Much like most of the rest of me, my wrists are very petite. They’re great for looking dainty while I’m fanning myself on my fainting couch, but they can make bracelet-wearing a challenge. Bangles slide up, they slide down, they get stuck on my hand…OK that’s pretty much it, but it’s still annoying.
I used to buy bracelets without trying them on, which was a big mistake because I ended up not wearing them once I realized how distractingly large they were. I remember Googling “bracelets for small wrists” at one point and didn’t find anything helpful. Now that I’ve found a few favorite bracelets that work for my small wrists, I thought I’d share my findings and fill that little void on the interwebs.
For reference, my wrists are just slightly over 6″ around.
Madewell
These are the only three bracelets I have from Madewell so far, but I’ve tried on others and they fit very consistently. It’s hard to find cuffs that fit skinny wrists, and I like how Madewell cuffs are simple but unique.
Marc by Marc Jacobs (rubber)
This bracelet is actually more average sized, but since it’s rubber – not metal – it’s light and doesn’t fall down too far even when my arm is dropped. Marc makes a couple different styles and colors of this bracelet (changing each season), and they’re available at various upscale department stores.
Nordstrom Juniors’
I’ve also had good luck with funky, trendy bracelets in the Juniors’ department at Nordstrom. The three in this picture are all stretchy and fit nice and snug!
J. Crew Pavé Link Bracelet (with link removed)
After seeing the popular J. Crew pavé link bracelet a zillion times, I decided I simply had to have my own even though it was way too big. You can’t remove the big pavé links from this bracelet, but there is a little link that connects the last big link to the fastener. My father-in-law removed that piece easily with needle nose pliers and sidecuts.
Voila!
A Note on Watches
I love the look of oversized or men’s style watches, but on me the face alone is wider than my wrist. I realized that a “normal” sized watch has an oversized look when it’s on a small wrist, and a traditional adjustable leather strap makes it easy to adjust. Anne Klein makes some cute and affordable options, like the one I’m wearing here.
Forever 21
The quality can be inconsistent, but Forever 21 has a ton of stretchy bracelet options that almost always fit well on me. Since they’re cheap, I don’t worry too much about how long they’ll last. It’s just fun to mix and match different styles.
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Nail colors: Essie Tart Deco and Penny Talk
New Additions (updated Jan. 2014)…
Since writing this post back in March 2013, I’ve added more bracelets to my collection! I want to keep this post relevant by adding new options for all of you skinny-armed girls, so here are even more petite bracelets to shop! Let me know if you know of other stores/brands that are good for small wrists! If you are a retailer and you want your products featured on this post, please contact me.
ASOS Charm Bracelet
This little bow bracelet is so damn dainty there’s no wrist it could possibly overwhelm! There are quite a few links, so it’s adjustable for a range of sizes. I removed all but the last 3 or so links so there isn’t a long chain hanging down. (This bracelet was provided to me courtesy of ASOS.)
Dainty Wrist Jewelry
Dainty Wrist Jewelry is an online shop that specializes in – you guessed it – bracelets and watches for people with very small wrists. Each product’s description will let you know what size wrist it is made for. (This watch was provided to me courtesy of Dainty Wrist Jewelry.)
Oh, I’m with you there..I got tiny wrists so bangles are tough. Forever 21 is great for me too. Im not sure if thats because they are targeting a younger market but for a couple of uses, they are great. xoxo
Yeah I think juniors’ department bracelets must run a little smaller than women’s, just like the clothes!
Forever 21 bracelets are still huge on me. I’ve tried Claires’ as well, since they target an even younger demographic, but no dice. The only bracelets that have ever fit me well were my extremely petite friend’s bangles (that she probably got in India) and an African bracelet I purchased at a town fair. I think I’m going to try Etsy next, but it seems that finding cheap, well-fitted bracelets will be impossible for me.
Jackie,
I have skinny wrists and have the same problem. That is why I have created daintywristjewelry.com All the watches and bracelets on there fit tiny wrists only. There are a variety of styles and prices. Check it out and let me know wht you think. Elaine
love this bracelets and also your blog! It’s so nice!!! I follow you!
Pass to my blog and if it likes you follow me too, I will be so glad 😀
Kisses
http://francescagiusti.blogspot.it/
Yay for dainty wrists! I’m totally the same way. In fact, I was so excited when I realized that the stretchy bracelets from House of Gemmes fit me so well that I bought a bunch right away. I also noticed that H&M has some bracelets that come in sizes.
Awesome! Thanks for the tip.
I have the same problem with bracelets, except my hands are normal sized so if they fit over my hand they are too big for my wrist! I like making my own. There’s a blog, studs and pearls, and she does really cool jewelry DIY. (That’s a great idea about your J. Crew bracelet!)
