*Help* VCA for men from a complete newb

[AnneS55]

I'm looking to start my own modest collection of VCA and I'm thrilled to find this site, so informative and inspirational I was up half the night reading... I have a feeling I'll be here a lot.

So for my first question: My brother is marrying his long-time partner this spring and I want to get him something special. He's an elegant guy and he loves jewelry so VCA, in my mind, will make a perfect gift. I'm thinking something like a Perlee bangle, either Signature or Perles d'Or. I am concerned about the sizing though, as he's not a small man (over 6ft and a strong frame). Am I going to have problems with fitment? Or am I better off going with a 5 motif VA, maybe in onyx - will that be more generous with the size? From the photos I've viewed on here, the 5 motifs look to have a lot of room but I'm seeing them on ladies with small wrists. Help! Or any other VCA suggestions for my bro? (Not cuff links please, he has a lot of those).

Second question, I live in the UK and and far away from a VCA boutique so I have to order online. Is this a fairly easy process? Waiting times?

 

[jimmie staton]

I'm looking to start my own modest collection of VCA and I'm thrilled to find this site, so informative and inspirational I was up half the night reading... I have a feeling I'll be here a lot.

So for my first question: My brother is marrying his long-time partner this spring and I want to get him something special. He's an elegant guy and he loves jewelry so VCA, in my mind, will make a perfect gift. I'm thinking something like a Perlee bangle, either Signature or Perles d'Or. I am concerned about the sizing though, as he's not a small man (over 6ft and a strong frame). Am I going to have problems with fitment? Or am I better off going with a 5 motif VA, maybe in onyx - will that be more generous with the size? From the photos I've viewed on here, the 5 motifs look to have a lot of room but I'm seeing them on ladies with small wrists. Help! Or any other VCA suggestions for my bro? (Not cuff links please, he has a lot of those).

Second question, I live in the UK and and far away from a VCA boutique so I have to order online. Is this a fairly easy process? Waiting times?

Hello AnneS55, I am a man that wears VCA. I think you should measure his wrist with a fabric tape measurer first. Then call VCA customer service to see if the VCA Perlee Signature and or VCA Diamond Perlee bracelet or the VCA Vintage 5 motif in his size. Then you have to figure out if he is a Yellow Gold or White Gold fan, diamonds or no diamond, then figure if he would prefer the link bracelet vs a bangle bracelet. I have the VCA Magic Bracelet... because I'm that dude ! lol. Go to my post and see the pictures and see for yourself.
Let us know what you decide.
"J!m"

 

[AnneS55]

Hello AnneS55, I am a man that wears VCA. I think you should measure his wrist with a fabric tape measurer first. Then call VCA customer service to see if the VCA Perlee Signature and or VCA Diamond Perlee bracelet or the VCA Vintage 5 motif in his size. Then you have to figure out if he is a Yellow Gold or White Gold fan, diamonds or no diamond, then figure if he would prefer the link bracelet vs a bangle bracelet. I have the VCA Magic Bracelet... because I'm that dude ! lol. Go to my post and see the pictures and see for yourself.
Let us know what you decide.
"J!m"

Thanks Jim!! That bracelet looks great, out of interest what size is your wrist? I messaged my bro-in-law to be (as I want it to be a surprise) and he said 20 cms. Eek that seems large. According to the VCA UK website the bangles only go up to 18 cms, and the 5 motif Magic is 19 cms. Would you say your Magic is quite generously sized and definitely 19 cms end to end, or do they allow a little leeway?

 

[jimmie staton]

Thanks Jim!! That bracelet looks great, out of interest what size is your wrist? I messaged my bro-in-law to be (as I want it to be a surprise) and he said 20 cms. Eek that seems large. According to the VCA UK website the bangles only go up to 18 cms, and the 5 motif Magic is 19 cms. Would you say your Magic is quite generously sized and definitely 19 cms end to end, or do they allow a little leeway?

