If you’re thinking about adding a bracelet to your everyday jewelry ensemble but don’t know where to begin, don’t fret! With so many different types of bracelets on the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the endless style choices.

In this guide, we’re going to go over 7 key considerations that can help you pick out a bracelet that aligns seamlessly with your own personal style. Let’s have a look!

CONSIDER YOUR WARDROBE

Buying the right piece of jewelry is all going to depend on your own personal fashion choices, and what you enjoy wearing on a daily or regular basis. Ideally, you want to choose a bracelet that blends perfectly into your established fashion aesthetic, whether it be classic chic, glamorous, casual chic, or something else.

For example, if you’re a lover of labels and want something ultra-luxe to tag onto your wrist for some extra glam, a bracelet with a high gold karat is your best option. While pure gold might be out of your budget range, a 22k gold bracelet for women is the perfect wrist accessory for those who know their Chanel from their Prada.

THINK ABOUT QUALITY

While quality might not share a direct link when it comes to your personal style, you’ll absolutely want to ensure that you’re buying a bracelet that is both well-made and of a superior quality. If you’re interested in gold jewelry, understanding varying levels of gold karat purity is an easy way to ensure you’re getting a bracelet of quality.

EVERYDAY OR OCCASIONAL WEAR

Another factor to consider when choosing a bracelet is whether or not it’ll be used for occasional wear (such as exclusively for special occasions) or if you’re looking for something you can wear every day. For an everyday bracelet, you’ll want to pick something that won’t tarnish or wear away easily, such as a pure gold bracelet or bangle. You’ll also want to consider your everyday activities; if you work with your hands, or lead a very active lifestyle, you’ll want to opt for a bracelet that doesn’t encumber you as you go about your day-to-day activities.

BRACELET OR BANGLE?

While these two terms might often be used interchangeably, a bangle is markedly different to a bracelet. While a bracelet will usually come with adorned charms or pendants and a size-adjustable fastening clip, a bangle is a solid, inflexible ring that goes around the wrist, and can be layered up to the forearms. Whether you prefer one or the other is up to your own stylistic preferences, but knowing the difference between these two types of wrist jewelry can make it easier for you to narrow down your choices as you search for a bracelet that you love.

CONSIDER UNDERTONES

When buying jewelry, most people have an in-built preference for either gold or silver. Often, this preference comes down to the simple question of whether you have warm or cool skin undertones, which can impact how certain metals look on the skin. Note: undertones don’t refer to skin color itself, but instead refer to the natural hues underneath the skin.

You can easily determine your own skin undertone by looking at your veins: in fairer skin, blue or purple veins indicate cool undertones, while green veins mean you have warmer hues. The same goes for darker skin: purple veins indicate cool tones, while green veins mean you have naturally warmer hues. Knowing your skin undertone can help you pick out a piece of jewelry that highlights your natural features.

MAKE SURE TO SIZE CORRECTLY

As you’re probably moving your hands around a lot, bracelets are one of the easiest types of jewelry to lose. To prevent this, make sure you size your wrist and hand correctly before making a purchase. This is incredibly important if you’re buying a bangle, as most bangles won’t be size-adjustable. You can easily measure your wrist size and hand size using a measuring tape that you probably already have at home.

THINK ABOUT YOUR FEATURES

If you really want a bracelet that makes your natural features pop and stand out, think about your hair and eye color and coordinate your bracelet choice accordingly. For example, those with green eyes might want to opt for a bracelet with an emerald pendant or charm, which will be sure to draw attention to their complexion and natural features. Picking a bracelet that compliments your natural beauty is the easiest way to hone in on your authentic and unique style, while enjoying a fun new accessory at the same time.