What is a bolo bracelet or necklace?

Men's Bolo Tie

In the last few years, you may have heard the term bolo in relation to a bracelet or necklace.  You may wonder how "be on the look out" team applies to jewelry?  Or you may be disappointed to find your favorite online store did not misspelled BOGO "buy 1 get 1."   So what does the term bolo refer to when speaking about jewelry?

The term bolo became popular for an ornamental men's tie, typically made for western wear, southwestern-style, or native American jewelry.  Basically the bolo necktie was a corded, twisted or braided piece of leather with a jeweled item that slide up-and-down on the cord.  The ornamental slide allowed the man to put it on over his head, lay under his collar, and then adjust slide to where he wanted it to sit in the front of his shirt.  These type of ties were popular in the 1950's through 1980's in the United States.  Just as it was falling out of favor in America, a version of these ties  became popular in other countries as well.  Other names for this type of men's tie ornamentation is bola, bootlace, cowboy, gaucho, lariat, shoestring, or  western.

Now you are thinking, ok that's interesting history.  What has it got to do with women's jewelry?  The  bolo, also known as a lariat or slide/slider necklace, was adapted for women by putting the ornamental slide part on a matching chain necklace.  The slide portion became a replacement for a pendant worn in the front of an outfit.  These necklaces were typically fashion wear instead of fine jewelry.  These were popular sometime after 1960 but gone by the 1980s as the slide often broke off or became  so loose it would not stay in place.  Ok, so why is the bolo for women in fashion again?

Women;s Bolo Bracelet

Recently, the idea of the bolo slide has been adapted to making adjustable bracelets and necklaces using a silicon-based material inside of a bead.  The bead slides up-and-down over 2-sections of chain to make the bracelet from large-to-small or make a necklace longer-to-shorter.  Necklace beads can be extenders at the back of a necklace or used as the decorative portion of a Y-necklace in the front.  This bolo jewelry may be found from fashion bracelets to fine gem necklaces - in faux-metals, steel, silver, and  gold. Supposedly, the silicon never wears out so the worry of bracelet being too big or necklace too long will no longer an issue.  Only time will tell on that though.

Want another fashion tip on the bolo tie?  Women are also using vintage men's bolo ties as BOHO fashion and for layering with turquoise for a new southwest style.  That look is really cool.  Makes me wish I had held onto one of my Dad's old ties!