7 stylish accessories men can wear to the masquerade ball

• Masquerade Mask - duhh!

It’s the essential accessory for a masquerade ball, and that’s why we thought we’d get it out of the way first. If you’ve never bought a mask before, we recommend choosing one that’s authentic Venetian (for quality), simple in style and color (fuss-free and works with just about any outfit), and one that only covers half your face (so it’s easy to get used to).

Masks: Colombina Barocco Silver, Colombina Art Deco Black, Colombina Barocco Cavalli Bronze

• Bowtie

It is a ball after all, isn’t it? If the dress code states you should be wearing a tux, then you’ll need a bowtie to go along with it. Put in the effort to learn to tie a real bowtie, not one of those clip-on ones—people can tell the difference.

Bowties: Dolce & Gabbana, Alexander McQueen, Turnbull & Asser 

• Suspenders

If going all out, why not add yet another touch of class with some suspenders. While clips work, buttons are far preferred for more formal events.

Suspenders: JJ Suspenders

• Cufflinks

It’s the little details that polish off a look and make it look elegant and put-together. Invest in a good set of cufflinks, we promise you’ll wear them time and time again. And don’t be afraid to get a little bit creative—cufflinks come in quirky designs to express your personality; pick well and you could be wearing great conversation starters.

Cufflinks: Bottega Veneta, Alexander McQueen, Lanvin

• Watch

A watch says a lot about a man’s personality; it tells people that you’re someone who’s serious about their time, and who cares about not wasting someone else’s. The style of the watch lets others know whether you’re fun and playful, or serious and business-like.

Watches: Longines, Patek Philippe, Rolex 

• Handkerchief

This old-fashioned accessory is perfect for a masquerade ball. Pull it out after dancing to wipe your brow, or offer it to a damsel in distress. We assure you, it’s a practical accessory that’ll fit right into the elegance of a formal ball—a place where a paper tissue just won’t cut it.

All handkerchiefs: Derek Rose 

• Phone Case

While it’s bad manners to have your phone on during a masquerade ball, smart phones have become so ubiquitous that you’ll probably want to have it with you (on silent mode, we hope). In case you need to pull it out at any point, make sure it’s covered in an elegant case that won’t only protect it, but will make it less glaringly hideous in the context of a formal ball.

Cases: Mulberry, Gucci, Saint Laurent 

• Hip Flask

Unconventional, maybe, but we love the idea of a furtive little swig of something warm and soothing in case the night goes pear-shaped. Keep it discreet, fill it with your best Scotch, and for goodness’ sake, don’t drink and drive.