50 Essential Accessories for Men Over 50

As George Michael once said, "Sometimes the clothes do not make the man." We like to think he meant to add, "But the accessories do." When it comes to elevating your style game, there are few things that can completely transform your look like the right accessories, whether you're buying a stylish pair of sneakers or treating yourself to an heirloom-quality watch. However, when you're over 50, the accessories that you wore as a 20-something don't always cut it. That's why we've rounded up the 50 best men's accessories for the over 50 set—so read on to discover the perfect outfit add-ons for leveling up your wardrobe this year.

Best Life's editors have scoured the internet to bring you the best products out there, and we're hoping you'll love them as much as we do. Full disclosure: we may earn a commission for anything you purchase through links on this page, but that doesn't mean you'll pay more for them (we'd never do that to you!). Pricing and availability are accurate as of the piece's initial publication date, but it's the internet and we can't guarantee that these sweet, sweet deals will last forever, so scoop them up before someone else does!

Just because you have to cover up right now doesn't mean you have to resort to wearing a boring surgical mask day in and day out. With this handsome four-pack of masks, you can stay safe in style.

No need to reinvent the wheel, guys. You need a good pair of sneakers that aren't built for your workouts but can handle your walkabouts—and your brunches. Here's the thing: you don't need to spend a fortune on them, either. This pair in white from Vionic will look great with absolutely everything you wear, and aren't so pricey you'll feel the need to save them for a special occasion. Because, you know, they're sneakers.

Enough with the sweat-stained gym bag you've been lugging around for years. It's high time for an odor-proof upgrade. This duffel from Herschel is lined with polyester for industrial-grade stink protection. But the real selling point here is the extra shoe compartment: That way, you can keep your sneakers (and their scent) away from the rest of your gear.

Face it: No one's gonna connect with the guy who hands out a bent-up business card. Keep yours in tip-top shape with a handsome leather carrier that oozes composure.

For blizzards and other wild winter weather, you'll want a scarf that can take a beating. (And you'll want it at a price point where, if it doesn't hold up, you won't be upset.) This Gap scarf does exactly that, keeping you warm (and looking cool) no matter what Mother Nature throws your way. 

Monogrammed luggage is the height of luxury. And if you've ever part of a mistaken luggage kerfuffle, you'll know it's the height of travel insurance, too.

Watches are a status symbol among men. Set yourself apart by choosing a luxury chronograph like this one. It's the perfect watch to wear dressed up or dressed down—it looks every bit as good with a pair of jeans as it does with a suit.

Arguably the most important layer of any dude's outfit, by the time you hit 50, you'd best have your underwear game on lock. If not: Take a look at the offerings from Banana Republic. They're perfect for a bit of fun underneath that otherwise buttoned-up look.

Looking for the perfect Casual Friday belt? Look no further than this stylish braided number. It looks great with everything and with no notches, it even gives you a little extra room when necessary. 

Fact: every button-up looks best when it's brand new. With collar stays, your shirts can always look good as new, even if it's been kicking around your closet for years. And if you pick up a pair of indestructible metal ones, you won't have to swing by the dry cleaner to restock on flimsy plastic stays every few weeks.

The tote is the best bag a guy can own: Just throw all your stuff in and go—no need to spend time organizing files and pockets and flaps. And, by investing in an über-stylish option, like this one from Filson, you'll still look like an adult for whom everything is in its right place.

The next time life calls for a tie—a Monday morning meeting, a white tablecloth dinner date—eschew the wide silk necktie. Instead, grab a stylish tie that works with your entire wardrobe. This offering from Tommy Hilfiger comes in all manner of versatile patterns, from a vibrant purple plaid to a reserved blue with red polka dots.

You may think the Chelsea boot is reserved for aging rock stars. But there's no easier way to knock a few years off your look than by slipping into a sleek Chelsea boot. If you want a pair that both looks great and will last forever, look no further than Allen Edmonds' practically bulletproof Liverpool.

Yes, Paul Smith's dinosaur cufflinks are a total blast. But if you're looking for something a bit more demure, this globe set from Paul Smith is the perfect blend of fun and function without going fully jurassic.

