Meaning, features of wear and types of ankle bracelets

What is the name of the ankle bracelet?

Anklet is precisely an ankle bracelet in the modern interpretation (at least, that’s what jewelers and ladies who understand fashion trends call it).

Not every piece of jewelry on the leg is called anklet. For example, the name of the ankle bracelet, which came to us from India, sounds like “payal”. Nowadays, this word is more often used to refer to combined jewelry that is an alliance of an ankle bracelet and a ring for the big toe (or several toes).

In terms of style, payals clearly gravitate towards the ethnic style and are more demanding when it comes to onions. Anklets in the form of thin chains are now considered stylistically neutral and can be classified as basic jewelry.

Questionnaires are the area of ​​interest of many fashion houses. For example, the Marc Jacobs brand recommends wearing ankle chains with an evening or business look in tandem with black pumps.

An ankle chain for a girl is an exquisite piece of jewelry with a long history dating back several thousand years.

Advantages

The anklet is chosen by many fashionistas, since such an original accessory will add zest to a unique look.

An ankle bracelet will definitely draw attention to your slender legs. It will help you create an elegant, formal look.

This decoration can be used as a bright accessory to create a summer or beach look.

A variety of models and styles allows you to show your individuality and stand out from the crowd. If you want to add more meaning to a charming look, then original designs with infinity or heart pendants are a good choice.

Historical and geographical excursion

Don't think that the ankle bracelet is a new phenomenon in the fashion world. Far from it: fashionistas realized a long time ago that graceful feet, decorated with bracelets, act on members of the opposite sex like a magnet.

The first such jewelry was found as a result of excavations in Southern Mesopotamia (in the territory of modern Iraq). The ancient Sumerians enjoyed wearing intricate necklaces made of different metals and decorated with precious stones.

These decorations were also favored in Ancient Egypt. Wealthy ladies decorated their legs with gold items in combination with precious stones, while commoners and slaves were limited to simpler options: copper, iron, wood and even leather.

But foot jewelry is most widespread in India. Almost all women there have worn them since ancient times, but temple dancers were especially fond of them. By the way, they danced in very light clothes (and sometimes without them at all), but their wrists and ankles wore a lot of jewelry that jingled as they danced.

Features of authentic dances of Ancient India require precise fixation of steps. The ringing of bracelets with bells is organically woven into the music, giving rise to a unique sound and visual pattern.

However, similar jewelry is still worn in India today. Young girls usually decorate their legs with simple bracelets, and the sign of a married lady is payalas.

Once upon a time, anklets in the form of metal plates were one of the popular jewelry for women in India. They were worn by the bride at the wedding and sealed in a ceremonial setting, making them irremovable. These are the wedding rings with Indian flavor!

To this day, in one of the regions of India, Rajasthan, women wear heavy silver anklets, the weight of which reaches 1.5-2 kilograms. They are often connected by chains: naturally, it is difficult for the wearer of such precious “shackles” to walk, but local residents consider the mincing gait a symbol of femininity and attractiveness.

By the way, profiles on both legs, connected by chains, have taken root in the Middle East and Japan - where women who move with mincing steps are valued.

Foot jewelry was also popular in Europe during the Bronze Age. True, our ancestors did not wear such jewelry (in any case, archaeologists have not found material evidence of this), but during excavations in Western Europe, many anklets were discovered.

Gold bracelet with cubic zirconia (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)

However, in some countries (for example, Mongolia or Armenia), wearing jewelry on the legs was not only unwelcome, but served as a certain social marker. Anklets were worn primarily by ladies of the most ancient profession.

The beginning of the 20th century can be considered the starting point of the modern European history of questionnaires. It was then that the magnificent dancer-spy Margaret Zelle, better known as Mata Hari, conquered the world, hearts and wallets.

After a small surge, questionnaires were forgotten in America and Europe, briefly resurfaced during the hippie era in the 70s, but triumphantly returned in the wake of the 90s of the last century. They were popularized by many fashion houses, and sex symbols of that time (Naomi Campbell, Sydney Crawford and others like them) willingly decorated their slender legs with them.

