CALL TO ARMS
An ancient trend is resurfacing on the catwalk. Sarah Young clings on for the ride as bracelets make their mark
This season it’s time to let your arms do the talking with the return of yet another nostalgic jewellery trend. Bracelets are somewhat of a non-starter in the realm of accessories, and are rarely considered sartorially fundamental but as the spring sunrays call for bare arms, that’s all about to change. This isn’t just about style anymore, where you wear them matters now too. Arm cuffs, also known as armlets, have been worn since ancient times but, aside from a brief resurgence in the early noughties, have remained relatively out of view. Of course, like most trends this one returned to the fashion fold via the runway.
At Ashish, a collection that celebrated Indian culture as an integral part of Britain saw both males and females sent down the runway adorned with golden upper-arm bracelets – often layered and at times worn on both arms. Elsewhere, Roberto Cavalli’s new season obsession with 1970s bohemia declared the upper arm a good place to sport a gunmetal serpent bracelet while Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing joined in on the trend with wraparound gold styles that varied in width.
The best way to stand out this season, conceptual cuffs are one of the quickest and easiest ways to change the entire tone of an outfit but they can be tricky to pull off. For those with toned arms, cuffs will accentuate your already muscular limbs but can you wear them if you have a distinct lack of guns? Absolutely. The trick here is to opt for a style that is adjustable to accommodate any size.