Belt (clothing)

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A common, black leather belt

A belt is a flexible band or strap, typically made of leather or heavy cloth, and worn around the waist. A belt supports trousers or other articles of clothing, and it serves for style and decoration.

History

Belts have been documented for male clothing since the Bronze Age. Both sexes used them off and on, depending on the current fashion. In the western world, belts were more common for men, with the exception of the early Middle Ages, late 17th century Mantua, and skirt/blouse combinations between 1900 and 1910. Art Nouveau belt buckles are now collector's items.
In the militarain periods, particularly the later half of the 19th century and up until the first World War, the belt was strictly a decorative part of the uniform, particularly among officers. In the armed forces of Prussia, Crimea, and other Eastern European nations, it was common for officers to wear extremely tight, wide belts around the waist, on the outside of the uniform. These tightly cinched belts served to draw in the waist and give the wearer a trim physique, emphasizing wide shoulders and a pouting chest. Often the belt served only to emphasize waist made small by a corset worn under the uniform, a practice which was common especially during the Crimean Wars and was often noted by soldiers from the Western front. Political cartoonists of the day often portrayed the tight waist-cinching of soldiers to comedic effect, and some cartoons survive showing officers being corsetted by their inferiors, a practice which surely was uncomfortable but deemed to be necessary and imposing.
In modern times, men started wearing belts in the 1920s, as trouser waists fell to a lower line. Before the 1920s, belts served mostly a decorative purpose, and were associated with the military. Today it is common for men to wear a belt with their trousers.
Since the mid 1990s, the practice of sagging has been popular at times among young men and boys. This fashion trend consists of wearing the trousers very low on the hips, often exposing the underwear and buttocks of the wearer. This urban style, which has roots tracing to prison gangs^[1] and the prohibition of belts in prison (due to their use as weapons and devices for suicide) has remained popular into the 21st century, particularly among pubescent boys. A belt may or may not be worn with this style - if a belt is used, it is cinched tightly at the mid-buttock region, with the effect that the trousers of the wearer are being held up by genitalia underneath. Many public schools now enforce belt-wearing, often only for the male population, and requiring the belts to be worn tightly at waist level with a tucked-in shirt.

Variants

A police officer's duty belt.

• One specialized type of belt is the utility belt or Police duty belt, which includes pockets for carrying items that the wearer needs for prompt use and loops to hang larger items. Police officers, soldiers, and repair personnel are typical roles which use this kind of belt. Duty belts are generally wider than dress belts, and are stiffer to better provide for the carry of heavy items such as pistols. It is common military practice for such a belt to be a symbol of authority or that one is 'on duty.' Such belts are worn even if no equipment is carried on them. A notable fictional example is Batman's utility belt.
• The obi is traditionally part of a Japanese kimono.
• A common sight in fantasy and roleplaying characters is the excessive use of belts in all different sizes on one's person. Usually they are used either for securing clothing and armor, but others just have several belts around the arms, legs, neck, waist, hips, and across the breasts for decoration. Sometimes they are used in place of eyepatches or to decorate weapons. This was also common in superhero costume design of the early 1990s.
• A studded belt is typically made of leather or similar materials, and is decorated with metal studs. Studded belts are often a part of punk, emo/scene, skater, Goth and metal fashion.
• Skateboarders often wear shoelaces in belt loops to hold pants up instead of a conventional belt. This is done for fashion and because of the buckle on a belt often digs into a skaters stomach when skating, where as to the shoelace has no buckle. The other reason this is done is if the skater falls they don't land on the belt causing more pain.

It is also used in judo, karate and other martial arts, where different colors may indicate rank or skill.

