Pinky Rings: Is It Okay for Men to Wear Them? |
Posted: March 31, 2020 |
Pinky Rings: Is It Okay for Men to Wear Them?
When a conversation comes up about rings, it usually centers around engagement and wedding rings, maybe because it's the most commonly purchased type of ring. According to an article, the United States has the highest global diamond consumption in the world.
But then, is that all there is about rings?
Most definitely not. Beyond the ring finger, a ring exists for all the other four digits on our hand that deserves its own adornment. We're not talking about the fingers of women.
Men are also equal participants when it comes to rings and making a statement. Rings are a symbol of both fashion, power, and status, and it isn't about how many carats or how blinding your engagement rings are. The pinky finger, as unassuming and peripheral it may be, has become an excellent choice for men to adorn it with a ring.
Pinky rings specifically have a long history of power with powerful people, powerful families, and powerful groups. Take Tony Soprano, Jay Z, Bruno Mars, and Prince Charles for example. All of them wear pinky rings as a status symbol of money, family heritage, power, and of course, fashion.
Because of this, pinky rings are making a huge comeback as jewelry designers find cool, new ways to make pinky trends even more trendy and fashionable. Pinky rings have always been a form of old-school romance, and they have always been originally worn by men, and more recently adopted by women, especially in the 60s and 70s. What's a pinky ring?
A pinky ring is just a ring that's worn on your pinky finger, also known as your fifth finger. The term 'pinky finger' got its name from the Dutch word for pink, meaning 'little finger.'
Choosing a pinky ring
Whatever reason you choose to wear a pinky ring, the truth is, as a man, you can wear rings, and this style choice isn't confined to a pinky ring. In fact, you can wear whatever ring you want. It could be a little apprehensive to try an unconventional look, but keep in mind that adjusting to new fashion norms will take time. That said, if you've always wanted to try a pinky ring, go for it. Don't let your apprehension get in the way of trying new things.
A pinky ring is less about the shape of your finger, but more about if it suits your personality and the style you're going for. A pinky ring can make you feel empowered the same way wearing lipstick for a woman makes her bold.
In today's fashion trends with pinky rings, it's usually a chunky signet design, so you can try this out, but if chunky isn't your thing, then you might just want to go with something like a simple silver ring or a thin pave band to start off. The idea here is to start with something simple before you can pinpoint your actual style and what works for you.
A symbol of masculinity
The bold, substantial look that pinky rings exude is just one of the reasons why you should try it. The pinky ring has always been a sartorial and masculine piece of accessory in a man’s wardrobe. If you prefer wearing multiple rings at one go, then pinky rings are an excellent way to add dimension and intrigue to a plain black suit or casual jeans and shirt look.
As mentioned previously, men wear rings as a symbol of social class, prestige, wealth, and also in modern history - fashion. Like signet rings, pinky rings are worn to make a specific statement. If you look back in history, men wore pinky rings and other rings on any finger on both hands, including the index finger.
Back in the 18th century, men in England mostly would use rings specifically on their pinky finger, which is something Prince Charles has carried on to today. Sometime back in Victorian times, both men and women would wear pinky rings to signify that they weren't interested in marriage. Eventually, wedding bands became more popular for men to wear, and they would wear both their signet ring and wedding ring on their pinky finger on the same hand.
A new approach to fashion and men's clothing came about in the 20th century, and it was more about fashion and making statements rather than following a tradition. This trend carried on with pinky rings, especially among Parisian men during the Jazz Age. Pinky rings became a form of expression for style and freedom.
Back in the US, wealthy American men adhered to the tradition ignited by the British of wearing both the pinky and signet ring on their left hand. If you look back at old photos, you’d find Franklin Roosevelt wearing these rings on his pinky finger.
Soon enough, this practice spread far and wide. Members of the American Mafia and grifters would start this trend of wearing pinky rings to symbolize their affiliation with gangs and organizations. As a result, some people have in their minds that the pinky ring has a negative connotation.
But then, just like all things in fashion, rules are bent and broken, and as time goes by, rules are relaxed. After World War II, traditions and connotations related to pinky rings being symbols of power to the Mafia became less of an importance. Traditions were upheld, and men of certain classes continued wearing pinky rings and a simple pair of cufflinks together with their outfits and suits.
Which hand should the pinky ring be on?
The pinky ring is usually worn on the left hand, the same way Prince Charles wears it until today. His wedding band is also on the pinky ring on his left hand. However, if you look at other English men such as Winston Churchill, he wears his signet ring on the ring finger of his right hand, so who's to say where it should really be? If you like to wear pinky rings, choose the hand you feel most comfortable the ring should be on. What kind of pinky rings should you try?
The sky's the limit here. Whatever your heart desires, there's a design that would definitely speak to you, so it's all about choosing one that fits your personal style. There are many jewelers that sell many different types of designs, and you can buy this pinky ring, whether at online retailers or brick and mortar shops. These rings are in silver, sterling, gold, stones, gems, and even small diamonds. Any ring you choose depends on the look you're going for.
Currently, the trend for men's pinky ring has been around onyx, lapis lazuli, bloodstone, tiger's eye, malachite, and tourmaline. Depending on the kind of stone you choose, the light catches differently, creating a unique and exceptional look to your pinky ring. Most pinky rings often imitate a signet ring, minus the engraving or the signet, so most pinky rings are usually flat stones.
Should you wear a pinky ring?The more important question is, do you want to? Have you been thinking about it? If you have, then the answer is always a resounding yes. If you've been toying with the idea of wearing a pinky ring, it just takes trying one on to see if this suits you or not.
Whether you should or shouldn't is the same reason why you wear certain clothes and accessories. It's because you have to, want to, and it represents your style and personality. The only question you should be asking yourself is whether you want to wear it or not wear it, not if other men are wearing it. It's always nice to find inspiration for what to wear, which is why looking at how celebrities wear their pinky rings is a great way to get inspired.
Your biggest concern would be the size of your pinky ring. When you purchase a pinky ring, you need to make sure you keep them apart from your other rings because pinky rings are of a different size. They have a smaller diameter compared to ring fingers. Most jewelry retailers already make it easier for you to choose a pinky ring, as they would categorize these rings on their stores and websites, anyway.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is pinky rings have become more of a fashion statement nowadays and a form or style expression, rather than an association to a gang, tradition, or a display of status or social class. Men from all walks of life wear pink rings, so there's no one stopping you from donning one whether as a personal choice, statement, or status.
As always, if you're not sure what style or design suits you best, go for something simple and comfortable for your finger until you get used to wearing the ring on your pinky. Once you have a better idea of what you want and what you like, you can go ahead and explore all the various designs available out there.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
