I recently found a pretty example of a more grown-up friendship bracelet on Etsy from Ayofemijewelry. It combined embroidery thread with gold chain and charms for an updated look.
1
Choose your favorite colors of embroiderly thread.
2
Buy chain in your desired thickness and cut to fit your wrist. This is gold-filled chain from Fire Mountain Gems.
3
Using a sewing needle that fits through your chain, weave embroidery thread through the links. I had to go through twice to fill the links adequately.
4
Knot embroidery thread at the ends of the chain and you're done! You can tie the ends or add a clasp to close. I liked the bows. These look cool by themselves or stacked up but I also made a braided version.
5
These look cool by themselves or stacked up but I also made a braided version.