Small wrists aren’t all bad, but here’s how to deal with them if they make you feel insecure.
Having a small wrist is no real problem per se, but the size of many watches on the market is! And anyway, people with small-sized wrists shouldn’t feel shame or that they’re unusual. After all, the average wrist size is 7-7.5 inches. So, looking at our watch size guide, you’ll see that a case size of around 37-38mm is ideal. Up until recently, finding watches this size and below has been problematic. The truth is, not that many options were available!
The good news, however, is that smaller case sizes are returning. So, if you’re looking for small watches, now is as good a time as any to begin your search. Nevertheless, if you have small wrists that make you feel conscious, there are measures you can take. We’re rounding up five ways to avoid watches feeling clunky and overbearing, no matter what style you choose.
Table of Contents
Why Are My Wrists So Small?
As disappointing as it is, small wrists are small wrists. You either have them or you don’t. Just because someone has large wrists, it doesn’t make them fit and healthy. In that same vein, small wrists are not a sign of weakness. Ever find yourself thinking, “Why are my wrists so small?”. Don’t worry, you’re not on your own. Skinny wrists can make a person feel insecure, but there’s nothing to be ashamed of. If you have them, it’s probably a genetically inherited feature. Chances are, your grandparents had them too! Even the most muscular men will have small amounts of muscle around their wrists.
How To Fix Skinny Wrists
As I mentioned earlier, there isn’t a lot you can do about having small wrists. But some things may help you feel better about having them. If you’re wondering “How to fix skinny wrists,” here’s some food for thought.
1. Buy Smaller Watches
It’s pretty self-explanatory. If you have small wrists, find a watch size that suits you, not one that swamps your arm. The good news is that smaller watches are back in style. The shift has been happening for a year or two. From pilot watches for small wrists to more compact chronographs, there are some great options to choose from. There is more to finding the right-sized watch than case diameter alone. Lug-to-lug measurements and strap designs also play a significant role.
2. Wear Your Watch Lower on Your Wrist
In other words, wear your watch closer to your hand. This Hamilton watch is a pretty big piece. It’s a 42 mm beast, and that’s mostly the dial (learn why this matters here). As you can see, the usual spot where men wear their watches is the smaller part of the wrist. On the watch’s left and right, you can clearly see that the wrist starts to widen again.
So why do people wear their watches there? Well, even if the average wrist size for a man is smaller than you think, watches just gravitate to this position. But what if you could change that? Indeed, if you loosen your bracelet or band a little bit, you can place your watch lower on the wrist. See the difference?
By wearing your watch a little lower, the difference is quite dramatic. Your hand is way broader than your wrist, so thanks to a simple optical contrast, you create the illusion that your watch is smaller. Or rather, your wrist will appear more prominent. I happen to love how a watch wears lower on the wrist. I find it way more comfortable!
Now, a word of caution: you don’t want to wear your watch so low that your bracelet feels loose. It will look pretty sloppy. You just want it to sit before your wrist bone. This is one of the most effective tricks to pull off the look of a beefier wrist. This is a convenient trick if you have small wrists but like larger designs.
3. Wear Long Sleeves
In conjunction with the previous point, you can actually wear long sleeves to hide the slimmer part of your wrist. If you cover your forearm and wrist up to half of your watch face, you won’t see your wrist. I certainly wouldn’t advise anyone to wear long sleeves all year long, especially in the summer. But long-sleeve tops can blend sophisticated and smart-casual attire together perfectly. Using this simple technique makes it impossible to tell the size of your wrist. No one will notice your skinny wrists under a sleeve, not even you!
4. Wear Bracelets
Watches and bracelets work very well together! They look fashionable and cool, and they eradicate the skinny wrist look! Bracelets won’t cover your wrist. Instead, people will look at your watch and bracelets, not so much at your wrist. I mean, you can say the same for a stylish watch, right? Pick a great design, and no one will look at your wrist anyway!
There’s just one thing to remember regarding the position of your watch and bracelets. Wearing the watch low gives you more room for multiple accessories. If you’re wearing your watch high, you’ll require fewer bracelets.
5. Exercise
Last but not least, you can follow some simple exercises to get bigger wrists. They won’t change the shape of your wrist drastically, but every little helps. Try wrist curls using a dumbbell to strengthen your forearm muscles. Rotating your wrists in circular motions can also improve strength. Other examples of wrist exercises include pinwheel curls and reverse curls.
6. Stop Caring!
And here is my favorite way of dealing with a skinny wrist. Don’t deal with them! You can do very little about the matter anyway, so don’t overthink it. All the tips and tricks in this article work to some extent. But it’s way more enjoyable not to think about all that and just be yourself. This might come as a surprise, but here’s the deal: people don’t notice wrist sizes as much as you think! It may be a big deal to you because you have them. But most people couldn’t care less. If you’re wearing a nice enough watch, true aficionados will be more interested in that than anything else. Trust me. I’m an aficionado!
FAQs
These FAQs will help you understand a little more about wrist size and why you may have small wrists.
Do Wrists Get Smaller When You Lose Weight?
Losing weight can shed fat from around your wrist, making them appear slimmer. Although weight gain can expand your wrist, it’s not advisable to take up any unhealthy lifestyle habits to get bigger wrists.
What Is Considered a Small Wrist?
A wrist measuring less than 6.5 inches is generally considered “small.”
Are Small Wrists Weaker?
Since bone structure determines wrist size, strength has nothing to do with having small wrists. The muscles you may use to try and build your wrists up mainly come from your forearms and fingers. This is why exercise has little impact on the size of your wrists.
Closing Thoughts on Small Wrists
Having small wrists can indeed affect how you view yourself. The pressures from social media don’t help, either. Aside from toning exercises that can help build up what small muscle surrounds the wrist, body positivity can help. Engage in activities that make you feel strong and enhance them by opting for smaller timepieces. Skinny wrists are part of what makes you unique. And the good news is that there are now more small watches to choose from than ever. From small field watches to compact dress watches – you have options! Small wrists do come with some perks.
One benefit is that you’ll always be able to rock a beautiful vintage watch. Above all, you cannot do much to enhance your wrist size, so embrace it. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Use the tricks I shared in this article and enjoy exploring what the market currently offers!
What’s your favorite 36-39mm watch? Share your top picks with us in the comments below and inspire fellow small-wristed collectors to feel as confident as you!
