This summer, we have seen a resurgence of '90s and early aughts fashion trends, from jelly sandals to jorts and grandma sandals. And the anklet, being the hottest accessory this summer, is no exception. There is something so simple, yet elevated about donning a little sparkle on your ankle, especially when it is sandal season.
I have been wearing anklets since early spring to the beach, the office and events. I often receive many compliments along the way, even a "I like your bling" pointing to my ankle once. In the past 12 months, searches for anklets have been steadily increasing, leading to their popularity this summer. To learn more about this trend, we spoke with stylists and jewelry experts about the popularity and best practices for finding the best anklet for you.
Why are anklets trending?
Anklets first came into fashion in the '70s and then again in the '90s in the US as part of the bohemian trend. They have popped back up over the years in various styles, but we haven't seen a resurgence like this one in a while for the accessory. Stylist Samantha Brown says, "What’s old is always new again, and this summer we’re seeing lots of jewelry south of our ankles. Toe rings and anklets are trending, and are a fun way to add visual interest and personality to our summer looks."
Another stylist, Melissa Chatagine, agrees, saying that, "Fashion is cyclical, and the '90s/Y2K revival has dominated style trends for the past few years. Younger women are embracing nostalgic accessories like claw clips, cargo pants — and yes, anklets — as a way to blend throwback vibes with modern flair." She also mentions that with many fashion trends embracing fun post-pandemic, anklets are a great way to add self-expression to your wardrobe.
What materials and styles are best for anklets?
When it comes to choosing the perfect anklet, there are numerous options to choose from, including metals like silver, gold, bronze or textiles like braided ropes and more. We spoke with Olivia Landau, who is a jewelry expert, about what material is best for anklets and she said, "Solid 14K or 18K gold is definitely best for anklets. Solid gold won't tarnish or turn color over time. You will be able to wear your anklet in water or any other situation without worrying about taking it off." She mentions that if you don't want to worry about tarnishing, you should always go for a solid metal option.
Chataigne also says that fit is important and to find "one that fits when your ankle is flexed. You don’t want to stop circulation. Look for tarnish-resistant metals like gold-filled, sterling silver, or stainless steel if you’ll wear it daily."
Naina Singla, who is a style expert, says that when it comes to finding the right anklet for your personal style, you should pay attention to something that "works with your signature style and fits into your lifestyle. If your wardrobe leans minimal and refined, a simple gold or silver chain is a great place to start. If your style is more playful or relaxed, you might want something with pearls, beads or even a charm."
Because anklets are on our feet, they can get dirty, so Landau advises on cleaning anklets by "taking a soft toothbrush and dish soap. Soak the ankle in warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Scrub any stones with the toothbrush."
Ready to find the right one for you? Here are some expert- and editor-approved finds.
Anklets under $25
If you're going for a stacked look, this pack from Amazon is both shiny and funky. Each anklet has little silver coins along the braided rope. If you want your anklets to give more of a boho look, Brown says, "The rope and bandana styles are fun too, giving a bit of a surfer girl edge. This is an opportunity to show personal style, so wear what speaks to your aesthetic."
This gold-plated butterfly anklet is such a fun way to show off your style without being too flashy. Associate editor, Kamari Stewart, says, "I wear the same anklet every day and have no idea where it’s from because it was a gift from my mom, but this one looks pretty similar!"
Pavoi has been an editor-loved favorite brand from Amazon for a while because they don’t tarnish easily and are affordable. This option from the brand adds some bling to your ankles with little diamonds on the gold chain.
If you want a classic anklet, you can’t go wrong with this gold-plated one from Pavoi. It is adjustable and is a great layering piece if you plan on wearing more than one anklet. Brown says she has been wearing anklet chains for years, “I love thin chains, worn alone or stacked.”
If you plan on wearing your anklet with socks, this little bow anklet will add a fun pop to your outfit. It also comes with an adjustable lobster clasp, so you can make sure it fits over your socks.
This bandana anklet features little charms and pairs well with a simple summer sandal or kitten heel. Bandana anklets have been trending this summer as a funky accessory. Chataigne says, "This Free People anklet is super affordable and makes a bold statement for your next look. Pair with a bikini or a crochet dress and you’re good to go!"
Anklets under $100
This dainty option from Gorjana can be layered with other anklets or worn on its own for a classic look. Editor Vivien Moon has this anklet and says, "I got this recently, and I have always been an anklet girl, so I'm glad they're back. I think they're so dainty and beautiful and a fun summer accessory that also looks great with any style of shoe and can really just add a little something special to any look."
Brown mentioned that she has been wearing an evil eye anklet for years, so we found a similar option from Susan Alexandra that has some colorful evil eyes for the summer.
Jenny Bird anklets were my first introduction to anklets, and now I own five from the brand. I have worn them on countless beach days and love how layerable they are. Sometimes I forget to take them off before I shower, and they have never tarnished.
Sterling silver and solid gold anklets
Customizable jewelry has also been very popular with nameplate necklaces, earrings and more. Stewart also has this anklet on her wishlist: " I love a good nameplate, so this one caught my eye."
If you love stones or gems, this is a dainty sterling silver option. Brown recommended Chan Luu, and we found this piece that has an easy-close clasp and a bright stone attached to the anklets. It also features a beautiful white pearl, which is another popular jewelry accent this season.
Because anklets rest on your ankles, it can be easy to forget to take them off if you are entering water or sweating. If you don’t want to run the risk of tarnishing the jewelry, try a sterling silver or solid gold anklet. I am prone to never taking off my jewelry, and I love this anklet option from Mejuri because it is an affordable option that is solid gold. I haven't taken it off since I got it, and it has never tarnished or caused me discomfort in my various shoe and sock combinations. It is dainty and layers so well with all of my other anklets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Anklets started popping up in fashion in the '70s and '90s as part of the boho trend. They came back into style this year with an increase in Google searches for anklets.
According to jewelry experts, you can wear sterling silver and solid gold anklets in the water.
You should fully flex your foot when choosing the sizing of an anklet so that you can comfortably walk with one all day. Many anklets come with different size settings.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY editors and writers searched through popular anklet styles and talked with style and jewelry experts about finding the best anklet styles for summer. We comb through customer reviews and even use our own personal experiences to make shopping easier for our readers.
Meet the experts
- Samantha Brown is a stylist who has years of fashion knowledge and celebrity styling experience.
- Olivia Landau is the CEO of The Clear Cut jewelry brand.
- Melissa Chataigne is a stylist and producer.
- Naina Singla is a fashion stylist and style expert.
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