Home Australia Fashion Chunky bangles are back — Here’s where to shop the trend- RUSSH

Australia Fashion

Chunky bangles are back — Here’s where to shop the trend- RUSSH

April 15, 2025

No, you haven’t stepped in time, and yes — those chunky, colourful bangles really are back Gone are the days of dainty chains so delicate you can barely see them save for a glint of sunlight. In 2025, it’s all about statement-making pieces — particularly when it comes to bracelets.

Fashion, as we know, is cyclical, and in a post-minimalist moment, maximalism is poised to make its return. Bold, sculptural, and unapologetically loud, bangles of the chunkiest variety have been catapulted back into fashion, gracing wrists on catwalks and at festivals, and just about everything in between.

We first took notice of the burgeoning trend on Saint Laurent’s Autumn/Winter 24 runway, where the collection’s sandy colour palette was complemented by transparent bangles in similar hues. Fast forward to the Spring Summer 25 shows, and chunky bangles made a confident reappearance. At Balmain, Olivier Rousteing paired oversized gold cuffs with sharp tailoring, bringing a high-gloss, ’80s-esque finish to power dressing. And at Diesel, things took a futuristic turn, via translucent bangles in clear resin and electric neons, worn over mesh sleeves and deconstructed denim.

Off the runway, the revival was inevitable. It didn’t take long for the look to filter down into the wardrobes of A-listers and style influencers, many of whom have clearly grown tired of the barely-there jewellery that defined the early 2020s. Celebs like Dua Lipa and Bella Hadid have been spotted stacking thick bangles in clashing colours and materials — resin, enamel, lucite — proving that more is absolutely more.

A quick scroll through TikTok confirms it: the app is overflowing with outfit inspiration on how to make the retro revival feel fresh. Some are pairing a single bangle with an oversized shirt for a touch of polish; others are layering four at a time for a maximalist punch. The real beauty of the trend? It’s completely adaptable. In cooler months, bangles perfectly cinch in long sleeves while, in warmer weather, they shine best against bare arms and bright colours.

There’s also a sustainability story here. Many contemporary brands are opting for recycled or bio-based resins, which makes these playful pieces feel more relevant than ever. Australian label Dinosaur Designs for example, which has long championed the chunky bangle, hand-crafts their designs from resin sourced from a waste material produced by the oil industry.

And if you’re not quite ready to splurge on designer, vintage is the way to go. The trend’s original heyday in the ’80s and early 2000s means thrift stores and online resale sites are veritable treasure troves for one-of-a-kind finds — from tortoiseshell swirls, to bangles big enough to double as napkin rings (in the best way). Keen to start wearing the trend? Below, our pick of the best and chunkiest bangles to shop in 2025.