Masculine sensibility makes for high-fashion feminine design
What do you get when you combine the chunky look of a man’s timepiece with the delicate femininity of a woman’s wrist? An instant fashion classic! Taking a page from the latest fashion trend – women borrowing from their men’s closets for everything from jeans to jackets, jewelry designers have created the boyfriend watch. Designed with traditional men’s styling, the look is slightly scaled down for a woman’s smaller frame and is worn more loosely on the wrist, like a bracelet. And stylish!
Characteristics of the boyfriend watch.
If you want to adopt this style, look for the following features:
· An analog watch face. For trend-setters, the digital look is so 1980s.
· A metal or leather watch band. A classic look uses fine materials.
· Metallic, black or neutral colors. Again, go with clean masculine design.
· Over-sized scale. Ideally, you want a boyfriend watch to be smaller than the bulkiest men’s watch and larger than the boldest women’s watch.
· Plenty of wrist room. Remember, wear this watch like a bracelet – let it slide on the arm.
As this latest watch trend has become widespread, many styling variations have appeared, from bright colors to plastic bands. But if you want to stay true to the masculine sensibility that makes the look so fashion-forward, stick with the classics. After all, you wouldn’t take a nice, baggy, scuffed pair of boyfriend jeans and add sequined trim, would you?
Is the boyfriend watch for you?
The styles you wear make a very personal statement about you -- none more so than a piece of jewelry worn daily. Before you purchase a boyfriend watch for yourself (or get one as a gift for your girlfriend if you don’t want her to steal yours), consider what type of style statement you’ll be making. The typical wearer presents herself as:
· Bold. To wear a large and bold piece of jewelry, you can’t be a shrinking violet. To play at dressing up like a guy, you must be a little flirty.
· Trendy. If you sport a boyfriend watch around your wrist, chances are you keep up with fashion and always wear the latest design.
· Confidently feminine. Boyfriend watches are spotted on the most ladylike wrists. If you are confident in your appeal as a woman, the masculine/feminine contrast can be a striking fashion choice for you.
· Young – or young at heart. The fashion vibe behind the “boyfriend” look is a youthful one. If you seem like the type of gal who could raid her boyfriend’s dresser, you can definitely pull off this look.
If these characteristics describe your personality, the boyfriend watch may be a natural choice for you.
US $23.50
Where to get the look.
There are two ways to go when selecting a watch with the “boyfriend” look: vintage men’s watches or new women’s boyfriend-style watches. Either choice can help you create the look:
· Vintage men’s watches. If everything old is new again, nowhere is that more true than in the world of jewelry. From signet rings to military medals, women have discovered that they can put together unique fashion statements using vintage materials. If you enjoy vintage styling, look for classic men’s watches at thrift shops, antique stores, or online auctions houses. Be prepared to invest in some repairs – the watch may need a new crystal or at least a good cleaning. Because they are men’s watches, such selections are going to be a bit larger than women’s boyfriend-style watches. You may need to have the watch band shortened to get the proper fit.
· New women’s watches. For a good investment with the least hassle, buying a new watch may be the best way to go. Available in every price range, from true bargain choices to selections from the world’s finest, most expensive watchmakers -- boyfriend watches are found in a staggering array of styles, colors, and materials. If you are interested in both a more stylish look and a quality timepiece, be a resourceful shopper. For a broad cross-section of styles at reasonable prices, check out a variety of watches made by such manufacturers as Fossil, Betsey Johnson, Coach, or DKNY, and comparison shop for both style and price. Online shopping is a smart and easy choice, because of the large variety of selections and your ability to readily compare prices. In general, you will often be able to find better prices online as well.
For a unique but timeless look, try on a boyfriend watch. If you can’t nab one from your boyfriend, then happy shopping!
