Can Guys Wear Anklets? [and How to Do That the Right Way!]

Fashion trends tend to have strange gender rules. For example, while women can readily wear anklets while going to the beach or attending festivals, many men feel as though they can't. What is the case, then? Can guys wear anklets?

Absolutely yes, men can wear anklets and ankle bracelets. At this point, the only thing holding potentially-interested men back is the social stigma that may still exist in some parts of the population (but not all!).

Can Guys Wear Anklets? [and How to Do That the Right Way!]

This article may include affiliate links and elements that were carefully created by our team using advanced ai to help you envision the best style advice.

Even with that stigma in place, there are still a number of anklets already for sale and directed towards men. Let's dive into the dos and don'ts that keep so many men from experimenting with anklets and see if we can't find an aesthetic or make that appeals to even the most hardened of beach-goer.

Can Men Wear Anklets?

As noted, many men refuse to wear anklets or other forms of jewelry due to social stigma. Masculinity in the West has, unfortunately, taught many men that wearing jewelry is a sign of femininity. While some wearers may embrace it as such, these assumptions should not be automatic.

If you're interested in trying out new forms of anklet jewelry, but you're not sure where to start, we can help guide you through your options.

What Is The Male Tradition Of Anklet Wearing?

Men have been wearing anklets for just about as long as women have. In Africa and the Middle East, men wore anklets to indicate their social status. Kshatriya in Indian,  or members of a royal or warrior caste, would even wear gold anklets to indicate their position above the rest of society. Other caste members, be they male or female, would wear silver anklets as a reflection of their lesser status.

What Kind Of Anklets Can Men Wear?

Nowadays, men can choose from a greater variety of anklets. While certain styles and makes are more popular than others, there are anklets for every look and personality on the market.

Leather anklets

Leather anklets are among the most traditional anklets for men to wear. Study and varied in style, they are among the most versatile of the anklets available to men.

To find more men's anklets like this one, you can shop Amazon's catalog.

Surf or Beach Anklets

If you live in a seaside area, then you've likely see shell-based anklets for sale. Men can just as readily wear these types of anklets as women, though they'll need time to get used to the pressure of the shells against their legs.

To find more men's anklets like this one, you can shop Amazon's catalog.

Beaded Anklets

Beaded anklets have less of an immediate impact on the leg than shell-based anklets. Even so, they add an extra bit of spark to the standard male anklet.

To find more men's anklets like this one, you can shop Amazon's catalog.

Hemp Anklets

Made out of loose material, hemp anklets are often seen as temporary anklets that will fall off after long-term exposure to water. These anklets can be adorned with any number of beads or other details. So long as they're carefully preserved or removed before entering the water, these anklets can last for a significant amount of time.

To find more men's anklets like this one, you can shop Amazon's catalog.

The aforementioned anklet types are among the most common anklet types you'll see while out on the beach or in the festival scene. There are other types of anklets, though, that may fit better with an individual aesthetic. The other types of anklets ideal for men include:

  • Braided
  • Feathered
  • Corded
  • Gold or silver
  • Chainlink

Whatever your style is, you'll be able to find an anklet that matches the aesthetic you're trying to embody. Do your research and don't let any concerns about fashion's gender structures keep you from experimenting with the jewelry you're interested in.

Can A Man Wear Ankle Bracelets?

Ankle bracelets are no different than anklets. However, ankle bracelets may come in matching sets, much as bangles do.

Any man who feels comfortable wearing an anklet in public can just as easily wear ankle bracelets in public. Even if you're still overcoming the societal pressure to wear as little jewelry as possible, you can experiment with the weight of two anklets versus one to see which you're most comfortable with.

It's worth noting, of course, that not all outfits will look good with a pair of ankle bracelets. Make sure that your outfit allows you to accentuate your jewelry. If you're going to be wearing boots or other high-top shoes over the course of the day, you may want to save your ankle bracelets for a more appropriate outfit.

Which Leg Should A Man Wear An Anklet On?

At some recent point in American history, men and women alike came to believe that a man who wore jewelry on the left side of his body - excluding his wedding ring - was using the jewelry to indicate that he was gay. To a point, this holds true. Older gay men still wear earrings in their left ears to indicate that they are not heterosexual.

That said, wearing a piece of jewelry on the left side of your body is not an automatic indicator of a person's sexuality. Unfortunately, though, many men are now scared of giving women or other men the impression that they're gay by wearing non-ring jewelry on the left sides of their bodies.

