Arm Candy

Continuing with the Summer of 2009's statement jewelry trend, I'm going to write about bangle bracelets this time. Bangles are traditionally worn in India and Pakistan as a symbol of matrimony. Well, right now they're a hot trend and you don't even have to be married to wear them! If you're wondering what bangles look like, they are inflexible (unlike most bracelets) and usually round. There are bangles that are thick and chunky. The chunky kind are usually worn alone. There are also thinner bangles. The thinner ones are often sold in sets and the sets are typically worn stacked on the wrist. I must say, this is my favorite current jewelry trend (I like to wear my bangles stacked on both of my wrists). If you're still not sure what bangles look like, take a look at the images of these amazing bracelets below.

Bangle Apple Braclets, $12.99, shown in red; also available in black, yellow, and orange, applebottoms.com

Matte Black Bangle Bracelet 12 Pack, $8.00, hottopic.com

Rainbow Bangle Bracelets 5 Pack, $8.00, hottopic.com

Etched Bangle, $18.00, jcpenney.com

Hermatite Hinge Bangle Bracelet, $18.00, jcpenney.com

Abbey Dawn Silver-Tone Bangle Bracelet Set, $9.80, kohls.com

Candie's Jet-Tone Zebra Bangle Bracelet, $14.00, kohls.com

Mudd Wooden Bangle Bracelet, $9.80, kohls.com

Chain Bangle, $17.00, shown in dark grey; also available in silver and gold, bananarepublic.com

Beaded Multi Bangles, $8.00, mandee.com

Circle Charm Bangle, $6.00, mandee.com

Metal Bangles, $8.00, mandee.com

Multi Bangles Black Silver, $10.00, mandee.com

Multi Bangles Turquoise, $14.00, mandee.com

Multi Hammered Bangle, $10.00, mandee.com

Multi Stone Texture Bangle, $10.00, shown in black; also available in clear, mandee.com

Painted Zigzag Bangle, $8.00, mandee.com

Very Extreme Multi Bangle, $10.00, mandee.com

Women's Metal Bangles, $7.00, shown in gold plated; also available in silver metal, oldnavy.com

Heart and Flame Bangle Bracelet, $11.89, rocawear.com

Apostophe Lucite Bangle, $4.79, sears.com

Personal Identity Multicolor Bangles, $3.59, sears.com

Personal Identity Multi Shade Pink Shades, $3.59, sears.com

Hollywood Intuition Bracelet Set, $9.99, target.com

Hollywood Intuition Mixed Media Bracelet, $9.99, target.com

Merona Chunky Carved Bangle Bracelet, $9.99, target.com

Merona Faux Pearl Hinged Bracelet, $9.99, target.com

Merona Orange Seed Bead Bangle Bracelet, $5.98, target.com

Xhilaration Square Cut-Out Bangle Bracelet Set, $9.99, target.com

20 Piece Textured Bangle Set, $6.00, wetseal.com

Animal Print Bangle, $6.00, shown in fuchsia; also available in purple, wetseal.com

Buffalo Plaid Bangle, $6.00, shown in red; also available in white, wetseal.com

Flower Dot Bangle, $7.00, wetseal.com

Interlocked Bangle, $6.00, shown in gold; also available in silver, wetseal.com

Mesh Bangle Set, $7.00, wetseal.com

Metal Braided Bangle, $8.00, shown in gold, also available in silver, wetseal.com

Perforated Bangle, $6.00, wetseal.com

Snake Skin Bangle, $5.00, wetseal.com

Wire Wrap Bangle, $7.00, shown in gold; also available in silver, wetseal.com

Lace Bangle, $6.00, wetseal.com

Ilene Flower Bangle, $5.80, forever21.com

Arcylic Metal Bangle Set, $5.80, shown in black/silver; al;so available in cream/gold, forever21.com

To get a bohemian look, pair one (or more) of these gorgeous bracelets with a peasant top, a ripped denim skirt or a maxi skirt, and an oversized handbag. Another bohemian style you can try out is pairing your bangle(s) with a maxi dress or a peasant dress, some wedge espadrilles, a hobo bag, and feather earrings. For a casual day of hanging out with your friends, wear these bangles with a romper and some sneakers. For a modern hippie look, wear some bangle bracelets with a tie-dyed shirt, a pair of ripped or bleached jeans, and flip flops. For a fun Summer look wear your bangle bracelet(s) with a necklace top, a pair of shorts, hoop earrings, and some gladiator sandals. If you have any more suggestions for how to wear bangles or see any other statement jewelry that you would like me to write about, e-mail me at Charmed42787@gmail.com or contact me on myspace.