It's easy to say bracelets are not manly.
However if you know your history, you might remember that warriors & kings from various cultures wore armbands on their wrists.
The fact is men have worn bracelets for centuries.
Prehistoric man adorned his wrists with bones and shells to ward off evil spirits.
Wealthy men wore bracelets to display their power and status.
Bracelets evolved over time from good luck charm to status symbol to the modern style accessory for men.
Depending on which part of the globe you call home, the idea of men wearing a bracelet is either normal or plain unheard of.
In this article & video I explore five reasons you might want to consider wearing a bracelet.
Enjoy!
Bracelets, like watches, can be worn daily. Some are dressier and suit more formal occasions. The variety of materials to choose from includes stainless steel, gold, platinum, silver, leather, copper, brass and hemp. A bracelet is a versatile accessory that reflects your personality and brings out the color in your outfits.
The five points listed below are the reasons why a man might consider strapping a shiny piece of metal, nylon or leather on his wrist.
#1 Reason To Wear A Bracelet – Conversation Starter
Accessories are visual cues to your personality. Interesting accessories always draw attention. You might find strangers start approaching you more often when you wear a bracelet that looks like it has a cool story associated with its purchase.
Wearing a bracelet can be a great conversation starter. It could be the excuse the pretty woman in a cafe needs to strike up a conversation. It could break the lull in a slow conversation.
That's a cool bracelet, where did you get it from?
In a world where everyone looks uniform, wearing an eye-catching accessory sets you apart and makes you appear more interesting.
It attracts attention in a good way. Perhaps you're on a beach and the only accessory you can wear is a bracelet.
You're able to share your appreciation for art history and beautiful hand made artifacts. You could connect with a business acquaintance just by relating how you picked up your elephant hair bracelet from a journey through sub-saharan Africa. This usually opens up the conversation and makes you more appealing and attractive.
A significant number of Americans have a medical condition which paramedics should be aware of, in the event of an emergency. Medical identification bracelets alert first responders to vital medical information along with emergency contact information. In case of an emergency, the right care can be administered based on the information provided through a medical ID bracelet.
While a medical bracelet cannot be considered jewelry – it is a necessity for anyone who has a medical condition that would not be obvious to doctors or medics.
A few years ago, firefighters, soldiers and outdoor adventurers started wearing a woven bracelet made from super strong paracord. The bracelets are inexpensive and easy to coordinate with a suit. The trend caught on with fashion-conscious urbanites, but the paracord remains a utilitarian bracelet that can be deployed in case of an emergency.
#3 Reason To Wear A Bracelet – Instant Association
Cultures have often associated bracelets with wealth and status. An instant association that identifies your your status in society.
In many countries in the Eastern part of the world, wearing a bracelet can signify that you are affluent.
Although we no longer have class divisions in the West, in other parts of the world – bracelets are an automatic qualifier in society.
The modern youth often sport colorful silicon bracelets or dangling charms to support social causes and show allegiance to a group. A bracelet becomes part of their identity.
A bracelet could also be worn as a reminder. An anchor to an experience that was important to you.
It could be a beaded bracelet you picked up in a flea market during a summer vacation in Italy. Or a woven bracelet from your summer on Cape Cod. A paracord to remind you of a fantastic camping trip with your best friend or a fishing trip with your dad.
Bracelets can have special meaning based on cultural traditions. In some countries, a bracelet is a requirement of faith.
Latin American Azabache bracelets are believed to offer protection to the wearer. The Sikh men of India wear a copper bracelet from childhood to show their allegiance to their faith.
In Bulgaria, a red and white string is tied around the wrist to invite the onset of spring.
If you try to count to the number of stylish men in suits wearing bracelets in Italy, you are likely to send your head into a tail-spin.
In most of these places, bracelets are part of the culture and are often part of the normal dress code.
#5 Reason To Wear A Bracelet – You Enjoy Wearing Bracelets
You might be among the fashionable men who reckon that bracelets look good on men and are fun to wear.
You enjoy wearing bracelets.
Bracelets are a great way to add color to your outfit. They can be dressed up or down.
A woven bracelet that matches a color from your shirt pattern, tie or pocket square is appropriate even in corporate environments.
Slip the same bracelet around your wrist for a lazy Sunday afternoon barbecue in your backyard or at the beach.
A Few Guidelines For Wristwear
- Choosing a wrist to wear the bracelet – While there is no hard and fast rule about which wrist to wear a bracelet, they are traditionally worn on your dominant hand's wrist. It's best to wear it on the wrist opposite your watch to avoid scratching your watch.
- Aim for balance if wearing multiple bracelets – Counterbalance dark colored suits or outfits with lighter colored bracelets. Wearing multiple bracelets? Mix a lighter, brighter bracelet with a metal cuff. Wear a combination of beaded bracelets with leather or metal cuffs.
- Your bracelet does not have to match your watch – However, make sure it doesn't overpower it. A chunkier weekend watch looks good paired with bigger bracelets. A more refined dial on a dress watch looks better with a subtler accessory on the opposite wrist.
- Ensure your bracelet suits the occasion – If you're heading to an art gallery, five bracelets with a sports jacket and a pair of jeans are fine. If you're heading to a business meeting, you might want to tone it down with just one subtle piece of wrist wear.
A bracelet aids in accentuating your personal style. Use it to accessorize your outfits – dressing up or down depending on the occasion. If you have never tried them before, a metal or leather bracelets will set you apart as a cultured man who is not afraid to experiment with his personal style.
Click to watch the video below:
