doing it. The bracelet under a shirt cuff, the signet ring worn with a suit, and the subtle pendant under an open-collar shirt all reflect this new balance between tradition and modernity.
The Materials of Modern Masculinity
Part of jewellery’s crossover power comes from the materials now available. Traditional metals like gold and silver remain central, but titanium, ceramic, and carbon fibre have entered the conversation. These materials bring a sharper, more technical aesthetic that works just as well with a tailored suit as with trainers and a hoodie. They appeal to men who want strength, durability, and a modern edge without feeling ornamental.
Design also plays a role. A men’s Cuban chain in yellow gold might make sense layered over a streetwear fit, while a slim titanium chain can sit under a crisp white shirt without looking out of place. Rings, too, now range from minimalist matte finishes to intricate engravings that blur the line between heritage and contemporary.
Cultural Drivers
Celebrity culture cannot be ignored in this story. From athletes walking into press conferences with diamond earrings to actors pairing tailored tuxedos with layered chains, the visibility of men wearing jewellery has normalised it across contexts. Social media amplifies these moments, allowing men to see examples of jewellery worn confidently in every setting imaginable. This creates permission and inspiration for experimentation.
It’s also worth noting that fashion cycles are increasingly gender-fluid. Men are no longer restricted to the same handful of accessories. The crossover between men’s and women’s collections has blurred, creating a space where personal taste matters more than tradition. If a piece resonates, it belongs, whether worn with jeans or a suit.
Style Without Borders
Men’s jewellery thrives across all arenas from the basketball court to the boardroom. Its ability to transition from casual to formal, from rebellious to refined, speaks to a broader cultural shift. Masculine style is no longer about rigid categories. It is about adaptability, confidence, and expression.