How the Fine Jewelry World Does “Cuffing Season”

By Annie Davidson Watson | August 31, 2023

Ah, cuffing season. A colloquial term that has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among millennials, to refer to the time during the fall and winter months when people tend to seek out and establish romantic relationships after, perhaps, one too many summer flings. As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter and shorter, many find themselves longing for companionship and stability. This often leads to an uptick in dating and relationship activity, with people “cuffing” themselves to a partner for the season.

This year, “cuffing season” is a term that also applies to the world of fine jewelry: Cuff bracelets are a major fall/winter trend. Interestingly enough, it appears that cuffs in high fashion indicate the opposite of the cultural phenomenon of “cuffing season”—they’re all about individuality and self-empowerment.

Shown on the runways of fashion houses including Saint Laurent, Alaïa, and Jonathan Simkhai, cuffs looked less gladiator and more Egyptian royalty. Designers are experimenting with different shapes, forms, and scales, making the style feel fresh and modern. Stacked, oversize, or worn on the upper arm, cuffs are more personal than ever before.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite cuffs currently on the market—from organic shapes that can be worn any which way to substantial solid metals that make a statement on the wrist. This is one cuffing season we can get behind!