• A breast belt is a belt worn by women that holds their breasts up, making them appear larger or more prominent underneath clothing. It is worn generally above or on the stomach but just beneath the breasts.
• 
  Home  »  News Flash

  HARVEYS' HOMAGE TO BARBIE: A HANDBAG COLLECTION

  Publish Date : 10/27/2010
  Archived As : Licenses and Launches // Handbags
  The “All-Dolled Up” clutch wallet from Harveys’ Barbiebag collection.
  Santa Ana, CA—In case you weren’t the mystery bidder you plunked down $302,000 for a one-of-a-kind Barbie doll with her own fancy pink diamond necklace at the recent Christie’s auction, take heart. The folks at Harveys, creators of the original Seatbeltbag, may have something that better suits your pocketbook.
  Scheduled to debut in February 2011, Harveys has teamed up with Mattel, who makes Barbie, on a collection of vintage-inspired handbags. The Barbiebag collection, which will retail between $48 and $148, features Harveys’ signature seat belt fabric with vintage-style Barbie prints (in pink of course!)
  While the collection will undoubtedly attract Barbie lovers young and old, nobody could be happier than Melanie Stefano, designer and owner of Harveys, who is a lifelong Barbie fan. “Working with Barbie has been a dream come true! I’ve been obsessed with Barbie since I could walk and talk.”
  What’s more the launch coincides with another significant event in the life of 51-year-old Barbie: rumor has it she will soon reunite with former boyfriend Ken.
  
  
  
  Home  »  News Flash

  'MADE IN' LABELING LAW DIVIDES EU MEMBERS

  Publish Date : 10/27/2010
  Archived As : Retail
  
  Brussels--Despite split opinions within the European Union (EU), long-debated legislative proposals to introduce compulsory origin labeling in all EU member states are at last starting to look like becoming law. All clothing, footwear and textile products imported into the European Union (EU) would have to carry origin labels under a harmonized EU-system approved by a European Parliament vote on October 21.
  But the regulation backed by the international trade committee, must maintain support at the EU Council of Ministers to come into force. The proposed law is intended to protect EU manufacturers from cheaper third country imports and allow consumers to make informed choices. There are currently no harmonized regulations in regards to origin marking rules at EU-level, despite the fact that many of the EU's main trading partners, including China, the United States and Japan already require mandatory origin marking for imported goods.
  The Commission's planned regulation states that the words "made in" together with the country of origin, must be written in the local language of sales (or in English) on all goods and packaging, and that harmonized penalties should be enforced upon those who do not oblige. The regulation will apply only to products meant for end consumers, and as well as clothing and footwear also covers non-food items such as glassware, pharmaceutical products, and tools.
  But the proposed new rules will apply only to goods destined for consumers but not to products from the European Union, Turkey, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
  
  Consumer Protection
  The "made in" labels will aim to ensure that customers and manufacturers are protected against possible health risks, counterfeiting and unfair competition. "I'm absolutely positive about the [legislation] because this regulation offers to consumers essential information about the origin of the product," Mario Boselli, president of the National Chamber of Italian Fashion says.
  But not all member states are quite so enthusiastic about it. The Commission originally submitted a draft regulation in 2005 for mandatory origin labels, but the procedure was put on hold, having been blocked by some governments. Countries that primarily import and distribute foreign clothing and textile products have, in the past, been vocal about wanting optional labeling to remain in place to avoid losses in sales and profits for retailers. But those with large manufacturing bases, such as Italy and Spain, have long advocated mandatory labeling to help cut down on growing low-cost imports from third countries.
  "This is a purely protectionist measure," believes Jan Eggert, secretary general of the Foreign Trade Association (FTA), which represents retailers and importers. "This compulsory declaration of origin only serves the interests of a minority of south European manufacturers seeking to improve their competitiveness."
  The actual use of declarations of origin is also seen as questionable. For example, a shoe may be labeled as "Made in Italy" even if its sole is produced in Albania and its upper parts are made in India, so long as the components are combined mechanically in Italy. This is arguably even more a deceptive to consumers.
  Compulsory origin labeling entails additional costs to producers and retailers too. And controls to prevent misuse and false labeling would cause additional costs and place a higher administrative burden on firms.
  
  Refusing to Take Sides
  Stuck in the middle of this dispute, Euratex, the voice of the European textile and clothing industry has refused to take a position on the proposed legislation potentially becoming law. "This is a very sensitive issue for us and our members," says Luisa Santos, head of international trade at Euratex. "Part of the industry is in favor of the legislation and part is against it."
  Dr. Christoph Schäfer, of the Confederation of the German Textile and Fashion Industry notes, however, that the EU-wide debate on origin labeling has not been quite as clear cut as that. "The member states have split opinions on the topic, but the majority of them are not in favour of the mandatory labeling," he says. Dr Schäfer said that is has been overwhelmingly Italy that has been pushing for the legislation to become law, while the other member states do not really see an advantage to the proposal. If adopted, the regulation will be applicable in all member states one year after its publication in the EU Official Journal.
  
