Everybody’s Wearing Chunky Rings
Chains, earrings and cuffs have been amped up to the max in recent seasons – and now, it’s time for supersized rings to shine, says CHARLIE BOYD
Circa 2020, every white T-shirt was crowned with a thick, chunky chain. Then, Bottega Veneta’s perfectly plump ‘Drop’ earrings, from its fall/winter 2022 collection, ubiquitously infiltrated street-style photography (and are still going strong this season). On the SS24 runways, it was the turn of the statement cuff – supersized proportions and satisfyingly large contours soon took hold. So, it was only a matter of time before our fingers got the souped-up-shine effect – and now chunky rings are trending, big time.
There’s no question that the current trend for cowgirl cool has played its part. Significant amounts of silver and jaw-dropping gems are signatures of Western-inspired fashion and country-music style icons, and today’s pop-culture tastemakers are following suit. In several promo shots for her latest album, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé was bedecked in oversized, dazzling rings, while Bella Hadid recently wore a cowgirl hat and an assortment of chunky rings to complete her look while attending the American Western Weekend in Arlington, Texas. The ‘mob wife’ aesthetic is tying in nicely, too: Miley Cyrus just dropped her new single, Doctor, with a shot of herself wearing a lavish faux-fur coat and a supersized ring that spreads across two fingers, while Rihanna’s gold ‘Mom’ ring has become a recurrent piece in her jewelry wardrobe.
“We first saw a rise in customers searching for bold, statement designs during the height of the ‘quiet luxury’ trend, to juxtapose the subtle backdrop of block-color clothing,” says Sophie McMillan, acting fine-jewelry buyer at NET-A-PORTER. “Since then, trends have evolved and customers are seeking chunkier pieces to complement the cowboy-inspired, ‘loud luxury’ aesthetic, finishing off each outfit with an unapologetic flourish,” she explains.
It should come as no surprise that American designers are leading the charge. Shay, the Los Angeles-based brand favored by Dua Lipa, Hailey Bieber and Jennifer Lawrence, is known for its bold, brazen gems with art-deco pizzazz – and its chunky cocktail rings are no exception. The brand’s 18-karat gold, emerald and diamond ring features a statuesque setting that both frames and protects its showstopping central stone, adding clout to any outfit. David Yurman’s designs are similarly architectural. Founded by the visionary David and Sybil Yurman in 1980, the New York-based brand still channels the couple’s artistic and sculptural talents today. The result is its ‘Sculpted Cable’ ring, which boasts a fluted form featuring scintillating pavé diamonds that make for serious sparkle. Elsewhere, Anita Ko and Ofira are serving similarly mega styles – it doesn’t come much chunkier than their ‘James’ and ‘Pow’ designs, which should be worn solo for maximum impact.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic, independent artisans are championing epic metal-only designs, crafting sleek alternatives to stone-heavy styles. Take London-based brand Bleue Burnham, for example. Founded in 2018, the label is celebrated for its organic take on high luxury and delivers textured metals as a calling card – its ‘Woven Willow’ ring, in particular, offers delicately chiseled sterling silver in spades. Lié Studio’s designs are similarly modern yet minimalist, with its ‘Leah’ ring showcasing a simple, dome-shaped silhouette that would effortlessly complement the curves of Bottega Veneta’s ultra-desirable earrings. By Pariah also offers the best of both worlds, playing with shadow and shine to include metal-only and gem-set rings in its cult three-ring sets – the perfect solution for those who prefer the ring stacking to be done for them.
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