I’m in my third trimester of pregnancy and getting dressed everyday has become a challenge because sadly nothing fits anymore. But luckily I can always accessorized with jewelry to add stylish elements to my ensembles. It’s the little touches of glamour that make a big difference when you’re struggling to feel put together. I’ve been wearing my gold earrings and stacked bracelets on repeat these past few weeks.

The art of stacking bracelets doesn’t always come naturally to everyone. The key is to find the perfect balance between bold statement style and simplicity. Your gem colors and metal tones must complement each other and create a harmonious color story. You want a variety of textures and sizes to add eye catching interest, stacking bracelets should never be boring!

Rose gold, blush and champaign themed bracelet stack from Bourbon and Boweties.

How Many Bracelets Should You Wear in a Stack?

The answer to this question depends on how much of a bold statement you’d like to make, and also how big are your bracelets. For myself the rule of thumb is that you want to stack your bracelets in odd numbers to create a visual sense of balance. You don’t ever want your bracelets to get in your way or make tasks difficult.

A few things to consider when deciding how many bracelets to wear:

Stack 3 bracelets for a more subtle style. This could be for daily wear when you’re going to work or running errands. Wear a chunky bracelet in the middle and smaller ones on either end.
Stack 5 bracelets for a night out or a weekend event where you want some extra sparkle.
Stack 7 bracelets for the ultimate statement style. Just make sure to keep your wardrobe clothing choices more subtle so that you’re not creating a look that’s “too busy.”

Define Your Color Story

When it comes to selecting the colors for your bracelets, it’s important to have a plan in place before you make a purchase. Complimentary color combos will really elevate your style, while clashing colors can make your stack look disorganized and cheap.

In the photos we took for this blog post I went with a color palette which included rose gold, blush pink, champaign and yellow gold. All of these bracelets are from the adorable jewelry boutique Bourbon & Boweties and I really love how the stack came together! I picked these neutral colors so I could easily wear them with all kinds of outfits and for multiple occasions.

Remember that the metal colors are also part of your color story. In my personal opinion, rose gold and yellow gold tend to stack very well together. White gold or silver has a different vibe and should kept separate in their own stack.

Modern Color Combos I’m Loving for Stacked Bracelets:

Natural earth tones with colors such as sage, burnt orange, muted pinks, tan and brown.
Glossy jeweled tones with deep color hues such as teal, purple and red.
Peach, yellow gold and rose gold color combos.
Emerald green gems and yellow gold.
Solid gold with a combination of chunky and small dainty bracelets.
Silver or white gold metals with ivory bead accents.

Themed Bracelet Stacks for Special Occasions

Some bracelet stacks are made to wear everyday while others are perfect for special moments.

The holiday season is the perfect excuse to kick the glam up a few notches with sparking gems and pearls.
Weddings are another perfect time for a custom bracelet stack. I’ve seen some gorgeous bride and bridesmaid personalized ID bracelets.
Spots teams and school colors can really come alive in a vibrant color story. Perfect for graduation and championship games!
Opt for patriotic colors during the 4th of July.
Spooky orange and black for Halloween.
Pastel colors to celebrate spring and Easter.
Sport bright tropical colors for a caribbean island vacation.

Try a Variety of Bracelets in Different Shapes and Sizes

The easiest way to create a stack that you love is by customizing your bracelet selections. You can choose from a range of thicknesses and widths - from super thin to extra chunky. The perfect stack consists of multiple types to create dimension and interest.

Add touches of your own style with dangling pendants, charms, beads, gems, seashells, leather straps and more. Just make sure everything you select for your bracelet stack is in the same theme. You can also mix-n-match to make new stacks for different occasions.

How to Wear Bracelets on Both Arms

According to the Internet Gods a commonly asked question is: “Can I wear bracelets on both my arms?”. This is my personal take on the subject - yes you can wear bracelets on both arms, but one should be dominant and the other minimal.

Having equal amounts of bracelets on both wrists would look a bit outdated. My suggestion would be to have 3 - 5 bracelets on one wrist and then one simple bracelet on the other wrist.

Editing is an Important Part of the Process

A famous quote from Coco Chanel states: "Before leaving the house, a lady should look in the mirror and remove one accessory." In the fashion world this is known as editing.

With stacking bracelets it’s easy to get carried away and maybe end up with a little too much jewelry on. Make sure to keep the rest of your jewelry and outfit on the minimal side. If you’ve got 5 bracelets in a stack on your arm, keep your earrings simple (studs would be ideal) and your rings dainty.

How to Wear Bracelets & Watches

The classic watch timepiece has been a fashion statement for hundreds of years. When creating a stacking style with a watch, you want to build your look around the style of the watch. Keep the aesthetics, colors and metal tones complimentary to your watch.

Stacking Bracelets with Your Apple Watch

A current popular trend is using your Apple watch as part of a stacking style. You can either stack bracelets alongside your Apple watch, or you can purchase a band that comes with multiple chains, leather straps, or beaded strands.

Nordstrom has a large selection of really cute interchangeable Apple watch bands so you can really customize your style. Etsy also has hundreds of straps with multiple beaded strands which gives the stacking effect.

Add a Touch of Personalization with an ID Bracelet

ID bracelets are having a moment in the fashion world right now and I’m here for it! They really give me nostalgia back to the 90’s when we used to make DIY bracelets in middle school.

In this blog post I’m wearing custom bracelets with the names of both my children, plus mine that says Mama! All three of these personalized ID bracelets are from the Bourbon and Boweties customization shop.

Trending Custom ID Bracelet Styles:

Using Fine Jewelry When Stacking Bracelets

My definition of fine jewelry is when you have bracelets made of solid gold and genuine gemstones. They can range from 14 karat to 18 karat gold and feature diamond, rubies, emeralds, opals, sapphires, etc. Sterling silver may also be considered fine jewelry and it’s much more affordable than solid gold.

This type of jewelry is an investment piece and will definitely set you back a few hundred dollars. As far as creating a stack of fine jewelry bracelets, you’re most likely going to be adding new additions slowly. You’ll want to select more classic styles that you’ll wear for many years to come. If you’re looking to splurge on some forever stacking bracelets, Tiffany’s is the best place to find modern yet classic styles.

The benefits of using fine jewelry include higher quality bracelets that will never fade in luster and shine as you wear them. Also, fine jewelry is necessary for ladies with metal sensitivity or allergies.

The Best Rings to Wear with Stacked Bracelets

Because stacked bracelets are such a bold statement style, you’ll need to balance the look with small and simple rings. I suggest minimal gold or silver bands, or even solitaire gems. Midi rings are also totally wearable with statement bracelets. Try sporting a solid band on your index finger for a more modern look. As a part of your editing process you can also opt for no rings at all.

Stacking rings is also a trend I’m loving but I suggest either stacking your rings or bracelets separately, not both at the same time. Double stacks could possibly be overkill.