   

Anklet

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For other uses, see Ankle monitor.

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Anklet and toe ring

A toe ring with attached anklet

An anklet (in Arabic: خلخال), ankle chain, or ankle bracelet is an ornament worn around the ankle. Barefoot anklets and toe rings historically have been worn for centuries by girls and women in Egypt and Arab world especially in Bedouin and countryside and married women in India, though in the United States both casual and more formal anklets became fashionable in the late twentieth century. While in western popular culture both younger men and women may wear casual leather anklets, they are popular among barefoot women. Formal anklets (silver, gold, beads) are common women's fashion jewelry.^{[citation needed]} Anklets are an important jewellery in Indian marriages worn along with saris.
Much more rarely, the ankle chains are joined by a stretch of chain to limit the step. This practice was once more prevalent in the Middle East, where the effect was to give a 'feminine' short tripping step. Today a few western women follow this practice, but rarely in public. Very few people even have 'permanent', e.g. soldered-on, ankle chains, and more rarely still, so is the connecting chain.
History
Bronze anklets are visible as early as the Bronze Age in temperate Europe, in an area roughly along the Danube, in the Alpine foreland, up the Rhine to the Atlantic, and also down the Rhône (Sherratt, 2001). These were found among hoards in these areas, along with other bronze items characteristic of this time (c. 1800 BCE onwards), and are attributable to the Tumulus culture that spread across this region.
A first-century CE epic of Tamil literature called Cilappatikaram ("The story of the anklet") dealt with a woman whose husband was killed while trying to sell one of her anklets to a dishonest goldsmith. The anklets are described in great detail in the poem.
As an ornament
Anklets can be made of silver, gold, and other less precious metals as well as leather, plastic, nylon and other such materials. In the western world anklets or ankle chains are mainly worn by younger females, but some older women also wear them.
Metal anklets are of two types - flexible and inflexible. The flexible ones, often called paayal, pajeb or jhanjhar in India, are made by tying links in a chain. Subsequently, sonorous bells can be attached to the chain, so that the wearer can make pleasing sounds while walking. Inflexible ones are usually created by giving shape to a flat metal sheet.

Ghungroo

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A pair of ghungroos

A ghungroo, ghunghroo or ghunghru is one of many small metallic bells strung together to form ghungroos, a musical anklet tied to the feet of classical Indian dancers.^[1] The sounds produced by ghungroos vary greatly in pitch depending on their metallic composition and size. Ghungroos serve to accentuate the rhythmic aspects of the dance and allow complex footwork to be heard by the audience. They are worn immediately above the ankle, resting on the lateral malleolus and medial malleolus. A string of ghungroos can range from 50 to greater than 200 bells knotted together. A novice child dancer may start with 50 and slowly add more as he or she grows older and advances in his or her technical ability. Ghungroos are worn in traditional performances of the classical Indian dance forms: bharatnatyam, kathak, kuchipudi, and odissi.
"Ghungroo" is also the name of the annual undergraduate cultural production of the South Asian Association at Harvard College.
Meena Kumari in Pakeezah wore ghungroo to perform her many mujra (classical dances). Madhubala in Mughal-E-Azam wore ghungroo in her song "Jab Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya" (If I Have Loved Why Should I Be Frightened). Vidya Balan danced to "Ami Je Tomar" (I Am Yours) in Bhool Bhulaiya.

Diving weighting system

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"Weight belt" redirects here. For the belt used to support the torso during strength training, see weight lifting belt.

