Rubber Band Bracelets: Be In the Loop

Those colorful loops of rubber should be quite familiar to you by now. Yes, we are talking about rubber band bracelets. They have become ubiquitous in the last couple of years. You can see them on the wrists of Tsunami aid workers, citizens campaigning for a cause, and even the on wrists of school children.

The rubber band bracelets have become the most-preferred and the most inexpensive way to show your support for a cause, or to donate to charity, or to raise awareness about an issue or a disease. You can see them used for extremely different purposes, such as to proclaim one's religious affiliation, or as a fashion statement! The rubber band bracelet is the modern way of wearing your heart on your sleeve, er wrist!

What are rubber band bracelets? They are simply loops of solid rubber, worn on the wrist by stretching and sliding them over the palm of one's hands. They come in any color imaginable -- yellow, orange, blue, green, black, pink... Some are translucent, others glow in the dark... And they are worn in support of many a message or cause -- they are as versatile as they are stretchable! Not all rubber band bracelets are rubber, though. Some of them are made of silicone.

You can have any message stamped over the rubber band bracelets, or designs crafted on them. In fact, some of the latest rubber band bracelets sport more than one message! Rubber band bracelets usually sell for $1-5 a piece, and can be ordered online from many Web sites, in multiples of five hundred, or smaller packs of a dozen or more. The manufacturers often give discounts for the larger orders.

The most famous of the rubber band bracelets is the yellow 'Livestrong' wristband worn by cycling champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. The pink ones are worn to show support to breast cancer patients. SHeDAISY's 'Come Home Soon' yellow rubber band bracelets (named for the group's Top 15 single) with the words 'Come Home Soon' stamped on them are highly popular among relatives of American servicemen.

The rubber band bracelet is a very useful and inexpensive tool for crowd control: it is used as a cheap identifying device in restricted access events attended by large numbers of people, such as music concerts. The rubber band bracelets are also issued by hospitals to their patients as identifying devices with some basic medical information stamped on them.

So what makes these rubber band bracelets so popular? Sociologists say people have always used amulets in times of trouble. Now we are just using them in a more positive way. Yes, rubber band bracelets are more than simple loops of rubber; they represent the human urge to fight and survive great odds.

Shannan Barrett is an avid reader and market researcher. She dedicates much of her free time helping the underprivileged and finds the charitable aspect of the 'bracelet craze' amazing, especially with Lance Armstrong's 'Live Strong' foundation. Barrett analyzes what makes most people sport rubber band bracelets and comes up with some interesting findings on what makes them so popular. Know more about rubber band bracelets at http://www.a1-awareness-brace lets.com/rubber-band-bracelet.html

NY Fashion Week campaigns for style, Lohan shows support
Reuters UK, UK - 20 hours ago
4 US presidential election draws near, New York’s Fashion Week has launched its own campaign — for style. The entrance to the tents at Bryant Park in ...
Video: Lindsay, Samantha Cause Fashion Week Frenzy AssociatedPress
Ronson brings club-kid style to the runway WRAL.com
London calling at New York Fashion Week International Herald Tribune
The Canadian Pressall 527 news articles

Telegraph.co.uk
Potential US first ladies draw fashion buzz
Reuters - 5 hours ago
The consensus at New York Fashion Week is that both potential first ladies have style but most designers in the traditionally Democratic-leaning industry ...
Video: McCain: Change Is Coming CBS
all 2,570 news articles

Telegraph.co.uk
CNew York Fashion Week: M&S meets Sex and the City
Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom - 4 hours ago
As an eclectic New York fashion pack, including four drag queens in gigantic Dusty Springfield-style wigs, whooped and hollered, iconic dresses and ...

Sarah Palin's style: the issue at hand
Los Angeles Times, CA - 11 hours ago
Until time reveals more of the Alaska governor's substance, we can't help but study the Republican VP nominee's style. By Booth Moore, Times Fashion Critic ...

LACMA relaunches 1973's 'LA Flash,' a photo exhibition of street style
Los Angeles Times, CA - 11 hours ago
6 and taking images of those who attend for a new street-style blog. In a 21st century twist, museum visitors will be digitally photographed for a fashion ...

Sense of Style
Malaysia Star, Malaysia - 18 hours ago
Check seasonal trends online at fashion sites like style.com. As for the post-baby body, it will take some time for you to regain your pre-baby shape, ...

The Associated Press
London calling at New York Fashion Week
The Associated Press - 10 hours ago
One black dress with all-over ruching actually looked more like a retro-style bathing suit. Still, some of the emerging spring trends were represented, ...

Washington Post
First Ladies and the Fabric of the Nation
Washington Post, United States - Sep 6, 2008
... it was the suggestion that she would carry on the Laura Bush tradition of reassuring, fully vetted style. If fashion is politics -- and these days, ...
Cindy McCain sets tone for GOP fashion The Associated Press
Sarah Palin: Politics of fashion Los Angeles Times
Cindy McCain's costly duds and 'hot' VP candidate Sarah Palin MLive.com
all 240 news articles

My Style: Hannah Marshall
Independent, UK - 19 hours ago
When I was studying fashion, I worked in a shop that sold to the women I aspired to dress – black always sold. JS: Very pragmatic. ...

Who is your style hero?
Manchester Evening News, UK - 2 hours ago
And now Manchester In Fashion - our answer to London Fashion Week - wants to celebrate them by launching a Style Hero award in the city. ...

Wind Chimes and more...

Windchimes for great gifts!

Shopping Tips and Tricks to Finding the Perfect Pair of Shoes