HOW TO EXPRESS THAT INNER FLAMBOYANCE

The men’s accessories market has exploded over recent years, its sheer variety, design originality and price range mirroring the importance of accessories in the women’s field, without quite the excesses.

IT makes sense that designers should lavish attention upon the extras in a man’s wardrobe, given that his main clothes remain pretty well restricted to the suit, trousers and jackets. For the vast majority, these in turn remain pretty much the same with minor variations, but now any chap can express his inner flamboyance through his socks, his shoes, shirt, tie, glasses, leathergoods and jewellery, and various other bits and bobs that have taken on style importance.

Chief amongst these is the watch. Leading jewellery designer, Stephen Webster, the first to promote modern men’s jewellery, credits the timepiece with providing the bridge into jewellery for men.

By virtue of brand, design, and the lavish use of gold,platinium and other precious metals and jewels, the watch has long since moved into the realm of ultimate status symbol. Chunky great creations have provided the eye-catching bling that happily is starting to give way to rather more  refined, slimmer, lighter designs in the latest ranges (see watch feature on ..)

Such opulence in time-keeping helped  bring wider acceptance of jewellery. It has come on in leaps and bounds since Webster  first brought out a men’s collection . Few celebrities are now seen without some trinket around the neck, wrist or dangling from the ear, and if he-men like Brad Pitt and Sylvester Stallone can wear such without any threat to their masculinity, then the average conservative British chap can rest assured.

These chunky items, bracelet above and pendant here, are from the Pyrhha collection. This is inspired by 19th century wax letter seals, and each one is handcast in gold, silver or bronze. Brad Pitt is one of the fans. Prices range from £50 up to £4000. www.pyrrha.com

From a simple earring, or a leather thong bracelet, the scope of adornment now on offer embraces chunky pendants, Conan the Barbarian-style bracelets, skulls-head belt buckles and long pendant earrings, as well as more refined baubles. They may not instantly seem appropriate for wear with a Savile Row suit, but like coloured shirts and the attached collar, it is just a matter of time before it will seem quite ordinary for a suited chap to be bejewelled. Think Henry Vlll and remember that the male is often the peacock of the species.

Diamond studded spectacles are the latest introduction from top opticians, Roger Pope. Spectacles followed sunglasses to become fashion items, now as carefully chosen as a tie, and these new bespoke glasses reflect the increasingly de luxe and costly designs being sought. Pope is the Queen's optician, and the company took part in the Coronation Festival at Buckingham Palace this month (see Coronation).

These fine spectacles were launched then, in honour of the anniversary, made by hand, in 18 ct Greenlandic white gold, set with 60 delicate pink diamonds. Pink diamonds are extremely rare and these come from the Argyle Diamond Mind in Western Australia. Price £21,000 for the frames. www.rogerpope.co.uk

Despite all the moves into digital devices and mobiles, good pens retain a  certain cache. The latest luxury model comes from Parker to celebrate the pen-maker's own anniversary of 125 years. This could be for the man who has everything, everything but an 18-carat solid gold pen and a 23.3k gold plated pen holder to go with it.

Titled the Duofold Giant Limited Edition, it follows a long line of specially crafted pens made by Parker in its 125 years. Parkers have been present at any number of top level occasions, including being used to sign the WWll armistice papers.

Set with 16 diamonds and decorated with a precious resin, it comes in a gift box with ink bottle and holder, and just 125 of them are available world-wide. Hurry to Harrods or Selfridges in October, where the gift box will be on sale at £23,500.

Porsche Design has come up with a pen suited to a Superman. This sleek design is milled from a piece of solid titanium that is scratchproof and ten times harder than steel. Good to know that whatever happens to you, your fountain pen should remain intact. Available with different nib sizes in 18-carat gold, it cost around £685. www.porsche-design.com

Sporting extras are now just as influenced by style and celebrity as fashion items. Long gone are the simple plimsoles of yore, and any sportsman must invest - expensively - in the accessories designed especially for each sport. In the golf category, Royal Albartross claim to make the most luxurious shoe for the links, favoured by top golfers.

It combines British design and leathers with Italian craftsmanship and American cleat technology. The water-resistant leather uppers are so soft and supple that no 'breaking-in' period is required, claim the makers. Already a hit with golfers, five new models are available from this month, including some eye-catching colourways.

This Royal Albartross golf shoe requires more than 250 tasks to make, using traditional hand tools. Price from £355. Zarma cleats, left, available in packs. www.albartross.com

Time was when the English were recognised as world-leaders in leather craftmanship and recent years have seen a welcome resurrection of old skills. The latest to promote these is one Edward Seymour, whose new high quality leather accessory brand has been launched under the eponymous name of E.P.J. Seymour.

The range is being produced in Manchester at a factory that is one of the few old leather producers to have survived. It has been hand crafting fine leather goods for a wide range of prestigious British labels, and now makes this new collection of gentlemen's accessories.

Left, the Royal Oak wallet in calfskin with cord lining, price £200.

The wallets, phone covers and card cases use fine grain calf leather combined with colourful corduroy trims. Made by hand, each piece is named in honour of a pub to emphasis the English character of the brand - as in King's Arms, Red Lion, Royal Oak, White Hart and Nag's Head. What's in a name? Where English pubs are concerned, quite a lot. It should prove an attractrive selling feature. www.epjseymour.com