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Thursday, July 07, 2011

An Armful of Bangles


You’ve probably noticed…wrist jewelry is trending. I used to eschew anything clattering on my arm, but I’m now a full convert to a stack of bracelets each day.

Why would you encircle your wrists (and perhaps lower arms) with multiple, moving accessories?

1. Wristwear is the easiest accessory to layer. You can wear two pairs of earrings or maybe three necklaces, comfortably, but you can easily pile ten bangles and a watch on one wrist. It is a simple (and cool) way to participate in the layering trend.

2. One stack of bracelets easily adds interest to an ensemble, in the form of Stacy and Clinton’s mantra: Color, Texture, Pattern, and Shine.

3. These accessories can be seen AND heard. Sure, an annoyance to some, but a joy to others. I love the jingle jangle my wrists make.

4. Bracketing your watch with stacks of bangles suddenly makes a stodgy timepiece cool. (I recommend only combining a less precious watch with loose bangles, due to the risk of scratching your watch’s face.)

5. Bracelets are an easy way to incorporate a bit of nostalgia into your outfit. Add a Silly Bandz to your mix. Wear a braided friendship bracelet from your best bud. Slip on the bamboo bangle you picked up on a tropical get-a-way. Every time you look down at your wrist, there’s a reason to smile.

I began expanding my collection and use of various wristwear almost two years ago. My tips for participating in this trend…

- If, like, me, you use your hands all day at work, consider limiting the bangles and bracelets to your non-dominant hand and wearing only flexible (leather or fabric) cuffs on the other. The cuffs are usually comfortable, immobile, and low-profile.

- Store your collection in the open. I store my bracelets on a set of antlers, but a decorative bowl is another pretty solution.

- Watch for unique or inexpensive bracelets as you shop and travel. I buy bangles at Target, Claire’s, Charming Charlie, thrift stores, import shops, vintage markets, and on vacation. My favorite bamboo bracelets were on clearance for $1 each at the Garden of the Gods gift shop, in Colorado, and I'm always remixing the Moroccan set I bought at Epcot (Disney World).

- Look for styling inspiration. Atlantic Pacific is my arm candy style icon.

Happy jangling!

13 comments:

  1. What a fun post! I almost never wear more than one bracelet, but I got a set of cute blue and yellow bangles from a friend who didn't want them anymore, and I do kind of like the musical jingling when I wear them. And I'm definitely dreaming of some wooden ones...

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  2. I love bangles, and I remember thinking your antlers were super cool. Thanks for the reminder. I have an aluminium stag's head, but it's not quite the same.

    My bangles tend to be stacked up on lotions and potions on my dressing table, which works well until I want to use the bottle in question!

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  3. Yes...even over 50 I love bangles!! I wear them alot! They are youthful, stylish, and fun!

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  4. Yes, I'm with Pam - over 50 and loving this trend. I like to make a little noise too.

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  5. I too love bangles. It is easy to find inexpensive bangles which makes it even better as an accessory. I have gotten groups of bangles at one price at several different stores.
    I bought a paper towel holder that has a vertical pole to place the towels on. It is good for storing lots of bangles. It is inconvenient when you want a bangle at the bottom, but they do go on and off quickly.

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  6. Anonymous11:29 PM

    I am obsessed with bangles right now and I love your comment about layering. The best place to pick them up is at a chain called Ten Thousand Villages...not sure if you guys have them in the US?

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  7. I used to wear charm bracelets but the computer at work stopped that. I like the suggestion of flexible bracelets on the dominant hand and am gonna try again. I miss my bracelets!

    Marie @ Lemondrop ViNtAge
    July's gorgeous giveaway

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  8. Anonymous8:59 AM

    Absolutely YES! I especially like the low end/high end mix. I end up making myself a lot of bracelets so that I can get the right dichotomy.

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  9. Another inspiration is Jessie at The Concrete Catwalk: http://www.theconcretecatwalk.com/

    I love how she wears multiple watches on one arm.

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  10. Great post! I love wearing several bracelets and bangles at once (I also layer my necklaces). My favorite thing to do is to sneak in one or two sparkly evening pieces in the midst of several oxidized or "old" looking pieces. For some reason that combo gives me an extra smile for when I have to walk out the door..

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  11. You have inspired me with your bracelets lately. I've been wearing tons lately and mixing colors and love the effect. Especially for a plus sized girl, cause it brings the attention to the wrist (the smallest part of your body). I had to get used to wearing my watch on my right hand, though..my mouse hand and the bangling was annoying....

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  12. I am fully embracing bangles, too. I wear them so often now that I feel weird when my left wrist is without them!

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  13. I'm seriously going to target to buy bangles today after seeing this post =)

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