Bracelets

Bracelets are stylish, versatile and fun! If this jewelry staple is currently absent from your wardrobe, you're going to want to start your collection by the time you finish reading this article.

Imagine it, you're preparing for an evening out and you're dressing to the nines. You've got the perfect outfit, the right perfume, and now it's time to accessorize. Of course, you'll want to wear complimentary earrings and a necklace to fill out your ensemble, and maybe even slip on a cocktail ring or two. All ready to go, right, but didn't you forget something?

Bracelets are often the last piece of jewelry women think of when they accessorize, but why is that? A nice wristband can really round out your total look, and even add a touch of elegance, depending on the style you choose.

What about times when your plans don't include dressing up? Bracelets are often more appropriate for casual dress occasions than a matching set of diamond stud earrings and a pendant.

The plain truth is, stylish wristbands come in so many styles and wonderful materials that they truly are the most versatile type of jewelry a person can own.

Just think about it. How many types of bracelets have you seen? Probably far more than you realize. Let's explore a few of the most popular styles, from the most casual to the most elegant.

Silicone rubber wristbands became the hot fad around 2002. First popularized by sports fans, Lance Armstrong "Live Strong" wristbands were a must have item for teens and twenty-somethings.

The fad quickly morphed into all sorts of message bands meant to spark awareness of different causes and philosophies. There were pink bands for breast cancer awareness, red bands for AIDs awareness and the list goes on.

For a time, it was common to see someone wearing four or more bands at a time, in a rainbow of colors. Then, as all fads must, this one began to fade in popularity, although you do still see people wearing one or two from time to time.

This is another style that is very popular with youths. Friendship wristbands are usually made from braided embroidery thread by one party and given as a token of friendship to another. Friends often exchange bands and collect them, tying them to their wrists and wearing them until they wear out and fall off.

Leather wristbands come in a variety of styles. Straight leather bands in many widths are worn by both men and women. The leather may be hammered with an intricate design, embellished with studs, or as was so popular in the 1970's, feature the wearer's name.

Some of the most elaborate leather bands are made from thin strips of leather or suede that have been braided or knotted macrame-style into fascinating works of art.

Bangles have enjoyed continuous popularity, no matter what other styles of bracelets have moved in and out of the spotlight. These collections of thin, chunky or mixed wrist cuffs often number ten or more.

Some styles come fixed with a connecting band, while others are left to float freely around the wrist and lower arms. They might be made from plastic, metal or beads, but the one thing all bangles have in common is a sense of freedom and fun.

Anyone still have their Speidel "Idents"? These were extremely popular in the late 70's and early 80's. You could purchase them already engraved, or have them personalized with your own or someone else's name.

Identification wristbands are still popular today, but they've also moved into another field, being used as medic-alert bands to identify the wearer as having a medical condition such as diabetes or heart disease.

Italian charms are currently white hot in popularity. Rectangular charms in countless varieties snap on to a set of expandable links to create one-of-a-kind custom wristbands.

Traditional charm bands are also a collector's dream. This style employs a chain link wristband that holds individual charms that hook on to the links.

Each charm chosen is supposed to have some personal meaning for the person choosing it, and the charms don't necessarily need to match each other. It's all part of the fun.

This rather elegant wristband was brought into style accidentally by tennis great Chris Evert when the diamond wristband she was wearing broke during a match.

The signature feature of this style is a set of in-line gem stones set in a precious metal. The bands are thin and elegant, and have the unique ability to look at home with a ball gown or a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

Many wristbands are adjustable and will accommodate most wrist sizes, however, some styles do require you to measure your wrist in order to get the best fit.

The process is simple. Use a flexible measuring tape to measure the distance around your wrist just above your wrist bone, then add one half of an inch to your total. This will give you a comfortable size measurement to guide your future purchases.

Have we convinced you that bracelets have a place in your jewelry wardrobe? Whether they're flirty, capricious, or downright elegant, they always add a sense of completion to any ensemble.

So, what's in your jewelry box?

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