Three years ago, Robert Croak of BCP Imports was doing business in Japan when he saw an office product shaped like a duck, and was inspired.
According to the Silly Bandz website, Croak was involved in a company that made custom silicone bracelets, similar to the Livestrong bracelets. But after seeing the Japanese model, he decided to try something a little bit different. Silly Bandz are stronger and more durable than the original product, and unlike rubber bands, they are made of silicone, which is more environmentally-friendly than rubber. What distinguishes a Silly Bandz accessory from a regular band bracelet is that after being worn and taken off, it springs back to its original shape, which might be a flower, a star or a heart.
Silly Bandz “were originally intended for a child audience,” said Teresa Flores, a Customer Service Representative for BCP Imports, but after seeing the strength of their initial reception, Flores said that BCP Imports “started making them appropriate for all ages,” and the variety was expanded.
Today, there are dozens of different Silly Bandz themes: dinosaurs, baseball, Rockbandz, and a space on the website for custom orders (minimum 5,000 per individual shape), some of which glow in the dark. After starting out as being marketed only to children, now Silly Bandz are gaining popularity with college students as well, including those at the UA.
“They are fun!” said Amanda O’Connor, senior Pre-Dental student. “I have two shaped like teeth.”
As with any product, though, not all Silly Bandz are met with a warm reception.
“My grandma bought me a bunch of ones that are Titanic themed,” said Samantha Reeves, a junior Classical Studies and English major. “I think they’re weird.”
However, this seems to be the exception rather than the rule, to judge from the number of enthusiastic students sporting Silly Bandz on campus.
“I’m wearing a pig—a Razorback—and an elephant because they are super cute!” said Heather Rost, a sophomore business student. “And sometimes kids want to trade, and that’s cute too.”