My wrists are little too and I have the same problem. I have to take links out of watches. I can wear bangles but I usually have to put them behind another close fitting bracelet so they don’t fall off.
Amy
Fashion and Beauty Finds
Some of Amrita Singh’s bangles come in different sizes – I’ve ordered the smallest size and they fit well. I think Kelly of Alterations Needed has also posted about bracelets for small wrists, too … you might want to check out her recommendations.
Ooh I will have to look those up. Thanks!
i don’t wear a lot of bracelets because I have this exact same problem. I find I have better luck with flexible bracelets, and that stiffer, cuff-stye ones act weird on my wrists.
http://thismummasstyle.wordpress.com/
Agreed. Stretchy is usually easier. You should try Madewell if you want to try a thin cuff though!
Thanks for the tip!
OH my gosh I have the same problem! This is so useful! Thank You 🙂
You’re welcome! Glad I could help!
Great post! I also have tiny wrists, and I don’t own a lot of bracelets because of the fit issue. I’ll have to look into some of your suggestions!
Ahh I want that J. Crew bracelet so badly! Someday…
Kaitlin
teaandsequin.blogspot.com
I love the removable link bracelets! I have super small wrists as well.
Your newest follower,
-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
Pretty bracelets!
http://www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
http://www.daisyraeboutique.com
Thank you for this post! I have 6″ wrists and nothing ever fits me, so I just quit buying bracelets. It’s super annoying because absolutely nothing else on my body is small! How did this happen to me?? Anyway, I will definitely look into the stores that you mentioned. I can normally do ok with stretchy bracelets but cuffs are a total no-go. Hopefully the stores you mentioned will work for me!
What a useful post! I have dainty wrists, too, so this was very helpful. Great job!
i just wanted to say thank you for this blog. its always baffled me that bracelets and bangles only ever seem to come in one size….huge! i can never wear the same cute bangles my friends do because of my skinny wrists and have even resorted to buying them from the same shop as my 8 year old daughter! i’ll now check out some of your suggestions….thanks again 🙂
Happy to help a fellow small wristed person!
Finally, an answer to finding bracelets for small and tiny wrtsts. daintywristjewelry.com. I created this website because I had a hard time finding bracelets to fit my petite wrists. Please visit my website and let me know what you think. I am open to suggestions and will contnually add new bracelets. Elaine Povinelli
Sarah, Great post! I have a watch (a bracelet watch) that was too cute to pass up, but is, of course, too big for me. Any ideas on how to pad under the bracelet to make it fit? Thanks!
If it’s the kind with a metal band, you should be able to have links taken out to fit your wrist! I’ve never tried padding…I don’t really think I would like that, but do what ya gotta do!
No, there aren’t any links to take out. I know, padding would probably be pretty annoying. It’s open on the back, so I’m going to take it to a jeweller and see if they can tighten it for me so it’ll fit more snugly. Another idea I have is to wear another bracelet right behind it to hold it in place. It’ll still spin around on my wrist, but at least it won’t keep falling down halfway to my elbow!
Thank you very much for this post! I have 5” wrists and nothing ever fits! Now I am inspired to create my own arm party! 🙂
There is a website that has specially designed bracelets and watches for tiny wrists only. Check it out and if there is something else you would like to see, let me know. It is a sight for all of us with small wrists. Let’s show off our dainty wrists! daintywristjewelry.com Elaine
All the bracelets and watches on http://daintywristjewelry.com are made exclusively for small wrists. Check it out!
My wrist size is 5.5″. These are some of my finds: http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/93/ee/04/93ee043eac8ef21f105c57bb7959bb9d.jpg
Tori Burch and Henri Bendel.
I definitely have the same problem and just started to source some smaller diameter bracelets. Please check out Shop Totem – the diameters are listed for each bracelet. As a reference, my wrists are also just a touch over 6″ in circumference, so the diameter should be ~2.2″. http://shoptotemnyc.com/bracelets. The rings are also mostly in size 4!
I am looking for african amethyst braclet
for a 6 1/2 or 6 3/4 wrist
Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing. I love bracelets and bangles but have had such a tough time finding ones that fit my small wrist. I googled searched and came across your blog, I appreciate this so much! I have been on the Dainty Wrist Jewelry site also and am absolutely in love! This is soooo helpful.
Great News ladies!! Dainty Wrist Jewerly now has XS bangles that measure 2 /14 inches. All the watches and bracelets at the on line boutique are made excluseively to fit small wrists. With over 100 to choose from you are sure to find one you like so go to https://daintywristjewelry.com and start shopping!