Bracelets - bigger, the better

After belts, purses and anklets became an importantpart of the wardrobe of fashionistas, it's the turn of broad bracelets. Alsocalled broad cuffs, they are fast replacing multiple thin bangles.Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali says, "Broad cuffs make a statement. These are statement pieces wherein you just wear this one thing and all the attention comes to you. These are bold, colourful, chunky and elegant and lots of women are going in for them because they are better than wearing lots of things that no one notices." She herself flaunted aself-designed elaborate diamond and sapphire cuff on her wrist during the WillsLifestyle India Fashion Week (WIFW) last month. Among popular broadcuffs are those in silver, gold, diamond, Swarovski and coloured stones such assapphire, emerald and ruby. For those who like an Indian regal touch, they areavailable in kundan as well. While the starting cost of silver cuffsis Rs.1,500, for gold it could start at Rs.30,000 and one can end up paying asteep price depending upon the weight of gold and pure stones used asembellishments. In India, broad cuffs in gold with ethnic designsare usually passed on as heirloom from one generation to another, according toAnjali Sikka, who has been designing for popular jewellery brand Tanishq fornine years. "Pure gold broad cuffs can be very expensive. So it ismostly in weddings that parents like to buy it for their daughter ordaughter-in-law as heirloom. A broad cuff in solid gold is for keeps unlesssomeone is rich enough to afford many stylish ones," says Sikkatold."When people in India buy these cuffs for weddings, they mostlygo in for ones in kundan, polki, enamel or stones so that they look dressy," sheadded. However, the college-going youngsters don't go for expensivestuff. A lot of them who like to be in vogue without burning a hole in thepocket are going in for stylish broad cuffs in metal and wood available for aslittle as Rs.100 in flea markets. In shopping centres like Lifestyleand Shopper's Stop, these are available for around Rs.350. PriyamaPandey, a young PR executive, says she would any day go for one big braceletvis-a-vis a single thin bangle or lots of thin bangles. "I'mextremely fond of wearing one big bracelet, a fat chunky one which is detailed,yet not too busy in design. I think cuffs with bold prints in vibrant colours ormetal ones are really in," said 24-year-old Pandey. According toSuman, a spokesperson of exclusive jewellery brand Amrapali, broad cuffs withIndian motifs and designs have become immensely popular among internationalbuyers, including tourists. "We have a huge demand for cuffs withIndian motifs or ethnic ones. Gold plated ones and silver ones are mostly indemand. Those who have no cost considerations often go for stylish pure goldones with bold designs," said Suman. A word of advice about wearingbroad cuffs though. "The broader these are, the better it is. Andevery woman must ensure that when she is wearing this piece, she shouldn't wearearrings or just wear small studs and no other excess jewellery like rings,necklace - these should be avoided. "Always wear one huge thing withsubdued clothing instead of wearing lots of things. That will do the trick ofmaking you stand out in a crowd," she said. Follow us on Twitter for more stories