Bangle Bracelets for Thin Wrists (and How to Measure What Size Bangle You Need)

April 10, 2009

I was posed the challenge of finding petite jewelry, especially bracelets for tiny wrists, by fellow petite, Jackie. What a great idea! I decided to focus on bangles, since from personal experience, those are the pieces I’ve had the hardest time finding. I have two bangles my mom (a fellow tiny petite!) gave me a long time ago that are actually small enough to not fall straight past my hand when I put my arms down, so I pulled them out and did some bangle sizing research.

Basically, once you know the right size bangle to look for, it’s actually pretty easy to find the right size bangles online. Bangle bracelets are usually sized by diameter. The best picture I could find to show how to measure your bangle size is from the esdesigns Etsy store.

When I used this method to measure for my bangle size, I got 2 1/4 inches, so by this chart, I’m a size small (that’s a no brainer…I’m a size small EVERYTHING!). When I measured the bangles my mom gave me, they came in at somewhere between 2 1/4 and 2 1/2 inches, which seems about right because the bangles I own are still just a bit big on me. This also makes sense because most “one size fits all” bangles you’ll find in stores are about 2 1/2 inches, hence why they fall right off ladies with tiny wrists.

So, now that we’re armed with our proper bangle size…let’s go shopping!

I found a great place to find tiny bangles was on Etsy! An online marketplace for handmade crafts, Etsy has a lot of options from different designer/artists who make their wares in multiple sizes, and most are open to being contacted to make special sizes or special orders. If you see something you like, but not your size, ask the designer, and maybe they can whip up a special size just for you!

I found lots of items available in multiple sizes, including my needed 2 1/4″. And if that size was not listed, most designers stated on their web page that they will make a special size if you contact them. Most shipping charges within the US are in the $3.00 range…and…most of these beautiful bracelet sets will cost you under $100!

Some of my favorites are:

 

I also found a few options on Overstock.com! These bangle sets come in size 2 3/8″.

 


If real life shopping is more your sport, scour vintage shops and expos. I’ve definitely found tiny bracelets that fit my wrists perfectly at the vintage expo I go to in Santa Monica. Vintage jewelry tends to be smaller (as do shoe sizes!) because the average woman of several decades ago was smaller than she is today.

Happy bangle shopping, ladies!

More petite sized jewelery in the forum:
http://forum.alterationsneeded.com/jewellery-for-skinny-wrists-and-petite-fingers-t11.html

Tagged as: ,

  • Jackie

    Yay! I found some things on Esty! =D

    Thank you for looking into jewelery to make our tiny wrists fabulous! I had no idea about the wrist measurment…

  • Beth Cyr

    Finding jewelry for small hands and wrists is extremely hard and before I made jewelry – I never bought any bangle or cuff b/c they were always so huge. I find the measuring across the top of the hand doesn't work for me though… I don't know if I have weird hands, or maybe I just like my bangles to fit more tightly! I like using the circumference measurement – maybe my hands are more flat? Etsy is extremely fabulous in allowing customers to deal directly w/ the artist and have custom sizes made. I recently made a ring for a gal in a 3 3/4 (which was actually my size too) and she said that she hadn't been able to find anyone willing to make a ring in her size. Much less ever finding a ring that size in a store! I understand the business of catering to the average size, but catering to a small size is a whole different market! I'm glad I found your blog!

  • Beth Cyr

    Finding jewelry for small hands and wrists is extremely hard and before I made jewelry – I never bought any bangle or cuff b/c they were always so huge. I find the measuring across the top of the hand doesn't work for me though… I don't know if I have weird hands, or maybe I just like my bangles to fit more tightly! I like using the circumference measurement – maybe my hands are more flat? Etsy is extremely fabulous in allowing customers to deal directly w/ the artist and have custom sizes made. I recently made a ring for a gal in a 3 3/4 (which was actually my size too) and she said that she hadn't been able to find anyone willing to make a ring in her size. Much less ever finding a ring that size in a store! I understand the business of catering to the average size, but catering to a small size is a whole different market! I'm glad I found your blog!

  • Mrsshopsalot

    anyone know where i can locate a small circumfrence CHEAP  clear plastic bangle?? i have just got a load of vintage bangles..i need a smaller circumfrence one in narrow width in clear plastic to place in front of the others to keep them from sliding off!!!!!! 6.5 inches to 7 inches in diameter around..help me!!! thanks..judy..

  • Bhanuj

    I think http://www.djewels.org makes all sizes of bangles and rings when you mail them your size.
    My aunt ordered from them last month

  • Bhanuj

    I think http://www.djewels.org makes your size of Bangle or Ring if you let them know your size. My aunt bought from them some time back. but i think they have only Diamond Jewelry.

    http://www.djewels.org

  • Bhanuj

    I think http://www.djewels.org makes your size of Bangle or Ring if you let them know your size. My aunt bought from them some time back. but i think they have only Diamond Jewelry. I posted its Pic

    http://www.djewels.org

  • Pingback: Museums and Fashion Part 3: Curiouser and Curiouser museum jewelry « La Bella Tanchi

  • Ambaa

    This is a very helpful post! I’m looking for Hindu wedding bangles and my wrists are very tiny!

Previous post:

Next post: