By Jarvus Ricardo Hester

Men don’t always talk about accessories.

At least, not the way fashion magazines think we should.

We don’t usually gather around a table and debate bracelets.

There aren’t many heated conversations about pocket squares.

But ask a man about his watch?

Now we’re talking.

Because watches aren’t really about telling time.

They’re about telling stories.

Some are graduation gifts.

Some mark a promotion.

Some are passed from one generation to the next.

And some simply become part of who we are.

I still believe accessories say more about a person than an entire wardrobe ever could.

A watch tells you what someone values.

A wedding band tells you what someone has committed to.

A pair of cuff links might remind someone of a father, a mentor, or a special occasion.

Accessories aren’t afterthoughts.

They’re artifacts.

And that’s probably why so many men keep them for decades.

The older I get, the less interested I become in trends.

I’m much more interested in the things people keep.

The things they refuse to throw away.

Because those are usually the things that matter most.

The Mood Guide to Men’s Accessories

1. A Watch That Means Something

It doesn’t have to be expensive.

It just has to have a story.

Maybe it was a gift.

Maybe you bought it to celebrate a milestone.

Maybe you’ve worn it for so long that it feels like an extension of your personality.

2. A Pair of Sunglasses That Always Travels With You

Some accessories become companions.

A great pair of sunglasses belongs in that category.

3. A Signature Fragrance

People remember how you make them feel.

And sometimes, they remember how you smelled.

Find one fragrance you love and make it your own.

4. A Great Leather Belt

An underrated classic.

Simple.

Functional.

Timeless.

5. One Piece You’ll Never Replace

Maybe it’s a bracelet.

Maybe it’s a ring.

Maybe it’s a watch inherited from a family member.

Every man has one accessory that carries a little extra meaning.

And that’s the one worth talking about.

Now It’s Your Turn.

What’s the accessory you’ll never stop wearing?

⌚ Share your watches.

🕶️ Share your sunglasses.

💍 Share your rings.

📸 Share your photos.

🎥 Share your videos.

Find us on Threads and tag Mood Magazine NYC or The Morning Show NYC.

Throughout the week, we’ll feature our favorite community submissions in Mood Magazine NYC, give contributors a shout-out on WHRL Mood Radio Harlem, and celebrate your stories across our social media platforms.

Because style isn’t built around trends.

It’s built around the stories we carry with us every day.

Our stories deserve to be told.

It’s time we tell them.

Be a part of the story.