Last year we had the summer of peak man bracelet. Everywhere you looked, someone seemed to be dangling half a dozen leather and metal trinkets from each of his hairy forearms. It was a lot. But guys don't need to overcorrect and avoid wrist wear altogether this summer; we just need to think a little bit harder about what we strap on. Here are some simple dos and don'ts.

Do: Embrace Color

Last year was all about the dark woven leather bracelets or metallics. But you're a man, and you're wearing a bracelet. You might as well have fun. A bright orange, lilac, or teal wrist accessory is a good way to get some color into an outfit if you don't want to wear pants that are bright orange, lilac, or teal. There are some good leather options, but for the most saturated colors you'll want to reach for glass beads or woven nylon. Miansai's wovens ($68) are popular, and for good reason: They come in a variety of good-looking styles, offer a few kinds of hardware, and are tough as nails.

Don't: Go Heavy Metal

Forget the studded leather cuff you wore in middle school and that giant turquoise and hammered silver thing you bought in Santa Fe. If you're wearing metal, it should be modern and streamlined, not bulky and nostalgic, and nobody is making sleeker metal bangles than French jeweler Le Gramme. They come in a variety of thicknesses and metals, ranging from a skinny LE 7 ruthenium cuff ($360) to the slightly extravagant LE 33 polished yellow gold cuff ($7,945).

Do: Mix Things Up

Embrace variety. This is the difference between getting compliments on your accessory choices and being just another bro with a party on his wrist and one too many buttons undone on his Thomas Pink "going-out" shirt. Either pick a small number of different styles of bracelets (say, glass beads and a silver band), or go for something like this Bottega Veneta bracelet ($450) that combines colorful braided leather and distressed silver in one piece.

Don't: Restrict Yourself to "Man" Bracelets

Get over it. Man rosé, man perfume, and man bracelets are all just marketing. A great bracelet is a great bracelet, regardless of which department you find it in. This Hermès creation ($300), a simple leather cord held together with an oversize metal hook and eyelet, is a perfect example of what you'll be missing if you stick to the dude section of the store.