The Best Waist Beads For Women
Before purchasing waist beads, it's important to understand their cultural origins. Waist beads are a traditional African accessory, often used as a symbol of sensuality, femininity, fertility, and prosperity. Popularized as an aesthetic accessory in the West, waist beads have since spread across the world. To help you find the best ones for you, we've rounded up some of our favorites.
What to Look For
While we searched for the best waist beads, we considered three factors: fit, color variety, and quantity. The fit of your waist beads is essential since you’ll be wearing them on your body. Elabest’s waist beads are held together with stretchy string, making them easy to put on and take off and ideal for plus-size women. Of course, you want to look as sexy as you feel in your waist beads, which is why we loved the colorful assortment of Akaayuko’s waist beads. The color variety here is enough to capture anyone’s eye. If you are looking to really lean into the waist-bead look, the more, the merrier. With Althorry’s set of twenty-four bead bands, you can cover your body from head to toe. Read on to see the rest of our picks and find the best one for you.
Althrorry African Waist Beads
Embrace your femininity with these gorgeous waist beads. With twenty-four pieces to choose from in this set, you will have one for every outfit. You can change beads depending on your style and mood, and you can even layer a few waist beads together for a unique look. The colorful beads are sure to add something special to your fit. We love that they’ll look equally good at the beach, with your favorite low-rise jeans, or under your causal T-shirt.
Pros
- We love that you can mix it up by wearing the waist beads wrapped on your wrists, as well as around your waist.
- These waist beads are affordable, especially since you get many in one pack.
Cons
- Since they are not adjustable, the beads may roll up to the thinnest part of your waist.
Elabest African Waist Beads
If you want to turn heads at your next event, these waist beads are for you. Adorn your body in this set of seven colorful waist bead pieces. Add one to your wrist, one to your anklet, and a few around your waist for a stunning look. With colors like red, teal, green, and gold, your next fit will pop like no other.
Pros
- We love the stretch string because it allows for a comfortable fit.
- The beads’ color will hold fast through pool parties and beach trips.
- The beads can help you be more conscious of your posture when worn around your waist.
Cons
- Since these waist beads are stretchy, we do not recommend them for weight loss assistance.
Akaayuko African Waist Beads for Women
If you are looking for something simple yet classic, Akaayuko has you covered. This set of three waist beads includes a multi-colored string, a gold string, and a clear string of beads. Mix and match the waist beads for a fun look every day. Made of glass seed beads, these waist beads are durable and beautiful. For a sensual, simplistic look, you can’t go wrong with these.
Pros
- We love that these waist beads are easy to pull on and off. The stretch string really help with this.
- Durable and long-lasting, these waist beads can stand the test of time.
- These waist beads will work for women of all shapes and sizes.
Cons
- This set only includes three pieces, which is less than other sets.
Tuoshei Waist Bead Set
Beach ready
Tuoshei is a step above the rest with this handmade waist bead set. Elevate your next beach day bikini look with these dazzling waist beads. With an elastic thread, they’re easy to put on and remove, so you won’t have to struggle every time you decide to wear them. Eight unique pieces come in this set, and the color selection is impressive. The yellow and purple pair is sure to stand out among the rest. With these waist beads, you can connect with your sensual energy and feel your best.
Pros
- The waist beads come in slightly different sizes, which allows you to find a few that fit your waist and a few to go around your wrist, ankle, or neck.
- Despite the waist beads being on elastic thread, they’re unlikely to lose their shape with wear.
- We love how easy it is to take these waist beads on and off.
Cons
- We do not recommend these waist beads for plus-size women because the sizing chart only goes up to 90 centimeters.
Norme Colorful Waist Bead Set
This set of twelve comes in pairs with complementary colors adorning each pair. As the perfect gift for you and your friends, these beads can add pops of color to the photos you and your friends take at your next girls’ day to brunch or the beach. The variety of colors also allows you to mix and match, so you can create a new look every time. Enjoy them all yourself, or share them with friends for a fun day together.
Pros
- The waist beads arrive in separate bags, so you won’t have to untangle them from one another.
- We appreciate that these waist beads are durable, even at the gym or in the shower.
- With more multi-colored options than other waist bead options, we love the funky, cute look these waist beads offer.
Cons
- All of the waist beads are the same size. However, if you need to make them smaller, you can tie a knot and cut the excess.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear my waist beads in the shower or water?
Whether you’re swimming or bathing, you may want to remove your waist beads. Traditional waist beads might be okay to leave on, but if your waist beads are on an elastic string or the beads are not waterproof, you may want to remove them to be safe.
How tight should my waist beads be?
Your waist beads may vary in size depending on where you want them to sit. You can measure your waist just above your belly button, at your belly button, or above your hips. Do not suck in or hold the measuring tape too tightly while measuring. Traditionally, waist beads are worn low and loose around the hips.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
Since 2001, our experts at TheFashionSpot have been providing millions of people with our take on the latest trends. TheFashionSpot is constantly looking for the hottest styles in clothing and accessories for people of all body types. Our team knows that beauty starts well before the closet, so we are also dedicated to finding the best products for your skin and hair.