It goes without saying that the hardware of formal dress serves a purpose, typically to keep other accessories or items of clothing in line. But let’s not pretend that securing a shirt cuff is all that a cufflink does. Grasp this rare opportunity and use this tiny piece of real estate to convey a bold statement, courtesy of Burberry, Montblanc or Gucci. See, it pays to have a glint of something a little ostentatious near the end of your arms – just don’t feel the need to flap them around too much.

Pocket squares come in all forms and guises – and your choice will depend largely on the level of formality of the event you’re attending (and on the colour of your tie). The rule, here, is to never match tie and pocket square exactly, but to ensure they complement each other. As for the pocket square itself, you’ll want to opt for understated styles – or subtly patterned ones, such as dotted or striped, at most – for more formal occasion; louder patterns will lend themselves well to those occasions where you can express a little more sartorial flair. Whatever your choice, the boxes to tick off here are fabrics (linen, silk or a blend of wool and silk) and hand-rolled and stitched edges, which look far better than machine-stitched ones, such as this excellent printed silk style by Brunello Cucinelli.

Whether you’re a seasoned jewellery wearer or are entirely new to the world of men’s bling, you’ll concur that a few well-chosen pieces can singlehandedly transform an outfit. Now, a couple of perfectly stacked slim chains, or something as understated as a signet ring, will do the trick for newbies. If jewellery is already part of your sartorial routine, go bold and opt for mixed metals or symbolic pendants that are sure to be easy conversation starters – think of makers such as Alex Moss New York, David Yurman or Foundrae.

We’ve compiled a full guide on everything you need to know about dress shoes, so if you’ve read that, we’ll keep this short and sweet. Lace-ups such as Oxfords or Derbies will cater to the more formal end of the spectrum – from brushed or glossed styles to wear with a tuxedo to brown or brogue pairs to round off a workweek outfit. Loafers, on the other hand, slot effortlessly into your casual wardrobe, but won’t look out of place with relaxed tailoring or a spezzato look for more lenient dress codes. Now for the boots: if you’re looking for the perfect pair for a suit, we’d recommend sticking to smarter styles – look out for leather soles, for instance, and leather or suede constructions.