Gen Z Jewellery Trends: How Anklets, Nose Pins and Toe Rings Are Making a Comeback

Fashion, as they say, is cyclical. What once lay forgotten in a grandmother's trinket box is now finding a new stage on Instagram reels and street-style blogs. The resurgence of anklets, nose pins, and toe rings among the Gen Z crowd is more than a simple style choice; it's a heartfelt nod to heritage and a playful rebellion against cookie-cutter trends.

There's something deeply personal about jewellery that connects body and spirit, especially pieces passed down through time. A silver anklet jingling with every step, a tiny stud resting on the nose, or a delicate band gracing the toe, each carries stories, rituals, and layers of cultural symbolism. Yet today, these adornments are being reimagined, styled with sneakers, denim, crop tops, and indie band T-shirts, proving that tradition doesn't have to sit untouched in velvet-lined boxes.

Gen Z jewellery trends highlight the comeback of anklets, nose pins, and toe rings, redefining style through nostalgic yet modern fashion choices. Let's step into this shimmering world where Gen Z is boldly reclaiming traditional jewellery and making it unmistakably their own.

Gen Z's favourite jewellery trends for 2025 show a huge resurgence of anklets, nose pins, and toe rings styled as expressive statements; Photo Credit: Pexels

The Many Ways Gen Z is Making Traditions Trendy

1. Anklets and the Melody of Movement

The gentle chime of anklets once echoed through courtyards, weddings, and festive gatherings. For many, it was the sound of home. Today, the anklet is dancing back into popularity, not confined to ceremonial wear but strutting through cafes, colleges, and music festivals.

Gen Z has given this age-old ornament a new spin. Minimalist silver chains peek from under sneakers, while chunky oxidised designs pair beautifully with distressed jeans. Some even layer them up, mixing delicate charms with statement pieces for a boho-chic vibe. This adaptability explains why anklets are back on wrists of the feet everywhere.

The sound itself feels like rebellion in a silent world of AirPods and keyboard clicks. It's not just jewellery; it's a reminder of grounding, a rhythm in step with the everyday hustle. And unlike expensive gold sets, silver anklets are pocket-friendly, starting from ₹200 in street markets, making them accessible to students experimenting with fashion.

2. Nose Pins as a Statement of Self

Once worn as a marker of tradition, the nose pin has become a badge of individuality. Tiny studs, delicate hoops, or bold septum rings, today's choices reflect personality rather than prescription.

For many, getting a nose piercing isn't about ritual; it's about self-expression. A sparkling diamond stud may feel elegant, while a silver lotus design brings a hint of ethnic flair. Even the most understated pin has the power to transform the face, adding a touch of drama or subtle grace depending on the mood.

Social media has amplified this trend, with countless influencers pairing nose pins with everything from sarees to oversized hoodies. The message is clear: this ornament can slip between traditional and edgy with ease. The piercing is permanent, but the styling possibilities are endless.

3. Toe Rings: From Ritual to Runway

Toe rings have long been linked to marital customs, worn as symbols of partnership and continuity. Yet their story is being rewritten by a younger generation that sees them as fashion accessories rather than markers of status.

Instead of plain silver bands, contemporary designs feature intricate carvings, quirky motifs, and even adjustable pieces to fit comfortably. They peek through sandals in summer or add surprise detail to barefoot beach looks. Some even wear them layered, creating a playful contrast between old associations and new interpretations.

The shift also represents a quiet liberation. By detaching the toe ring from rigid meaning, Gen Z is turning it into a playful ornament, free of rules. It's still steeped in cultural echoes, but now it belongs to whoever chooses to wear it.

4. The Rise of Oxidised Silver

While gold has always carried prestige, silver, particularly oxidised varieties, has become the darling of the younger crowd. Affordable, versatile, and edgy, oxidised silver sits comfortably on college campuses, art exhibitions, and casual meet-ups.

Chunky anklets with temple motifs, bold nose pins shaped like peacocks, and textured toe rings, all find expression in oxidised form. What makes it appealing is the raw, slightly rugged feel, a deliberate departure from polished perfection. Paired with monochrome outfits or vibrant ethnic wear, the effect is both effortless and striking.

Street stalls in places like Delhi's Janpath or Pune's FC Road thrive on this trend, offering a treasure trove of designs for as little as ₹150. This accessibility fuels experimentation, giving jewellery the same status as mood-based fashion, changeable, affordable, and endlessly fun.

5. Heritage Meets Street Style

One of the most fascinating aspects of this revival is how traditional jewellery is being blended with contemporary streetwear. Imagine a girl in ripped jeans, chunky trainers, and a delicate anklet glinting just above her socks. Or a boy with a nose stud casually tucked under his beanie, sipping cold coffee at a co-working café.

