Layered Arm Candy

Photos Courtesy of Frieda and Nellie.

As evidenced by anyone paying even the slightest attention to fashion trends, layered bracelets have invaded the forearms of fashion-savvy Americans and as such these said Americans should know where to buy layerable bracelets actually made in the U.S., starting with the friendship bracelet. Although their origins trace back to Central and South America, friendship bracelets have become distinctly American given the radically high numbers of American pre-teens predisposed to adorning their arms with these inherent poolside staples. Luckily post-pubescent adults have embraced the trend as well – given the adult price points (well worth the investment I might add) – either that or American children are making a killing babysitting.

Let’s face it, whose mood wouldn’t be elevated by stealing glances at their candy coated wrists intertwined with shiny baubles. No one, that’s who (men included, see below). Having spent yesterday afternoon pouring over the virtual pages of Frieda and Nellie, I am no closer to narrowing down a favorite (or even a group of favorites) than when I started.

Named after the founders’ grandmothers, Frieda and Nellie was conceived by Stacy Herzog and Sarah Reid following a south American excursion to Ecuador where they soon discovered the markets were flooded by copious amounts of friendship bracelets. Naturally their love for all things friendship bracelets was rekindled, and upon returning to New York the duo scoured their grandmothers’ vintage jewelry collections to find baubles they could assimilate into their soon-to-be-knotted intricate designs. And voila: wrist candy was born (or tweaked rather).

Each and every Frieda and Nellie friendship bracelet is handcrafted in New York City, read: each design is one of a kind. The ladies spend countless hours combing flea markets, estate sales and vintage shops (their grandmothers’ collections eventually began to run thin) for unique jewelry pieces created between the ’20s and the ’70s . Thus, not only is the line completely made in the U.S., but it also reuses vintage pieces, providing found items with the gift of new life while simultaneously making the planet a little greener and your wrists a little (an exorbitant amount) happier. Shop Frieda and Nellie here.

{Layered bracelets in action, photos courtesy of StreetFSN and Jak & Jil.}