Men’s jewelry is frequently limited to a watch or a plain wedding band. Although there are numerous style manuals for timepieces, the same cannot be said for rings. Some conventional guidelines can be observed when discussing ring etiquette for males. There are several traditional norms when it comes to donning men’s rings.
You may, however, deviate from these guidelines to suit your preferences and unique style. Generally, It can be perplexing to wear men’s rings. On ring etiquette, there is a limited amount of implicit information. This guide aims to serve as a compass for men’s ring styling.
Popular Go-to Ring Styles
To start with, we will discuss the popular go-to ring styles for men. It would be best if you kept in mind that each event necessitates a distinct style when looking for rings. There are numerous ring types you can consider, whether you want to go for a casual appearance or business wear. These are the popular ring styles:
Wedding Band
Despite being popular now, only spouses wore wedding bands before the Second World War. But it was in the 1960s that they became popular as jewelry. Then several designs of men’s wedding bands started coming out.
The emergence of European fashion partially fueled this transition. European men have a more relaxed and understated style when wearing rings and jewelry. They often choose simple designs.
Fashion Rings
Rings that men wear for tradition rather than beauty are available, although they are uncommon. Because of this, almost every other ring is categorized as fashion. Men often rock these fashion rings for aesthetic purposes rather than because it is customary.
And these can be anything from fancy jewelry to an heirloom often found at a car boot sale. They can be worn alone or in groups on any finger. This provides more room for esoteric decisions. Firstly, ask yourself if the ring lasts a lifetime or a split second.
The response will determine how much to invest in purchasing a ring, like anything you wear. You’ll wear it well if you enjoy it naturally.
Signet Ring
What are signet rings? The Ancient Egyptians used signet rings to stamp official documents, making them the original men’s rings. When wax-sealing a letter in Britain, they were etched with a back-to-front family crest; you would deboss it with your signet to show it was indeed from you.
These days, these rings are still passed down via generations, but they also come in a variety of designs; for instance, Gianni Versace wore one with the Medusa head logo for his clothing line.
Which Ring Should Go on Which Finger?
Often, people need guidance about where to place rings on their fingers. The placement of your ring should be guided by aesthetic preference, practicality, and mechanics. According to Alice Walsh, irrespective of what traditions dictate, it’s “Your pick, your ring, and your hand.”
Even though there are some connotations for ring fingers, this guide discusses each of the fingers one by one, from the pinky to the thumb. Ready? Okay, Let’s get on here…
Pinky
This is the initial stop for men who want to consider alternatives to the wedding band. When you want to dip a (tiny) toe into men’s jewelry, your pinky has a few perks. First, it’s on an ornamental finger, so it won’t prevent you from using your hands to perform daily tasks. Second, there is no hidden significance; you wear a ring there because you wish to, not because it is customary.
Ring Finger
The wedding band, the most popular men’s ring, fits here. It is most frequently found on the left in the UK and the US. As always, do what feels most natural to you.
If you are a lefty, you may find that it sits better on your right hand because it won’t be in the way as much. Since ancient times, wedding bands have been worn on the ring finger, allegedly because the vena amoris is the sole unbroken vein in the body that connects to the heart.
Middle Finger
The middle finger is usually the last place you look for rings when your hand is full. It’s not left bare for conventional reasons; instead, it’s left bare because your index finger, which is usually the most active, is so nearby.
Due to their closeness, anything substantial can feel awkward, but an excessively delicate ring can seem strange since your middle finger is the largest on your hand. This places you in a dangerous situation.
Index Finger
A signet or family crest, worn by nobles and, in some cultures, forbidden as a ring location to anybody outside the aristocracy, was traditionally worn on the most prominent finger. You can still put a ring on it, even if you don’t have a family crest. But since it’s a space that commands attention, you should still go large. On the index finger, big, three-dimensional rings look nice if you have the guts to wear them.
Thumb Ring
Consider the thumb as the index finger taken to the next level. One is that you need a large ring since your thumb is large. But all of that also means that wearing a thumb ring is a simple way to stand out if you’re the type of guy who likes to make a statement. A pinky and a thumb ring provide a reasonable degree of separation.
4 Style Suggestions for Wearing Rings
Many men are still determining how best they can rock their ring and make it appear in the best way possible. Here are a few tips that can guide you:
1. Be Ambidextrous
With rings, less is generally more, just like with other accessories. It gets difficult to distinguish the separate components when your hands are full. It would be best if you balanced your jewelry. On the other hand, one or two rings look excellent if you have a wedding band and watch.
2. Matching Your Metals
Contrasting metals were once considered a sign of carelessness; all jewelry should be either gold or silver, but never both. But wearing a steel watch with a gold ring is no longer a fashion faux pas in a world where you may wear sweatpants with a blazer.
Even so, it still works best if you make it appear purposeful. It can give the whole appearance a more stylized appeal when done correctly. When you combine different metals in one piece, it’s incredibly effective.
3. Personality Check
Most men think about ring styles differently than other accessories like ties or hats. But just like with any other item of clothing, how you wear your rings says a lot about who you are.
When it comes to wearing rings, you have to make sure you style them appropriately. For example, you wouldn’t wear an oversized statement ring to an office job where you have to wear a traditional suit.
4. Get the Best Fit
Having a perfect fit is essential, just like with clothing. In the same way that tight jeans can appear inappropriate on a bodybuilder’s legs, tiny rings on a pianist’s fingers can seem out of place.
The jewelry size should be considered; Avoid donning rings that are too small for your body type. If you have short fingers, a massive ring may be uncomfortable yet look attractive on a man with large hands.
Final Words
Just like with any other item of clothing, how you wear your rings says a lot about who you are. Wearing rings is a simple way to add personality and style to an outfit. When it comes to wearing rings, ensure you get the best fit possible and balance your jewelry. Contrasting metals can be stylish, but be careful not to overdo it. Most importantly, have fun with it!