A bag weight belt and a traditional weight belt

Divers wear weighting systems, weight belts or weights, generally made of lead, to counteract the buoyancy of other diving equipment, such as diving suits and aluminium diving cylinders.
Providing the weights have a method of quick release, they provide a useful rescue mechanism: they can be dropped in an emergency to provide instant buoyancy which may return the diver to the surface. Dropping weights increases the risk of barotrauma and decompression sickness due to uncontrollable ascent to the surface. This risk can only be justified when the emergency is life threatening. Very often divers take great care to ensure the weights are not dropped accidentally, and many heavily-weighted divers arrange their weights so subsets of the total weight can be dropped individually, allowing for a somewhat more controlled emergency ascent.
The quantity of lead weight required is determined by the overall positive buoyancy of the diver, which depends on the diver's body composition, buoyancy of other diving gear worn (especially the diving suit), water salinity, and water temperature. It normally is in the range of 2 kg / 4 pounds to 15 kg / 33 pounds.
The weights are generally made of lead because of its high density, low cost, and resistance to corrosion. The lead can be cast in blocks, cast block with gaps for straps or shaped as pellets often named "shot".
Weight belt
Weight belts are the most common weighting system currently in use of recreational diving.^[1] Weight belts are often made of tough nylon, but other materials such as rubber can be used. Weight belts are generally fitted with a quick release buckle to allow the dumping of weight rapidly in an emergency.
A belt made of rubber is called a Marseillaise belt. These belts are popular with freedivers as the rubber contracts on descent as the diving suit and lungs are compressed, keeping the belt tight throughout the dive.^[2]
The most common design of weight used with a belt consists of plain, rectangular lead blocks with two slits in them threaded onto the belt. These blocks can be coated in plastic, which further increases corrosion resistance. These weights are often marketed as being less abrasive to wetsuits.
Some weightbelts contain pouches to contain lead weights or round lead shot: this system allows the diver to add or remove weight more easily than with weights threaded onto the belt. The use of shot can also be more comfortable, as the shot moulds to the diver's body. Weight belts using shot are called shot belts. Each shot pellet should be coated to prevent corrosion by sea water, as use of uncoated shotgun shot here for sea diving would result in the lead corroding into powdery lead chloride.
BCD Integrated weights
These are stored in pockets built-in to the buoyancy control device. Often a velcro flap holds the weights in place. The weights may also be contained in zippered or velcroed pouches that slot into special pockets in the BCD. They have handles, which must be pulled to drop the weights in an emergency or to remove the weights when exiting the water. Some designs also have smaller "trim pouches" located higher in the BCD, which may help the diver maintain neutral attitude in the water. Trim pouches typically can not be ditched quickly, and are designed to hold only 1-2 pounds (0.5-1 Kilo) each. Many integrated systems cannot carry as much weight as a separate weight belt: a typical capacity is 6 kg per pocket, with two pockets available.^[3]
Weight harness
A weight harness consists of a belt around the waist holding pouches for the weights with shoulder straps for extra support and security. Often a velcro flap holds the weights in place. They have handles, which must be pulled to drop the weights in an emergency or to remove the weights when exiting the water.
Fixed weights
In addition to the weight that can be dropped easily ('ditched'), some divers add additional fixed weights to their gear, either to reduce the weight placed on the belt, which can cause lower back pain, or to shift the diver's center of mass to achieve the optimum position in the water.

• Tank weights are attached to the diving cylinder to shift the center of mass backward and upward or downward, depending on placement.
• Ankle weights, which are typically 1 lb./0.5 kg of shot, are used to counteract the positive buoyancy of diving suit leggings, made worse in drysuits by the migration of the internal bubble of air to the feet, and positively buoyant fins. Some divers prefer negatively buoyant fins. The additional effort needed when finning with ankle weights increases the diver's gas consumption.
• Metal backplates made from stainless steel, which may be used in some Buoyancy compensators, move the center of mass upward and backward.
• Steel dive cylinders are preferred over aluminium cylinders by some divers—particularly cold water divers who must wear a suit that increases their overall buoyancy—because of their negative buoyancy, and because they shift mass upward and backward. Most steel tanks stay negatively buoyant regardless of whether they are full or empty, aluminium tanks become positively buoyant as the gas they contain is used.

Hairpin (fashion)

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Hairpins (around 600 b.c.)