Now profiles are back on the fashion Olympus and, it seems, have no intention of leaving it in the coming decades.

Basic mistakes in wearing questionnaires

1. Wrong time and place. You should think carefully before wearing a uniform to work - if the office has a strict dress code, such courage will hardly be appreciated positively. Also consider the time of year - briefcases are worn in warm weather, because they do not tolerate being next to tights.
2. Tights, knee socks, stockings. It is customary to wear jewelry on the bare leg; there should not even be flesh-colored tights that are invisible to the eye. It is worth saying that some fashion trendsetters advise wearing a vest over thick stockings, but such a bold combination is suitable for a small number of girls.
3. Ungroomed legs. What could look more ridiculous than a gold chain on your ankle next to a bandage that covers a callus? Perhaps only a gold chain on a leg with unkempt nails and skin. Do not neglect this rule, because jewelry attracts a lot of attention to your feet.

Questionnaires are a symbol of sexuality, so it is important to use them in moderation. If the outfit is too revealing, then it is better not to wear a bracelet on the ankle so that the overall image does not look vulgar

How to choose the right jewelry for your leg

The main principle of choosing the right decoration is matching the size. Everything is clear here: the questionnaire should hang on the ankle quite freely, not pinch, but also not slide below the “bone”.

The following is a match to your favorite look or image with which you intend to combine this decoration:

Combined payals are only good on bare feet. They don’t go well with shoes, but if particularly necessary, they can be worn under very open sandals.

• Gold chain on the leg. This is a very stylish and fairly neutral piece of jewelry that can be worn by any lady with slender legs. A gold anklet bracelet looks great with classic pumps and an iconic little black dress. A very thin chain can even match a business suit.
• Silver ankle chain. A very democratic decoration in the spirit of a big city, also appropriate on the beach: the most popular and undemanding option. Denim shorts or a miniskirt - and the young lady is ready to conquer the world.
• Large beads, threads, shells. These are jewelry for young rebels who want to express their own individuality in all available ways. Feel free to combine such profiles with ethnic style, hippie style looks, everyday city outfits and “omnivorous” boho!
• Hoops. For obvious reasons, a rigid ankle bracelet cannot be one-piece: it usually consists of two halves with a hinge joint or is an open spring ring made of plastic. Copper and silver jewelry will perfectly complement an Indian-style look, bright plastic hoops will take you to the disco of the 80s, which is slowly beginning to loom on the fashion horizon again.
• Payali. Forms with rings are ideal for creating various ethnic images with an emphasis on the East, and for Belly Dance dancers they are completely indispensable. Very interesting are models consisting of several tiers of chains, beads or gliders - the result is a kind of imitation of Egyptian sandals in a modern way. And the most delicate options are suitable for brides who choose to have their wedding ceremony on the beach.

Types of questionnaires

Foot accessories have changed, supplemented and improved over time. This is where their varieties emerged, which are characterized by their individual characteristics. The main types will include:

1. Gold.
2. Silver.
3. Payala.
4. Profiles with charms.

Gold is an expensive and exquisite material for making jewelry. Red, pink, yellow or white 585 gold can be used for products. Most often it is made in the form of a thin chain with pendants or precious stones. Accessories made of classic yellow metal are most suitable for mature, established women, and for young girls, the best option would be an ankle bracelet made of white gold. But it should only be worn on special occasions.

A silver ankle bracelet is the epitome of casual style. Unlike gold, silver is ideal for a casual look. Especially if you wear a silver anklet with bright summer sandals. Silver jewelry is typical for young and energetic girls.

Piles are quite a unique accessory. It looks like a thin chain connected to a small ring on your finger. Payals are most often made of gold, but you can also find silver ones. The classic decoration of a payal is small bells. Therefore, they are appropriate to wear while performing belly dancing or going to the beach.

Jewelry with charms was brought into fashion by the well-known Pandora brand. You can change the number, color and shape of the charms yourself, as they are removable. The most popular model is a silver ankle bracelet with charms in the form of beads. But you can choose pendants in the form of hearts, flowers, letters and other things.

