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Haute foot
The eternally popular anklet in a new avatar
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Gone are the days when the tinkling of anklets marked the presence of a new bride in the household. Now you can spot them in myriad designs and in different shapes and colours on the feet of young college girls. They dress up your pretty feet and also make a fashion statement - casual and trendy with a touch of feminity.
Anklets have made a long journey from the traditional jhanjhars, paizebs and payals. Earlier they were made of silver and worn on both ankles, but that lost world charm has made an interesting entry again. Today it is worn on just one ankle and sometimes in odd clusters of four or more. "These accessories are fast selling now and are competing with earrings and bracelets for the top spot," said Shaheen Abbas whose anklet collection with plaisleys and butterflies has made a mark of its own.
Mix n match
Anklets are a rage now and are going places. You can spot them in offices, parties, beaches and colleges. It also suits all pockets and come in a wide price range from Rs 10 to Rs 2,000 or more. You can hunt for the funky ones in the Linking Road in Mumbai, for the designer ones you can visit branded showrooms of Aza or Art Karat, while for the traditional silver or gold ones you can visit some trusted jewellery stores like TBZ or Minawala Jewellers.
Cross culture
Anklets are an important part of women's adornment in the Indian culture though they have also been
found in other ancient cultures of Egypt and Middle East. Some women involved in the "Cuckold" lifestyle wear an anklet on their right ankle as a signal to others in the lifestyle that she is available. Research indicates that women of Babylon wore such anklets in the seventh and eighth centuries B.C.
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Anklets can be worn with caprice, skirts, short length pants, dresses and beach wear. Basically they go with any shoes except, of course, tie-ups or boots. When worn with sandals or with stilettos, they make you stand out. "Those in gold, semi glass and crystals are hot favourites now," adds Shaheen who is now busy experimenting with a mix and match of gold and silver filigree work for anklets.
Colourful n funky
Devinder Layal, HOD of Jassani Dept of Jewellery Design, SNDT Women's University, also votes for anklets as the latest craze in town. "These are fun acessories for today's youngsters. The more colourful and funky it is, the more it sells," smiles Mr Layal. Hence designers are firing their imagination and designing anklets made of sea shells, plastic beads, semi precious stones, cut glass and wood. "I have lost count on the number of anklets I have," says Nisha Seth, a first year college student. "They are cool and I just love to pick them up to match with my outfits," she adds.
Bridal wear
Payals are considered to be traditional and auspicious gift for the new bride in India. Payal, called pattelu in Telugu is a significant part of bride's jewellery in India. Other varieties of payals are jhanjhaar (Gujarat & Rajasthan), golusu (Tamil Nadu), nupur (Bengal), ghungru and paizeb (Hyderabad). Mostly, Hindu women prefer to wear payals made of silver and not gold. This is because Indians believe gold to be the metal of the gods and is therefore sacred. To wear it on the feet is considered to be an ill-omen.
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