Bracelets are Hella Butch. (So is saying "hella.")

Too many queer women steer clear of wrist adornments because they think bracelets are inconsistent with a masculine fashion aesthetic.  I say: no way. It's totally butch to add pops of color and glitz to your outfit (see some basic guidelines).  If you're rocking a fauxhawk, guys' shoes and jeans, and a plaid shirt with a white undershirt (I know I just described at least one in three readers), no one will take you for femme just because there's a string of beads around your wrist. 

In fact, your willingness to embrace a little flare can actually underscore your butchness (note to my buddy C: I dare ya). 

Ah, but where to start?  Well, I've put a bunch of bracelets in the Butch Store, so check those out (I just added a bunch of new ones yesterday).  But even better, I wanted to share some of my favorite Etsy sellers.  I love all of the bracelets I'm describing here and I wear them all myself (yeah, that's my albino wrist in most of the pics). [Disclaimer: these sellers gifted me a bracelet to review.  But per usual, I've refused to review anything I don't like, and none of these are paid endorsements.]

Existential Ella
Not only is Ella one of the very sweetest, kindest sellers I've ever met online, but she's also a big supporter of the gay community.  Her quality, color combos, and variety of styles are way fun, and I wear the bracelet pictured here a lot (and it hasn't started to fray even a little).  Great for layering with other bracelets, too!  Prices vary depending on number of colors, design, etc.  Totally customizable!

Big Island Bead Company
I've been wearing the bracelet pictured here at least a few days a week.  It matches everything, is well-made, + a perfect masculandrogynous (yeah, I just made that word up) size for a butch wrist.  $32 and worth every penny.  Here's a link to that one.  I also like this one and this one and this one a lot.  Cute dog sold separately.

Beaded Graffiti
When I got this in the mail, I may have stopped breathing for a second.  Seriously, this thing is gorgeous.  It's also my DGF's favorite of all of these.  The individual beads are delicate, but in a thick row like this, it's definitely butch.  The craftsmanship is stellar.  While this exact one isn't currently being sold, this one and this one are just as awesome.  They run in the $40 neighborhood for single-wrap.

GS Jewelry
If you want to spoil yourself or a butch loved one with a high-quality wraparound, GS Jewelry is a fabulous place to look.  I've included a pic of my personal favorite, which I love wearing with anything brown or (admittedly rarely) pink.  $30.  I want this one, too! 

Fauve Bleu Hazelwood
Supposedly, hazelwood is good for a large number of maladies: arthritis, osteoporosis, migranes, and more.  Though I can't attest to this, I can attest to the excellent versatility of the bracelets made by Fauve Bleu Hazelwood.  The wood's hue will lighten over time, but it still looks good.  The one pictured here is $12.95, and there are scores of colors available, too--plus anklets and bracelet/anklet sets.

Ida Estelle
At first glance, the stop might look a little glitzy for butches, but it's worth looking closer.  Ida Estelle has some real gems, including this number (pictured left), which has just the right amount of bling.  $36.

Wink & Bauble
I've misplaced my Wink & Bauble bracelet (gr!), so you don't get the joy of seeing my pasty white wrist in this photo.  Their shop is chock full of any bright color you want--orange, bright blue, etc.  Single, double, and triple wraps are available.  The nifty one I've pictured will set you back $42.50, but it'll certainly last.

Son of a Sailor
Though their stuff doesn't really fit my style, I wanted to include these guys in my review because their bracelets are cool, well-made, and I can think of lots of people on whom they'd look rockin'.  Don't you love the androgynous pink + blue?  I want to gift mine to one of my favorite trans* bloggers.  $28.  Keep yours from getting wet (it'll stain). 

BTW, if you're not sure how to layer your scores of excellent bracelets, here's an example of how to rock the layered look.  Basically, everything goes with everything as long as there's no egregious clashing happening.  (If you can't decide whether it's okay, you should probably assume it's fine.  The standard rules of matching don't apply to casual jewelry.)  You should probably skip loading up on bracelets for a job interview, but pretty much everywhere else, you're set.  Especially great for the summer, if you're like me and tend to rock plain T-shirts and shorts whenever possible.  A pop o' color is totally--even hella--butch.

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