The ultimate concert flex? A waist chain

Waist chains—an accessory once dismissed as peak Noughties nostalgia—is now rebranding itself as the sharpest concert-side flex. Much like animal print in 2026, the waist chain has slipped back into the style conversation without announcement… and suddenly, it’s everywhere. Runways have been hinting at this shift for a while. The resurgence of low-slung silhouettes, exposed midriffs, and deliberate body-conscious styling, from Milan to Paris, has created the perfect ecosystem for jewellery that doesn’t sit politely at the neck or wrist. Maisons like Louis Vuitton, Versace, and Celine are once again obsessed with framing the torso, letting metal skim skin and move with the body. Think less accessory, more punctuation mark. A styling detail that finishes a look rather than competes with it.

Pop culture, of course, caught on instantly. Rihanna, who has been wearing body jewellery long before TikTok gave it a name, made a compelling case for waist chains during her pregnancy by styling them unapologetically. Kim Kardashian took the idea to its logical extreme, wearing a pear-cut diamond at her waist, before making the look accessible via crystal body chains and harnesses in her Skims x Swarovski collaboration. Predictably, the internet rolled its eyes—and then promptly embraced it. Hailey Bieber even decided to launch Rhode’s Lemontini summer with her lip tint dangling off her waist by a chain. This isn’t just celebrity excess trickling down. The waist chain’s appeal lies in how little effort it asks of you.

According to celebrity stylist Garima Garg, “Waist chains make even the simplest outfit feel thought through. They feel relevant because they’re sensual without being loud. It draws attention to the body in a refined way and adds a layer of polish to otherwise minimal looks.” At concerts and festivals (where fashion meets movement), this matters. “They shimmer, shift, and bring focus to the waist without feeling heavy or restrictive… It adds movement and intention. It brings energy with it.”
 

Street style confirms it. From Gigi Hadid’s asymmetrically slung chain belts paired with relaxed denim to off-duty it-girls layering delicate gold chains over cargos and ribbed tanks, it’s a look that feels effortless rather than engineered. It’s the accessory equivalent of undone hair or smudged liner—cool because it doesn’t try too hard. There’s also a cultural familiarity at play, especially closer to home. Long before the belly chain became a Y2K staple, Indian fashion had the kamarbandh—ornate and sculptural, designed to highlight the waist and elevate even the simplest drape. Today’s waist chain feels like a stripped-back, global reinterpretation of that idea. Less ceremonial, more everyday. Less heirloom, more personal.

Belly chains and metallic belts had a major cultural moment with Gen Z crowds at global music festivals like Lollapalooza and Rolling Loud—styled low-slung over cargo pants, micro skirts, and barely-there co-ords, often layered with body glitter and second-skin tanks. What began as festival jewellery has now matured into a full-blown styling language, and in 2026, it’s poised to move beyond the field and into everyday wardrobes.

With SS26 runways already re-centring the waist through chains, hardware belts, and decorative cinching, these pieces feel less Y2K novelty and more like intentional silhouette-makers. We expect the next wave of this trend to play out at upcoming concerts too—especially at the John Mayer Solo Live in Mumbai. Concerts and music festivals are where metallic waist accents will be styled sharper, sleeker, and more fashion-forward: think chain belts over oversized tailoring, belly chains peeking out from sheer dresses, and sculptural metal kamarbandhs worn as jewellery. The message is clear—adorning your waist is all about attitude.

Wondering how to style them? Garg’s rule for balance is clear: “Let the chain breathe by pairing it with simple fits and clean lines. If the waist chain is present, everything else should feel deliberate but quiet—clean tailoring, neutral tones, and controlled textures.” The idea is not to stack trends, but to let one detail do the talking. For first-timers, she suggests easing in. “Start simple: mid or low-rise denim and a tank, cargos, relaxed trousers, easy dresses, and plain skirts. Waist chains work best when you forget you’re wearing them. It should feel like a part of your outfit, not an add-on.”

The sentiment is echoed by Gen Z model and fashion it-girl Subiksha Shivakumar, who considers waist chains non-negotiable for concerts. “I love waist chains, I think it adds a nice sparkle to the outfit! It has the same effect a belt would have, except it’s smaller and more demure,” she says. “The type of waist chain depends on the texture of the outfit. I love gold, usually, sometimes beaded if the outfit is loud, and gold if it’s not doing too much. I would recommend starting small and then feeling it out, and keep layering.”

Like all great fashion comebacks, the waist chain isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about timing. In an era of pared-back dressing and hyper-curated personal style, this is jewellery that feels intimate, intentional, and just a little bit indulgent. At a concert, where outfits are meant to move, sweat, and live a little, a little glint at the waist might just say everything you want it to.

Below are some of our favourite styles

Chanel Chain Belt, ₹168,400

Amama Son Chiriya Waist Chain, ₹12,999

Diesel Logo B Chain Chain Belt, ₹19,999

Misho Designs Jasmine Belt, ₹11,500

Gucci Double Chain Belt With Charms, ₹190,900

Lune Dainty Daisy Chain, ₹20,500

Outhouse Le Palmier Couture Belt, ₹37,635

Revolve Double Crystal Chain Link Belt, ₹8,555

Isharya Garden Enchantment Belt, ₹12,999

Swarovski Millenia Belt, ₹56,000

Missoma Lucy Williams Cobra Snake Belly Chain, ₹15,900

Versace Greca Goddess Chain Belt, ₹111,400

Lead image: Getty

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