Hello AnneS55, my wrists are about 6 1/4 inches, so my bracelet is generous, but doesn't look big... Thank GOD, because I wanted it to work for me since it is meant to be a Women's bracelet and I wear it on my watch hand with other luxury bracelets and luxury watch. I don't know if you saw how it fits me from the pictures in my post... including VCA necklaces. If you get either bracelet, It should have room to slide up and down, plus you need to be able to put in on without struggles. VCA can add links and extra clovers for a fee, but I'm not sure how many they would do without ruining the integrity of the piece. I know that this is an in house service, not sure if online would accommodate, but it's worth a look into. Maybe you can reach out to my SA in NYC/Fifth Ave... his name is Yvan... he's the very best. Great Luck !
"J!m"

 

[AnneS55]

Hello AnneS55, my wrists are about 6 1/4 inches, so my bracelet is generous, but doesn't look big... Thank GOD, because I wanted it to work for me since it is meant to be a Women's bracelet and I wear it on my watch hand with other luxury bracelets and luxury watch. I don't know if you saw how it fits me from the pictures in my post... including VCA necklaces. If you get either bracelet, It should have room to slide up and down, plus you need to be able to put in on without struggles. VCA can add links and extra clovers for a fee, but I'm not sure how many they would do without ruining the integrity of the piece. I know that this is an in house service, not sure if online would accommodate, but it's worth a look into. Maybe you can reach out to my SA in NYC/Fifth Ave... his name is Yvan... he's the very best. Great Luck !
"J!m"

Thanks Jim, I did what you suggested and contacted customer services and they told me that they could provide a 3 cm extension to the 5-motif which will be perfect. However, it does mean bangles are out of the question as the largest size is 18 cms, damn.

So, I'm thinking of the VA 5-motif in YG and tiger eye. I need a man's opinion... would you wear?

 

[jimmie staton]

Thanks Jim, I did what you suggested and contacted customer services and they told me that they could provide a 3 cm extension to the 5-motif which will be perfect. However, it does mean bangles are out of the question as the largest size is 18 cms, damn.

So, I'm thinking of the VA 5-motif in YG and tiger eye. I need a man's opinion... would you wear?

Awesome AnneS55, Darn about the bangles... but great news about the 5 motif. Is 3 cm enough to make the bracelet fit ? It should have movement, if not, he will get impressions and indentations on his skin. Make sure that with extension that it looks right, because with the extension there will be a space on the links that won't have a clover. It should look uniform with the extender and not look jerrymandered (arranged fraudulently). It will spin around his wrist and when the clasp show, and it always will (with the extender there will be two extra clasps and two extra loops and a clover less link section.) It will always land with the extender showing on the outside of the wrist and that could be unflattering, especially since you are paying for the clovers to always show and show evenly. He would always have to explain why his VCA bracelet looks like that, (we don't want people to think that he is wearing a fake VCA for the price you are about to spend). If they can add a clover in the middle of the links so that it will look uniform, helps a lot... especially if he won't mind the extra clasps... it could be a nightmare when taking it off, because you have to remember when the bracelet clasps ends and the extender clasps begin, and loop and clasp connection for puttin on. Is he a Tiger Eye fan ? That is a very specific color stone. Have you thought about Black Onyx, Red Carnelian? I personally don't favor Tiger Eye, but I love how it looks on others, but not a fan on me. Hint and ask him if he likes the Tiger Eye stone.
"J!m"

 

[AnneS55]

Awesome AnneS55, Darn about the bangles... but great news about the 5 motif. Is 3 cm enough to make the bracelet fit ? It should have movement, if not, he will get impressions and indentations on his skin. Make sure that with extension that it looks right, because with the extension there will be a space on the links that won't have a clover. It should look uniform with the extender and not look jerrymandered (arranged fraudulently). It will spin around his wrist and when the clasp show, and it always will (with the extender there will be two extra clasps and two extra loops and a clover less link section.) It will always land with the extender showing on the outside of the wrist and that could be unflattering, especially since you are paying for the clovers to always show and show evenly. He would always have to explain why his VCA bracelet looks like that, (we don't want people to think that he is wearing a fake VCA for the price you are about to spend). If they can add a clover in the middle of the links so that it will look uniform, helps a lot... especially if he won't mind the extra clasps... it could be a nightmare when taking it off, because you have to remember when the bracelet clasps ends and the extender clasps begin, and loop and clasp connection for puttin on. Is he a Tiger Eye fan ? That is a very specific color stone. Have you thought about Black Onyx, Red Carnelian? I personally don't favor Tiger Eye, but I love how it looks on others, but not a fan on me. Hint and ask him if he likes the Tiger Eye stone.
"J!m"