While it can be difficult to throw off decades of social conditioning, some men are going to have to in order to comfortably wear an anklet or ankle bracelet in public. Your ankles have no particular symbolic meaning, even when adorned with jewelry.

Likewise, there is no inherent sin or indication of sexual proclivity attached to the wearing of an anklet on one particular ankle over the other. This is the case with women and with men in most cultural circles.

In summary, men should feel free to wear whatever kinds of jewelry interest them, including anklets. There are several styles of anklets available on the market today. If you find one that you like and what you'd feel comfortable wearing to the beach or at home, why not have a little fun?

18 Comments

  1. I wear my anklet all the time. I love my anklet. I feel no social stigma by wearing it. It just looks nice. I also shave my legs.

    • I shave as well Gsry. legs, under arms and of course the whole brazilian area. actually, that part gets waxed, lol. I wear a delicate silver and turquoise anklet and a toe ring. I wear leggings, long and capri, as well as skinny jeans, flats and wedges. I have pedicures and have my toes painted as well. I’m a straight, married, conservative man, and I don’t find any problem with dressing or any of the other things I do, and neither does my wife. I do it because I feel good doing it. I love having my toes painted and going out in sandals. I get some stares, but a lot more compliments. I challenge the social “norm”.

      • I also wear an ankle bracelet and matching wrist bracelet, I also shave my legs and love to wear leggings and short shorts, on my walks I seem to attract a lot of men that are straight but I love it!

  2. I’m a heterosexual Male and I love wearing my anklet. I wear a leather anklet even in public and I don’t care what anyone thinks. It doesn’t mean a man is “gay” for wearing one. People need to grow up.

  3. I’m 67 and have been a Retail Jeweler for 48 of them! I put a chain link on in silver few years back to check size and haven’t take’n it off! People wear earrings, bracelets etc., Even Toe Rings,,,,,Why Not?

  4. I made my own anklet out of black cord with black and silver beads, I get nice compliments about the design I made they say is It looks nice. I wear my anklet all the time.

  5. I’m 68yrs. old and have been wearing toe rings and anklets on both sides for 17-18 years. I don’t care what people think because I like how they look. I tell them if they don’t like them, don’t look at them, but ask them to kindly keep their comments to themselves.

  6. I’m a totally smooth homosexual and have worn ankle bracelets & toe rings on both the left & right for several years. Being I’m versatile (but lean towards bottoming) sometimes I will wear them on both ankles depending on how fem I’m feeling at the moment.

    • I also wear an ankle bracelet and matching wrist bracelet, I also shave my legs and love to wear leggings and short shorts, on my walks I seem to attract a lot of men that are straight but I love it!

  7. This was very helpful and informative.I wear an ankle bracelet on my left ankle because I want to (i’m right handed) I just like it that way. Just a simple gold chain , made it myself with stuff I bought from a hobby store. Easy and inexpensive to make and I enjoy wearing it,with or without pantyhose.Never had a problem with snags.I do not care what people say if they see it. All the social stigma is a bunch of bull. I also love earrings, hoops & studs with sparkly crystals, thought about embellishing my anklet with crystals,but decided not to. I am a heterosexual male,maybe a bit bi-curious, but I just love to wear women’s clothes,shoes & jewelry etc. I don’t feel so bad knowing I’m not the only guy in the world who does it. Makes me enjoy it even more.

  8. Nice article. Straight, married guy here with a slight, sometimes feminine side. I have been wearing anklets and toe rings for years. The past year I went full time, with a plain 11 inch 3mm anklet that I love. Not to “showy” but big enough to be noticeable. True, not a lot of guys wearing gold anklets but it works for me. The wife has several anklets as well, she has been wearing hers since the 70’s.
    Anklets are fashionable, stylish and fun.

  9. I love wearing my ankle bracelet as well! And sometimes my toe rings also. I try not to think about what other people might be thinking, but sometimes I do tend to hide. And it’s something I should get over. Cause when it comes down to it. Who cares! And I also applaud you for wearing women’s clothes. I love wearing women’s clothes! To me it just means that it’s comfortable to wear. If women can wear men’s clothes, then why can’t we wear women’s clothes whenever we want to.

  10. Most people have quite a narrow view of the world. This especially strong in what is masculine and feminine.

    Anytime someone breaks with this it can make people feel confused and so lash out.

    It is your problem not yours. A person should wear what feels right for them.

    I don’t personally wear any jewellery or anything like that as my body finds it uncomfortable.

    You do you.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *