Today I am joining up with Jodie of Jodie's Touch of Style to talk about layering bracelets. Be sure to check out her excellent post! Call it a layered bracelet set, a bracelet stack, an arm party...it's all about putting multiple bracelets together on the same arm in a way that looks both intentional and interesting!
Let's start with some basic bracelet layering questions.
(1) How many bracelets should I stack?
The usual advice is anywhere from 2 bracelets up to an area covering 1/3 of your forearm.
Odd numbers are nice, so a 3 bracelet stack is a great way to get started. Choose a statement/hero or favorite bracelet as the center of your stack and add two subtler supporting bracelets around it.
I personally like to cover about 1.25-1.5" at my wrist with bracelets. The number of bracelets depends on their size. Thinking in terms of bead sizes, that works out to about 9-11 bracelets in 3-4mm (seed bead) size, 7-9 bracelets in 4-5mm size, 5-7 bracelets in 5-6mm size, 3-5 bracelets in 7-8mm size, and 2-3 in 10+mm size.
(2) Can I mix metals?
Absolutely! You can either stick with one metal or a mix. For a more cohesive mixed metal look, include a piece that itself contains multiple metals; it makes the inclusion of mixed metals look intentional.
I typically divide my metals in 3 categories:
--Cool-tone metals: silver, pewter, gunmetal, platinum
--Warm-tone metals: gold, brass, bronze, copper
--Rose gold
I will freely mix any of the cool-tone together and any of the warm-tone together. I consider rose gold almost like an accent color that I will freely mix with either cool or warm metals. When I mix metals from both the cool and warm categories into a stack, I almost always add a bracelet that contains mixed metals. And that holds true whether the entire bracelet is metal or it's only partial metal (like a beaded bracelet with metal spacer beads).
When mixing, a 1/3 and 2/3 ratio (such as 1 gold and 2 silver bracelets or just as an overall ratio) can be a nice approach. You can also add a mixed metal look with a mixed metal bracelet.
(3) How much can the bracelets in a stack range in size?
Having a variety of sizes can definitely work well, but I'd caution against making them too different to each other. If the sizes are too different, the small ones can get lost in the stack and the large ones can stick out from the rest too much.
In terms of bead sizes, I generally stick to a range of about 3mm maximum.
Also note that in some cases, multiple smaller bracelets can visually balance one larger bracelet.
(4) What types of bracelets can I layer? Can I add bracelets of different types to the same stack?
Just about any type of bracelet is fair game for layering: bangles, bead, cord/woven, charm, chain, crystal, etc. Even cuff bracelets can work, though I think that creating a cuff-based stack can be a more advanced art. You can also mix these types as you wish. I personally wear mostly beaded bracelets of various types (as you see in these examples).
(5) How should I order my bracelets on my arm?
This question has a practical side and a stylistic side. In terms of practicality, placing the snug/closer-fitting bracelets next to the hand and looser-fitting bracelets higher up on the arm can help keep the bracelets in place and prevent the looser ones from slipping down your hand.
Stylistically, it depends on whether you'd prefer a more segmented/colorblocked/same-with-same organized look or a more interwoven/interspersed look. It totally comes down to personal choice.
(6) Can I wear bracelets on the same arm as my watch?
Yes, but be aware that depending on the materials of your watch and bracelets, you can experience friction from the bracelets rubbing on your watch and that may cause damage. I personally choose to wear bead bracelets in a stack on my non-watch arm, then add a single (tough) metal bangle charm bracelet (if desired) on the watch arm.
(7) Can I wear bracelets on both wrists?
Definitely, but you may want to put fewer bracelets on each wrist, keeping the overall quantity of bracelets the same as you would if only wearing on one arm. A big arm party on one wrist is fun but on both could be overkill (or weirdly reminiscent of Wonder Woman).
(8) Are arm parties just for summer?
