How to Stack Your Wrist with Style (and potentially impress Colette Neyrey)

Wrist candy. Arm party. Bracelet swag (cringe). Whatever you want to call it, the practice of stacking bracelets up and down (and beyond) one's wrist has never been hotter. David Yurman acknowledges this in the company's latest Instagram (see right) in which the following imperative is forwarded: Stack up. Snap off. Impress our Executive Style Director. Evidently those who succeed at doing just that will have their Instagrams featured in DY's Facebook gallery.

So does this mean it's time to take every bracelet, watch, and bauble you own and string them somewhere between hand and elbow? No, in fact, it doesn't. You see, there is an art to properly adorning one's wrist. An art? you think. Please, I don't need to learn how to apply bracelets. Oh no? Based on what I've happened upon via Instagram in recent weeks, I'd beg--heartily, in fact--to differ.

That being said, I'm not here to waste your time nor to prate on endlessly. So I'll be quick. I'll keep my suggestions brief. But I think it in our collective best interest that this posting gets read. (We have some heavy offenders out there.)

DYguy's Three Tips for Bracelet Stacking

 

1. Stack only pieces that complement or starkly contrast.

And your best bet is to go with those that complement. Stacks are like outfits, like clothing ensembles. Each piece, while important on its own, contributes to the whole. Bear that in mind when stacking to avoid adornment catastrophes. (Don't think they exist? See below.)

2. Stick to a general theme or statement.

What do you want your wrist to say? Limit yourself to one message per stack. Want to exhibit a light and carefree attitude? Great, select pieces that contribute to the development of that aura. Want to go sultry and mysterious? Excellent. Stack accordingly. Avoid going, however, light and sultry or carefree and mysterious. Doing so may set you on a course to Trainwreckville. (Never been? Again, see below.)

3. Give due consideration to overall visual appeal.

Aesthetics matter. Indeed, with jewelry, sometimes they are all that matters. While it's great that Bracelet A represents your free spirit and Bracelet B stands for your resilience, if A and B do not look good together, they probably shouldn't be worn together. You might have to find another way to demonstrate your free spirit... like, by being you. ;)

All right, so there you have my recommendations. Sometimes, however, recommendations aren't enough. Sometimes they need to be seen to be believed. So, with that, here are some stacks that succeed and others that, well, fail to succeed.

SUCCESS. Gold with gold. Clunky with clunky.
Brava, @msyoung07!

FAILURE. Too many colors and shapes, not enough cohesion.
This ^ is why I'm a reluctant stacker.
I don't want to look like I have--for no reason at all--
my entire collection on at once.

SUCCESS. A limited number of pieces are on display,
and each is of medium to medium-high weight.

FAILURE. Too much geometry.

SUCCESS. (1) Makes a bold statement.
(2) All pieces are Yurman.
(3) The red coral spiritual beads provide important contrast.

FAILURE. Lack of statement and order.

SUCCESS. There's much going on, but the arrangement is
orderly, tidy, and, perhaps most important, unified.
(I love, too, the extension of the stack to the ring.)

SUCCESS/SUCCESS/FAILURE.
OK, show me what you've learned:
Which of the three wrists is the mess?