ICYMI, This Controversial Jewellery Trend Is Back—Here's How to Wear It in 2026
Sorry, podophobes and foot-phobics; toe rings are back on the agenda in 2026. Here's how fashion insiders are making them feel cool now.
Podophobes and foot-phobics, it's probably time to look away now. Suddenly, the latest jewellery trend all over my feed is pretty controversial. In today's episode of "they brought back what?" we're talking toes, or specifically, the once "dated" trend that's suddenly taking over the jewellery boxes of Gen Z and millennial fashion people alike. You heard it here first: the toe ring is back.
Like so many of today's resurgent trends, the toe ring isn’t new (and a special shout-out goes to my Aunty Phil, who's been rocking them since the ‘90s), but its cultural peak indeed came at the turn of the millennium, when everyone from Britney Spears to the unofficial ambassador of the flip-flop, Jennifer Aniston, embraced teeny-tiny rings on their toes.
A symbol of free-spirit fashion and California cool, young celebs would wear toe rings to signify they were in the know. Think Mischa Barton in The O.C.: slipping on a toe ring felt like a small but tangible way for us to channel her aspirational, subtly cool allure, sending a message of confidence and style. Now, 20 years later, the toe ring is back, just not exactly as you remember.
This year, the revival of "foot jewellery" reflects fashion's broader shift towards more-is-more maximalism. With plenty of "cool without trying too hard" appeal, coupled with Gen Z's infatuation with nostalgic fashion trends, it makes sense that the jewellery trend once written off as tacky and uncool is back in the spotlight.
You may be drawn to boho-meets-surfs-up-spirals or eclectic, vibrant gemstones, but the favourite way to wear toe rings amongst the A-list right now? Eye-wateringly large diamonds. See Kylie Jenner's Loraine Schwartz pinky ring (foot edition). I mean, if it's good enough for Rihanna, it's good enough for me.
Spanish jewellery brand Simuero has spearheaded the revival, but the return of the toe ring felt inevitable. With season after season of metal-detail sandals, the next step was always going to be jewellery itself, especially when you realise they’re the easiest way to add some pizzaz to a pared-back summer sandal, like the currently trending minimalist flip-flop.
With brands from Alohas to Chan Luu and Charlotte's Web Jewellery all embracing foot bling, as well as several high-street brands, the toe ring's return is definite. Come autumn, expect toe rings to migrate to deliberately divisive footwear (what's not to love about a gemstone-encrusted pair of Vibram FiveFinger sandals?).
So, if your tootsies need bejewelling, look no further, as I've rounded up the best toe rings on the market right now.
Shop the Best Toe Rings:
