Popular and greatly favored amongst younger women, the anklet or ankle bracelet and toe rings have become coveted bridal accessories in the Sub-continent and the Middle East.
Historically speaking, anklets made with copper, gold and silver, as well as leather strips embellished with rhinestones were used for centuries by ancient Egyptians, Aztecs and Roman civilizations. Copper was used primarily for medicinal purpose, as it was believed (and that belief still exists), that copper helps to ease inflammation of the joints. This ancient tradition gradually infiltrated the Middle East and South Asian regions, expanding rapidly to Europe.
Modern day fashion jewelry rose to prominence in the early 20th century (1920 – 1930), when a group of French Jewelry Designers, revolutionized the concept of turning the conventional designs to make new, bold and trendy fashion accessories.
The craze to wear anklets or commonly known as ‘payal or pazaib’ started with a single chain made with gold or silver, or multi colored beads or seashells threaded in a string; focus on foot ornaments started some three to four decades back, when glamorous fashion magazines and movies portrayed models and celebrities, wearing trendy ‘hip’ anklets and toe rings, which soon became the rage in the world of fashion accessories.
Today, most bridal ensembles in South Asian and Middle Eastern countries are incomplete without the ethnic payal withghungurus (bells) and a toe ring to flatter the foot. The ankle bracelet typically measures 1 to 2 inches larger than the size of the ankle. The toe ring may be fitted (full ring) or adjustable (half a ring).
Bridal preferences in selecting the anklets and toe rings depend on the 4 Big C’s. Culture, Custom, Clothes and Country of origin. Here are some typical styles for bridal wear:
• A slim bracelet in gold, delicately engraved with a matching toe ring that is both sophisticated and elegant, is a choice for more fashionable wear.
• Two or three layers of silver (real, sterling or tarnished) with elaborate workmanship and tiny ghungurus spaced one inch apart, for the traditional bride where some cultural restrictions only allow silver for foot ornaments; a plain silver band or a large toe ring worn on the left foot toe symbolizes a married woman.
• Kundan for a broader anklet and gold or silver blended toe rings for the ethnicity.
• A plain anklet (silver or gold) studded with precious stones and a toe ring embedded with complimenting gems look very chic.
• In the Middle East, the tradition to wear ankle bracelets joined by a thin chain that connects the toe ring is an extremely attractive style worn by brides.
Some design of foot accessories.
