Though some insist a good manicure is all you need to dress up your fingers, Iāve always been more partial to the magic of layered rings than I have to the power of nail polish. Though my hands often feel at home without a coat of black, white or nude gloss lining their tips, they rarely feel complete without an array of metal bands hugging every last knuckle.
Stacking rings is the sartorial equivalent of stepping into armor, at least for me. Something about layering silvers and golds on my hands makes me feel edgy and tough and badass.Ā Itās like having brass knuckles on at all timesābut dainty ones thatāll complement an outfit, rather than overpower it.
MORE:Ā Acrylic Earrings Are the ā80s Throwback We Canāt Get EnoughĀ of
But the practice of acquiring and stacking rings is often more complex than it seems. Combining statement pieces is possible but challenging. And if youāre anything like me, youād prefer to mix metals of different shapes and sizesānot stones in myriad colors and textures.
Not to mention, stocking up on an array of stackable rings that fit your fingers and work well together is one thingādoing so on a budget is another. A given maximalist ring display might involve as many as 10 rings at a time; itās simply not worth it to spend hundreds of dollars on each ring, especially when there are plenty of incredible options you can score for a fraction of the price.
MORE:Ā 38 Art Deco Engagement Rings So Stunning They Belong inĀ Museums
Below, youāll find something of a comprehensive guide to buying, styling and stacking ringsāthe maximalist way. Part street style inspiration, part shopping guide, the below slideshow should help you figure out what youāre looking for in a layered ring ensembleāand where you can turn to find it.
A version of this story was originally published in June 2014.

Don't be afraid to stack stones of different shapes, sizes and colors. The result is a statement-making display that'll ground any outfitāno matter how light and flowy.

Don't be afraid to stack stones of different shapes, sizes and colors. The result is a statement-making display that'll ground any outfitāno matter how light and flowy.
Everything ring set in Iridescent Stone, $38 at Free People

Not into stones? Thick, misshapen bands can give you a badass brass knuckle vibe when combined.

Not into stones? Thick, misshapen bands can give you a badass brass knuckle vibe when combined.
Riva Ring, $120 at Still House

A mixed ring set in a single kind of metal can give you a dynamic look that won't overpower the rest of your ensemble.

A mixed ring set in a single kind of metal can give you a dynamic look that won't overpower the rest of your ensemble.
9-pack rings, $10 at H&M

Remember, rings don'tĀ have to be circular.

Remember, rings don'tĀ have to be circular.
Luma ring set, $38 at BaubleBar

Keep your rings achromatic, but vary the band size and shapeāyou'll end up with a geometrically dynamic look sure to turn anyone's head.

Keep your rings achromatic, but vary the band size and shapeāyou'll end up with a geometrically dynamic look sure to turn anyone's head.
Stackable ring set, $6 at Forever 21

Getting a ring set that comes with all kinds of different options will make mixing and matching your jewelry incredibly easy.

Getting a ring set that comes with all kinds of different options will make mixing and matching your jewelry incredibly easy.
Faux gem ring set, $6 at Forever 21

For a minimalist way into a maximalist trend, try keeping your bands simpleāand mixing metals, instead.

For a minimalist way into a maximalist trend, try keeping your bands simpleāand mixing metals instead.
Delicate stacking ring set, $24 at Madewell

Maximalism doesn't have to mean stacking rings. It can mean sporting a single statement piece instead.

Maximalism doesn't have to mean stacking rings. It can mean sporting a single statement piece, instead.
Peacemaker ring, $42 at BaubleBar

A statement stone can go a long wayāwhether you wear it on its own or combine it with other, more delicate pieces.

A statement stone can go a long wayāwhether you wear it on its own or combine it with other, more delicate pieces.
Merewif Feelings ring, $88 at Free People

Keep things seriously simple with a pack of rings consistent in color, size and shapeābut varied in texture.

Keep things seriously simple with a pack of rings consistent in color, size and shapeābut varied in texture.
Textured midi ring pack, $12 at Topshop

Vary your lines with rings that run in different directions.

Vary your lines with rings that run in different directions.
Punto gold plated ring, $52 at BaubleBar

Contrast doesn't have to be obvious to be interesting.

