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Whether dangling elegantly from an otherwise bare wrist or nestled in a substantial, elbow-encroaching stack, there’s really no wrong way to wear a gold bangle (or two...or five). They’ve long been an indispensable accessory, especially in the warm summer months.
And while this summer may look different than years past, with fewer weddings and more socially-distanced picnics, the change of pace only serves to strengthen this versatile accessory’s eternal relevance. At a time when everything seems up for reevaluation, many of us are choosing to set aside the superfluous in favor of what we love the most. Gone are the sky-high heels and decorated necklines. They’ve been replaced by flowing cotton dresses, summer flats, and simple jewelry that stays on from day to night.
Gold bangles are the wear-everywhere answer to this summer’s pared-down aesthetic. In settings where flashier jewelry may suddenly feel frivolous, these structured bracelets represent a timeless approach to accessorizing — one centered on the pieces that matter most to you.
“I always wear my nine personalised bracelets that I never remove,” says jewelry designer Aurelie Bidermann, whose impeccably-crafted bohemian pieces are inspired by nature. “They are so important to me because I engraved some personal stuff on them, like the name of my wonderful daughter, my lucky charms, my lucky numbers, etc. They are like an armor always on me!”
The best stacks combine old and new, mixing shapes, stones, and textures to evoke your personal style. So whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting your feet wet, go ahead and slip one on — there’s no better way to catch the light.
The Classics
It’s impossible to talk about gold bangles without paying respects to Cartier’s iconic Love bracelet. Introduced in 1970 and inspired by medieval chastity belts, the bracelet’s design upended the idea that jewelry should be slipped on and off to match an outfit, and required a special screwdriver to put on and remove.
Of course, if you’re looking for a classic style that’s not quite so instantly-recognizable, there are plenty of other options to choose from:
The Diamond-Adorned
“Pared-down” means different things to different people, so who are we to judge if your quarantine style includes a little sparkle? These options from Pomellato, Melissa Kaye, Messika, and Tiffany each offer an understated upgrade from your classic, solid-gold bracelet:
The Modern Ones
While these sculptural pieces combine architectural elements and geometric patterns to make more than enough impact on their own, don’t hesitate to stack them for an even bolder look:
The Antique-inspired
Archeologists have uncovered gold bracelets dating back to 450-445 BC, meaning there’s absolutely no shortage of stunning vintage and antique-inspired pieces to choose from. With intricate details, like those on this 19th century Japanese aesthetic cuff from Gray Davis, each of these timeless pieces has its own story to tell.
The Multiples
These sets of stacked and interlocking bangles are designed to be piled high. Consider the upper body workout an added bonus.
