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The Most Stylish Friendship Bracelets To Shop For Your Bestie (And Yourself)
Inspired by Taylor Swift, made by high-end jewellers.
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.
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.'
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.
The best friendship bracelets to shop:
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.
Monica Vinader Gold Plated Vermeil Silver Linear Solo Diamond Cord Friendship Bracelet
The original grown-up friendship bracelet, Monica Vinader's red cord design can be upgraded with a single diamond embellishment for a luxurious touch.
Welded bracelets are everywhere at the moment, but if you want one that, like your friendship, is truly built to last, look no further than the brand started the trend in the first place. Atelier VM's solid gold L'Essenziale bracelet is perfect for those who prefer a more low-key aesthetic, though it can also be embellished with gems, symbols, or a charm featuring your fingerprint for an extra personalised touch.
Beads made from semi-precious stones, cultured freshwater pearls and gold are assembled to beautiful effect for Harris Reed's latest design for Missoma, that also features his recognisable and symbolic 'In Good Hands' motif.
Part of the fun of the new friendship bracelets trend is sitting down with loved ones to make them. Upgrade your childhood beading kit with this DIY set from Roxanne Assoulin that includes a stylish cord base and 73 vibrant enamel and gold-tone beads.
If you love the beaded look but want something a little more special, opt for this stylish set made from precious 9kt yellow gold, sapphires and emeralds.
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.
If you consider your BFF to be the 'yin' to your 'yang', then say it with this talismanic TBalance bracelet duo that's strung with black onyx and moonstones. Whether you wear one each or splash out on a set per person is entirely up to you.
Sometimes the simplest pieces of jewellery can be the most meaningful. Pay tribute to a longtime friend by wearing their initials on your wrist, spelled out in sparkling diamonds.
Of course LA-based label Nialaya Jewellery has long been a proponent of high-end stacking bracelets. This pearl and glass beads design is one of our favourites, and promises to spread luck and good vibes to your bestie, too.
Clementina Jackson is the Fashion Editor at Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health UK, covering everything from and catwalk trends to buzzy brands and the cult products you need to know about (and shop before they sell out). She also commissions first-person and long-form fashion features, oversees and tests out the latest industry innovations. Clementina previously worked as Digital Fashion Editor at , during which time she profiled high-end designers, interviewed everyone from Priyanka Chopra to Jane Fonda, and launched the franchise to shine a light on size-inclusive fashion. During this time, she was also named as a PPA 30 Under 30 award winner. Having worked in journalism for more than six years, Clementina has also written for the likes of , , , and , covering everything from luxury travel, lifestyle and restaurants to photography and interiors.
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