Wristy Business: why stacking is the new gold standard in men’s jewellery

A watch, a wedding band, perhaps a signet ring. For years, men's jewellery was stuck in a limited offering of restraint. But over recent years, not only have the rules of men’s jewellery been rewritten – they have all but disappeared, making room for new forms of expression.

This shift is reflected in the numbers showing men’s jewellery as one of the fastest growing categories: according to The State of Fashion 2026 report by McKinsey & Company and The Business of Fashion, 35 percent of men say they have bought more jewellery for themselves than two or three years ago, and men's jewellery is expected to keep growing at a rate of seven to eight percent annually, until 2028 – a figure even more impressive when compared to the predicted growth of women’s jewellery, landing at four to five percent.

The origins of this shift can be attributed, in large part, to the impact of Copenhagen-based Shamballa Jewels, who launched themselves into the world of fine jewellery with their unique offering in 2005.

As one of the first companies to craft fine jewellery imbued with a masculine feel and with precious jewels, their exclusive pieces merging Eastern Philosophies with principles founded in Nordic design led the revolution for how men wear jewellery. From Karl Lagerfeld adorning himself with Shamballa Jewels necklaces in his unique fashion, to the likes of British racing driver Lewis Hamilton, NBA superstar Michael Jordan, and even the late Ozzy Osbourne proudly donning their Shamballa jewellery, each has played a part in seeing the wall of men’s stifled jewellery expression come crumbling down. As an ultimate seal of approval, Denmark's King, Frederik X, is not only a collector, but wore a piece from his personal Shamballa Jewels collection at his accession to the throne in 2024.

Now, men are embracing wearing jewellery with ease, and adapting their jewellery wardrobes and personal stylistic preferences just as they would with a preferred watch, or a set of trainers. The shift not only encompasses wearing jewellery, but emphasises how to wear it, appreciating jewellery's capacity to be a personal form of expression. And nowhere is this more apparent than on men’s wrists, once the site of a lonely watchstrap.

From Bro-celet to Major Player

As an item of jewellery, the bracelet was, for a long time, second to the watch in dominance of the wrist. Though it has seen a presence in many varied formats – from plain leather wristbands and streetstyle ropes, to using music festival straps as adornment, and via the coining of the term “bro-celet” in the 2010s – the bracelet has now shifted from casual accessory to object of fine jewellery. Tastemakers across culture, politics and sport have all played a part in shaping this, as has the dismantling of gender-strict ideas around fashion or jewellery. Shamballa Jewels, however, can be credited with turning this sometime habit into a phenomenon: with its signature braided styles, and its fine jewellery constructions with precious stones and metals, Shamballa Jewels has naturally led the way in the realm of men’s bracelets.

As Mikkel Kornerup, co-founder and CEO of Shamballa Jewels, says, "For me, a bracelet is more than just a piece of jewellery, it is a memory I carry with me, becoming part of my personal story over time. So stacking, to me, is a collection of memories. When bracelets are worn together, they also enhance one another and create a more personal and interesting expression than they do on their own".

The Gold Standard

In tandem with men growing more comfortable with wearing more jewellery, gold is having its moment in the sun – and on the wrist. While silver and platinum still have a cool edge, choices are leaning toward golden territory, and just as the precious material is being shepherded into everyday wear, precious jewels have also made their way into more daily stylistic choices.

Taking this appetite for precious jewellery among men one step further is the art of stacking. Whereas a ring or necklace stack might be overtly statement-worthy on its own, a bracelet is a more subtle stacking starting point, as it can very often take its place, without loud announcement, alongside the most common of men’s jewellery components: the watch. From there, stacking becomes a form of assembling personally composed layers, as maximalist or minimalist as the wearer might want.

For Shamballa Jewels, however, what could be perceived as a trend is actually a way of life, a form of selective collecting imbued with meaning, rather than a styling technique. Which is precisely why it has so much potential to evolve – with men’s jewellery, certainly, but, most importantly, with the wearer – a point which lies at the heart of Shamballa Jewels’ design ethos.

As Shamballa Jewels' co-founder and Creative Director, Mads Kornerup, confirms, "We see clients returning, over and over, to update their bracelets with us, to reflect the changes taking place in their lives. Whether to celebrate something, or to mark an important milestone or event, we are honoured to be part of so many of our customers’ personal journeys, and to literally get to accompany them so closely in their lives.”

A Personal Practice

That may be why stacking is having such a moment. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of stacking is that it is entirely, by its very design, an extension of its wearer. The choice of what bracelets to stack, in which order, mixing old and new, textures and materials, is an entirely singular and individual endeavour.

Without demanding a complete overhaul of outfit or style, stacking makes space for the subtle art of adding items that feel singularly connected to the wearer, which then extends to the practice of building a personal collection over time. Stacking, essentially, only asks that you do what feels natural for you. And what can be more stylish than that? From making bold statements with loads piled up, to having a few, delicate pieces merely peek out from under a sleeve, stacking has moved firmly away from any street-style-phenomenon vibes. One thing is certain: bracelet stacking is firmly settled in the world of luxury jewellery – the wrist is up to you.