Bracelets for this summer are more flamboyant and bolder than before. Left to right: Katelogy, MCM,Gemma Alus Design, V+el,Cruciani,202 Factory,Tous, Pandora,Tous

It’s getting hotter, so sleeves are getting shorter. As one way to express one’s personality and fashion sense, more and more people, both men and women, are layering bracelets on their wrists.

With more bracelets being made with diverse materials from silicone to lace to leather, the JoongAng Ilbo sought advice on layering them from two experts: Gan Ho-seob, a professor of fashion design at Hongik University, and stylist Han Hye-yeon, who works with A-list celebrities such as Lee Hyo-ri, So Ji-sub and Han Ji-min.

Even if you wear the same outfits, our experts say you’d look totally different depending on what type of bracelets you wear.

Chunks, studs are in

This summer, bracelets are more flamboyant and bolder than before. Big chunks of primary-colored crystals, metal studs and neon-colored plastics often adorn the accessories, hugely influenced by the statement jewelry trend that began last year.

Statement jewelry refers to accessories which give instant messages about its wearer, from his or her lifestyle to preferences to values. Because these accessories are used as a means of expressing oneself, they are mostly big, just like party decorations.

Of many varieties, stone bracelets in achromatic colors are suitable for formal gatherings. If you still want to stand out while wearing white or black bracelets, choose bracelets with geometrically shaped stones instead of circular ones.

Plastic bracelets jazz up one’s look, while lace or thread bracelets make the wearer look sophisticated.

Among all of the lace bracelets, Cruciani, an Italian bracelet brand made with macrame, is the hottest item. Counterfeits are literally everywhere.

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Mixing and matching

Layering is the latest way to wear bracelets, but it’s not easy.

When you don’t know how to mix and match bracelets, choose different materials.

For instance, stone bracelets go well with thin metal bracelets, while crystal bracelets make a good combination with leather bracelets. Bracelets made with plastics perfectly go with lace bracelets.

For a chic style, choose three different materials. For example, wear rope, metal and leather bracelets together.

Also, choose a main bracelet, then decide what to wear as supporting bracelets so that the main one can stand out.

For those who don’t have a clue about how to mix and match all of these different bracelets, buy ready-made layered bracelets.

When wearing layers of bracelets, do not wear earrings and necklaces.

Layering with watches

Another way to look stylish is to mix bracelets with watches. If your watch is made from silver metal, then add vividly colored stone bracelets along with fabric or pearl bracelets.

If you’re not confident about layering, choose bracelets that are similar to your watch. For a silver metal watch, wear metal bracelets, or to look really funky, layer it with gold bracelets.



BY Lee JI-YOUNG [so@joongang.co.kr]