This cross-pollination of styles shows how traditions aren't locked away in nostalgia. Instead, they adapt, flex, and reappear in spaces that once felt worlds apart. Jewellery that might have been seen only at weddings is now part of street fashion shoots and indie music videos.

In many ways, this trend reflects a deeper comfort with one's roots. Instead of running away from heritage, the younger crowd is embracing it with confidence, stitching together a look that feels uniquely theirs.

6. Jewellery as a Form of Resistance

For a generation that questions everything from career choices to climate change, jewellery too has become a medium of quiet resistance. Wearing a nose pin isn't just about beauty; it's about owning space and identity. Anklets clinking through metro stations are reminders that tradition can exist outside of festivals. Toe rings worn by someone unmarried challenge notions that accessories must follow rules.

This reclamation is not loud, but it is powerful. It shows how fashion becomes political when individuals choose to reframe meaning. What once felt prescriptive is now voluntary, playful, and liberating.

Even parents, often sceptical of nose piercings or chunky oxidised designs, are surprised to find these ornaments on magazine covers and influencer posts. Slowly but surely, the conversation is changing.

Also Read: Navratri 2025 Jewellery Guide: 5 Oxidised Jewellery You Need For Garba Night

7. Social Media and the Jewellery Renaissance

Scroll through Instagram or Pinterest, and you'll find reels dedicated to styling anklets with sneakers or layering nose pins with minimal makeup. Influencers and content creators are driving this renaissance, showcasing how traditional pieces fit seamlessly into modern wardrobes.

Hashtags like #desijewellery or #bohochic inspire thousands of young followers. Tutorials teach ways to clean silver at home, pair toe rings with ankle tattoos, or choose between subtle and bold nose designs. In the digital age, jewellery is no longer confined to family cupboards, it's part of viral trends.

This visibility also boosts small businesses. Local artisans selling through Instagram shops or weekend flea markets often find their designs going viral overnight, bringing much-needed recognition and income.

8. The Emotional Pull of Heirlooms

Beneath all the glitz and reinvention lies something more tender: the emotional connection to family heirlooms. Wearing a grandmother's anklet or mother's nose pin feels like carrying a piece of their story. For many, it's not just about aesthetics but continuity, threading personal histories into present-day fashion.

There's a sense of grounding in these objects, as if metal holds memory. A silver toe ring passed down generations may have once marked tradition, but today it simply holds affection. In a world obsessed with the new, these heirlooms remind us that style doesn't have to be disposable.

Gen Z, often dismissed as fleeting in their tastes, are proving otherwise by cherishing and reinterpreting heirlooms in ways that feel both nostalgic and fresh.

9. Accessibility and Affordability

One reason for the revival is simple economics. Traditional jewellery, especially in silver, is affordable. Anklets can cost less than a meal at a café, and nose pins are available for the price of a movie ticket.

This affordability allows experimentation without guilt. Unlike gold sets reserved for weddings or major investments, these pieces are everyday adornments, easy to buy, easy to gift, and easy to replace. Street vendors, online shops, and local markets ensure variety at every budget.

The accessibility creates inclusivity. You don't need a deep pocket to participate in this trend. You just need curiosity and a playful spirit.

From Anklets to Nose Pins: Gen Zs Fresh Take on Timeless Jewellery; Photo Credit: Unsplash

10. Beyond Fashion: A Lifestyle Choice

Ultimately, this resurgence goes beyond aesthetics. Jewellery becomes a lifestyle statement, symbolising comfort with heritage and creativity in expression. Whether it's a toe ring spotted at a beach holiday, a nose pin flaunted at a poetry slam, or anklets jingling through a midnight bus ride, these pieces are not limited to occasions.

They merge seamlessly into the fabric of everyday life. They spark conversations, turn heads, and quietly remind everyone that tradition doesn't have to stay behind glass doors. It can walk alongside sneakers, ride pillion on scooters, and glow under neon café lights.

For Gen Z, reclaiming traditional jewellery isn't just about looking good, it's about feeling rooted, seen, and unapologetically unique.

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The return of anklets, nose pins, and toe rings is more than a fashion revival; it's a love letter to heritage written in silver, brass, and occasionally gold. It's the art of blending old-world charm with modern rhythm, creating a language of style that's both timeless and trendy.

This generation has shown that jewellery doesn't need to stay boxed up for weddings or rituals. It can breathe in everyday spaces, sparkle under café lights, and march confidently into classrooms and boardrooms alike.

By reclaiming traditional jewellery, the younger crowd is not just adorning themselves, they are rewriting stories, challenging norms, and making heritage shine anew. The chime of anklets, the glint of a nose pin, and the shimmer of toe rings are no longer just echoes of the past. They're the soundtrack of today. Shop now on Myntra.