nautical – Shine & Starfire

This particular post was one that I was going to post later on… but upon close inspection and recent findings, I thought why not now.

I first heard about Miansai through popular fashion blogger Chriselle Lim of thechrisellefactor.com. I was introduced not via her blog but through instagram on her 2014 Christmas Giveaway post. Needless to say, I entered and didn’t win but it was to win a pair of rose gold colored cuffs (yes I enter all these contests because I’m a sucker for jewelry). I’m not particularly a fan of their ever popular Screw cuff bracelet (see below) because the design honestly reminds me of a pair of shackles.

Please see the following images and continue to read:

Do these designs look familiar to you? Hint: Nautical themed, nuts and bolts, nautical cord? Hello James Barts anyone? Tell me they do not look alike! Okay, okay some of you might be saying the nautical theme is free for all and I get it. But at the same time, personally I like to find unique designs and credit/ buy them from the masterminds. I hop on to their website and click on their ‘About Me’ section- all I find is a generic description of Miansai being made in America and a store in NY, nothing about when it was established and by who. (Later findings found this Q&A on racked.com)

My only question is, who had the idea first. I have yet to receive my James Barts bracelet in the mail but looking at pictures, I’d say Swedish quality looks better… (or do they just have better packaging?) ~~Would it be too bold to say Miansai copied James Barts?~~ Suffice to say, there are some very clear similarities in these designs and in my opinion James Barts takes the cake.
Pricing on Miansai’s bracelets are also a little on the pricey side $55+ USD. Options include rose gold plated, gold plated, silver plated, sterling silver, and full 14k gold (alongside various colored cords and leathers).

I am most definitely not a fan of the ‘D’ shape that are Miansai’s most famous screw cuff bracelets. In addition, their leather and cords look a little thin. There only one design I truly adore but it does not help that my expensive eyes dart immediately towards the $2.5k solid rose gold fish hook cuff bracelet.

Playing on Repeat:
Cheap Thrills
By: Sia

I have a thing for bracelets. Not so much for rings or necklaces but most definitely bracelets. You know those string bracelets? The ones when you were younger and braided and knotted with all the pretty colors and wore religiously on your wrists? Thats right, they were called friendship bracelets. Well James Barts kind of reminds me of them, with a nautical spin of course.

Side bar- I recently discovered this Swedish brand while looking for alternative right wrist accessories. I cut my gorgeous locks for an angled bob and what usually keeps my right wrist bare is no longer needed (the infamous black/ colored scrunchie!)
Anyways, back to the topic at hand. James Barts creates bracelets made of real nautical rope- is that even what you call them?– handmade from the best quality direct from Stockholm! (Who doesn’t love handmade items?)

Needless to say, I recently ordered a bracelet. They have several designs (not including all sorts of different colored cords) including the Octavia, Octavia Half Cuff, Deckhander collections. My favorite by far is the Octavia collection where simple nautical rope meets refined metals. The creators have taken there designs and have elevated them a step further by creating the octavia half cuff further extending its sleekness.

On cost: their inventory is vast and the cost is reasonable in my opinion. Their website is extremely user friendly including many language options. For any out of EU buyer, you will be happy to see that the actual cost on website is not what you pay for. I ordered one bracelet for $45 and was ultimately charged $36 (they took off 20% for EU Vat Tax!).

Word has it, they have a new watch collection coming out soon. I believe it will be close in design to the recently popular Daniel Wellington watches, but we shall see….