The Guys’ Guide To Bracelet Stacks

Bracelet stacks are a fun and stylish way to express yourself. The art of the bracelet stack involves combining a number of different bracelets to create a layered look. The best part is, curating a collection of bracelets and building your own stacks is easier than you’d think! In this blog, we’ll give you the rundown on men’s bracelet styles, how to design your own stacks, and how to maintain your pieces so that they last for many years to come.

Understanding The Basics: Types of Men’s Bracelets

The world of men’s bracelets is a wide and varied one, featuring plenty of different styles for guys with a range of tastes and preferences. Here, we’ll touch on a few of the most popular mens bracelet styles. We’ll cover what they look like, what they tend to be made from, and what draws people to them.

Chain Bracelets

Men’s chain bracelets are simply the wrist version of the classic men’s chain necklace. You can find a chain bracelet in nearly any link style, including box links, curb links and Franco links. Puff links are also a common sight for men’s chain bracelets. Like chain necklaces, these bracelets are often made from a durable alternative metal such as stainless steel or tungsten, though the pricier ones can be made from gold.

Link Bracelets

Though some people use the terms “link bracelet” and “chain bracelet” interchangeably, link bracelets typically have larger links than chains do. Watch links, wave links, riveted links and diamond links are all good examples. They’re chunkier and more substantial than chain links, making them great, eye-catching statement pieces. Like chain bracelets, link bracelets are mostly crafted from rugged alternative metals like stainless steel or precious metals like gold.

Beaded Bracelets

Beaded bracelets are exactly what they sound like: bracelets made from a row (or two!) of beads. Despite the simple definition, there are a number of bead bracelet styles for guys to enjoy. Beaded bolo bracelets are one such type. These bracelets can be pulled and adjusted to precisely the right fit.

Choosing The Right Men’s Bracelets For You

With so many options out there, how do you narrow it down to the set that’s right for you? There are a few key factors to consider, but at the end of the day, it’s all about what makes you feel confident and stylish.

Your Personal Style

There’s no one way to build a bracelet stack. The most important piece of the puzzle is getting in touch with your personal style and choosing bracelets that reflect your tastes. Take a look through your wardrobe and see what bracelets might pair best with your attire. Do the same with your other jewelry pieces (if you have any)–which bracelets will complement the rings, necklaces, earrings or other bracelets that you already have? And most of all, be sure to take your time checking out the many different bracelet styles available to find the ones that really speak to you.

Comfort And Fit

Do you prefer lightweight or substantial bracelets? Rugged, textured lava beads or smooth stainless steel links? Would you prefer a tighter fit, a looser fit, or a super-adjustable bolo bracelet? Take some time to consider what feels best to you. After all, a bracelet stack won’t do you any good unless you're comfortable while wearing it!

Pairing and Matching Bracelets

With all of that being said, it’s also a good idea to incorporate some variety into your stack. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and get familiar with styles you may have overlooked. Different widths, textures, colors, materials and even link styles each add their own unique touch to your stack and give the whole ensemble a dynamic aesthetic.

Color Coordination

Depending on what you’re comfortable with, you can choose to closely match your colors or boldly clash them. Once upon a time it was considered a rule of thumb to never mix metals, but those days are long gone. In fact, it’s very trendy to incorporate a good mix of colors and styles into your jewelry look.
A white-toned stainless steel link bracelet can pair well with a yellow-toned men’s chain bracelet. If that’s not your speed, consider matching accents. A blue bracelet can make a black bracelet with blue accents pop. And of course, you can always pair your bracelets with the colors in your outfit or other jewelry. Overall, though, it’s a good idea to avoid being too monochrome.

Balancing Width And Texture

Color isn’t the only thing you can mix up in a bracelet stack! Combining bracelets of different widths, thicknesses and textures adds depth to your set and makes people want to take a second glance. Show off your sense of style and draw all the right kinds of attention by integrating sleek links and rugged beads, thin chains and thick chains, or flashy puff links and subtle box links. The options are endless, so do what feels right to you!

Styling Bracelets With Different Outfits

Ideally, you can collect enough bracelets to build different stacks for different occasions. Depending on which pieces you incorporate into each stack, you can create layered looks to complement everything from your daily jeans-and-tees to the finest of formalwear.

Casual Wear

With casual outfits, you have some room to experiment. Since you aren’t bound by any of the conventions surrounding formalwear, Chunkier links, different textures and unique materials like river rock or tiger eye beads can create statement stacks to spice up even your most minimalistic outfits.

Business Casual

For a business casual look, opt for classics like men’s chain bracelets and toned-down beads. A black bolo bead bracelet and a white or yellow stainless steel chain bracelet, for instance, makes a refined set that still shows off a bit of edge and personality. Neutral colors are great for pairing with button-ups and blazers.

Formal Attire

Here’s where you might want to add some flash. Men’s diamond bracelets elevate any stack with a touch of class and just the right amount of shine. Pair them with other elegant tones such as white or yellow stainless steel. You may want to opt for a set of subtler, sleeker bracelets in these scenarios and save the more substantial links for casual looks.

How to Maintain your Bracelet Stack

What good is a bracelet stack if you can’t keep it in mint condition? The good news is, caring for your bracelets is easy if you just follow these simple tips.

Care And Cleaning

Regardless of the material your bracelets are made from, you can safely clean them with a simple solution of warm water and a few drops of mild dish soap. Use a soft toothbrush (no new brushes with stiff bristles, please!) to scrub the solution onto your bracelet and then rinse it briefly in warm water. Then, rub the bracelet dry with a soft cloth or allow it to air dry. Feel free to use a jewelry polishing cloth to keep it sparkling.

Storage

Store your bracelets in a jewelry box–ideally a soft-lined one with a lid. The soft lining protects them from scratches, while a lid will keep out dust and moisture. Space the pieces out so that they don’t scratch one another. You can even put them in individual ziploc baggies as an extra precaution.

Updating Your Stack

Perhaps the best part about a bracelet stack is that you can always keep adding to it! Renew and revamp your stack by collecting pieces over time as you find new ones that speak to you. Keep an eye on social media or your favorite men’s jewelry sites for inspiration, and always feel free to put your own spin on any styles you see.

Build Your Bracelet Stack With Robert Alton Jewelry

In this blog, we took a look at what a men’s bracelet stack is, what components go into building a great one, and gave you some advice on how to create and maintain a stack of your own! We hope this article gave you some good information and has you inspired to style some bracelets. To check out all of the bracelet styles mentioned in this blog–and more–take a look around our website to explore a collection of quality, trendy men’s bracelets. We’re sure you’ll find something to love!