Bracelets — Raelles Atelier

BRACELET SIZING GUIDE

Choosing your Bracelet Length

When choosing a chain length for your necklace, remember that your body shape and the weight of any pendants or motifs on the chain will affect the way your necklace sits on your neckline. Layering different necklace lengths and styles together will also impact the fit and fall of each necklace you wear.

When choosing a length for your bracelet, it is important to consider how you will put the bracelet on. For flexible bracelets or those with a fastenable clasp, you can choose lengths much closer to your base wrist size. If you are considering a bangle

The weight of any pendants, beads, or charms on your bracelet will also affect the way it sits on your wrist as you move throughout the day.

Common Necklace Sizes

When bracelet lengths are taken in metric measurements, they are typically sized in increments of 1.5 centimeters. If you are using imperial measurements, this comes out to be roughly half an inch.

Common Bracelet Sizes

Standard Added Length: For a comfortable, standard fit where the bracelet slides slightly but does not spin freely, it is common to add 0.75 inches to your wrist circumference.
Snug Fit: If you prefer a closer fit, add 0.5 inches.
Loose Fit: For a looser fit where the bracelet hangs freely, add 1 inch. [1]

Factors Affecting Bracelet "Drop":

Style: Chunkier bracelets, such as beaded or thick links, often require an extra 0.25–0.5 inches more than delicate bracelets because the width of the material can make them feel tighter. [1]
Type: Cuffs and bangles often don't have a "drop" in the same way, as they are meant to sit more snugly and not dangle on the hand. Chain and tennis bracelets are designed to drape and have this extra drop length. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
Individual Preference: The amount of "fall" onto the hand is a matter of personal preference, though too much can be uncomfortable. [1, 2, 3, 4

Snug: +¼″ to +½″ (+0.6–1.3 cm)
Classic: +¾″ to +1″ (+1.9–2.5 cm)
Loose: +1¼″ (+3.2 cm)

Snug fit: Add about ¼ inch for a bracelet that stays close without restriction.
Classic fit: Add ½ inch for gentle movement and everyday comfort.
Loose fit: Add ¾ inch or more for a loose, easy drape with elegant motion.

Measure Another Bracelet

Already have a favorite? You can measure the length of a bracelet you know you love to help determine the size of your next purchase.

Choose a bracelet of the same length as your favorite for a replacement style, or find a great length to layer with your current favorite by adding or subtracting a bracelet size.

Measuring Chain Length
All you need to get started is a ruler or tape measure, a bracelet you love wearing, and a flat surface.

Unfasten your bracelet and lay it down on a smooth, flat surface. Pull the two ends of your bracelet as far apart as you can, making a straight line with the chain.
Measure the entire length of the chain, including the clasp and ring on either end.
If your bracelet uses a chain extension or is adjustable, measure to the point where you usually clasp your bracelet, even if that is not the end of the chain.
Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.

Measuring Bangle or Cuff Size
All you need to get started is a ruler or tape measure, a bangle or cuff you love wearing, and a flat surface.

Lay your bangle or cuff bracelet down on a smooth, flat surface.
Measure the inner diameter of the widest part of your bracelet.
Make a note of your diameter measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.
If you need to calculate your bracelet’s circumference, simply multiply your diameter measurement by 3.1415.

Measure for a New Style

Trying out a new look? Take the guesswork out of choosing a chain length by finding an item to stand in as your new bracelet.

The easiest item to use for this is one with graduated increments, like tailor’s tape or another flexible measuring tape. If you don’t have one of these on hand, feel free to use a ruler or tape measure and a bracelet substitute, as long as the substitute item is long enough and can bend but not stretch. Think of an inelastic ribbon, string, yarn, or thread; a shoelace; a strip of paper; a charging cord; or even a pet leash.

Measuring with Tailor’s Tape
All you need to get started is tailor’s tape or another flexible measuring tape.

Place your measuring tape around your wrist like a bracelet and pull the two sides together.
Adjust your measuring tape to your desired bracelet length and pinch your fingers over the spot where the 0 mark meets the other end.
Try out different lengths and make a note of which measurements you like best so you can have them on hand while shopping.

Measuring with a Substitute
All you need to get started is a ruler or tape measure, your substitute bracelet item, and a flat surface.

Place your string or other substitute item around your wrist like a bracelet and pull the two sides together.
Adjust the substitute item to your desired bracelet length and pinch your fingers over the spot where the end meets the other side.
Lay the substitute item on a smooth, flat surface - keeping your fingers pinched around it. Measure from the end to the point where you pinched your desired length.
Try out different lengths and make a note of which measurements you like best so you can have them on hand while shopping.

Measuring for a Bangle or Cuff

Your Wrist Measurement

Finding your base wrist size makes shopping for other bracelet sizes much easier. Once you know your base measurement, you can increase it by 5 centimeters (or roughly 2 inches) for an additional necklace size.

The easiest item to use for this is one with graduated increments, like tailor’s tape or another flexible measuring tape. If you don’t have one of these on hand, feel free to use a ruler or tape measure and a necklace substitute, as long as the substitute item is long enough and can bend but not stretch. Think of an inelastic ribbon, string, yarn, or thread; a shoelace; a strip of paper; a charging cord; or even a pet leash.

Measuring with Tailor’s Tape
All you need to get started is tailor’s tape or another flexible measuring tape.

Place your measuring tape closely yet comfortably around your forearm just above the wrist bone, where a bracelet would naturally sit. You want it to be snug, fitting neither too tight nor too loose.
Pinch your fingers over the spot where the 0 mark meets the other end. This number is your wrist measurement.
Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.

Measuring with a Substitute
All you need to get started is a ruler or tape measure, your substitute necklace item, and a flat surface.

Place your string or other substitute item closely yet comfortably around your forearm just above the wrist bone, where a bracelet would naturally sit. You want it to be snug, fitting neither too tight nor too loose.
Pinch your fingers over the spot where the end of your substitute item meets the other side.
Lay the substitute item on a smooth, flat surface - keeping your fingers pinched around it. Measure from the end to the point where you pinched. This number is your wrist measurement.
Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.

Measuring for a Bangle or Cuff
When measuring your base size for a rigid bracelet like a bangle or a cuff, keep in mind that it will have to fit over your hand in order to be worn on your wrist.
To get an accurate measurement, you will still follow the steps above for your preferred method, but instead of measuring your wrist, you’ll want to measure the widest part of your hand.

To do this, tuck your thumb across your palm as far as you can, touching the tip of your thumb to the base of your pinky finger. From here, measure around the widest part of your folded hand

Bracelet Length Conversions
Centimeters	Inches (Rounded)
8.5 - 10	3.5 - 4
10 - 11.5	4 - 4.5
11.5 - 13	4.5 - 5
13 - 14.5	5 - 5.5
14.5 - 16	5.5 - 6.5
16 - 17.5	6.5 - 7
17.5 - 19	7 - 7.5
19 - 20.5	7.5 - 8

BRACELET SIZING GUIDE

Necklaces

Raelles Atelier

Raelles Atelier