Three harsh reality checks, then two, then one. Not everyone has enough funds to spend on temporary runway trends. Anyone in the fashion world can tell you they’ve had a moment when they were troubled by the fact that their tastes were too high for their budget. That realization is probably caused by hours of staring and scrolling through the season’s hottest trends. Sales corner of a luxury goods store. Whatever your situation, it’s common to be curious about how to organize your expensive-looking wardrobe without actually spending a fortune. There are many ways to achieve this, but none is easier or more budget-friendly than incorporating elegant jewelry. What’s the old saying, “Diamonds are forever”? There’s a reason why jewelry is a great long-term investment.
Even if you’re not buying the big ole locks, jewelry is one of the few accessories that actually transcends ever-changing trend cycles. That’s evident in the ’80s-inspired jewelry trend that’s taken over over the past few years: chunky cuff bracelets. For the record, large bangles, cufflinks, and bracelets have never gone completely out of fashion, but they have become even larger in recent years. There’s no doubt that this is partly due to their presence on the runway. It can be traced back to the Saint Laurent S/S ’23 collection, which recently reignited this trend. Models strutted down the runway in oversized bomber jackets, jersey jumpsuits and leather gloves, layered with bangles, chunky cuffs and oversized bracelets. Some might argue that the critical acclaim for this collection sparked the cufflink craze seen on the runways of Tory Burch, Chanel, Alaïa, and Gucci.
But the popularity of chunky cuff bracelets didn’t just permeate the collection. We’ve also seen fashion lovers employ creative styling hacks using cuffs. Often used to make staple items more sophisticated, there are no shortage of examples where adding this not-so-small accessory can make a big difference. But if you’re not convinced that cufflinks can emit “trust fund” energy without any cash to back them up, keep reading.
Before we get into that, we’ve put together some examples of runway and real-world jewelry trends to serve as a visual blueprint for how to wear chunky cuff bracelets as if the family came from old money. Plus, we’ve hand-picked a selection of the best chunky cuff bracelets to help you look elegant without spending too much effort (or money).
on the runway
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight, Photo: Saint Laurent S/S 23)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight; Photo: Tory Burch S/S 24)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight, Photo: Tom Ford S/S 24)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight, Photo: Alaïa F/W 24)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight, Photo: Chanel F/W 24)
(Image credit: Launchmetrics Spotlight, Photo: Balmain S/S 25)
(Image provided by: Gucci)
in the wild
buy the best chunky cuff bracelets
Agmes
Jean Recycled Sterling Silver Cuff
Agmes’ unique sculptural pieces are a collector’s dream.
No one would ever guess that this two-tone cuff bracelet from H&M wasn’t by the designer.
jenny bird
Ola bangle gold
Styling tip: Try layering Jenny Bird’s Ola bangles for a unique spin on the chunky bangle trend.
madewell
Chunky Dome Cuff Bracelet Silver
Walk into the Who What Wear offices and you can’t help but see multiple editors wearing chunky silver cuffs from Madewell. It’s a daily necessity.
Completed work
Schranch gold vermeil cuff
Rest assured, the Completedworks Scrunch Cuff always guarantees compliments.
chassis
domino cuff bracelet
Cuffing season? It’s not cute. But this cuff bracelet? It’s a love match.
rie studio
olga bracelet
The twisted silhouette of this Lié Studio bracelet is too sophisticated to be unwieldy.
Ben Amun
special silver tone cuff
Scrolling through social media, you can’t miss the fashion crowd wearing Ben Amun’s oversized cuffs. It is one of the most exciting accessories of the moment.
J.Crew
sculptural hinge bracelet
Once again, J.Crew doesn’t disappoint us with this affordable chunky bracelet.
Not even a day has passed since Tory Burch’s Spring/Summer ’23 show, and I can’t stop thinking about this Serpent Cuff.
alexis bitard
dream rain bangle
Everything about this chunky bangle is beautiful, from the molded Lucite material to the polished gold hinges. *Chef’s Kiss*
saint laurent
resin bracelet
Thanks to Saint Laurent, resin bangles are making a comeback in earnest.
Eliou
allegra cuff bracelet
Nothing makes your little black dress feel a little more beautiful than a big bangle.
julieta
Rhonda rhodium plated cuff
I would do anything to get my hands on this sculptural cuff.
unusual things
Swell coated wood cuff
Not all cuffs need to be metal. A wooden version is also available.
epiphen
marble resin bangle
This resin bangle can be styled with swimsuits and dresses in the summer and turtlenecks and coats in the winter.
Lizzie Fortunato
arc acrylic cuff
Don’t be afraid to layer bangles (like the one above) to take this jewelry trend to the next level.
Monica Vinader
capri cuff bracelet
If you’re interested in shopping from jewelry brands that source sustainable metals, Monica Vinader’s jewelry is a must-see, especially the Capri Cuff Bracelet.
mango
Combination resin bracelet 3 pack
Make an all-black outfit a little more interesting by layering it with chunky resin bracelets.
Alaia
Bubble resin and gold-tone cuff
Oh Alaia, you really understand the challenge every time.
Missoma
Hera Dome Statement Cuff Bracelet 18K Gold Plated
Imagine how elegant these cufflinks would look on sweaters, blazers, and T-shirt sleeves.
dinosaur design
medium drift bangle
All Dinosaur Designs bangles are handcrafted on the east coast of Australia, making each one a unique collector’s item.
Zara
2 pack metallic bracelets
Who doesn’t love a matching bangle set? Especially if it’s so affordable.
tiffany & company
Elsa Peretti Small Bone Cuff
What’s the best part about this chunky cuff bracelet? It can be passed down for generations.
Alighieri
Bones of Rebirth Recycled Gold Plated Cuff
All of Alighieri’s jewelry is inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, giving each piece a unique story.