Inspired by the 80s song “Trees and Flowers” by Strawberry Switchblade, a viral TikTok and Instagram trend sees couples, friends, and pet owners creating DIY beaded bracelets matching their loved one’s eye color. This echoes the sentiment behind Georgian “lover’s eye” jewelry, popular in the late 18th century. Hosts Jessica Reyes and Patricia Wu discuss the trend with Joann “JoJo” Venant in Psychology Behind the Headlines.
A Trend Making A Comeback
Lover’s eyes were miniature portraits of a person’s eye, exchanged as tokens of affection. The trend was allegedly started by King George IV, who gifted one to his secret love, Maria Fitzherbert. Like lover’s eyes, these modern bracelets are a physical representation of love, often kept secret between the wearer and the person they represent.
A Modern Twist
The modern trend adds a layer of personalization by focusing on the eye’s color rather than a full portrait. The beads are chosen to match the unique hues and flecks of the loved one’s eye, making the bracelet a subtle yet intimate symbol of connection.
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