Fashion Clothes and Shoes

We have seen those silicone bracelets, usually engraved with the name of a charity, a friend, or a slogan. They’ve been quite popular over the last several years, but now a new bracelet trend for men is on the horizon, especially in the workplace. And what is used for these bracelets may surprise you.

Leather bands, cloth friendship bracelets, and wooden beads are in right now, donning the arms of many New York men. While first seen being worn by celebrities like Johnny Depp and Steven Tyler, it’s becoming a common sight to walk downtown and see men in professional attire sporting anywhere from 1 to 10 of these unique bracelets. But is this just a fad, or is there a deeper meaning to the popularity these leather and bead bracelets?

Although the silicone bracelets stand for a good cause, they’re just not quite cutting it for macho bracelet of the year. Instead, for men looking for a more down-to-earth vibe from their jewelry, they are turning to more natural materials. And there are plenty of places to buy these bead bracelets and make them your own. Etsy is the most popular place to purchase them, although stores are selling them as well, such as J. Crew. Several ways exist to personalize the beads and leather, from engravings on the beads to touches of sapphire, silver, gold, and any other metals or colors you so desire.

But the bracelets are more than to look nice, or to feel more macho — it’s also a way to stand out. And that’s pretty much how it is with every accessory fad that has taken over the fashion world. From colorful socks to feathered hair, it’s all about finding a way to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. The best part about these rebel bead bracelets is that they are easily hidden by a long sleeve.

Men are usually more resistant to changing fashion styles, whether from fear of looking silly or because they are comfortable with what they wear. However, the leather bands and wooden beads are catching on, with men buying more and more bracelets to cover more of their wrists. They’re non-traditional, with a hint of the pirate feel to them (I did mention Johnny Depp and Steven Tyler are known for wearing these kinds of bracelets). So for that rugged, but safe look, leather bands, cloth bracelets, and wooden beads are in.