The look of stacked bangles continues as a significant trend, as favored at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards by numerous celebrities including Sofia Vergara, Reese Witherspoon, Madonna, Elle Macpherson, Nicole Richie, Maya Rudolph, and Kate Beckinsale. This look was popular through all of 2011, and continues into the 2012 spring season.
The December 2011 issue of Marie Claire devotes eight pages to resort looks of “roughly hewn jewelry and rich camouflage—animal prints included.” Amid the stylings is this look of neon brights mixed with an animal print, worn with stacks of bracelets on both wrists: striped bracelets from Ben-Amun and red bracelets from Alexis Bittar. The model also wears a large ring from Michael Kors and a smaller ring from Alexis Bittar. Her apparel: a Giambattista Valli sweater, a Splendid top, Cosabella leggings, Jimmy Choo shoes, and a backpack from SANG A.
Here’s a resort look from the December 2011 issue of Vogue featuring model Karlie Kloss and My Week With Marilyn actor Eddie Redmayne. Kloss wears a resin bangle from Dinosaur Designs, a red bangle from Ben-Amun, and a resin and sterling silver bangle from Ippolita. Her ensemble: Eres maillot, Marni skirt, Flora Bella hat, Louis Vuitton belt, and Jimmy Choo clutch.
The November 2011 issue of InStyle provides these tips for stacking bangles, authored by the magazine’s accessories director Leah Karp: “The key is to include a chunky menswear watch to anchor the look. Then, pile on bracelets in varying widths (mix metals, or go for a more uniform look). But don’t include anything too precious; the bracelets may bang together and scratch.” The jewelry pictured consists of a pair of stretch bracelets from Lia Sophia, a gold-plated bangle from Anne Klein, a bronze aluminum metallic wristwatch from Toy Watch, and a set of enamel and metal bangles from Bebe. Unfortunately, Karp does not address how to style bangles not anchored with a chunky wristwatch.
Recent ads for Ippolita, such as the page shown above, feature a large stack of gem-studded bracelets.
A February ad for Guess shows stacked bangles with a nautical-themed campaign.
The December 2011–January 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar features actress and model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wearing some of spring’s tribal-inspired looks, including this look from Derek Lam worn with a trio of bangles from Hermes and hoop earrings from Langoliers.
The same issue of Harper’s Bazaar, in discussing “What’s In What’s Out,” states that Art Deco cuffs are IN, but “a messy, mismatched stack” of bangles is OUT.
It seems that the editors of Harper’s Bazaar jumped the gun! Here’s a look from the February 2012 issue featuring, yes, a stack of mismatched bangles—albeit perhaps not what one would consider a “messy” stack. The entire look, bracelets, dress and shoes, are from Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière.
The February 2012 issue of Marie Claire features a backstage photo of stacked, messy, and mismatched bangles shown by designer Giambattista Valli.
The cover of the February 2011 issue of Elle pictures actress Reese Witherspoon wearing a large stack of Cartier bangles with her sequined dress from Dolce & Gabbana.
The editors of O, the Oprah Magazine are so enamored of mismatched stacks of bangle bracelets that they dedicated two pages of the February 2011 issue to the look, advising readers “Mix and match bracelets to express your individual style.” The above page features bracelets from Paige Novick, Art of Henri, Lulu Frost, Cynthia Desser, Pandora Jewelry, Jordan Alexander, Ackerman Designs, Gerard Yosca, and Bajra Baubles.
Only one of the looks featured in O, the Oprah Magazine is anchored by a chunky wristwatch, a rubber watch from ToyWatch. Among the advice given: “Mix shapes, sizes, and textures. If all the bracelets are uniform, the look won’t be as personal.” That comment is tempered by the following: “Make sure there’s something unifying all the pieces, like gold details or a bright color scheme.” The bracelets pictured on the page above are from NOIR Jewelry, Frieda & Nellie by Stacy Herzog and Sarah Reid, Carolina Bucci, Tai, Trollbeads, Sheryl Lowe Designs, Aurora Lopez Mejia, Sheryl Lowe Designs, Huichol at Fragments, Diane Cotton, Jeanine Payer, Hermes, Monica Rich Kosann, Brandy Pham, Slane, Lionette Designs by Noa Sade, Paige Novick, and Gerard Yosca.
With celebrities on the red carpet and the fashion press both endorsing this look, stacking bangles is a trend with staying power. Pile ’em on!
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