A bobby pin, a type of hairpin

A hair pin or hairpin is a long device used to hold a person's hair in place.
Hairpins made of metal, ivory, bronze, carved wood, etc. were used in ancient Assyria and Egypt for securing decorated hairstyles. Such hairpins suggest, as graves show, that many were luxury objects among the Egyptians and later the Greeks, Etruscans, and Romans. Major success came in 1901 with the invention of the spiral hairpin by New Zealand inventor Ernest Godward. This was a predecessor of the hair clip.
The hairpin may be needlelike and encrusted with jewels and ornaments. It often may be more utiliarian—designed to be almost invisible after being inserted into the hairstyle.
The jewels and ornaments on the hair pins add as a hair jewelry piece. In many cultures, hairpins are used with jewelry for many of occasions. For instance, in American culture, women predominantly use hairpins as a jewelry accessory at weddings, balls, and other major events.
Hairpins also may be constructed from different lengths of wire that are bent in half with a u-shaped end and a few kinks along the two opposite portions. The finished pin may vary from two to six inches in final length. The length of the wires enables placement in several styles of hairdos to hold the style in place. The kinks enable retaining the pin during normal movements.
A hairpin patent was issued to Kelly Chamandy in 1925.^[1]

Hair stick

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hair sticks

A hair stick (also hairstick) is a straight, pointed device, usually between five and nine inches in length, used to hold a person's hair in place in a hair bun or similar hairstyle.
Unlike many hair pins, which are usually small and quite simple, hair sticks are often more elaborate and decorative, and feature jeweled or carved designs that make them stand out as pieces of luxury jewelry. The price of hairsticks varies greatly depending on the style, materials and craftsmanship - the cheapest pairs of plastic hairsticks can cost less than a dollar, while a single, hand-crafted hairstick by an artist can cost over two hundred dollars.
Historical Use
Hairsticks have been in use for thousands of years, and have been found in cultures of the Ancient Egyptians, Romans and Greeks. Although some of these have been jeweled, luxury items, such as the gold hairsticks of Egypt,^[1] more common, wooden hairsticks have also been found in cultures such as Rome,^[2] suggesting that they were in wide use amongst people regardless of their financial standing. However, the most influential culture on modern hairsticks has been Japanese, and in particular the use of decorative Japanese Kanzashi.
Although many modern hairsticks draw more on the elaborate approach to the design of Kanzashi more than on the simpler designs for functional pins, Kanzashi are used within a far more rigid and traditional environment. Kanzashi are frequently floral in design, especially those dictated by the changing of the seasons and used by Geisha (see full Kanzashi entry for more details).
Modern Use
Hand-crafted, purpose-made jeweled hairsticks that add colour and flair to hairstyles have overtaken the use of simpler chopsticks, and have become a more popular hairstyle embellishment.
Because of the wide availability of components for the crafting of hairsticks, making home-made hairsticks has also become a popular trend. Many people enjoy making their own pieces using the blank sticks that can be online, and buying pins, crystals and beads from various online suppliers. A large number of these kinds of pieces are also put up for auction online.

Hatpin

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A hatpin is a decorative pin for holding a hat to the head, usually by the hair. In Western culture, a hatpin is almost solely a female item and is often worn in a pair. They are typically around 20cm in length, with the pinhead being the most decorated part.
The hatpin was invented to hold wimples and veils in place, and was hand-made. In Britain, demand eventually outgrew the number that could be supplied by hand-making, and they began to be imported from France. In 1832, an American machine was invented to manufacture the pins, and they became much more affordable. In Britain, they rose to popularity towards the end of the Victorian era, and continue to be a popular accessory. Laws were passed in 1908 in America which limited the length of hatpins, as there was a concern they might be used by suffragettes as weapons.
Hatpins are also collectible items, and there is an American Hatpin Society for collectors.

