An anklet adds brilliance and sparkle to almost any outfit, but only if the piece suits what it is worn with. Get the pairing wrong and it reads as an afterthought. Get it right and it finishes the look. This guide covers both halves of the decision: which style goes with what, and how to work out the length before you buy.
Matching the anklet to the outfit
The general rule is to match the complexity of the anklet to the complexity of the clothing. A busy piece with a simple outfit works. A busy piece with a busy outfit does not.
Simple chains
A single plain chain pairs well with capris and jeans. It reads as a small deliberate detail rather than jewelry, which is exactly what a casual outfit can carry.
Multiple and web chains
Anklets built from a series of chains worked together into an intricate web suit traditional clothes. The density of the piece matches the detail in the garment, and neither competes with the other.
You can also wear several chains set parallel to each other. Many of these carry small hanging embellishments, in the same way a necklace carries a pendant.
Beaded anklets
Beads and applied embellishments go well with dresses whose hemline falls above the ankle, where the piece is fully visible. These work particularly well for casual parties.
Ankle-tight beaded anklets suit capris and knee-length skirts. Beaded anklets with colorful bells set between the beads make a distinctly fancy piece, and they announce themselves, which is either the point or the problem depending on the occasion.
Stones and gemstones
Onyx anklets are versatile enough for any wardrobe and any time of day, which makes them a sensible first serious purchase.
Gemstone anklets in deep-colored garnets suit a dressy look, and they work especially well against faded denim, where the depth of color has something plain to sit against.
Neutral tones
Neutral colors and subdued styles give an ankle bracelet a far more casual character. If you want a piece you can wear daily without thinking about it, this is the direction to go.
One ankle or both
Entirely your preference. You can accentuate one foot or both, and neither is more correct. Wearing one is the more common modern choice and reads as more deliberate. Wearing a matched pair is traditional, and many traditional sets are designed to be worn that way.
Getting the length right
The drape of an anklet varies from person to person, and it is the single thing most worth getting right.
Some prefer a drape that falls above the ankle, fitting almost tightly. Others prefer a looser drape that reaches below the ankle bone. The first reads as neater and stays in place; the second moves more and shows more of the chain.
How to measure
- Take a length of string and tie it around your ankle, positioned exactly where you want the anklet to sit.
- Adjust it until the drape looks right to you, tight above the bone or loose below it.
- Cut the string to that length.
- Measure the cut string. That is your anklet size.
Doing this before you shop removes the guesswork entirely, and it is the difference between a piece you wear and a piece that sits in a drawer because it slides under your heel.
A short checklist
- Measure first. String around the ankle, cut, measure. Two minutes, and it decides everything.
- Match complexity to the outfit. Plain chain with casual clothes, worked chain with traditional dress.
- Check the hemline. Beads and embellishments need to be seen to be worth wearing.
- Decide about sound. Bells are a feature, and one you cannot switch off.
- Keep metals consistent with the rest of your jewelry unless you are mixing deliberately.
For the construction types and traditional Indian forms, see our full entry on the anklet.
Frequently asked questions
How do I measure for an anklet?
Tie a string around your ankle at the drape you want, cut it, and measure the length. That measurement is your size.
Should an anklet be worn on the left or right?
Either. It is entirely a matter of preference, and wearing one on each foot is also perfectly ordinary.
Which anklet suits jeans?
A simple single chain, or a deep-colored gemstone piece if the denim is faded and you want contrast.
Are beaded anklets casual or formal?
Mostly casual, and well suited to casual parties. Adding bells pushes them further toward fancy dress than everyday wear.
