Once a symbol associated only with the military, dog tags have become the ultimate fashion accessory. They can be customized in almost anyway you desire. And they can be worn anywhere, any time you want as the ultimate bad ass symbol.

 The Origins of the Dog Tags

 You could probably guess that the term “dog tag” came from the similarity in appearance between these identifying tags and those placed on dogs so they’ll be returned home. The biggest difference though is that they were used during the World Wars to make sure injured or killed soldiers made it back home. Maybe that’s how dog tags have gotten their reputation for being symbols of strength, courage, and tenacity: from soldiers who put their lives on the line every day.

 Eventually, dog tags entered the regular world of consumers and became a cute fashion accessory for girls, women, and trendy guys. That doesn’t mean you have to follow their lead. Dog tags can still be bad ass symbols if you make your choices wisely.

Unique Fashion Accessories

 You’re going to find plenty of dog tags available, but choosing the best of the bunch is what will pose the biggest challenge. Think first about the symbols you want on your dog tag: these are the ultimate symbol of your personality and will shape the impression others have of you. Do you want skulls (symbols of darkness and power), maybe a sword or a cross? The point is you have to decide how to choose the dogs tags that you are going to want to wear.

 And don’t worry, some of these bad ass dog tags are also available for ladies. They are made with stingray leather in mocha, black, or red. Cut from the sterling silver is a heart shape that displays the leather design behind it. It’s the perfect gift.

Personalized Dog Tags

 Just as the original dog tags were each unique because they contained the specific personal information about each soldier, today’s dog tags can also be made as unique as you want them to be. That means they can also be a perfect gift. Did you know that you could have photos engraved onto silver or gold dog tags? Maybe you want your child’s or girlfriend’s photo etched into the silver so that you could always have a reminder of them around your neck. Maybe you’d rather have photos of other members of your family.

 Some polished metal dog tags can also be engraved. You can add a personal message or just your name. They can also be great gifts. Imagine giving your wife silver dog tags engraved with the date of your wedding or the dates your children were born or a line from her favorite song. Who wouldn’t love that?

 The bottom line is that dog tags are going to continue being one of the must-have jewelry items in the world today. But that doesn’t mean you have to choose the ones at the mall, you can still find plenty of bad ass dog tags available if you know where to look.