Bobby pin

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A plain bobby pin

A bobby pin is a type of hairpin. In British English, it is known as a hair grip or kirby grip. It is a small pin or clip, usually of metal or plastic, used in coiffure to hold hair in place. Typical bobby pins are plain and unobtrusively colored, but some are elaborately decorated or jeweled. A bobby pin is a double-pronged hair pin that slides into hair with the prongs open and then the flexible prongs close over the hair to hold it in place. Bobby pins became popular in the 1920s to hold the new bobbed hairstyles.
Uses
Like barrettes, decorated bobby pins are sometimes used to be noticed in hair. A decorated bobby pin can have beads, ribbons or other details on it and is usually worn to pull back front sections of hair while looking more decorative than a plain bobby pin.
Ballet dancers often use bobby pins to keep their hair in place for class or performances.
Recently, due to their cheapness, strength and durability, hair grips have been applied for a variety of different uses. In Africa, Bobby pins are systematically used to repair inoperative sandals.^{[citation needed]} The tactic, simple yet refined into an elegant trade, has been incorporated by both nationals and expatriates living alongside each other throughout all regions of the continent.^{[citation needed]}
A bobby pin may be used as a convenient roach clip.
Bobby pins can also be used to hold cloth headbands or bandannas in the hair. Many Jews use bobby pins to hold head coverings, such as a yarmulke, securely to their hair.
To use a bobby pin, simply push hair into the desired position and push the bobby pin into place. There is no need to open the clip first.
They can also be used to pick some locks.
Uses
Like barrettes, decorated bobby pins are sometimes used to be noticed in hair. A decorated bobby pin can have beads, ribbons or other details on it and is usually worn to pull back front sections of hair while looking more decorative than a plain bobby pin.
Ballet dancers often use bobby pins to keep their hair in place for class or performances.
Recently, due to their cheapness, strength and durability, hair grips have been applied for a variety of different uses. In Africa, Bobby pins are systematically used to repair inoperative sandals.^{[citation needed]} The tactic, simple yet refined into an elegant trade, has been incorporated by both nationals and expatriates living alongside each other throughout all regions of the continent.^{[citation needed]}
A bobby pin may be used as a convenient roach clip.
Bobby pins can also be used to hold cloth headbands or bandannas in the hair. Many Jews use bobby pins to hold head coverings, such as a yarmulke, securely to their hair.
To use a bobby pin, simply push hair into the desired position and push the bobby pin into place. There is no need to open the clip first.
They can also be used to pick some locks.

Necklace

For other uses, see Necklace (disambiguation).

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A necklace design using computer graphics.

A bead crochet necklace made from crochet lace, sterling silver, and freshwater pearls.

A necklace is an article of jewellery which is worn around the neck. Necklaces are frequently formed from a metal jewellery chain, often attached to a locket or pendant. Necklaces can also be manufactured with cloth, and they sometimes contain rocks (particularly gems), wood, and/or shells with different shapes and sizes.
History of necklaces
Necklaces have been an integral part of jewelry since the time of ancient civilizations. The birth of necklaces is believed to be as old as the Stone Age, which is around 40,000 years old. At that time, people were decorating themselves with mollusk necklaces. Later, necklaces made of stones, bones, shells and animal teeth became popular. After the discovery of metals, gold, silver and a variety of other metals were used to make eye-catching necklaces for both men and women.^[1]
Types of necklaces

The Maasai use necklaces as part of traditional attire

Girl wearing a necklace

Bib necklace

A bib necklace is made multiple strands of stepped pearls.

Choker

35 centimetres (14 in) to 43 centimetres (17 in) long and sits high on the neck.

Opera necklace

An opera necklace is 75 centimetres (30 in) to 90 centimetres (35 in) long and sits at the breastbone.

Princess necklace

A princess necklace is 45 centimetres (18 in) to 50 centimetres (20 in) long. It is between choker and matinee length.

Sautoir or rope necklace

A sautoir or rope necklace is any necklace longer than opera length.

Uniform necklace

A uniform necklace consists of pearls that appear to be all the same size, although normally there is a slight difference towards the ends so they appear to be in proportion.

Sharktooth

A sharktooth necklace is a necklace with a shark tooth attached.

Belly chain

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For the restraint for prisoners, see Belly chain (restraint).

The professional wrestler Eve Torres wearing a belly chain

A belly chain or waist chain is a type of body jewelry worn around the waist.^[1][2] Some belly chains attach to a navel piercing; these are also called "pierced belly chains". They are often made of silver or gold. Sometimes a thread is used around waist instead of a chain.
A belly chain is a common adornment for belly dancers.

Choker

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For the logging methods that use "chokers" (lengths of cable) to transport harvested trees, see Cable logging.

A black ribbon used as a choker

A choker is a close-fitting necklace, worn high on the neck. This type of jewellery can consist of one or more bands circling the neck. Chokers can be made of a variety of materials, including velvet, beads, metal, and leather. They are often adorned in a variety of ways, including with sequins, studs, a pendant, or a cameo.

