There was a moment in time when a simple silver toe ring rarely parted my right “index” toe. I was 19, at university, and it became my thing; I was known for it. The bohemian touch I needed to pretend I was the carefree, free-spirited person that (hilariously) I liked to pretend I was, friends and potential suitors were perplexed by my choice of unusual accessory. Nonetheless, my loyalty endured over the course of many years.
Until, of course, it didn’t – one day it came off and never touched my toe again. I grew up and redirected my aesthetic energies elsewhere – namely, to the rings on my fingers. But now the toe ring has made its return, at least according to Jennifer Lawrence, who stepped out in New York on Thursday night wearing a pair of silver toe rings, subtly gleaming beneath Givenchy peep-toe mules. Meanwhile, Google searches for the divisive accessory rose by 130 per cent in the last month alone. The toe ring is back.
It was only a matter of time. British Vogue’s fashion features editor, Daniel Rodgers, called it back in 2023, when he declared “toes are the new legs”. Since then, fashion houses, from Versace and Chloé to Chanel, have sent shoes that showcase toe cleavage down the spring/summer 2026 catwalks. Five-finger toe shoes – my personal worst nightmare – have also become marginally more acceptable. “Lily Allen and Rick Owens are literally monetising their digits on OnlyFans,” Rodgers said more recently. “Fashion has released the hounds.”
It makes sense, then, that any podiatric accessory might hold aesthetic appeal right now. Leandra Medine Cohen – previously of The Man Repeller and known for her playful, irreverent style – began wearing a solitaire diamond ring on her middle toe back in June. The piece, a simple gold band set with a sizeable stone, was part of a sell-out collaboration with luxury label Aflalo. She styled it with a pair of Havaianas flip-flops, which was part of the appeal – budget footwear and precious jewels coexisting on one foot. What better combo?
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Cohen’s take laid the groundwork for the minimalist aesthetic Lawrence is now on board with. Pairing her Givenchy mules with modest silver toe rings feels slightly subversive in the most polished of ways — especially when teamed with a few anklets, an oversized white tee and a black mini.
It goes without saying that to pull this look off, one must maintain a finely tuned hoof. You don’t want to draw attention to your toes if they’re not in a good state. “Perfectly prepped toenails are essential if you’re going to wear foot accessories,” says manicurist Julia Diogo. “As well as ensuring nails are at a comfortable length – I love Navy Pro Tools for nail and cuticle prep – a flawless polish is key.” She name checks Bio Sculpture’s Anthea (a dusky nude), and Dior’s deep Plum Parade for an effortless autumn-winter finish.
Toe rings might once have been the remit of beach-dwellers or students, but J-Law’s New York outing proves they’ve graduated to something entirely more sophisticated. And me? Well, old habits die hard. Before long, one of those silver numbers is destined to return to its rightful place.