They are certainly very popular in the summer, but they can be worn in any season. You might vary your colors, materials, sizes, styles, etc. from season to season because you dress differently or you like to vibe with the traditional associations of the different seasons. For example, you might choose more brighter, lighter, smaller bracelets in summer but fewer darker colored bracelets in heavier materials in larger sizes in winter.
(9) Can I just wear bracelet sets that came together as my stack?
You certainly can, but you might get a lot more wear from them if you break them up and mix-and-match with other bracelets in your collection. And some bracelet sets include bracelets that are extremely similar to each other or even identical, which brings us to...
My top bracelet layering tip:
Tip #1: Think in terms of balancing unifying elements (things that the bracelets have in common) with diversifying elements (ways that the bracelets differ) when layering bracelets. A stack that has too many unifying elements risks looking safe/boring or overly matchy-matchy. A stack that has too many diversifying elements can look chaotic/random or not "put together." The balancing sweet spot is personal and may not be the same with every stack you create. But if you keep this unifying vs. diversifying concept in mind while building your stack, you can make choices that lead you to the balance point you like.
Elements to consider balancing in your stack include:
Color - this is the first thing most people notice so it's a big one!
Size
Shape
Material (stone, glass, plastic, clay, wood, paper, metal, fabric,...)
Pattern (solid, ombré, print,...)
Texture
Type (bangle, beaded, cord/woven, charm, chain, crystal, cuff,...)
Motif (flowers, butterflies, sea creatures, fruit, rabbits!,...)
A stack made of simple shiny round bangles in shades of gold would have a high number of unifying elements...and might look boring. Switching out for a mix of gold, silver, and rose gold would diversify the color element. Switching out for a mix of bangles, chains, and beaded bracelets would diversify the type element. You could also diversify size, texture, shape, etc. And of course you can diversify multiple of these elements in the same stack. This diversity will create greater visual interest in your stack.
A stack made of beaded bracelets in a variety of colors, sizes, shapes, and materials would have a high number of diversifying elements...and could look really random and un-styled. Sticking to a single color family would unify the color element. Sticking to 5-6mm round glass beads would unify the size, shape, and material elements. More unifying elements will create greater cohesiveness in your stack.
Some more tips:
Tip #2: A bracelet that contains a mix of colors, a mix of metals, a mix of materials, a mix of shapes, etc., can serve as a "bridge piece" in your stack and tie the whole stack together. The idea here is very similar to wearing a print scarf (or other garment/accessory) that contains the colors of your top and bottom pieces to tie your outfit together...only you're doing it within your bracelet stack. This kind of bracelet can really add oomph to the intentionality aspect of your stack. I mentioned above that I find a mixed metal bracelet hugely helpful in creating harmonious mixed metal stacks, but it can work with other elements as well.
The one element that I find hardest to balance in a stack is "style": boho, minimalist, edgy, feminine, classic, kidcore, outdoorsy, etc. While I love creating juxtaposition by mixing these styles in outfits, it can be more difficult to do when layering bracelets in my experience. This is absolutely not a "don't do it" directive! It's just something to consider. But my advice if you are going to do it? Use tip #2 and look for/make a bracelet that itself contains the styles you want to mix in your stack.
Tip #3: Varying refinement levels too much within a stack can easily look "off" so keep them similar throughout the stack unless you are going for an extremely eclectic look. By "refinement level," I mean something like dressy (like you'd wear with a ballgown), professional/understated (like you'd wear to a professional office, funeral), party (like you'd wear on a girl's night out) and casual (like you'd wear to a business casual/casual workplace, the weekend). I mostly wear casual bracelet stacks because that fits my lifestyle.
Tip #4: Since color is the first thing people tend to notice, a bracelet in a color that is very different in either hue (red or yellow or green...) or value (light or dark) from the others in a stack can really stand out, so be sure you're OK with that. I've noticed this quite a bit when adding a white bracelet to my stack - the white one is really visually prominent, which I don't always want. This can happen when any single bracelet is a strong outlier in some way. If this bracelet is intended to be the center point/statement piece in your stack, that may be just what you're looking for. Otherwise, it can cause the stack overall to lack visual harmony and balance.
