An anklet is a foot bracelet that gets worn like a chain around the ankle. Anklets are worn in Egypt and India, where they hold higher cultural importance than elsewhere. In India, anklet or Payalare worn by women of all ages and have spiritual and religious significance.
They are just as essential to Indian women as necklaces, earrings, and rings. Many ladies wear them as part of their daily attire. The tinkling sound made when stepping into an anklet is thought to be exceedingly feminine and beautiful, indicating the presence of a lady in the room.
At the same time, they are a fundamental component of bridal wear in many parts of the country. Aside from its historical significance in South Asia, Payal design is also popular in Western countries, where they have become a fashionable item for bare or sandaled feet.
Variety of anklets
Women’s anklets come in the widest range of styles and designs in India, where they are found in both traditional and modern or fusion variations. An Indian anklet is usually made of silver and decorated with bells or balls. The metal gets occasionally woven into a ring of motifs, and the more sophisticated silver anklets may even be encrusted with beads, pearls, or stones.
Brides-to-be wear the most elaborate Payal design on their wedding day. These are usually thick with multiple layers of chains and adorned with various embellishments, ranging from stones, pearls, and beads to bells, shells, gems, or Kundan work, and are part of the sixteen necessary decorations for a bride.
Meenakari, a technique for creating colourful enamelled designs on metal surfaces, is commonly used on anklets to add colour and beauty to the bridal look. You can find plenty of designs on online jewellery websites to meet your taste.
In Indian culture, gold is the “metal of the gods” that are not worn on the feet. So traditional gold anklets with Indian designs are uncommon. However, gold-plated or gold-tinted anklets with more modern designs are becoming increasingly popular.
Plastic, thread, leather, yarn, and various alloys are also commonly used to make Payal nowadays. Colourful beads or small metallic motifs of flowers, fish, birds, or unusual skulls or owls adorn them. The main benefit of anklet jewellery is its affordability. It makes it simple to incorporate the most recent trends and designs into your casual wardrobe without spending a fortune.
Anklets are not only meant for women. Even men and children wear them. In India, anklets are available for girls as young as six months old. This custom of purchasing baby anklets has a long history, but it is also a great way to dress up small children without overburdening them with bulky accessories.
In some parts of India, men wear traditional anklets, though the design differs from women. Anklets for men are typically thin, simple pieces with a few beads added for decoration. The ethnic style may be thicker, silver or alloys, and inflexible, like a bangle than a bracelet. It is one of the few accessories that enhancethandiminisha man’sensemble.
Style tips
The anklet has indeed come into its own, and it is seen not only on red carpets and runways but also in movies and television shows. There are a lot of anklets found in a fusion with Indian variety if you browse jewellery online.
The anklet’s popularity stems from the fact that it instantly adds a funky yet feminine vibe to any outfit. It has an ethnic appeal and can be subtle or ornate, depending on the designs. Women can add a personal touch to any trendy look with a Payal.
Adding gold anklets to black leggings, for example, creates a beautiful dramatic contrast; pairing this with a large gold necklace with similar designs is a great way to achieve a . The simple Indian Payal design, or silver anklet, looks excellent with salwar kameez and kurta pyjamas and adds to the ethnic vibe.
Beaded anklets would be a good choice for western and Indo western outfits. The coloured beads match the tunic, top, or dress. You must wear ankle-length shoes, open-heeled sandals, or flats with bright, colourful anklets.