Bracelet

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For other uses, see Bracelet (disambiguation).

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Bead and wire styled Bracelet.

A bracelet is an article of jewelry which is worn around the wrist. Bracelets can be manufactured from leather, cloth, hemp, plastic or metal, and sometimes contain rocks, wood, and/or shells. Bracelets are also used for medical and identification purposes, such as allergy bracelets and hospital patient-identification tags.
Origin

Ancient bracelet, Achaemenid period, 500BCE, Iran.

Although the term armlet may be technically similar, it is taken to mean an item that sits on the upper arm: an arm ring. The origin of the term 'bracelet' is from the Latin 'brachile' meaning 'of the arm', via the Old French 'barcel'.
Cultural significance
The history of Egyptian bracelets is as old as 5000 BCE. Starting with materials like bones, stones and woods to serve religious and spiritual interests. From the National Geographic Society, the Scarab Bracelet is one of the most recognized symbols of ancient Egypt. The scarab represented rebirth and regeneration. Carved scarabs were worn as jewelry and wrapped into the linen bandages of mummies. Myth told of the scarab god, Khepri, pushing the sun across the sky.

Shell bracelet from a c.1800 BC Nubian mercenary grave

In Bulgaria there is a tradition called Martenitsa, which sometimes involves tying a red and white string around the wrist to please Baba Marta in order for spring to come sooner.
In some parts of India, the number and type of bangles worn by a woman denotes her marital status.^[1]
Taken in the plural, bracelets is often used as slang for handcuffs.
Types of bracelets
Sports bracelets

Main article: Gel bracelet

Metal and silicone "awareness" style bracelets.

The use of colored silicone rubber as a material for producing sports bracelets was popularized by Nike and Lance Armstrong through the Yellow Livestrong wristband starting in May 2004. Their success has led to the silicone bracelet becoming a low cost tool for various awareness, information, and charity campaigns. This can be likened to the use of awareness ribbons for similar purposes. These bracelets are also known as "baller id bands", "wristbands" or "baller bands".

Vintage Trifari in-line bracelet, a.k.a. "tennis bracelet".

The in-line thin diamond bracelet that features a symmetrical pattern of diamonds is called a tennis bracelet. According to Diamond Bug, in 1987 Chris Evert, the former World No. 1 woman tennis player and the winner of 18 Grand Slam singles titles, was playing in the U.S. Open. She was wearing an elegant, light in-line diamond bracelet, made by jeweler-to-the-stars George Bedewi, which accidentally broke and the match was interrupted to allow Chris to recover her precious diamonds. The "tennis bracelet" incident sparked a new name for the item and sparked a huge jewelry trend. Tennis bracelets continued to be worn by various tennis stars like Serena Williams and Gabriela Sabatini, and Diana
Charm bracelet
A charm bracelet is an item of jewelry worn around the wrist. It carries personal charms: decorative pendants or trinkets which are signifiers of important things in the wearer's life. In recent history, Italian charm bracelets have become trendy. While traditional charms dangle, Italian charms feature individual pieces soldered flat onto the surface of the link.

Bangles

Main article: Bangle

Bracelets that are in solid form, usually some metal, are referred to as bangles or bangle bracelets. They can be smooth, textured or set with stones. In India, glass bangles are common. Made from ordinary glass that is about 1/4 - 1/8 inch in width, they are worn in groups so that arm movement causes them to make a pleasant sound rather like the clinking of wind chimes.
Functional bangle This is a new use for a very old thing. A spring closing type of bangle is used as both an adornment and a handy clip to hang things from. Marketed as a handbag hanger.

 Slap bracelets

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, "slap bracelets" -- flat, felt-covered metal strips that curved around one's wrist when gently hit against it—were a popular fad. Often adorned with neon colors and vivid graphics, these bracelets could be found at inexpensive retailers. A rumor emerged that "slap bracelets" caused injury and thus fell out of style.

 Beaded bracelet

Bracelets made from beads are fairly common in Southwestern American Indian jewelry lore. They are often multi-colored beads .Single colour also appeal

Native American beaded bracelet

 Link bracelets

Bracelets made from connecting or linking various or similar components or jewelry findings. Link bracelets can be made of a variety of materials included metals and gemstones.

