Accessories: no decent outfit is complete without them. They are what béarnaise sauce is to steak, butter to bread, cherry to the cake. You get the idea. Fortunately, history has taken some of the trial and error out of the process; because if it looked good 50 years ago, and it looks good now, chances are it’ll look good for 50 more. These are the men’s accessories that will never go out of style.

Tartan Scarf

In many ways, scarves are the perfect accessory. In the depths of winter, they can be used to fend off piercing winds, while in the milder months they can add a hint of colour – not to mention show you know how to layer – to any lapel or neckline. Few patterns do more for the male wardrobe than sparingly-used tartan. The marriage of multiple colours in a single weave allows the check to complement and contrast with different elements of a wider outfit.

Stainless Steel Watch

The understated, no-nonsense cousin of the gold watch, a stainless steel timepiece has the ability not only to last one lifetime but several if handed down through successive generations.

The material that has its roots in gun making is as flattering as it is durable. It’s also equally at home with a suit and tie as it is a T-shirt and chinos combination.

Leather Belt

A good belt does more than simply hold your trousers up – it also holds a look together. Whether a much-needed divide for tall men between the top and bottom halves on an outfit or a subtle compliment to leather Derbies, a decent cowhide belt will endure long after other accessories have gone out of style. Choose brown, black or (better yet) one of each, and always opt for the best you can afford.

Leather Billfold Wallet

Practical, moulded to the contours of its contents and aged to perfection over time, a leather wallet is an accomplice that will do the business long after the business has stopped accepting cash. It’s for this reason that many men choose to have their note carriers embossed with their initials; a move that sets out intentions to keep it for life, even if what’s inside doesn’t make it to the end of the month.

Silver Cufflinks

Bespoke suit, check. Egyptian cotton shirt, check. Lucky tie and sturdy English brogues, double check. Why then would you spoil it all by finishing things off with a pair of cheap knots given away for free in the suit shop? A minor detail, yes, but all the most important ones are. Get it right every time with a pair of well-made, understated silver cufflinks. Silver is an astute choice for every hue of shirt, and for any occasion.

Classic Sunglasses

Few things do a man more favours than a pair of sunglasses. Flattering, practical, and a dab hand at hiding dark circles when needed; glasses conjure up images of golden-age movie stars like Steve McQueen at the flick of a hinge.

Seeing as a decent pair of sunglasses will stick around for life, don’t be afraid to make them an investment piece. Just be sure to maximise longevity by keeping everything classic and understated with either black or tortoiseshell frames and brown, black, or dark green lenses.