There is something timeless about the gentle chime of wearing stacks of bangles. A sound that shimmers like sunlight on water — soft, resonant, alive.
Some of the earliest examples of bangles date back more than 5,000 years, to the Indus Valley Civilisation (now part of modern-day Pakistan and India). Archaeologists have found bangles made from shell, stone, copper — and eventually glowing in gold. As time went on, their design only became more intricate and ornate, but even some of the oldest examples of bangles are stunning in their craftsmanship.
In ancient India, gold bangles were (and still are) loaded with symbolism: prosperity, protection, marriage, womanhood, tradition. They're given at weddings, passed from mothers to daughters, worn in stacks that clink softly with each step.
Egyptian queens wore thick gold cuffs and bangles to show status and connect themselves to the divine. Roman women and soldiers alike wore them too — some as fashion, some maybe for luck. In many African cultures, bangles (in gold, bronze, or brass) were stacked up the arms, a symbol of beauty, community, and wealth. Across the world, across centuries, the shapes have varied from the simplicity of a perfectly round loop to wide open ended cuffs heavily embellished with precious stones and metals.
As fashion evolved, so did the bangle. Art Deco designers gave them geometric edges. Hollywood in the ‘50s and ‘60s gave them glamour — think Sophia Loren or Elizabeth Taylor in stacks of gold on sun-kissed arms. In the ‘70s, bangles became more bohemian and free-spirited. In the ‘90s, minimalist.
We have seen them on some of the most stylish women including fashion favs Leandra Medine, Giovanna Engelbert and icons from the past including Frida Kahlo and Iris Apfel. Used as a reflection of personal style we love seeing them stacked with meaning, pieces found on travels, heirlooms passed down and cute high street finds.
They've been seen on the red carpet like on Dru Barrymore, but just as at home at brunch, a wedding, or a work meeting. Some women wear one. Some wear twenty. Some wear them every day, others only on special occasions.
They’re the kind of piece that never really goes out of style — but the way we wear them changes. They’ve been status symbols, spiritual armour, and style statements. And sometimes all three at once.
So the next time you slip on a gold bangle, know that you’re part of a long line. From ancient temples to modern runways, they’ve adorned queens, rebels, mothers, makers, artists, and everyday icons. Bangles don’t just decorate the wrist — they tell a story. One that started thousands of years ago, and endures.
Marika, Founder - Lanamara xx