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Jun 04, 2023

Kooky Acrylic Jewelry Is All the Rage Right Now: 15 Gloriously Funky Ways To Ride the Wave

By Michella Oré In menswear’s wild-style era, acrylic jewelry is just the latest off-kilter swerve to receive the proverbial salute emoji. Kooky rings, necklaces, and bracelets—often crafted from a

By Michella Oré

In menswear’s wild-style era, acrylic jewelry is just the latest off-kilter swerve to receive the proverbial salute emoji. Kooky rings, necklaces, and bracelets—often crafted from a mishmash of pearls, plastic, and other materials you probably haven't thought of since you last penciled “arts and crafts” into your planner—are a go-to for zeitgeist-y dressers like Justin Beiber and Lil Nas X, but the sheer array of options available now means decking yourself out like your favorite red carpet whiz kid has never been easier.

That’s not to say it’s time to pawn your gold chains and tuck the away diamonds indefinitely—high-end men’s jewelry is enjoying a gloriously freaky renaissance of its own, but the less precious stuff looks particularly ripe at the moment, especially after so many months of dreary forecasts and perfunctory neutrals.

Not sure where to start? Take a page out of the Harry Styles playbook and look to Miami-based éliou, which has outfitted the popstar in its DIY-inflected DayGlo necklaces for years. Or scoop an extremely chunky ring from the Spaniards at Le Manso, who take inspiration from the type of glam acrylic jewelry popular in the ‘90s. (If budget isn’t a constraint, you could also splash out on a diamond-encrusted pendant from Homer, the Frank Ocean-backed line that puts a fine jewelry spin on the genre.)

Above all else, though, don’t be afraid to get a little weird. The entire charm of multicolored resin or acrylic jewelry is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously; it’s meant to be enjoyed, not locked away in the kind of vault George Clooney would spend the better half of a movie trying to crack. So whether your fits are in dire need of a jolt of spring energy or your eyes could just use some visual stimulation, we assembled 15 pieces of very cool, very now accessories to layer on with abandon all season.

All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Jean Paul Gautier x La Manso square cocktail ring

Farfetch

Reducing plastic waste isn't always the sexiest talking point (feels like time to reevaluate that), but sometimes, those eco-minded efforts can yield a dynamic ring with your digits all over it.

éliou "Chiki" wrap necklace

éliou

A necklace designed to transport you to the far-flung locale of your choice, no matter where you're actually wearing it.

Homer sphere cross pendant XL

Homer

Extremely elevated child's play.

Panconesi hybrid stone ring

Luisaviaroma

Like a ring pop you can wear as an adult without inviting questioning stares from everyone around you.

La Manso "Matcha Mochi" ring

La Manso

Probably won't help you make it through that 8 a.m. Zoom call with any more energy—but will definitely help perk your fit up.

Heaven by Marc Jacobs Macrame Charm Bracelet Set

Marc Jacobs

Remember your angsty teenage years by kicking off your most experimental phase yet.

Notte Jewelry "Flower Lover" dome ring

Notte Jewelry

Separately, flowers or diamonds are guaranteed to win someone over—when you put the two together, the results are expectedly swoon-worthy.

By Sean Manning

By Gerald Ortiz

By Lori Keong

Collina Strada "Spikeez" chain necklace

SSENSE

Keep the party going.

Anna Sui cat ring

Anna Sui

A knobby little ring that pays homage to your favorite feline.

Bonbonwhims "Choose Your Initial" clear lucky ring

Bonbonwhims

The best way to customize your charms is with your initials, of course.

By Sean Manning

By Gerald Ortiz

By Lori Keong

Coach signature heart studs

Nordstrom

Valentine's Day may be long behind us, but you have our permission to wear your heart on your sleeve ear every day of the year.

Sunnei "Fusillo" necklace

SSENSE

As delectable as a bowl of freshly-made pasta, sans the carb overload.

Yves Saint Laurent "High Arty" circle ring

Yves Saint Laurent

This ring is all about the angles—from the top it's pretty standard, but from the side it scales dizzying new heights.

By Sean Manning

By Gerald Ortiz

By Lori Keong

Marni chain-link layered charm bracelet

Farfetch

Kind of like your little sister's charm bracelet, but waaay cooler.

Completedworks single hoop earring

SSENSE

Because when your earring doubles as a jaw-dropping statement piece, you really only need one.

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