As is so often the case in times of turmoil, nostalgia is back in fashion—and with it, all the trends we were obsessed with back in the good old days. Childhood favourites like jelly shoes, pedal pushers and ballet flats have returned to the fore of our summer wardrobes once more, accessorised with the cutesy puffer bags, hair bows and charm necklaces of our teenage years. It was only a matter of time, then, before the most nostalgic jewellery piece of all made its grand re-emergence ...
Yes, you guessed it: The humble friendship bracelet is officially back, and it's just as stylish in its OG beaded form as it is in modern jewellery designers' more elevated, precious iterations. This new trend isn't just down to the fashion world's love of all things Y2K, though—in fact, as with so many good things, it's mainly Taylor Swift who we have to thank for it.
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Why do Taylor Swift fans wear friendship bracelets?
"Homemade friendship bracelets have been pretty much obligatory at the Eras Tour since the lyrics 'So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it' from the Midnights song 'You’re On Your Own, Kid' went viral," explains freelance writer and longtime Swiftie, Jessica Burrell. "People tend to put their favourite lyrics and titles on them and trade them with other fans at shows. I barely saw a wrist without one at the recent Wembley concert, and noticed one young woman walking around with hundreds on a ring, handing them out to strangers including security guards and people working at the arena."
"The whole thing is touching to witness and feels like yet another nostalgic Y2K trend being reclaimed with fun, free-spirited enthusiasm," continues Burrell. "I’m still wearing mine now and plan to keep them on throughout the summer, looking out for other Swifties in the wild. They’re cute and colourful but also an expression of fandom, girlhood and a symbol of belonging, like a band tee or any slogan-bearing piece."
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But you don't need to be a Taylor Swift fan to embrace this trend, nor do you have to possess the skills or patience to meticulously make a friendship bracelet yourself. Jewellery brands like Roxanne Assoulin, Atelier VM and Carolina Bucci have already done all the hard work, crafting their own takes on the friendship bracelet that are worlds away from its humble beginnings.
Whether threaded with semi-precious stones, personalised charms or playful, brightly-coloured beads, we've found the best friendship bracelets that are both stylish and symbolic—from the delightfully nostalgic to the elegantly grown up. Nothing cements a bond quite like a matching moment, so don't forget to shop some for yourself, too.
Technicolor Camp Enamel and Gold-Tone Bracelets, USD 81 (approx. SGD 110), Roxanne Assoulin
New York-based jewellery designer Roxanne Assoulin should be your first port of call if you're looking for Swiftie-style bead-and-letter bracelets that are perfect for stacking. This joyful multi-coloured 'Better Together' set sends a sweet message to your most loyal companion.
Friendship Lucky 18-Karat Gold and Silk Bracelet, USD 1,145 (approx. SGD 1,552), Carolina Bucci
Carolina Bucci's elevated friendship bracelets have a whole fan club of their own. They're by far the most luxurious on the market right now, featuring an 18kt gold diamond-cut chain that's hand braided with pink silk and finished with a symbolic flower charm.
This article was first seen on ELLE UK.