Bringing back the beads.

Written by: Rachel Torres

Growing up, we depended on magazines like they were our adulting bible on what to wear, how to look, and what to buy. There were so many different tips on how to dress appropriately for our age — school, events, and entering a job. From the lengths of skirts, and fit of shirts, to accessorizing with jewelry and bags, there was this underlying pressure to have to look a certain way to fit in and look the part.

Things have definitely changed since then. With social media being so fast-paced and everyone making their own statement, we’re encouraged to dress more for ourselves on what makes us feel good. With this refreshing way of thinking, we’re more encouraged to pick pieces that make us feel good and brighten our mood. Thanks to Gen Z and the Y2K trend, we get to tap back into many of the familiar pieces of happy times for our current lifestyle.

One of the things that we’re excited to have back on trend is beaded jewelry. Remember making and exchanging friendship bracelets with your bestie? Let’s bring it back and now for your current pool of friends and workmates! Lessen the pressure of needing age-appropriate accessories — what does that even mean in times like this? Scrap that, and let’s go have some (and wear some) fun.

Having doubts? No fret, here are a few reasons why this trend is totally worth coming back to.

Making It Yours

Beads come in so many shapes, sizes, colors, and forms — just like us. That’s probably why it’s so easy to fall back in love with this type of accessory, there’s something for all of us. This way, you can easily find something to make it fit and suit you and your style.

Beads can be dressed up or down, it really depends on the bead itself and the combination of other beads you pair with it. In the photo, Kyla is strutting her pretty and youthful necklace pattern with beaded letters spelling her name and different types of beads around it: an opaque purple butterfly, a translucent yellow star, and round turquoise and red beads lined up. This makes her necklace so much interesting, attractive, and unique.

Picking what beads to put in can get overwhelming because of endless bead options and combinations. Think of it as a more dynamic charm bracelet or accessory: pick a base you want and add in special shapes with meaning, or colors that matter to you. This is a good way to start, then you can add or make more pieces after! No rhyme or reason is needed.

An Ode To All

We think one of the pivotal reasons beaded jewelry was an immediate hit to so many people was its ode to genderless fashion. Androgyny has been key in Gen Z fashion. Thanks to big names like Harry Styles, Bretman Rock, Machine Gun Kelly, Tyler the Creator, and the like, they have been popularizing the idea of men accessorizing in different ways — skirts, makeup, nail polish, jewelry, etc. It’s about time! Beaded jewelry is the easiest trend to try when finding comfort in this new and more open space.

Since the combination and style of beads are so personal, individuals of different genders, races, and nationalities hopped on and have been spotted wearing the trend. Any of us can effortlessly join in as well, the accessory itself is easy to get our hands on with how affordable and accessible it is, too!

Beaded jewelry is an accessory, but more so a vibe. Depending on your beads, you can totally change up a look’s feel and tone. Just like Jeo in this photo, he’s wearing a knit vest and bucket hat but totally gives off laid-back beach vibes with his shell necklace. Fashion peg, much?

Thoughtfulness and Slow Design

With beaded jewelry, you can feel the thoughtful design process. There is a form of love felt in wearing handmade pieces — the time given in choosing a pattern, working with one bead at a time, as it passes through its string. Just thinking about it sounds therapeutic.

Along with it being slow design, its materiality is something we also have to consider. As we become and continue to be more conscious of what we wear and what we purchase, we looked into the sustainability of beaded jewelry. Relative to traditional jewelry in gold and silver, beaded jewelry is more sustainable and easier to maintain. Also, did we mention they’re super affordable? Yeah, that has to be said twice.

There are more ways to wear and work with beaded accessories other than the usual necklace and bracelet. Just like Ayn in the photo, you can opt for glasses straps, face mask straps, or even a lanyard. Yes, they are back in trend, too.

90’s and 00’s Nostalgia

The most prominent feeling this trend gives us is nostalgia, no doubt. This was the era of chunky jewelry and layers: layers of varying necklaces of unique sizes, shirts, and tank tops layered on each other, and not to forget layered hair most especially. We were rocking colored phones with keypads in different places: on the bottom, on the sides of its screen, etc. Did you have the flip phone or the screen that slides up? Whatever it was, it was bejeweled or on a statement lanyard hanging around your neck.

No flip phone, no problem —taking tips from Sharm, on the photo she shows that phone charms can still be rocked with your touch screen, especially matching with your cute phone case. Patterned, bright, and chunky phone cases have been contradicting the sleek minimalist movement of tech pieces for years, so adding extra pieces to your gadgets should transition smoothly. Level up by adding a phone charm to your daily and handy best friend, or make one for your actual human best friend, whichever works.

Aside from its adorable aesthetic, beaded jewelry transport us back to pleasant memories and we can learn a thing or two from our younger mindset. As kids, we wore what we wanted, and wore what we made. Arts and crafts, and handmade abubuts fueled our imagination and creativity. We can reintroduce fun practices like this back to our lives. They are a great memento for yourself or for the people around you. They’re a great unwinding activity, plus no artistic eye is needed!

Thanks to Gen Z, we’re reminded that we don’t have to succumb to a type of jewelry as we age and that fun, colorful, and sustainable is pretty cool, too. Whether you’re making them yourself or buying ready-made designs online, we’re all for this bright, playful, and nostalgic trend.

Find all kinds of accessories for men and women online on ZALORA Philippines!