Armful of Bracelets: How to Mix Jewelry

Not sure if you want to wear the wooden bangle, the bright beads or the sentimental charm bracelet? No worries, wear them all together. Multiple bracelets worn together creates a fun look, also known as an arm party. Leandra Medine, aka, The Man Repeller, coined this term which is now its own Twitter hash tag, #armparty.

Although it is meant to create a trendy hodge-podge effect, there are certain guidelines to consider before piling on the bling. Keep in mind these are guidelines, not hard and fast rules. It is hard to nail down specifics when the idea is to create your own quirky look.

Choose a basic color palette. For example, limit yourself to gold, black and cream. Keeping the look contained in this way makes it easier to choose your combination. Rhinestones, glass or pearls can all be mixed in with black enamel and bright gold beads for a stunning bit of attention-getting accessorizing. Go for a southwestern look with silver, turquoise and white or be ultra dramatic with red and black mixed up with gold or silver bracelets.

Mix different textures. Wood and metal is a good combination. Two or three wood bracelets, combined with a few metal bangles, balances out the look. Continue the contrast by using both smooth and hammered metals together, or slipping a beaded bracelet into the mix.

Keep it simple. Stack bracelets on one arm and go extra light on the rest of your accessories. When your arm is full of jewelry, you can refrain from wearing multiple necklaces or giant chandelier earrings. One "fashion party" is enough, trust me. The best part of this trend is that you can use what you have, while taking attention off the possibility you haven't been able to update your closet in a while. Accessories have an almost magical effect on last year's dress.

Embrace your inner hippie, biker chick, or gypsy. Pick up some hemp bracelets, leather cuffs or exotic beads, depending upon your mood. Maybe none of those excite you and would rather channel the Bollywood star in you with brightly colored bangles that look they came right from the heart of Bombay.

All silver, all the time. Clanging silver bangles were my look of choice when I was in school. Now that the look is back, I have graduated from the thin metal and can choose from a nice wide silver cuff or a snake-like wrap in addition to my old clanging favorites.

However you style your collection of bracelets, the look will be completely unique to you. Even if all your friends are combining bracelets, it is almost guaranteed every whimsical arm will be different.

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