Types Of Men’s Bracelets: An Effortless Guide To 12 Different Bracelet Styles

by Brian Adee  |  in Accessories

Are you thinking of personalizing your style with one of the many types of men’s bracelets? Then you’ll want to check out this complete guide, where we break down all of the bracelet options available today into the most popular and impressive styles. 

By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear idea of what type of bracelet is right for your style — whether that turns out to be a chunky rope bracelet, a thin metal band, or customized leather.

Keep reading, and we’ll introduce you to each type of bracelet one by one before concluding with tips on how to wear men’s bracelets and where to find the best ones available online.

 

3 Types of Men’s Leather Bracelets

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Leather might be the best material for men who aren’t sure whether they’re cut out for wearing bracelets. With its neutral tones and decidedly masculine character, leather plays well with a wide variety of outfits from casual to high-end.

Oliver Cabell Leather Wrap

One of these 3 men’s leather bracelet styles is sure to fit with your aesthetic:

1. Leather Cuff Bracelets

You can find cuff bracelets in widths ranging from ½ inch to 3 inches or more. An unassuming leather cuff bracelet like this one from Valextra is a great place to start — not too big and not too small, it’s well equipped to pair cleanly with casual outfits.

2. Braided Leather Bracelets

Braided leather bracelets are a popular choice for up-and-coming leatherworkers to practice their trade. They’re also a really popular, easy-to-wear style. You’ll find plenty of uniquely crafted braided leather bracelets on Etsy, like this one that comes in three naturally dyed colors and can be customized to your wrist size.

3. Leather Wrap Bracelets

Leather wrap bracelets come in a few variations, but when worn on the wrist, it simply looks like a leather strap that has been wrapped around your wrist a few times. You can get that layered look with just one bracelet (but we don’t blame you for wanting to wear a few more).

When I think of leather wrap bracelets, I imagine something like this, from Novica. A more subdued and classy version of this is Oliver Cabell’s leather wrap.

3 Types of Men’s Metal Bracelets

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Metal bracelets for men run the gamut from lightweight and refined to heavy, chunky, and intimidating. Unless you have plans on joining a biker gang, you may want to steer clear of the largest metal bracelets. Instead, focus on the minimalist side of metal instead.

Mejuri Ribbed Cuff

Here are 3 types of men’s metal bracelets for you to consider:

1. Metal Cuff Bracelets

Often forged from one piece of stainless steel, then distressed to create a signature look, metal cuff bracelets can make any outfit pop. They’re best reserved for casual occasions unless you’re wearing a thin silver or gold cuff (which we’ll cover in greater detail in a moment).

Going for a low-profile metal cuff made from heavy-gauge metal will help keep it from crossing into the “women’s bangle” territory. As a general rule, men with thinner wrists will find thicker cuffs to fit better and vice versa.

2. Metal Chain Bracelets

Chain link metal bracelets for men live a double life. On the one hand, you’ll find thin and unobtrusive chains that can subtly adorn any outfit. Opposite these tasteful links, you’ll also find thick metal chains that can be hard to pull off since they just draw too much attention (unless you’re a biker, I suppose).

Perhaps the best choice lies in a compromise between the two styles -— something like this Kusari bracelet from Vitaly (in yellow or white metal) that can lend gravity to your style without coming across as too intense. A designer option is this box chain bracelet from David Yurman.

3. Precious Metal Bracelets

If you love the finer things, or you’re looking for bracelets that to wear with formal outfits, precious metal bracelets are almost certainly the way to go.

Thin and attractive gold or sterling silver bracelets can take the place of more elaborate adornment, and look fantastic when matched with cufflinks.

We love this simple sterling silver cuff bracelet, or for something more badass and bold, this 18k curb link chain bracelet from David Yurman.

3 Types of Men’s Rope Bracelets

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Offering a similar style as leather bracelets, men’s rope bracelets have the advantage of being easier to care for and less likely to be damaged by water. They’re often very affordable and can be worn in multiples for a Johnny Depp sort of style.

