The Apple Watch is as much of a fashion piece as it is a functional smartwatch, and it can be customized to match the wearer's individual style.
There are limits to how users can customize an Apple Watch — the smartwatch has a few colors, sizes and connectivity options — but the watch can be endlessly stylized through bands that compliment the wearer's style. Regardless of what a user is looking for, options are available to match any style. Apple Watch bands can be selected at the time of purchase or bought separately in-store or online. That makes it easy to choose the perfect band, create an individual collection, or make changes as the wearer's style choices grow. Some Apple Watch users will buy one band and stick to it, while others will grab a band for every possible fashion scenario — but all users can find a band that suits them best.
One of the major benefits of an Apple Watch is the ease with which bands can be inserted, removed, and swapped. The smartwatch uses a band standard that has not been overhauled since the first Apple Watch was released, making compatibility excellent with any Apple Watch model. There are two sizes, but these will be listed differently based on when the band was released. For example, bands that are 38mm, 40mm and 41mm will work with any of these sizes of Apple Watches. Similarly, 42mm, 44 mm and 45mm bands will work with those sizes of Apple Watches. Since the watch's shape has changed, there may be some unused space or band protrusions depending on the model, but any Apple Watch band will lock in place with any version of the Apple Watch.
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For users that have a fun and sporty style — or see themselves using their Apple Watch primarily for fitness tracking — a sports band is the way to go. The classic Sport Band is simplistic and available in various colors, so it can be customized to match the wearer's style. A Solo Loop is made from the same material as the Sport Band but slides on the wrist to wear the Apple Watch like a bracelet and retain the sporty aesthetic. The Nike Sport Bands have holes that provide two-toned finishes for peak breathability and eye-catching color combinations. But for an even more unique color combination and fashion statement, sporty users can purchase two Sport Bands and interchange them, resulting in a punchy color mix.
Though sporty Apple Watch bands are great for working out — and can be a fun way to style-match the smartwatch — there are ways to dress up an Apple Watch. The two professional and classy types of Apple Watch bands are metal and leather, each with different matching styles. The leather bands provide the look of a classic watch but also offer color choices outside of gray, black and silver. It's different from a traditional watch, though — Apple's leather bands connect with magnets. The company also offers more traditional bands with the Modern Buckle, a band with a similar look and feel to the leather band but with a metal clasp. For anyone that tends to dress in business casual work wear, the leather bands will fit right in with their style.
Metal bands will match that same business casual look but are a more refined and simplistic choice. It'll fit best with wearers who compliment their style with jewelry, as metal bands can compliment silver and gold accent pieces. For example, the Link Bracelet is a traditional metal watch band available in space gray and silver, while the Milanese Loop is a chainmail-style magnetic loop band. Of course, with any metal band, it's essential to ensure the band does not scratch the watch when it is put on and taken off. From colorful and sporty bands to fancy metal and leather options, there are plenty of ways to grab an Apple Watch band to match the wearer's style.
Brady Snyder is a journalism student at St. John's University specializing in Apple, wearables, and audio. Based in New York City, he reviews consumer technology, software, and services. Brady is well-versed in iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and macOS — but experiments with Android and Windows as needed. He believes that competition between technology companies facilitates progress, and cautions against sticking to one particular brand or device. Instead, Brady tests out any tech product or service he can get his hands on, and aids buyers in making an informed decision about what is best for their needs. He's currently flipping into the future with Samsung's Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G, but the Apple Watch's incredible fitness features might have him coming back to the iPhone in no time. Brady's always searching for the best and most productive workflow with his technology, regardless of the platform he is currently using.