Now that (most) workplaces don't require neckties, the pocket square has ascended to the throne of mandatory suiting accessory. In other words: If you're rocking a blazer or suit and you don't have a pocket square, you're doing the bare sartorial minimum—when you're more than capable of infusing some style into your look. This starter pack of black, gray, and white squares will get your collection started on the right foot.

Even though ties aren't mandatory these days, if you're going to wear one, you'd best do it right. A tie without a tie clip is like a suit jacket without a pocket square. It works, sure. But why condemn your wardrobe to permanent B-minus status? The good news: There's no need to be fancy. A simple silver-tone piece, like this trusty option from Banana Republic, will work with your entire wardrobe.

Weddings. Graduations. Anniversaries. Milestone birthdays. Sometimes, life requires you to dress to the nines. A customized piece, like this monogrammed tie clip, is the perfect way to upgrade any outfit.

When it comes to the thing that holds your money, it's worth investing in quality. This handsome leather wallet from Frye is timeless and durable, meaning it'll look just as good today as it does a decade from now.

The right belt can make any pair of jeans look more polished. This classic, masculine style from Shinola will make your more casual days a little dressier and your formal days and little more comfortable. That's what we call a win-win.

It's no surprise that the aviator is a well-minted classic: the style works with everything, every time. If you don't have a trusty pair by now, it's time to change that. Thankfully, nailing the action hero look is as simple as sliding on a pair of Ray-Ban's original model.

Because what guy doesn't want to ooze Ryan Gosling in Drive vibes?

With handsome burnished leather on the outside, this truly be the toughest duffel in history. Best of all, it's downright beautiful, meaning it's the type of bag you could just as easily lug along on a long weekend in Milan as you could an escape to Yellowstone.

Vintage watches look great, but you can quickly run up a five-figure tab tracking one down. Thankfully, companies these days are reissuing styles straight out of last century. It's the old look, but good as new—and cheaper, too.

Everyone knows the camel-based Burberry check. But nowadays, it's available in nearly 20 different shades, so you can hew to tradition and stand out from the crowd at the same time. (We're partial the the roguish "claret check," pictured.) The scarf is a bit pricey, sure, but it's carefully made—pure cashmere, hand-crafted—and is the type of iconic accessory that instantly conveys well-earned gravitas.

Just like some bold ties look great, and others just grate on nerves, the same is true with over-the-top socks. Nice Laundry does, well, a nice job giving your sock drawer depth and dimension without making you look ridiculous.

Show of hands: Who's struggled with opening or closing a finicky umbrella in the threshold of a busy walkway? Well, with Davek's compact, easy-use travel umbrella, such inconvenience will become an instant thing of the past. One click and it's open; another, closed. Plus, it's huge (big enough for two people), and comes in six colors (though we're partial to the black). In other words: This beats the stuffing out of garden variety throwaway umbrella you picked up at the pharmacy for ten bucks.

Every man should have a signature scent as part of his wardrobe by the time he hits 50. This head-turning fragrance is guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on anyone you meet. It's no wonder that since its launch around a decade ago, this has become the best-selling fragrance in the entire history of a brand that has been around since the 18th century.

There's just a thing to fountain pens. They're regal, classy, and ooze gravitas. They're also inconvenient—and (generally) expensive. But if you pick up a well-crafted writing utensil, like this palladium-coated pen, you can reap all of those benefits without breaking the bank.

By the time you hit 50, you should have a signature timepiece—something that's less a watch than it is an investment. It's the thing you're gonna give your kid, and he's gonna give it to his kid, and on (and on). Let's be clear, though: This is not the type of thing you'll want to buy willy-nilly.

If you need a starting point, check out the peerless wares of Tag Heuer. Their top-notch materials and elegant designs project a globe-trotting sophistication that's impervious to the fickle and ever-changing tides of fashion trends.

There are times in a man's life when he needs to keep documents clean and pristine, with or without a briefcase. This perfectly sized leather portfolio from Valextra will take the wear-and-tear on behalf of your important papers, and look better everyday by doing so.  

Less is usually more when it comes to a man's approach to accessorizing, and that couldn't be more true when adding a little flare to the wrist. A simple leather wrap bracelet like this one adds a subtle touch of sophistication to your appearance. 

Give your lace-ups a rest. A double monk strap is just as professional, just as elegant, and infinitely more unique. And if you get a stylized one—like this pair from To Boot, which features a handsome burnished patina—it's just another way to amp up your style.

