Did you know that the oldest bracelets found are more than 7,000 years old? The ancient Egyptians used these early bracelets to adorn their bodies and then buried them in their tombs as part of the commemorative process.
It's thought that early humans used even older bracelets fashioned out of grass and vines!
Ever since the dawn of man, we bejeweled ourselves in whatever ways we could. That tradition continues today - bracelets are some of the best ways to express your personal style and enhance your favorite outfits. But picking and styling the best everyday wear bracelets can be difficult.
What materials do you pick? What engravings or gemstones? Something because you like animals, like a dolphin tracking bracelet? And how do you style a look with your new jewelry?
To answer all these questions and more we put together this brief guide to bracelets! Read on to learn more!
Picking Materials
Those ancient Egyptian bracelets were the first pieces of arm jewelry to use precious metals. Gold, silver, and gemstones were all common. These same choices are available today.
When picking bracelets you can wear 24/7, durable materials are important. Gold can be durable, but it can also be expensive and it can wear away over time. It's best to keep it for special occasions.
Our favorites for everyday wear are stainless steel and sterling silver. Silver matches every color too, which means these two materials will match every outfit you wear.
Stainless steel is a great option for durability. It will never tarnish and engravings won't fade away with daily wear. For bracelets you never take off, stainless steel is a very affordable and high-quality choice.
In addition, sterling silver is another classic option. Pure silver is too soft for jewelry, but sterling silver is an alloy with a bit of copper. It's both durable and strong.
Sterling silver is also incredibly easy to clean. Unlike stainless steel, it can tarnish over time when exposed to air. You can easily clean the tarnish with a bit of toothpaste or a silver cleaning cloth.
If you're looking for bracelets you can wear all the time, we recommend the stainless steel and sterling silver ones from wholesalesparkle.com!
Designs and Stones
Now that you know what metal to use, it's time to pick a design. Two common options for bracelets are cuffs and chains.
A chain bracelet with charms is a great way to show what's important to you. Some common motifs are crosses, evil eye protection beads, and small gemstones. You can also opt for a cuff, either simple silver or with engravings.
Both can be worn every day, but you might find a chain bracelet more comfortable. A cuff can be difficult to sleep in and wear in the long term.
If you're picking a bracelet to wear every day, it should be strong and durable. When it comes to stones, almost all kinds will work. You only have to be careful with opals, pearls, and turquoise.
These stones can dissolve with repeated exposure to water. Many jewelry companies coat them with a varnish that protects them, but it's worth checking before buying!
Get Inspiration
If you're having trouble picking the right bracelets, find some inspiration. Take a note from your favorite celebrities, fashion mood boards, and style blogs. Once you have some ideas in your head, go shopping!
You can always buy a few in bulk and try out different bracelets that work for you.
Keep It Quiet
This might not have occurred to you, but when picking bracelets to wear every day, make sure you pick the quiet ones! There's nothing more annoying than the persistent jangling of bangles.
Choose small, thin chain bracelets with only a few charms. Alternatively, don't layer clunky bracelets so they won't clack against each other.
Go Versatile
When looking for simple bracelets for everyday wear, remember that versatility is key. Don't pick something that will put limits on what you wear. Your bracelet should be able to adapt to every setting you wear it in. Trendy bracelets customized to your liking such as custom wrist bands can be a notable option for daily wear too.
In addition, your bracelet should match your other jewelry. It should also be able to stack with other bracelets. For a bit of visual interest, use a mix of metals, widths, and styles to create a fun layered look.
Tips to Style Your Bracelets
Silver matches every color, but it works best with darker colors. If you want your bracelet to stand out, use clothes with block colors in dark shades. Your bracelets will pop in their contrast with a black or navy t-shirt.
Likewise, if you wear a bold pattern, simple or dainty silver bracelets will be drowned out by the busyness of the fabric. However, this doesn't mean you should avoid patterns. If you wear your bracelets every day, some days they will be more present than others and that's okay!
In addition, try to avoid overwhelming the viewer. If you have a lot of bracelets, go with a subtle necklace. This avoids crowding your look with too much metal.
When building your jewelry look, don't worry about mixing metals. While this used to be fashion taboo, it's now both edgy and fashion-forward!
Start Picking Everyday Wear Bracelets
Now that you have some idea of what to look for, it's time to start picking your everyday wear bracelets. No matter your personal style, there's sure to be a bracelet you love so much you never want to take it off. And luckily, you won't have to!
If you enjoyed learning how to up your bracelet game, you'll love our other content. Check out our blog for more fashion tips, tricks, and advice!
