I Just Discovered the Perfect Jewelry for Men Who Hate Jewelry (Namely Me)
I love when there's something I hate. I get an intense pleasure out of disliking something so strongly that there isn't any gray area. It's either yes or no. And for me, jewelry has always been a hard no.
It's not that I hate jewelry. Not at all. In fact, over the years I've been fortunate enough to have seen loads of gorgeous jewelry. Loads of it. And it's also not that I hate jewelry on men—nothing could be further from the truth. There have been many times when I have wished I was as cool as Justin Theroux or as chic as Idris Elba, both of whom look fantastic in jewelry. I just hate jewelry on me.
And yes, even when the jewelry and the man wearing it are both equally awful, it's always somehow still kind of great, right? I mean, you have to give that guy some credit. Because it really comes down to confidence, and I say A for effort.
But on me, it just doesn't work. I barely even wear a watch. And then I saw Alex Orso's spring/summer 2019 collection, and everything changed.
Alex Orso Double Washer Necklace, alexorso.com
Believe me, no one was more shocked than I was. What was happening? Normally, I can easily (and quickly) go through a collection while internally "yes" and "no"-ing each piece, snapping a pic and storing it away for later use on a photo shoot. But I found myself lingering over the pieces in a way I usually don't.
Alex Orso Nut and Bolt Necklace, alexorso.com
The surfaces and forms of the pieces are simple but not basic, elegant but not delicate. Most important, there is a whimsy that isn't cheesy, and that can often be a really fine line, especially when it comes to man jewelry. Favorites for sure are the nut and bolt, arrow, and double-washer necklaces. They're fun, but not trying too hard—there is nothing worse than forced cool—and the whole collection is grounded in reality. For me, though, the best-in-show is hands-down the hexagon gold cuff, which is the perfect width.
Alex Orso Hexagon Cuff, alexorso.com
But take a look and decide for yourself, with prices starting around $100, it's worth your while. If there is one thing I know, it's when to admit I'm wrong. And now I'm starting to think that maybe I should be wearing jewelry.
This story originally appeared on Esquire.com. Minor edits have been made by the Esquiremag.ph editors.
