At a glance, they seem like the rejects of a rubber factory. Once removed from the wrist, however, SillyBandz morph into the “hottest new fashion accessory.”
“I bought mine at Barnes and Noble and I like them because they’re colorful, more interesting than regular bracelets, and you can play with them!” said freshman Rowan Shartel.
A 24 pack of SillyBandz sells for $4.95 a pack, which some students find outrageous.
Freshman Gunnar Thompson falls into this category. “They’re a waste of money. They’re not that expensive, but if you think about it, it’s just a rubber band in the shape of something.”
These colorful silicone bracelets have taken the conventional role of rubber bands to a whole new level. Similar in popularity to the age-old friendship bracelets, but more popular with the younger crowd, students of all ages enjoy trading these accesories.
“A little freshman gave me a hippo yesterday and then I went to the pool and gave it to my friend, who thought it was cool, and then got Anna Lynch a guitar ‘cuz she’s Tay Swift. Anyone can come up to me and trade. Also I coach little kids’ swimming and I give them [SillyBandz] out when they [the kids] do well. I collect because my brother is really into it and of course I have to beat him,” said senior Jennifer Oakes.
The SillyBandz website features 14 different 24 packs which include sports, animals, fairy tale creatures, seasons, holidays, letters and numbers, and more.The website also sells SillyBandz-supporting buttons and will soon offer spiritwear and shaped carabiners as well.