From when they were introduced, charm bracelets were used to guard against evil spirits, show an individual’s marital status, and as a representation of several divine practices.
Over time, however, these bracelets have evolved into a fashion accessory, which still more often hold meaning to the wearer. This article will help you in deciding whether charm bracelets are considered tacky or fashion in recent times.
In 2023, charm bracelets have completely lost their spiritual sense and most wearers are rocking them for style rather than as a cheap item without a fashion taste.
About Charm Bracelets
Historically, charm bracelets were used as a form of amulet or jewelry that was purported to have magic powers.
Worn around the wrist or ankles, they are beaded of the same or different colors and would represent a divine purpose or just a preference by a styled wearer.
The material used to make a charm bracelet may differ and the accessory added to it does not have to be a bead.
Could be anything that the user will prefer. These materials (referred to as a talisman) have since evolved and now could be gems and pricey rocks.
Brief history of charm bracelets
The first ever charm bracelets were worn by Persians, Hittites, and Assyrians. Charm bracelets have since gone through so much evolution to date. In this history brief, I will break down the evolution into three stages.
Stage 1: This is the stage of the ancient civilizations. In this stage, charm bracelets were used for charms towards love, protection, and luck rather than warding off evil or spirits.
Stage 2: This stage marks this evolution from the 20th Century when high-end stones and precious metals were introduced in the making of charm bracelets. This is where Hollywood stars, characters, and jewelry houses began manufacturing charm bracelets with diamond and platinum. This is the period during and post-World War II.
Stage 3: This will combine the 20th and 21st Centuries. During this period, charm bracelets became a trend among high-end celebrities, mostly women, who wore charm bracelets majorly to celebrate events and occasions.
Stage 1 of evolution
Between 600 – 400 BC, the culture of wearing Charm bracelets began evolving from the ancient wearers (Persians, Hittites, and Assyrians) and notable characters like Queen Victoria began wearing Charms as a stylish venture.
Before then, however, charm bracelets were used for charms towards love, luck, and protection. This is not until a few decades later that charms were used for fighting demons and evil spirits.
This transition made charm bracelets a divine aesthetic. With this change in the essence of charm bracelets, the most common materials used to make them included clay, animal shells, and animal bones.
Stage 2 evolution
This stage of the charm bracelet evolution begins in the 20th Century. Graduating from simple materials such as animal bones and shells, this stage involved the introduction of precious metals and stones.
This shift came with so much attraction to these bracelets, especially from ladies. It is documented that this is the season when charm bracelets became so popular with celebrities and individuals experienced in the entertainment and Fashion industry adopted them as a stylish piece.
Charm bracelets became a pricey piece of jewelry, including Diamond, Platinum, and a wide range of precious stones.
Notable celebrities like Wallis Simpson during this period received the famous Cartier Platinum and Diamond Charm bracelet which is among the first charm bracelets with this kind of adornment in the 20th Century.
Stage 3 evolution
Just after the 20th Century, the nature of charm bracelets being worn for fashion sense spread through to the 21st Century.
In this era, charm bracelets became a trend and the aspects of their divinity were slowly eradicated. It is this evolution that changed the objective of wearing charm bracelets.
Having been previously worn by high-end individuals who could afford bracelets with precious stones, it became expensive to acquire. For this reason, black markets began crafting charm bracelets that were cheaper but fake.
These cheap options included Coatings and bead pearls. Most fashion lovers who could not afford the pricey bracelets opted for these kinds.
Over time, as the fake versions of charm bracelets gained popularity they were now the ones termed tacky versions of the bracelet. This did not do away with the pricey gems. Both exist in the market to date.
Are charm bracelets tacky for grown women?
Most grown women would not dress in charm bracelets. As much as it can be argued that these bracelets in the current world are for teens and younger individuals, some grown women still rock charm bracelets for fashion.
Even though they may be considered cheap looking and tacky, not all adult women see it as so. Especially traditional women who prefer to hold a certain history close to their hearts and specific life occasions.
It is important to note that when wearing these charm bracelets, you should be conscious of your work environment, especially where machines that can pull the bracelets are involved.
Whether it is tacky or classy and fashionable should remain an issue of the wearer. A grown woman who thinks charm bracelets are tacky should maintain their view of it and not try to insult another wearer who has a reason for doing so because after all, there are still very classy and “iced” charm bracelets that anyone can flaunt.
The bottom line would be; that some grown women still consider charm bracelets as fashionable either sentimentally, good fashion taste, or to commemorate a life event. Those who do not also have reasons which may range from the belief that they are tacky to just not minding such ornaments.
Are charm bracelets in Style in 2023 and beyond?
Yes, they are. The evolution of charm bracelets has led to an aesthetic kind of ornament that still shows signs of sticking around and evolving even more.
In 2023, charm bracelets are still in style, even though not largely divinely, but as a sense of fashion.
Pros and cons of wearing Charm bracelets
Pros
1. If you still believe in their power and magic, then a bracelet charm will shield you from negative energy and black magic.
2. Charm bracelets offer a calming and balancing benefit to the wearer as they believe.
3. Religiously, charm bracelets would fuel your quest for a spiritual path in life.
Cons
1. Discomfort;Made with materials that are poky and not soft to the skin, charm bracelets would cause discomfort and restlessness to the skin surface where it is worn.
2. Skin irritation;some skins are sensitive to any material that lies on top of them. Such individuals would experience irritation and develop rashes from just wearing charm bracelets.
3. Work inconveniences;wearing charm bracelets demand a work environment that does not involve so many machines, which would in turn lead to accidents or unexpected work hazards.
4. Risks of breakage;wearing roughly edged charm bracelets would risk a skin breakout, either creating a wound or pimples on the skin surface.
5. Distorted beliefs;being tied to magic and spiritual orientations, diving deep into the understanding of how charm bracelets work without researching widely may lead to false teachings and misguided religious information.
Should you buy yourself a charm bracelet?
As others may believe that purchasing a charm bracelet attracts bad luck, in the modern world of bracelets as fashion and style, you can buy yourself a charm bracelet.
With improved jewelry and precious stones, you can get yourself your bracelet depending on your preference and intention for getting it.
Tips for wearing charm bracelet
Largely dependent on your reason for sourcing a charm bracelet, the tips for wearing it will vary.
Whether religiously, for fashion, or for an occasion, below are some of the tips that you can borrow from.
1. Layer it up.Besides the sole charm bracelet that you choose, it’s an extra look on it when you add another material that is almost similar in appearance. This breaks the monotony of the single-colored or galvanized material.
2. Keep it simple.Strive to rock a thinner bracelet because it pronounces a simple but elegant choice of a look with the charm bracelet.
3. Always wear it over the sleeve.Wearing a sleeved top with a bracelet on the sleeve pronounces a classic modern look, especially for white sleeves and golden bracelets.
4. Wear the bracelet boldly. With standards set by figures like Elizabeth Taylor and Pearl Bailey in the 1950s and 1960s, the first ingredient to your charm bracelet can be a large link chain with the intention of the noise it produces when they knock. This noise and sound can later on be attached to you as your signature.
5. Use one consistent charm.Choosing one charm that inspires you and using it along the whole chain works to remind you of the importance of the charm as it represents your style at the same time.
Conclusion
Charm bracelets are considered both tacky and style in 2023. Most wearers have different reasons for why that is done.
Those who do not consider wearing charm bracelets have their reasons too, the main one being the thought that they are tacky.
As it has evolved, in this generation and era, most wearers wear charm bracelets for the reason of style.
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Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.