Bracelets and bangles are perfect to wear anytime, but they’re extra special in the summer when arms are bare and tanned. Bracelets make the perfect statement whether it’s a dainty chain or an oversized cuff, this is jewelry that will punctuate your outfit with sophistication and individuality.
Bracelet Types
Bracelets come in many styles and were considered protection from bad mojo in ancient times, but today we enjoy wearing bracelets mostly for their decorative appeal. From the French word bracile, which means “of the arm”, there are many types of bracelets:
The Bangle is a solid hoop that slides over your hand and rests on the wrist.
Link Bracelets are made of chain links, sometimes adorned with gemstones, that may be worn on their own, or embellished with charms.
Hinged Bracelets are made up of two panels connected by a hinge that clasps together.
Cuff Bracelets go about three quarters of the way around the wrist with an opening between the ends so the wrist can slide through. This term is also used to describe a very wide bracelet.
When you’re trying on a bracelet, notice how it fits. When you’re wearing a bracelet, you don’t want it to fall too low on the wrist so that it seems to sit on top of your hand. If that is the case, the bracelet is too big and you risk losing it if it drops off your wrist. It will also be uncomfortable to wear if it’s too big and in the way. Alternatively, you don’t want the bracelet to slide too far towards the elbow, where it will be hidden.
Bracelets as Power Jewelry
Bracelets have been an important adornment since the Ancient Egyptians, who were wearing arm candy as far back as 5000 BCE. In those days bracelets were considered protection from unseen forces and were worn by both men and women. Animal motifs were an important style in the ancient world, adding another layer of protection to the bracelet’s power. Today if you have an important meeting, or a notable event, consider wearing a bracelet with an animal motif as an amulet of success to boost your confidence.
Bracelets had a pause during the Middle Ages when it was considered vain to adorn oneself with jewelry. The Renaissance changed that when the prevailing attitude was “more is more” and elaborate jewelry was front and center.
Today, big, opulent bracelets are the perfect counterpoint to bold colors, vivid prints and patterns that are showing up in clothing. To create this look, you can choose to wear one large cuff style bracelet, or a stack of mix-and-match bangles.
Bracelets by the Pair
The bracelet trend continued into the Georgian era of the 1700s. The Georgian era was a very fashionable time and jewelry was a big part of it. Wearing a pair of bracelets was the height of fashion, which continued into the Victorian era, when a pair of bracelets were worn on the arm in the daytime and over gloves in the evening. By the end of the Victorian era, bangles worn in multiples became popular.
You can take fashion cues from the Georgians and Victorians by wearing a pair of vintage bracelets. You can stack them on one arm, or wear one on each wrist, this is a great way to make a big statement with your jewelry. This is particularly nice in the summer, when you may want to pare back on your jewelry by wearing a big bracelet with diamond solitaire earrings, or another small earring style, it’s easy, breezy warm weather chic.
Stacking Bracelets
During the Art Deco era, bracelets were one of the most important jewels a woman could wear. Flappers, who were the “it girls” of the 1920s and 1930s, were piling on the bling and were known to wear multiple bracelets at the same time. In fact, you’ll find many very long bracelets from that era because they needed to fit a little higher on the arm to stack properly. Some of the more sought after Art Deco era bracelets are wide panels that depict a story in precious gemstones and metals.
It was very stylish to wear bracelets over gloves in the Art Deco era, when the gloves served to cover up some of the bare skin revealed by the era’s new sleeveless, straight up and down tube style dresses. When the weather turns cooler, wearing a couple of vintage bracelets over supple leather gloves is an awesome way to create your own individual style code, even if the bracelets are from a different time period, it’s a look that will be memorable.
During the Retro years of the 1940s, big bold bracelets were made as a counterpoint to the wide shouldered, sharply tailored suits of the era. It was also a time when minimal jewelry was worn. Today, bold gold jewelry is very fashionable and retro era jewelry was full of those styles, especially the Tank Bracelet which was modeled after tire tread marks left in the mud by military tanks. These gold Tank Bracelets are effortlessly chic, just put it on and you’re ready to go.
Bracelets as a Style Statement
The 1950s saw a continuation in the popularity of bracelets, especially because three-quarter length sleeves were favored in fashion leaving plenty of arm to be adorned. When the 1960s and 1970s rolled around, counter culture ruled, bohemian fashion was queen and stacks of bangles and bracelets completed the rich hippie vibe. Boho fashion has been a major player on the runways the past couple of seasons and it’s a look that’s made for wearing lots of bracelets and bangles, a joyous mash-up of styles, metals and gems all in one statement stack.
Individuality is a key ingredient in fashion right now. The way you style your clothing and the jewelry you wear with your outfits is the way to create your own signature style. The stuffy rules of fashion are out of style and personal style is trending, bracelets can help you make your own style statement, whether it’s one large cuff, an enchanting charm bracelet or a diamond bangle, the choice is yours.
Top: Diamond and 18-karat gold hinged cuff bracelet, signed Cartier and numbered, circa 1970s.
Retro 18-karat gold “tank bracelet”, French, circa 1940s; Diamond, enamel, 18-karat gold and platinum double tiger head bracelet, signed David Webb; Victorian diamond, 18-karat gold and silver bangle, French; Art Deco diamond and platinum bracelet, circa 1920; Diamond, emerald and 18-karat gold bracelet signed Van Cleef & Arpels and numbered, France, circa 1980s.
Authored by Amber Michelle