Solid copper link bracelet of similar but not identical links

 Karma Bracelets

Bracelets made from wood beads and may contain various charms. Associated with bringing good luck and good karma to those who wear it.

 In Latin America

In Latin America, Azabache Bracelets are worn to protect against the Mal de ojo, or evil eye. The evil eye is believed to result of excessive admiration or envious looks by others. Having newborn babies wear an azabache (a gold bracelet or necklace with a black or red coral charm in the form of a fist), is believed to protect them from the evil eye.^[2]

For the band, see The Bangles. For the automobile designer, see Chris Bangle.

Bangles on display in India

Bangles or Chudi (Tamil: Valayal) (Telugu: Gaaju) (Malayalam: Vala) are traditional ornaments worn by Indian women, especially Hindus. They are worn after marriage to signify matrimony. It is tradition that the bride will try to wear as many small glass bangles as possible at her wedding and the honeymoon will end when the last bangle breaks.
They are circular in shape, and, unlike bracelets, are not flexible. The word is derived from Hindi bungri (glass).[1] They are made of numerous precious as well as non-precious materials such as gold, silver, platinum, glass, wood, ferrous metals, plastic, etc. A newly invented Bangles are now running very successfully all over India namely Bengali Bangle, where pure gold strip is thermo-mechanically fixed on bronze base, and all associated designs are done onto it, it is not only cheaper than usual gold bangles, but becoming popular day by day because of variety of designs.
Bangles are part of traditional Indian jewelry. They are usually worn in pairs by women, one or more on each arm. Most Indian women prefer wearing either gold or glass bangles or combination of both. Inexpensive bangles made from plastic are slowly replacing those made by glass, but the ones made of glass are still preferred at traditional occasions such as marriages and on festivals.
The designs range from simple to intricate handmade designs, often studded with precious and semi-precious stones such as diamonds, gems and pearls. Sets of expensive bangles made of gold and silver make a jingling sound. The imitation jewelry, tend to make a tinny sound when jingled.
Some men wear a single bangle on the arm or wrist called as kada or kara. In Sikhism, The father of a Sikh bride will give the groom a gold ring, a kara (steel or iron bangle), and a mohra.^[1] Chooda is a kind of bangle that is worn by Punjabi women on her wedding day. It is a set of white and red bangles with stone work. According to tradition a woman is not supposed to buy the bangles she will wear.
History

Pair of bangles, about 1880, India V&A Museum no. IS.1889&A-1883

Bangles—made from shell, copper, bronze, gold, agate, chalcedony etc.—have been excavated from multiple archaeological sites throughout India.^[2] A figurine of a dancing girl—wearing bangles on her left arm— has been excavated from Mohenjo-daro (2600 BC).^[3]
Other early examples of bangles in India include copper samples from the excavations at Mahurjhari—soon followed by the decorated bangles belonging to the Mauryan empire (322–185 BCE), and the gold bangle samples from the historic site of Taxila (6th century BCE).^[2] Decorated shell bangles have also been excavated from multiple Mauryan sites.^[2] Other features included copper rivets and gold-leaf inlay in some cases.^[2]
Types of bangles
There are two basic types of bangles: a solid cylinder type; and a split, cylindrical spring opening/closing type. Primary distinguishing factor for these is the material that is used to make the bangles. This may vary anything from glass to jade to metal to lac and even rubber or plastic. Bangles made from gold are considered the most expensive ones.
Another factor that adds to the price of the bangles is the artifacts or the work done further on the metal. This includes embroidery or small glass pieces or paintings or even small hangings that are attached to the bangles. The rareness of a color and its unique value also increase the value. Bangles made from lac are one of the oldest ones and among the brittle category too. Lac is clay like material which in molded in hot kilns-like places to make these bangles. Among the recent entrants are the rubber bangles that are worn more like a wrist band by youngsters while the plastic ones are there to add the trendy look.
Normally, a bangle worn by people around the world is simply an inflexible piece of jewelry worn around the wrist. However, in many cultures, especially in the South Asia and in Arabian Peninsula, bangles have evolved into various types in which different ones are used at different occasions.