There’s nothing as uncomfortable as wearing something that’s too tight - be it a pair of jeans, a shirt, or a bracelet, of course!
Equally annoying is wearing bracelets that fit so loose, you have to constantly adjust them so they don’t slip off over your hand.
So, here’s the inevitable question: how should a bracelet fit?
Not too tight or too loose - just perfect
While the size may vary depending on the style of bracelet you’re wearing - for instance, bangles are usually worn loose, while cuffs tend to fit snug around the wrist - the overall guide is that your bracelet should always fit comfortably.
That being said, your bracelets should strike a balance between moving around a little and still being tight enough so they don’t slide off your hand. One way to find out whether your bracelets are the right fit is to slip one or two fingers between your wrist and your bracelet.
How to find your bracelet size
It’s simple! Just wrap a measuring tape around your wrist, and write down the measurement. If you don’t have one, then use a string, a strip of paper, or a piece of ribbon. Wrap it around your wrist, mark where the ends meet, and measure the length against a ruler - that number is your wrist size.
However, when ordering a bracelet, you should add about 1/2″ to 1” to your wrist size. That way, your bracelet won’t be too snug around your wrist, but it also won’t be loose enough to slide off your hand - it’ll be just perfect.
How do you tighten loose bracelets?
It depends on the type of bracelet and what precious metal was used to make it. However, it’s important that you don’t try to fix it yourself because you can end up accidentally damaging your precious bracelet.
Instead, take your bracelet to a respected jewelry store that provides expert repair services. There, an experienced jeweler will evaluate your bracelet to see if an adjustment is possible and, if it is, they’ll tighten it so it fits your wrist perfectly.
Bracelet fit by style
While it’s completely up to how you prefer your bracelets to fit, here is what generally makes for a perfect fit for each of the most popular bracelet styles.
Bangles
Bangles are usually worn loose because they have no clasp, so they have to be big enough to slip on over your hand. Not to mention, part of the fun of wearing a stack of bangles is how they make music on your arm with all that jiggling.
Cuffs
Typically, cuffs fit snugly around your wrist, right next to your wrist bone. That’s actually how they got their name - because they’re supposed to fit like shirt cuffs.
Tennis bracelets
They should have some wiggle room, but not too much. Ideally, tennis bracelets shouldn’t be as loose as bangles or as snug as cuffs. Their ideal fit falls somewhere in between the two.
Chain bracelets
Just like tennis bracelets, chain bracelets should be about an inch wider than your wrist. However, if you’d rather wear chain bracelets snug around your wrist, keep in mind that having them too tight might make it difficult to fasten the clasp - so add at least 1/2″ to your wrist size when shopping for chain bracelets.
To make sure your bracelets fit like a glove, stop by Ballantyne Jewelers. Here, we can repair and adjust your old bracelets, and you can also shop for new ones! We’ll help you find the perfect bracelets for you!
And, if you want to learn more about bracelets, read our expert bracelet guide.