You bring up some important points that I hadn't considered, Jim. I am going to have to think about this. 3 cms will be more than enough to make the bracelet fit (he really only needs 1 extra cm) but I see your point about the unevenness. The customer services person I spoke to verified that VCA could supply the extension and stated it would be 3 cms. I take that to mean that they've supplied these extensions before... would they suggest the extension if it greatly detracted that much from the piece? The only other solution is to give it to my brother as original... and as he lives in London and therefore not that far from a VCA boutique, he can go in and make any alterations (if needed) to suit him. I understand you have 6 weeks from purchase in which to do this free of charge. What a shame VCA don't offer a few items of jewellery for men, or at least the option of some men's sizes in some of their less feminine creations.

I'm going to ask his partner about the choice of stones, you may be right and onyx could be the way to go, as it will match most things. Thank you so much for your replies, you've been a great help!

 

[jimmie staton]

You bring up some important points that I hadn't considered, Jim. I am going to have to think about this. 3 cms will be more than enough to make the bracelet fit (he really only needs 1 extra cm) but I see your point about the unevenness. The customer services person I spoke to verified that VCA could supply the extension and stated it would be 3 cms. I take that to mean that they've supplied these extensions before... would they suggest the extension if it greatly detracted that much from the piece? The only other solution is to give it to my brother as original... and as he lives in London and therefore not that far from a VCA boutique, he can go in and make any alterations (if needed) to suit him. I understand you have 6 weeks from purchase in which to do this free of charge. What a shame VCA don't offer a few items of jewellery for men, or at least the option of some men's sizes in some of their less feminine creations.

I'm going to ask his partner about the choice of stones, you may be right and onyx could be the way to go, as it will match most things. Thank you so much for your replies, you've been a great help!

Great and awesome ! I believe it will all work out one way or the other. If he takes a picture of his wrist with it on, please post on the Purseforum. Glad to be of service.
"J!m"

 

[DS2006]

I don't mean to be negative, but honestly, I am not sure I'd love the dainty vintage Alhambra bracelet on a man with an almost 8 inch wrist.

Have you considered Cartier bracelets? They sell several styles for men and women so should have larger sizes. (I see some of the bangles go up to 20 cm, so not sure if those would work. But the Love bracelet goes up to 21mm.)

https://www.cartier.com/en-us/colle...lets/b6021300-santos-de-cartier-bracelet.html

https://www.cartier.com/en-us/colle...ated-gift-for-him/b6035517-love-bracelet.html

https://www.cartier.com/en-us/colle...ve/love-bracelets/b6032417-love-bracelet.html

https://www.cartier.com/en-us/colle...-for-him/b6048217-juste-un-clou-bracelet.html

https://www.cartier.com/en-us/colle...r-him/b6063817-ecrou-de-cartier-bracelet.html

 

[periogirl28]

Was about to suggest Cartier actually.

 

[gagabag]

I think men have variable levels of tolerance to jewelry designs. I always associate VCA alhambra to being dainty and feminine. The men in my life (DH, dad, BIL) will not be keen, but if your brother is drawn to wearing these, then I’m sure he’d enjoy it!

 

[Stardust Andromeda]

I had the lapis bracelet extended to the max allowed and the links are evenly spaced. No issue of uneven links needing an extra motif.

 

[AnneS55]

I had the lapis bracelet extended to the max allowed and the links are evenly spaced. No issue of uneven links needing an extra motif.

Thanks for that picture... very helpful and what a beautiful bracelet.