If you're working from home in 2020, it's a good bet your laptop is your most essential possession, so keep yours safe with cushioned laptop bag. This one from Lands' End, is more than just a protective shell, though: it's also a beautiful piece in its own right, with a waxed canvas exterior and sturdy leather handles.

If you've invested in a watch collection, it's worth dropping a few extra bucks on a safe storage space. By keeping your off-duty timepieces stored on watch rounds (those are the bars), leather bands will maintain their shape. Plus, a handsome wooden lid keeps dust from impacting mechanics on automatic timepieces.

Sure, your instinct might tell you that backpacks and knapsacks are childish, a relic from your high school or college days. But it doesn't have to be like that. With the right bag, like this certified Italia leather knapsack from Ralph Lauren's high-end line, it can be the pinnacle of luxury. Plus, it's practically bottomless, and sure to get you where you need to go with all of your gear intact.

When suited for occasion, every man should have a tie—that's a no brainer. But today, there are often times where a tie alone just doesn't cut it. Solution? An understated lapel pin. This floral lapel pin adds a touch of flourish without overdoing things.

The one shoe that always screams elegance? A pair of leather loafers. This pair, from the esteemed shoesmiths at George Cleverly, may look plain to the naked eye. But make no mistake: 100-percent leather through and through (including the soles, which make an imposing clack! sound as you walk), they're of the utmost craftsmanship.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

There once was a time when sterling silver was the gold standard in sophisticated men's jewelry. Sterling doesn't look cheap, but it doesn't break the bank, either. This Miansai sterling silver cuff is streamlined, so it seamlessly integrates itself into any entire outfit in a way where only the keenest of eyes will notice—and that's the point.  

Keep your pants up and your sense of style high by opting for a dress belt that's both simple and classic, like this guy from Cole Haan. Chances are, it will last you longer that those trendy skinny suit pants you were talked into buying.

These Bombas socks are incredibly comfortable, stay up nicely and actually do a bit of good for the world—every pair sold means a pair is donated to a shelter. See? Even your less out-there socks can make a pretty bold statement.

The older one gets, the more one looks for a good value proposition. This Aquatalia boot may look like any other dress boot out there, but it has a proprietary weather-proofing technique that takes these boots from dry days to drenched nights without missing a step. Snowy outside? No problem—wipe salt off with a cloth or an unscented baby wipe and they are as good as new.

Love flannel, but aren't keen on the lumberjack look? This handsome Pendleton scarf screams "professor" instead of "Paul Bunyan."

The asymmetry of a self-tied bow tie is exactly why it's appealing. It shows you know how to do get dressed like a big boy and, if you show up in something particularly elegant, like this silk grosgrain option from Tom Ford, you'll turn heads, too.

You don't always need a leather belt to hold your pants up and look good doing it. This Vineyard Vines belt says you're confident in your ability to accessorize without feeling the need to be so buttoned-up.

In the cooler months, you need to keep your head warm, so treat yourself to this merino wool beanie from Polo Ralph Lauren. Merino is way less itchy than standard wool, but will still provide the warmth we expect come wintertime.

Looking for a great running shoe that'll keep your knees comfortable on those nightly jobs? Nike's Air Zoom Pegasus 35 running shoe is one of the top rated among runners out there, meaning it provides the right combination of comfort, cushion and support at a time in life when a little extra certainly wouldn't hurt.

Miles better than your average plastic shoehorn, this rock-solid accessory (crafted from actual bull horn) comes with an easy-grip handle so you're certain to start your day off on the best foot possible—literally.

Away Travel has come up with a set of luggage that survived the recent TSA ban on smart luggage because the designers worked smarter and harder to make carry-on batteries ejectable. You can buy this single piece for a weekend away, or opt for a full set if you're planning a longer trip. 

Your Apple Watch does everything—it tells you when you get emails, it tracks your heart rate, and it even calculates how much exercise you're getting in a day. If the latter tends to be the device's most important function, treat yourself to a great sports band, like this one from Apple, which will take a beating during those punishing workouts and still look great afterward. 

That Wolverine scruff you proudly sported 20 years ago isn't the most put-together look. If you want to keep everything from top to toes looking neatly manicured, invest in this 10-piece grooming kit—and keep it on you for those last-minute touch-ups before big meetings or date night.