Gasp! The Glam Jewelry Trend That’s Giving “Money”

By wazup on December 14, 2024 No Comments / 15 views

Harsh reality check coming in three, two, one… Not everyone has ample funds to spend on fleeting runway trends. Any fashion person can tell you that we’ve all experienced moments in which we’ve spiraled over the fact our taste is far too expensive for our budget—a realization most likely spurred by hours spent hours gawking over the season’s hottest trends or scrolling through the sale-section of a luxury retailer. Whatever the circumstances, it’s safe that it’s common to become curious about ways to curate an expensive-looking wardrobe without it actually costing a fortune. Although many different ways exist to achieve that, none is as easy or even as budget-friendly as embracing elegant jewelry. What’s the old saying, “Diamonds are forever?” There’s a reason that jewelry remains an excellent long-term investment!

Even if you’re not buying a big ‘ole rock, jewelry is one of the few accessories that actually transcends the ever-changing trend cycle. That’s no more apparent than with the ’80s-inspired jewelry trend that’s taken over in the last few years: chunky cuff bracelets. For the record, large bangles, cuffs, and bracelets have never entirely gone out of style, but they’ve become even bigger in recent years. It’s no doubt in part due to their presence on the runway, which can be recently traced back to the Saint Laurent S/S 23 collection that reignited the trend. Models sauntered down the runway with stacked bangles, chunky cuffs, and oversize bracelets layered over big bomber jackets, jersey jumpsuits, and leather gloves. One could argue that the critical acclaim surrounding that collection kicked off the cuffing craze, which we saw on the runways of Tory Burch, Chanel, Alaïa, and Gucci.

The virality of chunky cuff bracelets didn’t just permeate collections, though. We’ve seen the fashion crowd employ creative styling hacks with cuffs, too. Often using them to make their staples more sophisticated, we’ve seen no shortage of examples of how simply adding this not-so-small accessory can make a big difference. But if you’re not convinced that cuffs can give off “trust fund” energy without the cash to back it up, keep reading.

Ahead, I’ve rounded up a few examples of the jewelry trend on the runway and in real life that will act as a visual blueprint for how to wear chunky cuff bracelets as if your family comes from old money. Additionally, I’ve curated a selection of the best chunky cuff bracelets so that you can look elegant without expending too much effort (or funds).

On the Runway

One of the best chunky cuff bracelets is shown in a photo from Saint Laurent's spring 2023 runway show with a model wearing a green hooded jumpsuit under a merlot red leather moto jacket styled with gold clip-op earrings, black sunglasses, and an oversized chunky cuff bracelet

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets shown in a photo from Tory Burch's spring 2024 runway show with a model wearing silver earrings, a pistachio green draped midi dress, white t-strap mary janes, and a silver cuff bracelet

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets shown in a photo from Tom Ford's spring 2024 runway show with a model wearing a black button-down body suit with oversize sunglasses, a gold chain necklace, a black belt with a gold buckle, and a gold cuff bracelet

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets shown in a photo from Alaïa's fall 2024 runway show with a model wearing a black turtleneck dress with black leather gloves styled with large gold cuffs and black ankle strap pumps

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets is shown in a photo from Chanel's fall 2024 runway show with a model wearing a black turtleneck dress with layered gold necklaces, a thin black belt, and stacked gold bangles

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets shown in a photo from Balmain's spring 2025 runway show with a model wearing a black blazer with dramatic pointed shoulders styled with a white cowl-neck blouse, gold chain necklace, black tote bag, black trousers, and a chunky gold bracelet

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets shown in a photo from Gucci's spring 2025 runway show with a model wearing a brown cape gown with black boots with horse bit hardware and layered gold cuffs

In the Wild

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets is shown in a photo of a woman standing outside wearing a gray cape over a gray sweater with matching knit pants styled with matching black ballet flats, a black bag, black sunglasses, and a silver cuff

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets is shown in a photo of a woman standing outside wearing black sunglasses with a black blazer, jeans, a red handbag, and a gold cuff bracelet

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets is shown in a photo of a woman standing outside wearing a brown leather bomber jacket over a brown blouse styled with an olive green pencil skirt, brown tights, brown slingback pumps, and brown leather gloves with chunky gold bangles layered on top of them

One of the best chunky cuff bracelets is shown in a photo of a woman wearing a long black coat with a silver cuff on the sleeve styled with a tan sweater, jeans, and tan sneakers

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets shown in a photo of a woman crouching outside wearing black sunglasses, gold earrings, a black turtleneck, black trousers, black pumps, and a chunky gold bracelet

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets is shown in a photo of a woman standing outside in front of a door wearing a gray sweater, black trousers, navy boat shoes, a black bag, and a big black resin bangle

one of the best chunky cuff bracelets is shown in a photo of a woman sitting on steps wearing a silk neck-tie blouse with a silver bangle over the sleeve styled with a white slip skirt, black pumps, and a black handbag

Shop the Best Chunky Cuff Bracelets

Agmes

Jean Recycled Sterling Silver Cuff

Agmes’s unique sculptural pieces are a collector’s dream.

H&M

Cuff Bracelet

No one will guess that this two-tone cuff bracelet from H&M isn’t designer.

Jenny Bird

Ola Bangle in Gold

Styling tip: Try stacking Jenny Bird’s Ola Bangles together for a unique take on the chunky bangle trend.

Madewell

Chunky Dome Cuff Bracelet in Silver

You can’t go into Who What Wear’s offices without spotting multiple editors wearing Madewell’s chunky silver cuff. It’s an everyday essential.

Completedworks

Scrunch Gold Vermeil Cuff

Rest assured that Completedworks’ Scrunch Cuff constantly secures you compliments.

Shashi

Domino Cuff Bracelet

Cuffing season? Not cute. But this cuff bracelet? It’s a love match.

Lié Studio

The Olga Bracelet

The twisted silhouette on this Lié Studio bracelet is too sophisticated to handle.

Ben-Amun

Exclusive Silver-Tone Cuff

You can’t scroll through social media without spotting the fashion crowd wearing one of Ben-Amun’s oversize cuffs. They’re one of the accessories of the moment.

J.Crew

Sculptural Hinge Bracelet

Yet again, J.Crew doesn’t disappoint us with this affordable chunky bracelet.

Tory Burch

Serpent Cuff

Not a day has passed since Tory Burch’s S/S 23 show that I haven’t stopped thinking about this serpent cuff.

Alexis Bittar

Dream Rain Bangle

Everything about this chunky bangle is beautiful—from the molded lucite material to the polished golden hinges. *It’s chef’s kiss*.

Saint Laurent

Resin Bracelet

Resin bangles are really making a comeback, thanks to Saint Laurent.

Eliou

Alegra Cuff Bracelet

Nothing can make your little black dress feel a bit more beautiful quite like a big ol’ bangle.

Julietta

Rhonda Rhodium-Plated Cuff

I’d do anything to get my hands on this sculptural cuff.

Uncommon Matters

Swell Coated-Wood Cuff

Not all cuffs have to be metal. You can opt for wood versions, too.

Epifene

Marble Resin Bangles

You can style these resin bangles with swimsuits and dresses in the summer or turtlenecks and coats in the winter.

Lizzie Fortunato

Arc Acrylic Cuff

Don’t be afraid to stack on the bangles (like above) to take this jewelry trend to the next level.

Monica Vinader

Capri Cuff Bracelet

If you’re passionate about shopping from jewelry brands that source sustainable metals, then Monica Vinader’s jewelry is a must-shop—especially the Capri Cuff Bracelet.