Rubber Band Bracelets, More than a Fad

Rubber band bracelets have, for the most part, been gaining popularity since the 1970s.  What had started out as a punk fad of rubber o-ring bracelets in the late 1970s has progressed to the silicone wristbands that are popular today.  From charity causes to support for sports teams or organizations, these bands are used to support and memorialize a multitude of sentiments.

Rubber wrist bands originated in the late 1970s as an “antijewelry” statement by punk rockers wearing rubber o-rings to signify the opposite of precious metal jewelry.  In the 1980’s, the rubber bracelet fashion trend continued with “jelly bracelets.”  After a brief fade from fashion in the 1990s, retailers picked up the fashion trend again.  This time the manufacturers opted for the more durable and less painful silicone, as opposed to traditional rubber.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s punk rockers began a movement against high fashion.  They wore torn and frayed denim, ripped t-shirts, and industrial jewelry.  This industrial jewelry was the opposite of traditional jewelry, being made from stainless steel, base metals, plastic and rubber.  These punk rockers began wearing rubber o-rings as bracelets because they were the polar opposite of precious metals.

Later in the 1980s, popular rockers like Cyndi Lauper, Debbie Gibson and Tiffany began wearing thin, flexible plastic bracelets that became known as “jelly bracelets”.  These bracelets were available in almost any color imaginable and were worn in large quantities, similar to what is now referred to as “stacking”.  

In the early 1990’s, the rubber band bracelet fad died out for a brief period.  However, by the late 90’s, they were making a comeback in the form of wide rubber bands.  Manufacturers quickly latched onto this fashion trend and began producing bands made out of pliable silicone.  Companies like Nike began producing them for sports teams and they became a hit.

Since becoming a hit in the fashion world, evolution has taken its course.  Now, these bracelets can be ordered as custom rubber band bracelets.  These custom wristbands can be ordered in almost any color and be made to say almost anything.

Cancer bracelets frequently come in yellow, green, purple, white and pink.  Although pink is generally reserved specifically for breast cancer bracelets.  They are bought by the charity or awareness group to be sold for fundraising and help raise cancer awareness.

Other charity wristbands include red for HIV and AIDS awareness and heart disease prevention, orange for multiple sclerosis and lupus, green for Muscular Dystrophy or the “green” movement, purple for Alzheimer’s and autism awareness, and black for melanoma research.  Blue is the most popular color for charity-based concepts, covering everything from the ecology to diseases.  Regardless of the color, most of these bands are debussed with a word or phrase symbolizing whatever charity the band supports.

Another popular use for these bracelets is to show support for groups or organizations.  Yellow and purple are common, along with multicolored red, white and blue, for showing support for the American Military.  Family members of deployed soldiers wear them with a soldier’s name on them, or a saying like “come home soon” or “I miss you.”  Green bracelets are common for supporting organ donors and white is frequently used to show support for various Christian groups and churches.  It is common in the UK to wear a black band with a white band to display sentiments against racism.  There are also multi-colored bands for showing support for virtually any sports team imaginable.

Rubber band bracelets have endured as a fashion statement for over 20 years.  From their beginning as leftover industrial parts to the now mass-produced silicone bands that are popular today, these bracelets have stood the test of time and evolved to meet the demands of society.  They are a way of belonging to a group, publicly showing support and raising awareness for a cause.  They come in a variety of colors and can be made to say virtually anything.  For a charity, they are an excellent fundraiser, and for society, they are a way for people to support each other from anywhere in the world.