three women with friendship bracelets staring into the sunset with their arms in the air

The History of Friendship Bracelets & How They’ve Evolved for Women Today

Friendship bracelets have been around for centuries, but they’ve never gone out of style. Traditionally, they were handmade tokens exchanged between friends and family, often woven with colourful threads to symbolise an unbreakable bond. Over time, these simple tokens of love have grown into something more sophisticated, evolving into elegant jewellery that carries just as much meaning.

Today, friendship bracelets for women are no longer limited to colourful threads and knots. They’ve transformed into timeless pieces that suit every age and style, making them the perfect way to celebrate an important connection. For many, a bracelet for a best friend is not just a gift, it’s a daily reminder of love, loyalty, and laughter shared. It's no secret that we are all about the friendship bracelets at Letterbox Love, and how your kind words about our gifts often bring us to tears.

 

A lady crafting bracelets by hand in traditional dress, the history of friendship bracelets

 

We embrace the tradition and have given it a modern twist. Our designs bring the heartfelt sentiment of best friend bracelets into adulthood, offering something that feels grown-up without losing the warmth of the original gesture. For example, the silver-plated beaded Friendship Bracelet is a simple, meaningful piece that can be worn every day and comes in one of our exclusive gift boxes, while the Friends Like You Bracelet adds a touch of sparkle for someone who brightens your life.

 

A pink background with a Fabulous Friend title and meaningful poem. The bracelet on the card is a silver-plated beaded bracelet with heart and flower charms. A beautiful bracelet for a friend.
A pink background with a bright pink poem card and meaningful statement for a friend. The friendship bracelet is a grey string with cute star charm. Perfect bracelet for a best friend.

For bonds that feel like family, there’s the Sisters by Heart Bracelet or the Like a Sister Bracelet, perfect choices when you want to express that your friendship runs deeper than words. The Sisterhood Silver Infinity Bracelet takes that idea even further, using the infinity symbol to show that your connection is truly endless.

 

 

These pieces reflect how adult friendship bracelets have evolved, they’re still heartfelt, but they’re also stylish enough to wear at work, coffee dates, nights out, or even layered with other jewellery. They carry the same message of support and appreciation, but in a way that feels personal and polished.

Friendship bracelets may be known as handmade keepsakes passed between school friends, but today they’ve become cherished gifts that women of all ages treasure. Whether you’re marking a milestone, sending love across the miles, or simply letting your bestie know how much she means, there’s a piece of jewellery to say it perfectly.

Shop our full best friend bracelet collection here.