Rainbow Looms for grown ups

Now I appreciate that I am so late to the party on these, that the chance of them still being in fashion by the time I've posted this is, perhaps slim. 

However with Brazil being foremost in our minds at the moment (well, unless you're English. Err....), maybe I might not be so off the mark.  

And anyway, sometimes, don't you find it takes something to be around a while before you think - yes actually I like that.  In fact, I love that.  Nope, I need that. 

I'm talking Hipanema bracelets.  Not in fact Rainbow Loom bracelets (unless you have a girl of between 8 and 12 you will have a) no idea what these are and b) a vacuum that still works as you haven't hoovered 250 of the buggers up - believe me, they only slightly rank below Hama beads on levels of downright irritating.  They are little rubber bands that come in packs of 500 - yes, 500, that you fashion into a colourful friendship bracelet)

But back to Hipanemas.  Two of my very good friends have worn these for a year or so and I will admit I didn't love them.  But yet again, I am prepared to chomp humble pie for breakfast, lunch and supper and come clean and say the worm has turned and I now need one.  

I'm putting it down to either excessive alcohol. the sunshine or this talk of all things holiday.  These are perfect for adding colour to neutral outfits.  Ideal if you're not into full on colour but feel the need for a sniff of summer.

Still no idea what I'm talking about?  Here we peeps.  Honestly, I totally get it if you think - err hello, no.  That was me.  But I'm a convert.  I promise you, if you stare at them enough, they grow on you (and yes, The Husband at this point would add - "like mould?". He's a funny man.)

He did also say when I showed him the pics (after "HOW MUCH?!") that he could see these were the equivalent of "smelly rubbers" (the eraser kind I'm assuming he meant) for grown ups.  So many to choose from, different colours, different styles, different adornments.  

Hipanema Bracelet in Fluro Pink from Hush at £49 - this is one of the medium widths from what I can work out (I am not an expert at these it has to be said) 

Obviously I would prefer the more expensive wide one. 

Hipanema Sunset Bracelet £69



Even John Lewis are getting in the on the action.  Love the colours of this one - and actually that's really what it's all about and where the fun is (and yes, #middleclassproblems 101 - which colour Hipanema bracelet do I get?) 

Hipanema Love Multi-layer friendship bracelet in pink £44



Hipanema Fluro Multi layer tassel shell friendship bracelet £53


Extra wide - in for a penny in for a pound (well, 78 of them to be precise - ouch) 

Hipanema Goa Wide multi layered Gold/pink friendship bracelet £78

Other colours at Aspiga (go forth and drool if you're off on a glamorous beach holiday this year.  Oh. My. Lord.  I would be bankrupt) 

Hippie Hipanema Pink Bracelet £60

Byzance Hipanema Bracelet £80



No these aren't cheap.  However, if your husband has subjected you to copious amounts of football - please do remember that it is on for the next 3 or 4 weeks still I believe and as we don't even have England to support any more, show your love for all things Brazilian with one of these. 

There is of course an alternative.  And one would think that there would be a myriad of these on the High Street but I have trawled the jewellery sections of the usual supsects (poor ASOS is down due to a fire at their distribution centre).  Nada.  Zero.  Zilch. 

So I have resorted to something I don't do often (although for furniture and other goodies - hell yes) and that is Ebay.  I have ZERO knowledge of what these are like and they do not come with a recommendation at all, as I haven't seen them and have no idea who the seller is, but they are an absolute fraction of the cost and do claim to be "in the style of" as opposed to a fake.  (I appreciate this is a fine line..... they do look very very similar..... I'm just going on what the listing says and if ebay have left it up and they do get good reviews, I'm going to assume they're ok?!)  These are all from the same seller.

Rondonia Brazilian Style Hipanema Wrap Bracelet £17.80 



 Blue Ocean Brazilian Style Hipanema bracelet £13.99


Itajai Brazilian Style bracelet £17.99

Piaui Brazlian style bracelet £15.99



The only other similar option that I did find was a stacking set of bracelets at New Look.  A different concept as it's not one bracelet but it would give the same sort of look.  I will admit I think I prefer these colours.

Blue and Silver Woven stretch bracelets £6.99 


So here we are with my outfits from the last couple of days. 

This was Thursday.