When I was in middle school, the ultimate sign of style was how many bangles you wore on your arm. I used to go over to Claire’s Accessories, buy (fake) thin gold bangles and just pile them up to my elbow, mixing them with everything from hemp to plastic (I know, stylish, right?). Eventually I learned that when Coco Chanel advised to always take off one thing before leaving the house she was absolutely right. Though, in my case, I needed to take off about twenty-plus.
My style has since changed immensely save for one permanent accessory: the gold bangle. Fortunately, I’ve upgraded my wristwear from the Claire’s version and removed all the excess rubber band bracelets that once crowded the classic bangle.
There are thousands upon thousands of interpretations of the gold bangle, ranging from wire-thin bands to delicate gold bracelets in various cuts and styles. You can easily find something fun, elegant, or edgy without falling far from the timeless mold.
The bangle is, without a doubt, the most versatile piece in your jewelry box. If I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt, stacked gold bangles mixed with other jewelry (no plastic, please, and only amounting to an inch or two) funk up the outfit. If I’m dressed up, a single gold bangle with unique and subtle detailing (such as the serpent bangle featured below) brings a little something extra while still keeping the look clean and elegant. There are about a million ways to buy and wear this item.
The most lasting quality of the gold bangle is its inability to get old. A gold bracelet is simply always new and fresh, even when you have thousands of designers creating more beautiful options every day. Take the Cartier Love bracelet, for example. The gold bangle has become one of the most coveted ways to show affection. Alex and Ani, on the other hand, make amazing and affordable bangles thin enough to pile on but special enough to wear alone. Here are some more great options…
GET THE LOOK
Serious Splurge Cartier Love Bracelet, $3175
Splurge Giles & Brother 10K Gold Plated Spiked Bangles, $280
Steal Monica Rich Kosann Sterling Silver Scroll Bangle, $325
http://shop.fineartoffamily.com/product-p/45111.htm
Save Jenny Bird Everyday Serpent bangle, $95
Super Save Kate Spade Give It A Whirl Idiom Bangle, $48
[Photo courtesy of Accessories.co.uk]
Published on August 25, 2010
While there are many sites today dedicated to the pursuit of fashion and style, here at MRK Style we approach these subjects through a collector’s lens. Through exploring how people relate to Art, Family, Fashion, Food, Film and Travel—essentially life’s various, everyday obsessions—we reflect on how we all live with the things we love. 
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