(From top) Devdutta sports colourful bangles in wood and acrylic from Green Valley; Designer Shaheen Abbas has a line of wooden bangles with gold or silver floral motifs etched on them; Bangles from Mango are made of wood and have metal strips on them; Wood and acrylic bangles at TJS Designs come in a variety of shapes and colours

Bold is indeed beautiful and you’d better believe it when accessorising. Set aside the dreamy and frail pieces of jewellery that you have accumulated (at least for the moment) and go for something striking and downright in-your-face. In case you haven’t noticed, clunky bangles and chunky neckwear is the way to go this season.

Fashion stylist Anaita Shroff Adjania says: “Audacious jewellery pieces that scream a style statement are in. This translates into wearing loads of thick bangles and complimenting them with a big necklace or a bold pendant. The more dramatic you get, the better.” Adjania, a self-confessed bangle-freak, has an impressive collection of hefty bangles in various shapes and colours.

The colour story for bangles is vibrant and includes loads of sunshine yellows, electric blues and citrus hues and come in wood, acrylic and even crystal and cost between a rock-bottom Rs 50 and Rs 4,000 (for one).

“These bangles tend to look super-stylish and add a fun element to the outfit. They are versatile and can be teamed with anything — from jeans to Indian wear,” says Ruchi Seth, of fashion jewellery store TJS Designs, Mumbai. The wood and acrylic bangles at TJS Designs come in a variety of shapes and colours, with floral motifs and geometric patterns and are sometimes embellished with Swarovski crystals.

There is no dearth of bangles at brands like Promod, Aldo and Mango. Take your pick from wood, acrylic, oxidised metal, camel-bone, cow horn and even metals like copper and brass. Prices range from Rs 100 to Rs 800.

If the brands are a bit too steep for you then check out the bangles at Green Valley, an accessory store in Calcutta’s New Market. “Clunky bangles in wood and metal are popular at the moment,” says owner Aijaz Yusuf Shawl. Prices range from Rs 100 to Rs 350.

Jewellery designers too are playing with these bold accessories in a big way. Shaheen Abbas has designed a line of wooden bangles with pure gold or silver floral motifs etched on them. She has also experimented with shapes and has bangles that are square, triangular and of course round. Silver polished for a textured look, these bangles will set you back by Rs 3,500 apiece.

A gold pendant with white rhodium plating by Rhea Nasta

“For a multi-textured and colourful look mix-and-match bangles made of different materials,” says Abbas. You can also mix chunky bangles with thin ones.

Since it’s time to think big now, turn your attention to weighty pendants in precious and semi-precious stones which look best when they dangle just below the base of the neck.

White is big internationally, so stones like howlite and pearls are perfect for the new look. Transparent is in, so stones like crystal quartz, rhutilated quartz and smoke quartz do well as pendants.

(From top) Gaurav and Ritu Khanna’s pendants are inspired by Mughal designs; Aquamarine and yellow topaz pendants strung in a hansli by designer Mariam Khan; Try Aldo for bangles and pendants crafted from wood; A sterling silver pendant by Eina Ahluwalia

Jewellery designer Mariam Khan has pendants in rose quartz strung on peridot bead necklaces (Rs 15,000) and silver chains strung with floral pendants in amethyst, aquamarine and iolite (Rs 11,000 each). Some more are set with aquamarine and yellow topaz, inspired by a floral motif (Rs 7,500).

Designers Gaurav and Ritu Khanna of Gem Legacy in Delhi have also turned their attention to bold pendants inspired by Mughal designs. The pendants are set with uncut diamonds and strung along with precious and semi-precious stones. Prices are on request.

Jewellery designer Eina Ahluwalia says that big pendants, ethnic motifs and semi-precious stones set together are in great demand. Her range of accessories also offers bangles in sterling silver, some with gold plating, and set with stones. Expect to pay between Rs 4,800 and Rs 55,000.

Ahluwalia says: “A regulation chain is passé unless the pendant demands it. A good way to flaunt a pendant is on a scarf, a thick ribbon or multiple strings.” But whatever way you wear it, bold jewellery must fit your personality, she says.

“This look goes well with kurtis and long skirts and even Indo-Westernwear,” adds Rhea Nasta, head designer, Popley & Sons, Mumbai. Here, the hotsellers are Rhea’s signature pendants designed with uncut diamonds, rubies, emeralds and semi-precious stones. Prices start from Rs 10,000 and can go up to a lakh.

But if you’re wearing large statement pieces, make sure you complete the look with smaller earrings or cocktail rings. “If you’re already drawing attention with bold pendants and bangles, keep other pieces simple,” says Nasta.

So you know what to do now. If big is your style — it’s time to go flaunt it.  

(Additional reporting by Promita Mukherjee)