Tips for Wearing and Styling Mens Bracelets

Actor Ashton Kutcher once said, “Be careful with man jewelry. A little goes a long way.” While his statement was likely meant to be taken with tongue in cheek, there’s more to a little truth here. Although the fashion gods often move the goalposts when it comes to how much is too much, a well-styled man knows how to wear just enough jewelry without going over the top or giving off the appearance that he is trying too hard.

In terms of branching out and broadening a jewelry collection, bracelets are an excellent place to start. Perhaps it’s because there are so many styles available. Or it might be due to the variety of materials, allowing you to don looks that are laid back and effortless or upscale and posh.

But many men are intimidated by the idea of sporting a bracelet. What is a good basic bracelet with which to begin your collection? How many should I wear at a time? Are there any metals or materials that are no longer in vogue? As one of the fashion industry’s premiere purveyors of men’s jewelry and accessories, we’ve decided to gather a few of our favorite tips for bracelet wearing and styling that will have you sporting a look that is equal parts cohesive and effortless.

Fit is Key

Your bracelet will do you no favors if it is either too big and dangling around your wrist or too small and squeezing your arm like a rubber band wrapped around bread dough. When choosing wristwear, fit and proportion should be your top priorities.

Whether you choose a cuff or a standard-clasp bracelet, your bracelet should just fit around your wrist. Ideally, you should be able to fit one or two fingers in the space between your bracelet and the skin of your arm.

As a general rule, think of your bracelet in the same way you would a watch. It should fit comfortably against your wrist and beneath the cuff of any long sleeve you may be wearing.

Start With a Cuff

If you are just dipping your toes into the bracelet waters, begin your collection with a classic cuff in the metal of your choice (while gold tones are currently all the rage, there’s something undeniably luxe looking about silver).

Cuffs come in a variety of sizes and styles, but we recommend a thin cuff in polished or brushed metal to start. Once you’re comfortable with the look and feel, you begin to expand your collection with wider, more eye-catching pieces, or unique styles like braids, twists, or diamond stamped.

We think you’ll find this style will quickly become your go-to piece for casual, everyday wear.

Leather and Cord Bracelets

Organic materials like leather and rope or other cording are excellent for adding an organic element to your wristwear. They also make the perfect pieces to compliment your thin cuff once you decide to try layering multiple bracelets.

Keep in mind, less is more. A couple of thin leather bracelets or a combo of one leather and one cord along with your cuff is plenty. And you’ll want to avoid wearing bracelets on both wrists simultaneously as it often has you looking like a superhero a la Wonder Woman and her bracelets of submission.

Beaded Bracelets

If Goldilocks had searched for the perfect bracelet instead of chair, meal, and bed, she likely would have selected a beaded bracelet…and with good reason.

Beaded bracelets ride the line between formal and casual with ease and look right at home in either setting. And they’re often strung on some sort of elastic, ensuring you’ll enjoy a perfect fit regardless of wrist size.

Start off with a beaded bracelet made of semi precious stones. The stone elevates the look but, because it is organic material, won’t come across as ostentatious, which means your beaded beauty will look equally at home when worn with a t-shirt and jeans over the weekend or peeking out from beneath the cuff a button-down shirt at the office.

A Few Final Styling Tips

Keep in mind these are only general rules…if you feel like breaking them, go right ahead. That, friends, is the beauty of fashion.

• No need to stack bracelets up to your elbows. One bracelet looks effortless, as does a well-curated stack of two or three bracelets in mixed materials.
• If you’re wearing cufflinks, it’s best to leave the bracelets at home.
• Don’t forget about balance. Avoid wearing bracelets on both wrists. If you are wearing a watch, wear your bracelet(s) on the opposite arm…unless you want your watch to act as a bracelet in a stack, then you may add a couple of bracelets to the same wrist on which you wear your watch.

We hope this gives you the confidence to give bracelets a try. We think you’ll agree they’re wonderful to let a bit of your unique personality shine through.