Smartwatches; the clue’s in the title, hey? Or at least, that’s what you’d think. But all too often, wearing a sometimes clunky, cumbersome piece of technology is anything but smart, in terms of how stylish or otherwise you might look when wearing one.
That is, in the wrong hands, of course. Or should we say, on the wrong wrists? Nope, we’ll stick with the first one. In the wrong hands, a smartwatch can look weighty without being substantial, techy without being trendy, and ill fitting and jarringly matched with the rest of an outfit.
But how do you match your smartwatch with your outfit? Since the majority of smartwatches are unisex, you need to be dexterous, both in the smartwatch you choose and the clothes and accessories which go with it. We’re here to help with that dexterity; here’s how to match your smartwatch with your outfit.
MATCH THE FORMALITY OF THE WATCH WITH YOUR OUTFIT
Smart watches aren’t simply square-faced, black-strapped affairs which present the time in a digital format and allude to the fact you’re something of a go-getter.
In fact, the benefits of smartwatches extend far beyond their interconnectivity and implication. They are, if truth be told, highly versatile in terms of the formality they bring, with some built specifically to go with suits or smart dresses and some more appropriate for sports.
Dress watch brands have got in the act, with Tag Heuer’s Connected and Asus Zen’s Watch 2 leading the pack in terms of fantastic smartwatches you can wear to a formal occasion.
If your budget allows, invest in a range of different smartwatches for different occasions. For semi-formal occasions, Moto 360 2nd and 3rd Gen are sleek but not overly sporty and distracting, with a simple, analog face but still boasting GPS connectivity. Incidentally, the Moto 360 Sport is an affordable watch for those into fitness tracking and fashion.
MATCH THE STRAP TO THE FORMALITY OF YOUR OUTFIT
There’s a surprising amount of versatility in smartwatch strap design, too. Ideally, you should correctly match your smartphone’s strap with the colour scape of what you’re wearing, especially when in dress wear or attending a formal occasion.
As a general rule, leather straps are considered to be more formal than metallic ones, with many leading smart watch brands boasting exchangeable straps in both levels of formality to allow for versatility and adaptability. In addition, black leather straps and brown or navy dress wear shouldn’t clash, and vice versa.
On more casual occasions, you can go with deliberately rugged, roughed, or worn in leather straps that perfectly fit different clothing, including jeans, leather jackets and T-shirts. And for those looking for something equally laid back but a little sporty, too, metal watch bands for Apple Watches provide a sleek and contemporary alternative to complement any style.
LEATHER SHOULD COMPLEMENT LEATHER
A little more on leather; if wearing a smartwatch with a leather strap, then other additions to your outfit should ideally be made of leather, too, for the full, coordinated and synergetic effect.
For instance, with a leather strap, your shoes, handbag and other accessories should match the wrist band, in colour and levels of distress. If you are required to be in business wear, you can start by matching your trouser belt with your shoes, and then pick a smartwatch that matches both.
If this all seems like a lot of watches and potentially, animal cruelty, then rest assured that faux leather replacement smartwatch straps are available.
SMART WATCHES FOR WOMEN
If you’re keen for a female-specific smart watch, which tend to be a little more dainty on the wrist than their gender-neutral or male equivalents, then the tech experts at Good Housekeeping offer a couple of interesting recommendations beyond the usual Apple Watch series and Samsung Galaxy’s popular Active range.
Firstly, citing great value, they recommend the Metropolitan from Timex, suggesting that ‘’the 36mm case width and 20mm silicone strap combine for exceptionally lightweight design and the watch face is made out of high-impact resistant Gorilla Glass’’, which make it both elegant and durable.
Good Housekeeping’s rundown also points to Kate Spade’s Scallop 2, which boasts a ‘’heart rate sensor and built-in GPS, plus the NFC (near field communication) mobile payment feature (which) comes in handy when shopping. Meanwhile, Google Assistant voice activation lets you take calls without reaching into your Sam Bag for the phone.’’
But that’s not all; the Scallop 2’s ‘’choose your look’’ feature allows you to change the themes and colours of the watch face to match your outfit or mood. Problem solved!
Read: 5 Ways A Smartwatch Can Make Your Life Easier.
CONSIDER OTHER MATCHING JEWELLERY
Some consider the smartwatch to act as a piece of jewellery in and of itself, and because of this, it’s essential that you consider whether it complements or clashes with your other jewellery choices on any given day.
Particularly if you’re wearing a metallic strap, try to ensure that the golds, silvers or coppers of your necklace, earrings and bracelet don’t clash with the strap.
If you’re keen to coordinate further, then make sure rings, belt buckles, and other ornaments are complementary, too. Jewellery is best when it works in synergy; consider your smartwatch part of this collection, rather than an item which exists on its own.
KEEP THE FACE SUBTLE
Yes, we’re all about the statement smartwatch. After all, they’re an investment and as such need to be a piece that you’re proud to wear on any occasion. That said, wearing a smartwatch with an oversized screen and its LED light blaring is a big sartorial no-no.
Versatility, which is found through keeping things subtle and not showy, is the key here. Subtlety of course takes many forms, but as a rule, keep the bling minimal and the golds and silvers reserved for accessorising rather than making up the main body of the piece. Most importantly, keep the watch face size harmonious and in accordance with your wrist size; in general a standard face should be 26-29mm and a mini watch’s 23-25mm in diameter.
Check out these 5 gadgets to make you work from home better for advice on smartwatches and other items which can boost your productivity and focus when in the home office.