How to Style Toe Rings Beyond Summer

Toe rings are in this summer – but we don't have to stop the trend just because August is coming to an end. Contrary to popular belief, summer doesn't end with August — in the Northern Hemisphere, it technically ends on September 22 — so, yes, that means there are multiple other options to still make the most of the trend for back-to-school season and beyond. Whether you venture online for your pick, or try out Etsy or local markets and fairs, toe rings are here to stay.

It's easy to understand why we often associate toe rings with summer. Summer is the season when our feet are most exposed, with many of us gravitating to flip-flops, clogs, and other open-toed shoes as our primary form of footwear to tolerate the heat and to facilitate the process in pool and beach escapades.

With our toes often on display, there's no better time to incorporate an eye-catching addition — and we are not alone in thinking that. In late July, Sasha Obama gave toe rings her stamp of approval, joining the many reviving the quintessentially Y2K trend for 2025 with a few silver options.

“We love wearing toe rings when we are barefoot, with water nearby, or rocking a pair of simple sandals that show off [the contrast between] the skin and metal," Rocío Gallardo and Jorge Ros, founders of Spanish jewelry brand Simuero, share with Teen Vogue. “There's no closed formula, but we do love making toe rings the main protagonist when on feet.”

Simuero, which Obama seems to have favored with her picks this year, was among the first brands to catch onto the renewed appeal of these simple bands and spearhead the toe ring renaissance, releasing a complete collection of 15 toe rings as part of their La Costa launch in July.

“I’ve always liked wearing jewelry in unexpected places,” Rocío elaborates. “My mom says when I was a child, I was already wearing things in my toes, and I guess some of that stuck with me. When we finished our Birthstones collection, I wanted to do something just for me, something fun."

“We were already selling our Arena toe ring, but I wanted to add some gems and give feet the prominence they deserve; it’s the part of our body that’s in direct contact with the earth and the one we often neglect the most,” she continues. "For me, summer equals bare feet and toe rings. So what started as a little personal experiment ended up making sense for Simuero as well.”

Simuero — which is stocked online in retailers such as FWRD, SSENSE, and Moda Operandi, among others — crafts its toe rings from rhodium-plated 925 recycled sterling silver, meaning they are both durable and sustainable. As Rocío mentions, the brand offers a simple band called Arena, but most of their new pieces feature colored cubic zirconias for an extra flair, which differentiates them from your run-of-the-mill toe ring.

I was lucky enough to take out some of the Simuero toe rings for a spin, and they soon became a staple in my summer uniform. I took three pieces with me on a short trip, and they were the key to making a limited carry-on-only wardrobe shine brighter — quite literally. I wore multiple rings with my flip-flops to gallivant across museums and head to the beach, and opted for a more pared-down vibe with one simple ring for more formal outings, like dinners.

“To take the best care of toe rings, the formula is easy: the more you wear them, the better they get,” explain Rocío and Jorge. “Since they are made of silver, they essentially clean themselves with daily use. Then, when you take off a piece, we recommend lightly cleaning them with a soft cloth and saving them in individual pouches, away from humidity.”

Materials are key when choosing your toe rings. A precious metal like silver, as Simuero uses, is best, but if you are worried about losing them or want a more affordable option, gold-plated alternatives also work. Teen Vogue's contributing writer Kara Nesvig is partial to these st. Moran adjustable toe rings: “They’ve stayed on for a full month, no slipping or tarnishing — even after a week of jumping off the boat into the lake!”

As far as sizing goes, most toe rings feature adjustable open closures. However, like with any finger ring, it's always best to triple-check before making a purchase.

Toe rings might thrive by the sea, but their influence expands beyond pools and shores. Toe rings also belong on the high-fashion runway and were most recently seen during Chloé's spring-summer 2019 womenswear show, where models strutted down the runway wearing heels and sandals, completed by anklets and toe rings for an added element of sophistication.

A testament to the toe ring's enduring and ever-expanding appeal can also be found in the trending sandals we have seen on the rise this year, aptly nicknamed “toe-ring sandals,” which feature a looping metal thumb detail and have been popularized by anyone from Tory Burch to Madewell, Reformation, and Steve Madden.

Much like those sandals do today, once upon a time, toe rings also graced the red carpet at prestigious events like the Emmys, Grammys, and the Golden Globes, thanks to celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and Britney Spears, who chose the understated accessory to complement their glamorous outfits.

Zoë Kravitz's mother, Lisa Bonet, also donned a toe ring with her strappy heels to the Biker Boyz premiere in Hollywood. At the same time, other stars, such as Jennifer Aniston and Keri Russell, endorsed the jewelry trend for casual looks, showcasing how a toe ring can be a simple addition to elevate and add a playful spin to an otherwise straightforward outfit.

Toe rings have remained a staple in many cultures around the world, but their heyday in the West was definitely in the early ‘00s. This new resurgence joins other Y2K-inspired jewelry trends, such as belly button piercings and anklets, and thrives in its simplicity. All you need to make them work is an open-toed shoe, no matter the season, to add a little peek and extra visual element. “Toe rings are like a little gesture of pleasure, almost like a secret,” Simuero’s Rocío and Jorge say.

Toe rings work as an everyday addition as long as it is warm out — and, unfortunately, it's warm a lot of the time now. If you live in the opposite hemisphere or are visiting soon, prime toe ring season starts soon, but if you don't want to wait until it's summer to rock this IYKYK trend, consider making toe rings your staple at formal events – whether that's a dinner, a date, a wedding, or a graduation.

Shop our favorite toe rings below: