The Basic Rules for Matching Watches to Outfits
Four rules cover most situations, and they apply to designer watches as much as to anything else:
-
Match formality: a slim dress watch for formal events, bolder styles for casual ones
-
Match metals to your rings, earrings, belt buckle, or cufflinks
-
Keep a leather strap close in color to your shoes and belt.
-
Pick one star: if the outfit is busy, the watch stays quiet; if the outfit is plain, the watch does the talking.
Styling Michael Kors Watches by Finish
Gold-Tone Designer Watches
Gold-tone is MK’s signature, and it loves warm colors like camel, cream, olive, and burgundy. The Lexington for men and the Runway for women both look richest against a knit sweater or a tan coat. Browse the women’s and men’s gold collections.
Silver and Stainless Steel
Silver is the most versatile finish. It pairs well with navy, gray, black, and denim, which covers most of a work wardrobe.
Rose Gold
Rose gold flatters blush, ivory, and soft gray. It’s dressy enough for dinner and easy to wear on a Tuesday.
Black and Gunmetal
Black and gunmetal watches belong with monochrome outfits. Wear the Runway Gunmetal MK5954 with all black, and it reads sharp, with a slight edge.
White and Two-Tone
White dials and cases feel right in warm weather and on vacation. Two-tone is the diplomat of the group, letting you wear gold and silver jewelry at the same time.
Men’s Watches for Every Occasion
-
A slim gold or silver dress watch on a bracelet or leather strap handles the office.
-
Black tie calls for the simplest dial you own, tucked under the cuff
-
Chronographs and bigger cases belong with weekend denim and sweaters.
-
For a date, black or gunmetal works with dark layers.
Women’s Watches for Every Occasion
A slim Runway or Pyper with a clean dial, or just a thin ring of pavé, looks polished at work. The crystal-set pieces are for evening, and they work best as your main piece of jewelry, with small earrings. Weekends are a good time to borrow an oversized chronograph from the men’s side and wear it with a chunky sweater. At weddings, match the watch to the metal in your earrings or the clasp on your clutch.
Stacking Your Watch With Bracelets
Gold-tone and rose gold MK cases pair well with bangles and chain bracelets. Keep everything in the same metal family, and put softer pieces like beaded or leather bands right next to the watch so the case doesn’t get scratched. If the stack starts to look crowded, move the bracelets to your other wrist.
Common Watch Styling Mistakes to Avoid
The most common is accidentally mixing metals, like a gold watch with a silver belt buckle and nothing two-tone to tie them together. Close behind is too much sparkle, such as a pavé watch competing with a sequined top. A rubber strap with a suit is a smaller misstep, but it’s an easy one to notice.
Building a Small Designer Watch Wardrobe
Two or three watches cover nearly every occasion: one gold, one silver, and one on leather or in black. You can browse men’s watches and women’s watches, or start with watches under $200.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I wear a gold watch with silver jewelry?
You can, especially if the watch is two-tone or one of your pieces mixes both metals. Otherwise, stick to one metal.
2. Is a Michael Kors pavé watch appropriate for the office?
A thin ring of crystals is fine in most offices. Save the fully crystal-covered styles for evenings.
3. Should my watch strap match my shoes?
Close is good enough, Brown with brown, black with black.
4. What color watch goes with everything?
Silver.
5. Can I wear a chronograph with a suit?
A slim one, yes, especially with a business suit. For black tie, switch to a plain dress watch.