A gold and silver anklet is considered a classic accessory for modern women. It emphasizes the elegance and sexuality of a thin ankle and emphasizes the fragility of the girl. Therefore, it will always be popular among owners of beautiful and slender legs.

How and with what to wear an ankle bracelet

As we see, now briefcases are worn not only on bare feet, but also on shod feet, not only with beach looks and ultra-colorful boho, but also with more laconic outfits. The main thing is to choose the right decoration style, which we already talked about earlier.

Now let's look at the basic principles:

• Ankle. A women's silver ankle chain (like any other anklet) looks best on a thin, graceful ankle. This is an ideal decoration for young graceful girls. However, no one will forbid older ladies from wearing gold and silver anklets, especially if they are proud of the beauty of their own legs. True, it is better for them to choose more laconic jewelry.
• Pedicure. Strict rule: feet must be well-groomed, with a fresh pedicure. And the brighter the decoration, the more attention it focuses on the feet. The color of the polish depends on the style: there may not be a colored coating if we are talking about a thin base profile, but the toes and heels should be in perfect order.
• Clothes and shoes. According to etiquette, women wear bracelets on open ankles. Shoes - pumps, sandals, sandals and even low sneakers, ideal clothing - a miniskirt or shorts, but not necessarily: the main thing is that the bottom of the trousers or skirt ends at least 10-15 centimeters before the waistline.

The most versatile option is a thin base chain made of gold or silver. You can wear it in splendid isolation to work, and then instantly add an urban provocative or romantic style with the help of matching charms.

Models and varieties

Wrist and ankle decoration.
On which hand and foot should women and men wear a bracelet and why? There are many different models and types of questionnaires, which allows you to choose the most suitable option from a huge number of products.

Varieties of anklets are divided into thin, wide, openwork, rigid, solid and with pendants. The whole product can be decorated with carvings or inserts made of natural stones. The choice depends on personal preference and does not necessarily have to symbolize something. Many girls prefer to wear an accessory made of elastic bands, leather laces, beads or beads on their ankles.

Depending on the material, chains are divided into soft and hard. Soft products are divided into wicker, chain and gender chains. These can be wire rings, leather strips or hinged links. Rigid accessories are made of hard materials and therefore do not bend. Very often they are worn several times on one ankle.

Slave bracelets, which look good on bare feet, are very popular. The slave is a bracelet that connects the ankle and toe. It could be a ring, an elastic band or a chain. Often such jewelry is not very comfortable to wear, because it can cause calluses on the finger.

Among young people, the “Infinity”, “Key and Lock”, “Horseshoe”, “Heart” and “Angel Wings” bracelets are popular. A variety of pendants with different inserts allows you to emphasize your individuality. A sealed bracelet in the shape of a ring, which is combined with other products to create a voluminous decoration, is in great demand.

What does an ankle bracelet mean?

The meaning of an ankle bracelet can vary depending on the culture to which the wearer belongs. In some countries, from time immemorial, it was considered a symbol of belonging to a high class, in others it demonstrated family status, in others it was considered a talisman and a talisman against hostile forces. And, as mentioned above, in some cultures it was an attribute of easily accessible women.

Gold ankle bracelet (go to the SUNLIGHT catalog)

But in American culture of the 90s, the presence of a bracelet on an ankle meant something else: sympathy for feminism and LGBT, as well as commitment to the hippie movement, which was no longer so popular in those years.

If a girl wears an ankle bracelet these days, it most likely means absolutely nothing: she just likes it. Sometimes adherents of feminism and same-sex love emphasize their worldview with questionnaires on their right ankle, while ladies professing traditional values ​​decorate their left legs with them. But this is not a dogma either.

Wear questionnaires either on your right ankle or on your left, or even decorate both legs with them at once - there is no need to pull hidden meanings where there are none. Profiles are simply incredibly effective and stylish decorations that have come into modern fashion for a long time!

