How To Stack Your Wrist Like A Pro
GIFs by Dianna McDougall
My style tends to err on the simple side, which is why I gravitate toward chic accessories to add an element of personal panache. For a special flourish, I like to indulge in a bit of arm candy, which, ideally, looks effortless even though a good deal of thought is required to achieve the right balance. Making the transition from Swatch watches and friendship lanyards to metal bangles and cool cuffs has been a fashion journey. But while my tastes have matured, the perfect stack has eluded me. So I went straight to jewelry designers Danielle Snyder (half of the sister duo behind Dannijo) and Lisa Salzer of Lulu Frost to get the full download on how to achieve an appropriately carefree jumble.
1. Choose an arm. Captain Obvious? Perhaps. But it’s important that your adornments don’t impede your day-to-day activities. So righties go left and vice versa.
2. Start with something sentimental. Always a good jumping-off point, a piece with personal significance instantly provides meaning to any mélange. Snyder suggests a friendship bracelet or a skinny metal cuff, while Salzer prefers a rose and yellow gold gate link bracelet monogrammed with her initials. “It’s classic and grounds all of my outfits, be they casual or shmancy,” says the latter. “A wrist stack should be all about treasures from your travels, gifts from loved ones, a rainbow-loomed thingamajig your nephew made for you. It should be utterly personal and impossible to duplicate.”
3. Gather different textures. Dimensionality is important to avoid a monotone tin-man arm. According to Salzer, some combinations are better than others. She recommends combining raw brass with natural leathers, cords with casual beads, and classic gold with crystals. More simply, have fun with the freedom. “There are really no rules with regard to mixing,” concurs Snyder. “It’s about the sum of its parts, so keep it playful. Crystal adds a touch of glam; metal and leather, a touch of boho; and beads, a touch of youthfulness.”
4. Fit is important. “Skinny cuffs are great for stacking, because you can squeeze them down to the same size so they don’t overlap,” says Snyder. Salzer, meanwhile, suggests calling in help if you need it. “Ask a friend or lover to help you secure your bracelets [on the tightest possible link], thereby achieving a snug fit for each one, so that they stay put.”
5. Avoid creating a cast. If you can’t bend your wrist, you’re overdoing it. “Good style only occurs when you’re comfortable,” notes Salzer. Not surprisingly, Snyder agrees: “I always go back to what Coco Chanel said: ‘Take one thing off before leaving the house.’ Your jewelry should be effortless and not overdone—even when it’s statement or stacked it should feel organic and like it works with your look.”
Bracelets by Dannijo, Lulu Frost and DEZSO by Sara Beltran to SHASI
