The Ballon d'Or Comes to London: How to Wear Jewelry With Black Tie

On October 26, football's biggest night comes to London. The 70th Ballon d'Or takes over the London Palladium, the first time the awards have been held in the city.

Whoever lifts the trophy, the red carpet will almost certainly be black tie. And black tie is where plenty of men either wear nothing at all or wear far too much. There's a better middle ground, and it works just as well at a dinner, a gala or a Christmas party as it does on a red carpet.

One ring is all black tie needs. Featured: the Squared Stone Signet Ring in silver.

Jump to:

• The Ballon d'Or in London
• What jewelry works with black tie
• Can you wear a chain with a tuxedo?
• Which ring to wear
• Matching your metals
• What to leave at home
• FAQs

When Is the Ballon d'Or 2026?

The ceremony is on Monday, October 26 at the London Palladium. It's the 70th edition of the award, which France Football created in 1956, and it's the first time London has hosted it.

There's a home angle too. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are all on the 30-man shortlist, so expect a lot of English interest in the build-up, and a lot of eyes on what everyone turns up wearing.

What Jewelry Can You Wear With Black Tie?

Less than you'd wear any other night, but more than nothing. Black tie is built around a few small details, and jewelry is one of them. The pieces that belong:

• Cufflinks. A dress shirt has French cuffs for a reason. This is the one piece black tie actually asks for.
• A watch. Slim and simple, so it slides under the cuff.
• One ring. A signet on the little finger is the classic choice.
• A fine chain, worn underneath. Only if it's part of your everyday. More on that below.

Our cufflinks and tie clips are the easiest place to start if you don't already own a pair.

Can You Wear a Chain With a Tuxedo?

Yes, with one rule: it goes under the shirt. With a bow tie, the collar is buttoned all the way up, so there's no open neck for a chain to sit in. Anything worn on show breaks the clean line black tie is built on.

That's why weight matters. A heavy chain shows through a crisp dress shirt and pulls at the collar. A fine one, like our 2mm Connell chain, sits flat and stays out of sight. It's still there, it just isn't part of the outfit.

Fine enough to disappear under a dress shirt. Featured: the 2mm Connell chain in silver.

Which Ring Should You Wear With Black Tie?

One, and make it a signet. It's the most formal ring a man can wear, and it has sat on the little finger at formal occasions for a very long time. A tuxedo jacket gives it exactly the right setting.

A plain face like the Square Signet Ring keeps things classic. If you want a little more for the evening, a stone-set signet such as the Squared Stone Signet Ring does the job without shouting. Our guide to styling a signet ring covers fit and finger in more detail.

A plain signet, the most formal ring there is. Featured: the Square Signet Ring in gold.

Should Your Jewelry Match at Black Tie?

Yes. On a normal day, mixing metals can look relaxed. At black tie it looks like an accident. Pick one and carry it through: cufflinks, watch, ring and chain.

• Silver is the cleaner, cooler choice against a black tuxedo jacket and a white shirt.
• Gold feels warmer and a little more old-school, and suits a midnight blue or velvet jacket well.

If you wear a bracelet every day, it can stay, as long as it's slim enough to sit under the shirt cuff. A 2mm Connell bracelet is about the limit.

Slim enough to sit under a cuff. Featured: the 2mm Connell bracelet in gold.

What Jewelry Should You Leave at Home?

• Anything on show at the neck. Chains and pendants stay under the shirt.
• Stacks. One ring, not three. One bracelet at most.
• Heavy statement pieces. Save the iced pieces and the thick chains for another night.
• Mixed metals. Pick one and stick to it.

None of this is about wearing less for the sake of it. Black tie is a uniform, and the small details are where you get to be yourself. A few good pieces do that better than a lot of loud ones.

Black Tie Jewelry: FAQs

When and where is the 2026 Ballon d'Or?

The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony is on Monday, October 26 at the London Palladium. It's the first time the awards have been held in London.

Can you wear a chain with a tuxedo?

Yes, as long as it stays under the shirt. With a bow tie the collar is done up, so a fine chain of around 2mm sits flat underneath without showing a line.

What jewelry should a man wear with black tie?

Keep it to cufflinks, a watch and one ring, with a fine chain under the shirt if you wear one every day. Everything should be in the same metal.

Should your cufflinks match your watch?

Ideally, yes. Black tie is about a clean, finished look, so silver cufflinks with a steel watch, or gold with gold, keeps everything reading as one.

Where to Start

If you only buy one thing for black tie, make it a pair of cufflinks. If you already have those, a signet from our signet ring collection is the next piece to add. Going to a wedding rather than a gala? Our wedding guest jewelry guide has you covered.

The players will be dressed for the biggest night of their year. With a few quiet pieces, so can you.