Why Should I Use A Tennis Bracelet?

The term tennis bracelet is sometimes considered a misnomer, since a bracelet is not required to actually play the game. While the dress code for tennis is left to the jurisdiction of the individual clubs, wearing jewelry while playing any sport is unwise. Still, tennis bracelets are a common piece of a jewelry and one that, while first named in 1987, has a history much longer than that. Tennis bracelets are most often worn off the court.

History

The tennis bracelet was nothing more than a pretty, symmetrical bracelet until Chris Evert wore one while on the court during the 1987 U.S. Open. During game play, the tennis bracelet she sported broke, and the match was halted to give her time to collect the bracelet and diamonds from the court. The name "tennis bracelet" was coined, beginning a trend in jewelry and making tennis bracelets a hot-selling item. Today, tennis bracelets are still sold in jewelry stores under that name.

Identification

Evert's tennis bracelet was a Harry Winston, but a bracelet needn't be made by that jewelry great to be considered a tennis bracelet. A tennis bracelet refers to any bracelet that has a thin strand of symmetrically placed diamonds or gemstones. Modern tennis bracelets are often made with different patterns and gemstones, but a traditional tennis bracelet is one made from a thin line of diamonds. The price of a tennis bracelet varies depending on the gemstones, manufacturer and weight.

Function

Tennis bracelets are not often worn on the court, but if you chose to wear one there, it would have no effect on your game unless you found it distracting. However, wearing jewelry while playing sports could result in injury and is generally discouraged, whether you're playing tennis or any other sport.

Instead, tennis bracelets can be paired with any number of off-court fashions, from elegant formal wear to simple and casual day wear. Tennis bracelets are sometimes seen as a status symbol, as they can represent a very pricey jewelry investment.

Trends

Mainstream tennis has spurred a number of fashion trends, from Maria Sharapova's characteristic drop earrings and Serena Williams' fashion-forward tennis dresses. Williams herself has designed a line of tennis bracelets that are a departure from the more demure pieces of the past. Her bracelets are thicker and more noticeable and are sold on television shopping networks. Still, traditional tennis bracelets are a timeless piece of jewelry that can be passed down from generation to generation.