Why Do People Wear Bracelets?
Since ancient times, people have worn jewelry to decorate themselves, show wealth, and convey meaningful symbols. Of course, these reasons are almost the same today. You can choose a complex metal necklace because you think it’s beautiful, or a diamond bracelet to imitate a celebrity. In terms of symbols, trademark logos have generally replaced the seals of pre-modern artisans. However, people still wear bracelets and use iconic jewelry, medical identification labels, beads, or messages literally engraved on the bracelets to show what is important to them.
3 Tips About Choosing Bracelets
Here are a few tips to consider when looking for your next bracelet!
CONSIDER YOUR WRIST SIZE
Should you go bold and chunky like these stacked bracelets, or sleek and delicate like beautiful string bracelets. Before we get into matters of taste and style, think about which type of bracelet will look better against the backdrop of your arm, wrist, and hand. When we say the bracelet should match your wrist size, we’re not just talking about whether it fits around your wrist.
The width of the band, the size of the beads and embellishments, and apparent weight of the bracelet all matter too. You want to choose a bracelet that complements your appearance, which is why it’s important to consider your bone structure. That way, you’ll know whether to look for one that’s wide or narrow, simple or extravagant, and solid or delicate. Then you can use your bracelets to accentuate or camouflage your wrist.
For example, a man with small wrists might choose a sleek double wrap leather bracelet. This will complement his features, unlike an enormous wide braided hemp bracelet, which would only overwhelm his frame. Meanwhile, a woman with small wrists might want a bold byzantine or chunky link chain bracelet instead of a narrow single strand leather bracelet because the former will make her wrists look even smaller by comparison.
How to determine your wrist size
Try wrapping your thumb and index finger around the opposite wrist. If you can touch your thumb and forefinger together with extra space, you’re small-boned; if they just touch, you’re medium-boned; and if they don’t quite meet, you’re large-boned.
Also look for the bones on the outside of your wrists: are they prominent, or barely noticeable? Are your fingers long and slender, short and sausage-like, or somewhere in between? Use your answers to these questions to guide you in choosing your bracelets.
Jewelry Wearing Principles
- To make your wrists look proportional to the rest of your frame, choose a bracelet size that matches your wrist size. E.g. Wide, chunky bracelets for large well-padded wrists, or small, delicate bracelets for narrow bony wrists.
- To make your wrists look even smaller or larger, choose a bracelet size that’s the opposite of your wrist size. E.g. Large bracelets for small wrists, or small bracelets for large wrists.
- To make your wrists look more balanced or closer to the average size, choose a bracelet that neither emphasizes through sameness nor highlights through contrast. E.g. Medium-sized bracelets for all wrist sizes.
DO
- Medium-width bangles in stone, cord, leather, or metal – wear them alone or stack them up, but be aware that more than three might get distracting.
- Flat-woven bracelets – leather, macrame, rope, or Shamballa all work.
DON’T
- Anything bold, chunky, cuff-style, or wide – surely the number one way to make big wrists look bigger.
- A thin, delicate metal gold chain or silver charm wire, or a narrow open bangle – any one of these worn alone will probably look like a tiny river snaking across the vast tundra of your arm.
- Large round beaded bracelets like those from the mala beads, prayer beads, or spiritual bracelet collections – these can be ok if the beads are small-to-medium, but the way the large ones stick out might add bulk.
If you’re a man with small wrists and you want them to look larger…
DO
- Double-wrapped leather bracelets – these are the perfect size to camouflage boniness without looking too wide.
- Medium-sized round beaded bracelets – these are also a great opportunity to pick a stone that symbolizes something important to you.
- Bracelets with hefty metal charms and closures, like those from the nautical and cork collections – the charms add textural interest without being too bulky.
DON’T
- Too-wide bracelets, like triple-stranded roman warrior men’s bracelets or multi-wrapped leather bracelets.
- Enormous chains, like chunky gold links or bicycle chain bracelets. If you insist upon chains, mid-sized Cuban links or scale chain bracelets would be better.
FIND YOUR BRACELET STYLE
Now, next is to find the right bracelet style that fits your personality and apparel style, here are our tips.
Master the art of layering
Remember, unless you’re trying to be matchy-matchy, the goal is to look as though you tossed your bracelets on without a second thought. Easy, breezy, and oh-so-casual is the way to go.
How to wear bracelets with a watch
You’ll want to make sure your bracelets go with the overall look and feel of your watch. If they’re too different, either make the rest of your outfit an equally eclectic mix or prepare for people to be confused.
Here are some ideas for bracelets that look good with different types of watches. (Note: the list below includes links to men’s bracelets only, but the principles apply to women too.)
- With an elegant silver watch band, try: A lavastone beaded bracelet or a polished titanium design.
- With a masculine dark leather watch band, try: A thick metal bicycle chain bracelet or a retro-style leather wrap, or sandalwood beads.
- With a funky, brightly-colored watch band, try: A patriotic Olympics-themed bracelet, beach-ready nautical bracelet, or casual macrame piece.
- With a sporty diver-style watch, try: A wide leather cuff or an embellished onyx bracelet.
The standard advice is to wear your watch on your dominant hand (i.e., your right arm if you’re right-handed) and your bracelet(s) on the other hand. But if you feel like layering the bracelets and watching on one arm while letting the other go bare, go for it.
However, in a conservative or corporate setting, one bracelet on your non-dominant arm, plus your standard watch on the other arm, might be all you need to make a statement.
Choose a mixed-media piece for minimum bulk, maximum impact. But whatever you do, never put spiky metal or gemstone bracelets next to a metal watchband. You wouldn’t want it to get scratched. Soft leather, spongy cork, or smooth round beads are a safer choice. But most of all: enjoy your bracelets!
Ten articles before and after
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The Ultimate Guide for Men Jewelry
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How to Choose the Wedding Jewelry?
Is Costume Jewelry Tacky? Pros And Cons Of Costume Jewelry
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