21.03.21

Story

An ankle chain is by no means a modern accessory; such products were popular even before our era. True, only rich ladies and representatives of noble families could wear them. At that time, such an ankle bracelet meant well-being and financial success in society. This was the case among the Sumerians, but the ancient Egyptians did not accept such traditions, and wore chains not only of expensive metals, but also of simple iron or leather.

As for other countries, ankle chains have been popular for many centuries in India and the East. Agree, it is impossible to imagine famous oriental dancers without beautiful rustling bracelets. But still, we owe those chains that are known and popular now to the Americans. They also gave them another name - questionnaires, from the English word ankle - ankle. New stylish profiles, made in a variety of techniques, can win the heart of every girl.

Stylish and unusual destinations

In order for the image to be attractive and fashionable, and not ridiculous, the chain or ring on the leg must be chosen carefully, so that all the details are harmoniously combined with each other. But sometimes fashion follows a less obvious path, and unusual combinations appear, stylish and relevant:

• Silver bracelets are fashionable to wear over heavy black boots. And complement the look with an airy skirt to make it less rough.
• Strong and simple - a strip of lace at the ankle with one elegant pendant.
• Nude shoes and sparkling rhinestone bracelets are glamorous, but in a good sense of the word.
• White metal with fabric inserts is an unusual, but relevant decoration today. Almost bohemian chic.
• Cropped skinny jeans go perfectly with a thin silver bracelet that wraps around the ankle in several turns.
• Bracelets made of mixed metals, such as gold and silver, are more popular than ever.

Brands

In jewelry stores you can find any decoration, be it costume jewelry or jewelry. Many famous brands are engaged in the production of anklets, creating unique accessories for every taste.

1. Sunlight is a brand that produces jewelry that matches the character of a modern girl. They are designed to inspire and impart special beauty. For anklets, the brand makes classic or unusual cuts using precious stones.
2. Sokolov is a famous brand that creates unique jewelry, on which the world's leading designers work. Experienced craftsmen cast products and place inserts of diamonds, cubic zirconia, diamonds and other stones into them. Questionnaires undergo quality control to ensure compliance with standards, and only after that they are sent to store shelves.
3. Adamas is a jewelry factory that produces high-quality jewelry. Experienced designers, fashion designers and polishers work on their creation. Women's ankle bracelets can be made of precious metals with a variety of pendants and inserts.
4. Swarovski is a company that produces jewelry with crystals and precious stones. They are coated with a special coating that creates a shine of different colors. Anklets are made from different materials, of any shape, size and with numerous cuts.
5. Pandora is a brand that produces jewelry made from quality materials. Each product is hand-finished by the best craftsmen in the world. Anklets are made from silver, gold, leather, threads using precious and semi-precious stones. Some models have engraving. Each product has a clasp with the company logo.

Interesting Facts

When choosing a bracelet for yourself or as a gift, you need to familiarize yourself with the nuances of purchasing this jewelry:

1) In ancient times, many women and girls wore a chain on their legs. Only rich women from wealthy families bought expensive jewelry. However, ankle bracelets were also worn by women of easy virtue. This was a kind of designation of their professional affiliation.

The difference between the first and second was in which leg they put the decoration on. The first ones wore a bracelet on their right leg, the second - on their left. Nowadays, such subtleties are no longer familiar to people, but there is a possibility of meeting a person who has studied history or is simply aware of such an interesting fact, and you need to be prepared for possible comments or jokes on his part;

2) Oriental beauties usually put chains on two legs at once. The world-famous belly dance was performed just to the sound of chain bracelets on the legs. It was from the countries of Eastern Europe that the fashion of wearing jewelry in the form of bracelets on legs came to the cultures of all countries of the world;

3) The modern fashion industry uses chains on legs only as a decorative element to create style. Stores are replete with additional pendants and keychains that are attached to the chain and give a special stylistic focus to the entire bracelet;

4) There is an option to wear bracelets with pendants, where the latter play the role of some kind of beacons for their owner. It is possible to attach a certain figurine and make a wish, removing it only when it comes true. There is an option to buy new symbolic figures when traveling, then they will remind you of your vacation and other countries.