Contrast doesn't have to be obvious to be interesting.
Assorted gem ring set, $7 at Forever 21

Don't be afraid to combine your heaviest piecesāstone, metal or otherwise.

Don't be afraid to combine your heaviest piecesāstone, metal or otherwise.
Everything ring set in Arrowhead, $38 at Free People

Even when stoneless, bands can be dynamic.


Your ring display doesn't have to be restricted to gold and silver. Stocking up on stunning stones can be a fun way to add some color to an achromatic lookāor add more color to an already-colorful one.

Your ring display doesn't have to be restricted to gold and silver. Stocking up on stunning stones can be a fun way to add some color to an achromatic lookāor add more color to an already-colorful one.
Bejeweled ring set, $28 at Free People

Four words: Have fun with it.

Four words: Have fun with it.
BaubleBar crystal rings, $42 at Shopbop

For the person who doesn't want to choose between "curvy," "straight" and "angular."

For the person who doesn't want to choose between "curvy," "straight" and "angular."
Twisted ring set, $6 at Forever 21

As any designer will tell you, negative space can be just as interesting (if notĀ more interesting) than the stuff happening in the foreground.

As any designer will tell you, negative space can be just as interesting (if notĀ more interesting) than the stuff happening in the foreground.
Circle bar ring, $19 at & Other Stories

The more dynamic each ring can be, the better.

The more dynamic each ring can be, the better.
Oxbow Designs Vena stacking ring set, $110 at Urban Outfitters

Like claws, but in a fashiony way.

Like claws, but in a fashiony way.
Mixed metal ring set, $6 at Forever 21

Gem-ful and gem-free aren't your only options.

Gem-ful and gem-free aren't your only options.
Isabel Marant Bague Casablanca stackable ring set, $115 at Shopbop

Because simple and dynamic don't have to be mutually exclusive.

Because simple and dynamic don't have to be mutually exclusive.
Three-pack rings, $10 at H&M

You know what they say: Two heads rings are better than one.

You know what they say: Two heads rings are better than one.
James Stone pinky ring, $20 at Urban Outfitters

Layering statement rings in a neutral color palette will keep all eyes on your statement accessories.

Layering statement rings in a neutral color palette will keep all eyes on your statement accessories.
Horn ring set, $20 at Free People

"Huge," "colorful" or "clunky" doesn't necessarily equate to "not versatile."

"Huge," "colorful" or "clunky" doesn't necessarily equate to "not versatile."
Alidia ring, $42 at BaubleBar

Varied textures and shapes and thicknessesāoh my.

Varied textures and shapes and thicknessesāoh my.
Simple ring pack, $18 at Urban Outfitters

Signets look just as great on their own as they do combined.

Signets look just as great on their own as they do combined.
Signet ring pack, $28 at Madewell

Thick bands are so sleek you might just end up looking like a superhero.

Thick bands are so sleek you might just end up looking like a superhero.
Classic stackable ring set, $6 at Forever 21

Pearl lovers can get their fix and stack their rings at the same damn time.

Pearl lovers can get their fix and stack their rings at the same damn time.
Pearl gold-plated ring set, $68 at BaubleBar

Bands adorned with all kinds of shapes? Yes, please.

Bands adorned with all kinds of shapes? Yes, please.
10-pack rings, $10 at H&M

One ring on each finger (save your thumb).


Insert subtle vertical lines where you can to break up the horizontal consistency.

Insert subtle vertical lines where you can to break up the horizontal consistency.
Open duo bar ring, $19 at & Other Stories

Silver and gold aren't your only options.

Silver and gold aren't your only options.
Multiband ring pack, $18 at Topshop

Any band that runs from one knuckle to another gets a yes from me.

Any band that runs from one knuckle to another gets a yes from me.
Cote ring, $158 at Still House

Put the spotlight on one ring by keeping the rest in a single, achromatic palette.

Put the spotlight on one ring by keeping the rest in a single, achromatic palette.
Sun fan ring, $19 at & Other Stories

Rings don't have to just layer over your fingersāthey can layer over each other, too.

Rings don't have to just layer over your fingersāthey can layer over each other, too.
Twisted ring set, $5 at Forever 21

Statement-making pieces come in all kinds of different shapes.

Statement-making pieces come in all kinds of different shapes.
Hexagon bead ring set, $19 at & Other Stories