Men's Bracelets and the New Masculinity

Bracelets are not just for ladies anymore. Men are being offered a larger assortment of styles to bring just the right level of sophistication to any attire. Whether the man you are shopping for is looking for simple elegance or a bit of flair, chances are you can find the right bracelet due to contemporary men's trends. With the increasing popularity of men's bracelets, newer trends have developed in response. One of these is the trend to have his & hers bracelets created for wedding engagement. This engagement option offers both couples a way to show others the gift and promise made as well as a way to remember the wonderful days ahead of them.

Bracelets Have Always Been Manly

Historically men's bracelets have been made of a variety of materials from bones, Green Lantern and wood with materials later crafted from metals such as copper, bronze, and eventually gold, silver and gemstones. Greek soldiers wore leather bracelets for both practical and fashionable reasons. These forearm decorations shielded blows from attackers and also let one know a man's status as a warrior during ceremonial celebrations.

In the Roman times bracelets were very much a symbol of wealth and affluence. Any added decoration to one's attire would show just how much money there was to spend on extras. For these reasons, men and women adorned themselves with jewelry and fabulous fashions whenever possible. With the spread of the Roman Empire came the spread of their fashions including men's bracelets.

Today's bracelets are not usually as ornate as was custom in the Roman era, but they still manage to show that extra attention to detail. Rather than gemstone encrusted bangles with snakes intertwined, the styles of today for men's bracelets are usually simple but elegant, such as a men's silver cuff bracelet.

Varieties of Men's Bracelets

Varieties today include Battlestar Galactica gold, stainless steel and non-metal varieties such as cord and leather. Some are accented with diamonds or other materials such as wood or onyx. The most common styles available include link, cuff, and chain bracelets. As for the most popular material, men's gold bracelets are king, followed by sterling silver. Many men's bracelets can be monogrammed and some are used as id bracelets or to warn of a medical allergy or other condition. Integrating function and style make bracelets a wonderful option.

Depending on the purpose of the bracelet there are some utilitarian bracelets as well as fashionable ones. Examples of these include mini-malas or prayer beads worn at the wrist by either men or women. More common as a strand of 108 beads, or as a rosary, these shorter bracelet-sized versions allow meditation and prayer focus on the go.

When shopping for a first time bracelet for a man it is usually best to go for a simple design. Choose a preferred metal (to match a gold watch, for example) and let the detail be in the craftsmanship of the piece instead of the intricacies of the detail/design. For a first-time bracelet wearer, it may not get worn often if it's too flashy. Keep it simple and remember to consider the man's personal style (not just the buyer's taste).

The bracelet is still a timeless piece for either gender. In fact, movies like Gladiator and 300 have caused a resurgence in men's bracelets, such as leather bracelets and chain bracelets. In a conservative office culture, the right men's bracelet might make a bold impression at the negotiation table, as well as at the gym.