4 Basic and 9 Fashionable Leather Bracelet Designs and Types

Introduction

Today, there are many leather bracelet designs and types. You may select from simple, plain straps or go to extreme complexity with braiding, stainless steel charms, and beads.

This article will look at the basic types of leather bracelets, show the popular types of manufacture, and show you how to wear them to harmonize with your own style.

Fundamental Bracelet Types

Leather Cuffs

A cuff is a wide piece of leather that wraps around the wrist once. Cuffs run from 1.5 to 3 inches in width.

Cuffs are often decorated with designs or tooling impressed on their surfaces. The wide surfaces afford a great opportunity for design or lettering. A plain cuff focuses on exhibiting the quality of the leather.

Braided & Woven

Braiding gives texture and thickness to what would otherwise be a thin leather cord. The three-strand braid is simple and effective.

A braided leather bracelet will last longer than one made from a single strand due to the fact that in the braid stress is distributed among several pieces. The braid also better disguises the natural ugliness of leather than the smooth surfaces expose.

More complex patterns include:

• Box braid: Four strands in a square pattern
• Snake braid: A tight work that resembles scales
• Flat braid: Wide and flat as distinguished from round
• Round braid: The sort giving a rope-like appearance

Strand Straps

This is the simplest kind of strap: a thin strip of leather with a clasp on it. Most strap bracelets are from 4mm to 10mm wide. They look like little belts for your wrist.

The important thing to make it look good is the quality of the leather and the metal of the clasps. Good leather is soft and of even color. The clasp should be strong; magnetic clasps, lobster clasps and buckles are favorite styles.

Beaded Leather Bracelet

The combination of natural stone beads and leather offers a pleasing contrast. The smooth, hard beads are set against the soft, textured leather.

The stones commonly used in bracelets are:

• Tiger Eye: brown stones having golden streaks.
• Onyx: solid black beads.
• Lava Stone: black porous, rough surface.

A tiger eye leather bracelet has in most cases a brown leather, which harmonizes with the warm tones of the stone. The black onyx goes well with both black and brown leather. Some designs alternate between beads and braided portions.

Popular Design Variations

Wrap Bracelets

A wrap bracelet varies in number of wraps, so it wraps around your wrist several times and then fastens. The double-wrap style wraps twice, a triple-wrap style wraps three times, and there are some that go as far as five wraps. The leather should be thin and flexible enough to allow for comfortable wear.

Many of these wrap designs have some small beads in between the leather wraps. Other designs have stitching holding several leather cords together. The advantage is that you get the layered look from one piece instead of requiring several separate pieces with their connections.

Stitched & Edged

By seeing sewing on edges, it is possible to realize that care was exercised in the making of it. Edge sewing strengthens the leather and prevents splitting. The thread may be of the same color as the leather or contrast it.

The following combinations are very common:

• Black leather with white thread.
• Brown leather with tan or cream-colored thread.
• Dark brown leather with red thread.

Embellished & Studded

Metal studs, spikes and rivets are a bold addition to leather. The hardware is punched through the leather and fastened on the other side. Patterns range from a single row of small studs to elaborate designs which cover the entire surface.

Grommets (metal circles) are both functional and ornamental; they reinforce holes and provide shine. A leather skull bracelet usually features skull charms with studded detail to convey a punk look.

Engraved & Stamped

Stamping leather allows you to punch patterns, letters, or pictures into the surface. Names, dates, and short phrases provide good matter for gifts. The leather must be vegetable-tanned for the best results in holding the imprint.

Other common designs are geometrical designs and Celtic and tribal designs. The results of the depth of the stamp will make the designs different in appearance as the leather becomes older.

Stainless Animal Charms with Leather Bracelet

Metal animal charms made from stainless steel do not tarnish and keep their shine.

The more popular ones are: 

• Lion: Strength, courage 
• Wolf: Loyalty, family 
• Tiger: Power, confidence 
• Eagle: Freedom, vision 

Nautical Styles Leather Bracelets

Ocean-themed leather bracelet includes charms fashioned into ships, anchors, steering wheels and sea creatures. A leather anchor bracelet usually combines brown or navy leather with a silver or brass anchor charm.

The anchor symbol denotes stability and hope. The ship’s steering wheel symbol denotes direction and control. Navy leather became popular because it matched the traditional color of naval uniforms. These pieces are good for people who spend time near the water, or who have some tie to the sea.

Punk Style Leather Bracelet

Punk design employs aggressive imagery and heavy metal hardware. These items are usually thicker and heavier than minimalist designs. Black leather predominates, but distressed brown is also seen. Hardware has a darkened finish or antique finish rather than a bright finish.

Primary features consist of:

• Skulls: Usually sculptured in detailed relief
• Chains: Motorcycle-type chains hang or are wrapped
• Crosses: Gothic or Celtic cross designs
• Metal buckles: Large buckles that become the focal point

Colorful of Leather Bracelet

Black leather is the most usual, but colored leather is becoming more common.

They each have a different end effect, such as:

• Red is sharp and eye-arresting
• Brown is mortal, earthy, useful, blends with many garments
• Blue is anything from navy blue to cobalt blue
• Gray, modern, natural
• Green is forest green or olive green for the earth tone

Mix Color of Clasp and Charm

Striking a balance with contrasting hardware elements adds visual appeal without adding pieces. This approach allows one to match several metal tones in one’s accessories

Popular examples:

• Gold tiger charm with silver clasp;
• Black leather half gold- half black hardware;
• Rose gold charm with silver leather cording;
• Bronze anchor with polished steel clasp.

Styling Your Leather Bracelet

Layering (Stacking)

Start your base layer with one thin strap. Over that, add a different colored thin strap. After that include one wider piece, such as a braided bracelet or a narrow cuff. The key is to vary the thickness. Don’t stack three of the same pieces.

For instance, try mixing leather with:

• Metal bangles or cuffs
• Beaded bracelets with wood or stone beads
• A watch (leather bands look especially good)

Three or four pieces is a good number to have in total. More than that starts to look cluttered. Leave a little space between them instead of crowding them all together.

Color Coordination

Pick a leather bracelet that matches your other accents. If you wear a brown leather watch strap, brown wrist bracelets are in order on the same wrist. Black leather items go with black shoes and black belts. 

Colored leather bracelets are going to take a little more thought. Blue leather coordinates with blue denim materials. Green leather would complement earth-tone clothing. Red leather gives some color accents, but it will restrict your clothing options.

Occasion Pairing

Match your bracelet’s style to the place you are going.

Conclusion

Leather bracelets provide so many methods for showing off your individual style. There are styles for every look from simple minimalist strands to detailed detailed cuffs and wraps. Choose a piece that feels right for you and enjoy the way the leather will change and improve over the years.

Would you like to see other leather styles? Please make inquiries to OOTB. We are a specialist large supplier of leather bracelets in China with an almost endless variety of designs to choose from.