R-Jeneration: Valley teens embrace Silly Bandz trend, donning many a colorful bracelet

Each morning as Meadows senior Jesslyn Mitchell-Laguna gets ready for school, she remembers to bring along her glow-in-the-dark turtle, lightning bolt and Mickey Mouse. This assortment of objects is worn around her wrist in the form of brightly colored silicone bracelets known as Silly Bandz.

Robert Croak of BCP Imports introduced Silly Bandz three years ago, but, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, the trend began gaining momentum in 2009. Silly Bandz come in a variety of colors and shapes organized in themed packs, such as farm animals, princesses, holidays and sea creatures.

Although they target younger children, Silly Bandz have grown to attract a diverse group of people. Las Vegas Outlet Center Claire's employee Shanika Johnson said that those who buy Silly Bandz at the store are of all ages.

"I even saw a grandma wearing one," Johnson said.

BCP Imports does not release its sales figures, but according to Johnson, Silly Bandz have consistently been one of the most popular items.

"It's been nonstop since we got them in September," she said.

Mitchell-Laguna came across her first Silly Bandz at her high school tennis practice in August.

"I thought they were incredibly adorable," she said. "They're something cute to remind you of your inner child."

Since her first encounter with the bracelets, Mitchell-Laguna has collected 12 varieties of Silly Bandz.

Meadows freshman Maia Gordon, who received her first Silly Bandz from her 7-year-old sister, also has a large collection and often wears as many as seven at a time. Gordon trades her Silly Bandz with friends to get new ones.

"I've collected a bunch from different people," she said.

Recently, Silly Bandz have been banned in several schools nationwide because they are a distraction to students and can be hazardous. Gordon said that her younger sister's school banned the bracelets, but they remain popular among her friends.

Because Silly Bandz continue to cross the age gap from child to teen, Gordon said she thinks the trend will last.

"Teenagers are amused by the weirdest things," she said.