Sure the Apple Watch is a great piece of tech you can take anywhere. But when you’re trying to look polished and sophisticated in a formal suit, can it really fit into the equation? You’re not the only one worried that the Apple Watch’s techy feel may mess up their formal vibe.
You’ll be happy to know that there is a way to rock the Apple Watch without feeling less “business” and more “casual”. We will share band choices and styling tips on how you can pair your Apple Watch with a suit.
You don’t have to sacrifice the functionality of an Apple Watch, elevate your whole look with elegant and classy Apple Watch Bands!
Can You Wear an Apple Watch with Formal Wear?
There is no clear-cut answer to whether you should wear your Apple Watch with formal wear or to a formal event. The consensus is to use your better judgment depending on your context.
Some people on different forums, such as Reddit, believe there is nothing wrong with wearing an Apple Watch to the office or any formal event. Others, on the other hand, openly share their distaste for pairing a suit with an Apple Watch, describing it as tacky.
Today, however, you can find the Apple Watch even gracing the red carpet events like the Oscars and the Met Gala. More and more celebrities and influential personalities like Pharell Williams and Idris Alba have been spotted wearing Apple Watches.
Even big company executives like Tom Cook are often seen spotting the latest Apple Watch series. It really boils down to personal taste and preference. The correct question, therefore, should be, are you comfortable wearing your Apple Watch with formal wear?
Plus the beauty of Apple Watches is that it’s versatile and easy to style. You can easily switch out the band and try several watch face options. For example, at black-tie events, many people opt for a dress watch. You can swap the classic Sport band for a stainless steel metal band like our Sydney Stainless Steel band or a leather strap like our Athen leather band.
But even with that said, there are certain situations or formal events where a smartwatch like an Apple Watch just won’t fit. A good example is a white-tie event where formal attire guidelines are very strict. You’re not allowed to wear traditional watches, much less a smartwatch like an Apple Watch, to such formal events. The only acceptable timepiece on such formal occasions is a pocket watch.
So, aside from your personal preference, also consider the type of occasion or environment you’re in and the dressing guidelines before deciding to wear your Apple Watch.
Styling Tips To Make Your Apple Watch Look Dressy Enough for a Suit.
Although most people consider smartwatches more as tech pieces than accessories, when styled the right way, an Apple Watch can be a fashion statement. The following are three key tips that can help you transform your Apple Watch into a suitable accessory to pair with your suit:
Choose the Right Watch Face
When pairing a watch with a suit, you avoid large watches that dwarf your wrists and overpower your formal look. Apple Watches come in varying sizes. Face sizes between 38mm and 41mm are usually ideal for smaller wrists, while those between 44mm and 49mm are best for larger wrists.
The face style also matters. Although Apple has a lot of watch face designs to play with, a traditional analog face style is ideal when wearing it with a suit. The simple analog face helps minimize the techy feel of the Apple Watch and better complement your formal and sophisticated look.
Opt for a Metal or Leather Band
Metal and leather bands are the ideal choice for their timeless elegance and ease of matching with many outfits, including suits. But that’s not to say that nylon or silicone bands won’t work either. As long as you stick to a simple black design like our Alegre Silicone band, such a band should work for business casual outfits.
However, the refined yet understated feel of a leather strap is what makes it a classic choice to pair with suits. It’s perfect for adding a touch of sophistication to your formal look without being too flashy. Metal bands, on the other hand, are a great way to add a touch of luxury to your whole ensemble. Gold and silver-tone watch bands are especially great choices if you’re going for a sleek, modern feel.
If you are looking for unique and affordable leather or metal Apple Watch bands, check out our collection to find your perfect watch band today!
Match the Band with Other Accessories
A formal look needs to be harmonious and well-coordinated. That’s why your Apple Watch must complement your other accessories. With metal bands, for instance, the metal strap should match the metal on your cuff links and belt buckles for men. For women, the metal should match your other jewelry pieces like earrings, necklaces, or bracelets.
As for leather straps, you can match the color of the strap to the color of your shoes or briefcase (or handbag in a woman’s case). For example, if you wear a brown leather Apple Watch strap, pair it with shoes and/or a bag of the same color and material.
Color Guide to Matching Your Apple Watch With Your Suit.
While we are still on the topic of matching, the color of your suit is also an important consideration when deciding on how to dress up your Apple Watch or just about any watch. The table below is a starter guide that summarizes some of the common suit colors and the recommended strap colors to pair them with:
Predominant Suit Color |
Complementary Strap Color |
Complimentary Strap Material |
Black |
Black, brown, gray, or silver |
Leather or metal |
Brown |
Brown, gold, or bronze |
Leather or metal |
Beige |
Black or dark brown |
Leather |
Navy Blue |
Brown, black, or silver |
Leather or metal |
Gray |
Black, dark brown, or silver |
Leather or metal |
Olive Green |
Brown, beige, or gold |
Leather or metal |
Mint Green |
Brown, black, or silver |
Leather, silicone, or metal |
Burgundy |
Light brown, beige, gold, or rose gold |
Leather or metal |
White |
Navy blue, black, dark brown |
Leather |
6 Best Apple Watch Bands You Can Wear With a Suit
Seville Milanese Band You can never go wrong with a Milanese band like Seville for formal events. The mesh design effortlessly adds a touch of sharp sophistication you need when paired with a suit. Although it comes in a range of metal colors, the stellar option is perfect if you’re not looking for something flashy. |
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Caliber Titanium Band What you’ll love most about the Caliber is it’s made using light but very durable titanium. So it’s perfect for daily wear. The sleek, modern design also makes it a classic choice for pairing with a suit. |
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Castor Stainless Steel Band As an alternative to the traditional gold or silver metal link bands, this black Castor band will integrate seamlessly with almost all your suits. The trendy design is made using high-quality, durable stainless steel. It’s an elegant choice whether you’re pairing it with bright or dark-colored suits. |
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San Marino Leather Band The San Marino is another great choice that comes in a classic traditional design that pairs well with suits. The soft supple brown leather is made from genuine vegetable-tanned hide. Guaranteed to gently hug your wrist for maximum comfort. |
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Austin Leather Band The Austin band is the perfect balance of style, function, and comfort. It’s made of high-quality leather and comes in several options from the leather color to the metal color of its elegant butterfly clasp. But with this dark brown option, you’ll have no problem pairing your watch with different suits for any event. |
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Modena Silicone Band If you’re looking for a great silicone band that will pair well with your suit, look no further than the Modena kit. Its sleek design pairs stainless steel with durable silicone straps for a more sophisticated Apple watch band that will work well in a formal suit. Plus, the stainless steel casing for extra durability that will help your Apple Watch stand the test of time. |
Conclusion
Pairing your Apple Watch with a suit doesn’t have to be complicated. As long as you’re comfortable, other people’s opinions won’t matter much. Plus, with the right styling, Apple Watches can look every bit as sophisticated as dress watches. The devil is in the details - from choosing the right band to the right watch face size and style. The idea is to keep it minimal and classy so your watch doesn’t overpower your suit.
With Eve Bands, you don’t have to spend hours looking for the perfect Apple Watch band to go with your suit. We offer a wide range of elegant and sophisticated bands designed to make you look effortlessly sharp without clashing with your suit. Whether it’s a simple office ensemble or a black tie event, there’s an Eve Band that will complement your look.
Ready to upgrade your Apple Watch? Head over to our collection to find the perfect band for your next formal occasion.