Tip #5: If you find a couple/few bracelets that work really well together, you can use that same core set as the basis for many different stacks by adding different pieces to them. A "modular" approach is a smart time-saving shortcut to creating a brand new stack completely from scratch every day.
A core set could be three metallic bracelets that you wear with different accent colors to work with your outfit. It could be a chain bracelet with a floral charm and a beaded bracelet interspersed with flower beads that you supplement with different plain bracelets. I design paper bead bracelet sets that contain 2-4 coordinating bracelets I supplement with stone/glass bead bracelets and metallic bracelets (discussed in detail here). I also make bracelet sets from purchased beads, especially seed beads.
Tip #6: Photograph daily stacks that you like so you can remember them for later wear! You absolutely can repeat the same stack over and over again. And if you want to mix up the look of the same group of bracelets, change up the order you wear them on your arm for a subtly different stack.
Here are some color combination ideas to get you started:
(1) All metallic - mix bracelet types and metal colors for a stack that will look great with just about any outfit.
(2) All neutral - pick neutral(s) from your outfit or wear any neutral combination with a colorful outfit.
(3) Neutral + semi-neutral/colored neutral - add easy-to-pair colors like blush pink, dark green, or burgundy to your stack for a more colorful yet wonderfully versatile stack.
For these next three color combinations based on the color wheel, remember that the exact shades of color don't have to be the same in each bracelet; you're thinking more about color families (i.e., all shades of Blue, Yellow, or Red-Violet).
(4) Monochromatic - select multiple bracelets in the same color family for a modern chic effect.
(5) Analogous - pick two adjacent colors on the color wheel for a stack with a pleasing, subtle color scheme.
(6) Complementary - for a bolder, higher energy look, choose two opposite colors on the color wheel.
Of course, you will consider your bracelet stack color choices in conjunction with the outfit you are wearing. Here are a few options:
(7) Add color to the outfit - whether you are wearing an all neutral outfit or one with multiple colors, you can always introduce another color to the outfit through your bracelet stack. This color can stand alone as a color pop or be repeated in other accessories. The color can be vivid and eye-catching or more muted and subtle.
(8) Pull out 1-2 colors from the outfit - particularly when wearing a multi-color print, selecting just one or two of the colors (accent colors, neutrals, and/or semi-neutrals) for your bracelet stack color scheme can look sophisticated and harmonious.
(9) Repeat multiple colors from your outfit - for a visually striking stack that is highly coordinated with your overall look, choose several colors from your outfit (clothing and/or accessories) to create a rainbow stack.
The vast majority of bracelets in this post are DIY creations. If you are interested in making your own bead bracelets, here is my tutorial that's perfect for beginners:
And be sure to check out Jodie's post for more bracelet layering techniques and ideas!
Do you ever layer bracelets? What kind of bracelets do you like to layer? Do you have any favorite stacks you've put together? What are your favorite tips for building a successful bracelet stack?
Blogs I link up with are listed here.
This post is such a great resource! You have so many beautiful bracelets and you layer them so well! I really stopped layering as much when the kids were little, I need to get back into it, I loved having big bracelet stacks! the 5 silver I wear on my wrist now are everyday ones I never remove so they don't feel like a proper stack, haha!
Thanks for joining the Weekday Wear Link up :)
You have an amazing bracelet collection and every single one of these stacks is pretty! I have been adding some bead bracelets to my collection lately, finding them at antique shops and little shops and I love them in spring and summer.
www.chezmireillefashiontravelmom.com
You are the master of the bracelet stack! I love the color combinations you choose. I also like the different textures and shapes together.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
You are the Queen of Bracelets, Sally! Such good tips here! I had never thought about not mixing different "style" bracelets, but I realize I do that unconsciously. Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
All of your bracelet stacks look so lovely! I tend to stick to monochromatic or different metals when I stack my bracelets. But I really like the look of lots of colors and sizes paired together.