It’s imperative that today’s man not become complacent about his appearance and let himself go. Single and looking or married and content, there’s no excuse for a man to not take pride in his personal appearance. His physique, his grooming, and his clothes should always be kept up, but this isn’t what this article is about. This article is about the four jewels that are the most important in stating to society who you are, what you’re about, and how you want the world to perceive you.

If you set aside funds to have the best you can afford in the four jewels that define a man, you’ll be ok. The four jewels are: Car, Shoes, Watch, and Sunglasses.

1. The first jewel…your car. Take pride in your car. Everyone can’t drive a BMW, Audi, or Mercedes Benz; I’m not saying that they should. But if you think that you’re turning heads or making a double-take impression with your KIA or Neon…think again. How do you feel when you’re handing a valet your keys at a black-tie event and your car is all dented? Not good?

It’s not all about the make and model of your ride, but also how it’s maintained. The best car broken down roadside just isn’t cool. A sporty, import that’s covered in inches of salt and sand doesn’t make a good impression either. Worst of all, when you do meet somebody and offer to give them a ride, nothing looks worse than when a guy needs 5 minutes to clean off the passenger seat from his travel office and on the go kitchen. Gross. Stand out from the rest and keep a well-running, clean whip and you’ll take a step in the right direction of separating yourself from the pack.

2. The second jewel…your shoes. One of the things that really separate the men from the boys is their shoes. There comes a time in man’s life when he stops wearing sneakers all the time. A level of sophistication must be established for each man…and it starts from the ground up. Trust me, people, especially women, notice your shoes. Clean, polished, not old and worn shoes. Grow up, Peter Pan. Sneakers are for sports and the gym and the occasional preppy, sporty outfit. But they can’t be your staple footwear if you want to be taken seriously. If you’re in the bar and not it college and still wearing sneakers, you’ll need them for walking home….solo.

3. The third jewel…your watch. I’ve been a watch junkie for as long as I can remember. The watch is the most masculine and defining piece of jewelry that a man can wear. A watch says a lot about a man….rich or poor, athletic or nerdy, outdoors man or desk jockey. Regardless of what category in which you fall, invest in a quality timepiece. Have a watch for all occasions. If you’re wearing your G-Shock to a wedding, you simply don’t have a clue. If you’re wearing your gold Rolex to the beach, you’re going to stand out…and not in a good way.

4. The fourth and final jewel….your sunglasses. The right eye wear on a hot summer day or behind the wheel of your convertible can either make or break your look. Take the time to pick out and invest in quality sunglasses. I know what you’re going to say; I buy the $5 sunglasses because I lose them or sit on them. Am I right? Well my philosophy is this; If you spend $100 on quality designer sunglasses that protect your eyes, cost a few bucks, and make you look like a million, I’ll bet you’ll always save a little space in your brain to take care of them and know where they are at all times. They’re worth it. Also, make sure you’re not wearing blue lens Oakley’s that you’d see on a beach volleyball court with a suit at a wedding. Not appropriate. Take the time to seek out the frames that suit the shape of your face and are somewhat still in style. Ask the salesgirl. Bring a female friend. Take the time to look good in your wraps.

Follow these simple rules, and you can’t go wrong.