Miansai Metric Rope Bracelet

Check out these 3 men’s rope bracelet styles:

1. Natural Fiber Rope Bracelets

By far the most common sort of rope bracelet for men, natural fiber bracelets are easy on the skin and incredibly customizable. You’ll find them in dozens of colors and weaving styles, so be prepared to shop around to find the one that suits you best.

2. Paracord Bracelets

Paracord bracelets are the most prevalent example of a synthetic rope bracelet for men. We prefer them made in a streamlined, minimalist style rather than the chunky styles favored by survivalists.

3. Nautical Rope Bracelets

With a long history of knots and ropework, it should come as no surprise that maritime traditions have spawned their styles of woven jewelry. Often featuring a minimalist style that focuses on eye-catching fasteners, nautically-inspired bracelets feel like a natural fit for the hot summer months.

3 Types of Men’s Beaded Bracelets

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Because of the variety of materials used in making men’s beaded bracelets, this category is where you’ll find the largest array of colors and textures to choose from.

Azuro Republic Tiger Eye Bracelet

Let’s take a look at the 3 main types of beaded bracelets for men:

1. Stone Bead Bracelets

Hundreds of natural, semi-precious stones can be used to make stone bead bracelets for men. This gives you access to a huge range of colors to pair with your outfits year-round. 

If you’re looking for a place to start trying this type of bracelet out, lava rock bracelets are lightweight and simple to add to casual outfits. From there, the sky’s the limit — check out Tiger’s Eye for an affordable stone that’s found in multiple colors.

2. Metal Bead Bracelets

Though much less common than stone bead bracelets, metal beads can be a subtle way to add color and substance to an otherwise simple fit. Copper beaded bracelets will naturally patina as you wear them, while gunmetal beads will maintain their sleek appearance throughout their entire lifetime.

3. Wooden Bead Bracelets

If you’re a fan of neutral tones and warm, earthy materials, wooden bead bracelets will likely be a great fit. They’re a simple addition that can accent casual outfits flawlessly, bringing many elements together without being overly flashy.

What men’s bracelets are in fashion?

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So if you’re reading this post, you probably want to wear a bracelet or three, but you’re unsure which ones are actually cool and in style.

I hear ya! Well, we didn’t feature any bracelets on here that aren’t in style or on trend. What matters more is how you choose to wear them, and the combos of bracelet styles you put together on your wrist.

Check out the next section for tips on how to wear men’s bracelets well.

How to Wear Men’s Bracelets

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Like almost every piece of men’s jewelry, bracelets can seem tricky to work into your wardrobe. There’s a thin line between looking great and trying too hard, and going overboard with jewelry can distract you from the rest of your outfit.

That may leave you wondering: How can you decide which bracelet style suits you best? 

1. Find inspiration and example images

As far as we’re concerned, Instagram is an excellent resource when it comes to scoping out your options for how to wear men’s bracelets. Search under #mensbracelets or #mensjewelry, and you’ll find dozens of examples of men pairing bracelets with their outfits. 

2. Choose and experiment

Once you have a general visual idea of the way that other men wear their bracelets, you can start to personalize your jewelry choices to your style. 

Favor more restrained style choices and neutral tones? Wood, leather, and natural fiber rope bracelets will all compliment this style well.

If tighter cuts and bolder patterns are your preference, the clean lines of metal or the pop of color from stone beads may be a better match.

Whichever way your style trends, there’s a bracelet out there that can accent your aesthetic. 

Final Thoughts: Where to Find the Best Men’s Bracelets

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Thanks for taking the time to check out our guide to the major types of men’s bracelets.

Now that you have a clear picture of the many different styles available to you, we recommend checking out the buying guide to the best men’s bracelets that we’ve put together to complement this article!

There, you’ll find specific recommendations for our favorite bracelets in each of the major styles.