How To Wear A Watch With Bracelets
Good accessories can take even the most basic outfit to the next level. Whether you’re looking for a chic and stylish addition to a casual weekday outfit or to amplify a formal look for a special occasion, a stacked bracelet and wristwatch combo is just what you need!
Accessorizing is a great way to add personality to your outfit and make it even more personable than it already is. It is also such a seemingly simple way to add some versatility and change up an outfit for any occasion.
Let’s also not forget about the boost in confidence you gain when you feel good about what you’re wearing! I love pairing watches with bracelets – it’s aesthetically pleasing and it instantly adds a sophisticated and stylish look to whatever it is I’m wearing.
How To Wear A Watch With Bracelets
In this post, I’ll not only share some of the best bracelets to pair with your favorite watch, but I’ll give you all of the tips and tricks to ensure that your accessories work for you and not against you!
Keep your watch the focal point
This is likely the most important tip to keep in mind when wearing your watch and bracelets on the same wrist. Let your watch shine as the statement piece of your wrist accessories!
The bracelets you pair with your watch should complement it but not overpower it. You can do so by wearing smaller bracelets or less “flashy” bracelets.
Match the material
Matching the material of your watch is important to keep your accessories looking stylish rather than tacky and out of place. Matching the metal of the watch and bracelet(s) will offer the most appealing look.
For example, if you’re wearing a silver or stainless steel watch, a good rule of thumb would be to pair it with a silver bracelet rather than a stack of gold bracelets.
Another example would be pairing a watch with a leather strap with either leather bracelets or bracelets in which the metal matches the watch’s face.
Of course, the exception to the rule, you can certainly blend two materials when it works! For example, if you’re wearing a silver watch with a gold watch dial you can mix and match the metals by wearing silver and/or gold bracelets.
The most important thing is for your accessories to look balanced and cohesive without looking too busy or out of place.
Consider the colors
Like with material, the color of the bracelet you choose to wear with your watch should complement the color of the watch rather than clash with it.
Wearing bracelets with matching or complementary colors to your watch will ensure a more united and natural look. If you’re wearing a black watch, then you might consider wearing bracelets with a black or dark color scheme.
Similarly, if you have a brown or tanned watch like leather, then you might consider wearing a bracelet with light yellow or gold colors.
Pay attention to the placement of the bracelets
Should bracelets go above or below a watch?
When wearing bracelets on the same wrist as a watch, the bracelets should typically be positioned in front of the watch and closer to the hand. This placement will help to keep the watch as the focal point of the accessories.
Consider the size and number of bracelets
When thinking about the number of bracelets to wear with your watch, you will need to first consider the size of the bracelets.
For larger bracelets such as metal cuffs, you will likely only wear one with your watch. However, when stacking bracelets that are smaller you can most often wear up to three bracelets.
Consider the Occasion
So, what kind of bracelets do you wear with a watch?
Considering the occasion that you’ll be wearing your accessories for is vital in making sure that you’ve chosen the perfect combination of bracelets to compliment your watch.
For formal occasions you will want to opt for dress watches made of precious metal – like a silver or gold watch – and pair it with an option such as smaller more delicate bracelets or even gemstone bracelets for a beautiful and classic look.
Watches with leather bands paired with leather bracelets are a great option for more casual occasions and outfits. This is also a great opportunity to showcase your style through your accessories.
Whether you’re going for an edgy look or you just want to mix and match metals, leather watches paired with leather bracelets and/or beaded bracelets is the way to go.
For outdoor or sports-type occasions – leather combos or adding in nautical bracelets are perfect styling options. Adding in a bracelet or two will help you stand out regardless of what outdoor activity you’re engaging in. For these types of occasions, non-metal bracelets pair wonderfully with your watch!
Wearing bracelets with an apple watch
Seeing as how the use and wear of apple watches has skyrocketed over the years – I had to include this one separately! Apple watches have countless straps that you can purchase and can be worn for occasions for everything from fitness to business meetings.
Apple watch bands don’t just stop at solid silicone styles, like the style above. While it is a band for the watch, it is in the style of a beaded bracelet, so you get the best of both worlds.
With this band you can easily stack more bracelets however, if you want to keep it simple, this look stands out all on it’s own.
When pairing apple watches with bracelets, the same tips above should apply to ensure you’re making the most fashionable choices. In general, beaded bracelets as well as cuff bracelets go well when paired with an apple watch.
Wear the watch and bracelet on separate wrists
This might be an obvious choice but still worth mentioning. While a watch is always worn on the non-dominant hand, you can certainly place bracelets on your dominant hand for a more elevated and accessorized look to any outfit.
The color of the bracelet or bracelets should still be taken into account as well as the material. While you don’t have to worry so much about choosing bracelets that won’t steal the show from the watch as they will be on separate wrists, it’s still important to make sure the bracelet complements the watch well.
Things to keep in mind when wearing bracelets with a watch
Friction – this is very important to consider especially when wearing more expensive items such as luxury watches or smaller more delicate bracelets that may contain small stones. The friction of the two items rubbing together when worn on the same wrist can cause damage to either piece of jewelry or even cause jewels to loosen or fall out.
The overall look – we all know the saying “there are exceptions to every rule” and styling watches and bracelets together is no different. Ultimately, you’ll want to consider the overall style of the outfit and pair the pieces you’re wearing based on that along with your personal preference!
Your wrist size – How should a watch with a bracelet fit? You want to be able to get your index finger underneath of the watch and at least 1-2 fingers underneath of the bracelets. Any tighter and you’ll be uncomfortable and any looser and they will be floating around all day.
If you have a smaller wrist opt for small, thin bracelets to keep them from outshining your watch – remember, we want your watch to remain the focal point of a stacked wrist!
Start out small – If you’re a bit apprehensive about stacking bracelets with your watch, start out small – literally! Smaller and thinner bracelets that are on the looser side and not too tight to the skin are a stylish option for pairing with watches that always looks good!
The Best Types of Bracelets To Wear With Watches
Leather Bracelets
These bracelets go great with more casual watches, especially watches that have a leather band or strap. Pairing leather and other non-metal bracelets (such as beaded bracelets) makes for a great edgy look.
Silver Bracelets
Silver jewelry in general makes for such classic and elegant pieces. When stacking bracelets with a watch, silver bracelets are always a safe option for a stylish and beautiful look!
Beaded Bracelet
Beaded bracelets are a fun and casual accessory to liven up your outfit! Because they come in various colors they are extremely versatile in pairing with your favorite beautiful watch.
Gold Bracelet
Gold bracelets are not only beautiful but can be dressed up or down! They are a great option for both formal occasions and more casual situations. They are best worn with watches that are gold in color or have a gold watch face.
Anchor Rope Bracelet or Nautical Bracelets
This type of bracelet has gained a lot of popularity over the years , especially when it comes to men’s bracelets. They are a non metal, rope bracelet and offer a lot of personalization options. Based on your personal style they work well for everything from casual to business occasions.
Conclusion
A wristwatch and stacked bracelet combo is one that will instantly add a touch of style, sophistication, and confidence when done correctly. With these simple tips you can make sure that your next accessory pairing is chic, beautiful, and offers a more stylish look.
When wearing a watch with different types of bracelets on the same wrist, the most important thing to remember is that the pieces should complement each other and give a natural look rather than giving the wrist a busy and overwhelming feel.
