Trendlet: Arm candy

These days, a simple bracelet fashioned from gold or silver filament will, like, never, ever do.

It's all about the arm candy, y'all. Our wrists are all fancy with big beads and little beads, birthstones, and evil eyes. Some of us like to add a few whimsical charms - butterflies and hearts - or citified ones like taxicabs or the Liberty Bell. Items representing our favorite personal pastimes, like ballerina tutus and basketballs, are awesome options, too. Basically, the pieces on our wrists are as much adornment as they are talisman.

For centuries - whether in the form of golden bangles or beads - American Indian and Asian Indian cultures have used the layering of bracelets as a sign both of wealth and religion.

Generally speaking, however, women didn't mix metals - as in gold and silver. Whether beads, bangles, or charms, women chose one look for their arm and stuck to it. This was true throughout the 1960s and '70s, when beads were the rage, and during the 1980s, when charms surged in popularity.

In 2011, blogger Leandra Medine, also known as the Man Repeller, began noticing celebrities were loading up their arms with all kinds of fun accessories: beaded bracelets, chunky bangles, watches. Girls in the know appeared as though they were unloading their grandmothers' jewelry boxes up their arms.

In the following years, a love of everything vintage combined with a growing interest in beads and crystals with some spiritual origin led jewelry designers to string single strands with a variety of beads and charms. But instead of wearing a dozen bracelets on one arm, the look is about wrapping one - or two - longish bracelets around one wrist several times.

Glitz on the wrists adds a dose of girly-girl to everything from dressy sweats to sophisticated pantsuits. Celebs all about arm candy (when it comes to their jewelry, not their spouses) include Kimye and Brangelina, Justin Beiber, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne, Queen of Media Wendy Williams, and every Bravo "Housewife."

I've been known to throw mini-parties on my arm - and especially when I'm wearing all black and want some pop and spunk. When I'm at work, though, the beads hit my space bar way too many times.

I'm all for a well-attended arm-candy party. My advice: Plan a soiree with your favorite pieces on one arm at a time. Two arms, and it's more tacky than trendy.

215-854-2704@ewellingtonphl

All bracelets courtesy of Haute Mama Mala are $125 and available on the website hautemamamala.com.