Tie One On

There are some juvenile pleasures in which it’s ok to indulge as an adult, while others seem, well, ridiculous past the age of 13. One example is the cult of Silly Bandz which, despite being glorified rubber bands masquerading as “jewelry,” still captivates a few whose last fling with school-banned accessories occurred during the slap bracelet years. With such novelty wrist wear in mind, we’ve selected a few alternatives not likely to be found on six-year-olds at the pool this summer.

I Wish Your Wish Ribbons: Found at the New Museum of Contemporary Art, the latest cool museum souvenir may also be one of this summer’s best accessories. As part of Brazilian artist Rivane Neuenschwander’s A Day Like Any Other show, the New Museum’s lobby – open to the public free of charge – has been transformed into an ode to a tradition practiced at the church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Through September 19, the I Wish Your Wish installation’s gallery walls are covered in thousands of colorful silk ribbons, all printed with past visitors’ wishes (which can be submitted both at the exhibit and online). In accordance with Salvadorian superstition, museumgoers are encouraged to tie the ribbons around their wrists. When the ribbon falls off, the wish is believed to have been granted. And unlike tossing a coin into a fountain, these dreams don’t cost a dime.

Frieda and Nellie Bracelets: It was more than two years ago that we predicted a friendship bracelet revival…now the trend seems to have reached a fever pitch. As recently reported by Fashionista.com, the knotted embroidery thread loop has graduated from patchouli scented summer camp lodges to the ranks of high fashion, with a number of designers glamming up the hippie jangles with embellishments like beads and charms. Some of our favorite versions come from Frieda and Nellie. The line is designed by a pair of “bauble making BFFs” who, upon importing a haul of friendship bracelets from a trip to the Galapagos, started dressing them up with their grandmothers’ vintage jewelry. As a result, the line mixes traditional chevron thread patterns with rhinestones, chains and enamel flowers. A perfect complement to the brand’s signature mash-up styling, J. Crew forged a partnership with the designers recently that landed the collection in select stores. In fact, these may be too special to wear at the beach.

Miansai Bracelets: Around the same time friendship bracelet fever hit the tween scene in the early ’90s, another handmade jewelry fad could be found in certain coastal regions of the US: the fishing tackle bracelet. Constructed from barrel snap swivels found at bait and tackle shops – often with the addition of seed beads – the punk-rock-by-way-of-the-marina accessory was a unique summertime staple. We’ve yet to see that particular ode to nautical life make a comeback, but we did recently come upon Miansai’s Hooked bracelets. Available in both cord and leather styles, the very unisex wrist wraps employ fishing hooks as clasps. Though wearers do run the risk of accidental gashes, there are other benefits: like with the rest of the crop of “violent fashion” we recently covered, the Hooked line might be threatening enough to make a mugger think twice about targeting that iPhone.