It is no secret that fashion and sport are having a shared moment. Workout gear is no longer the schlubby thing it used to be, and as run clubs and Pilates classes become regular parts of our calendars, the hope is to look as good as we feel. Yet beyond technical apparel and performance trainers, jewellery is shaping up as the freshest way to elevate a sports outfit. A glint of metal in the sunlight, a subtle pop of colour from an anklet, or a carefully considered stack of necklaces.
The rise of workout jewels is especially true in the realm of RunTok, a community of fitness enthusiasts who are 2.1-million-posts strong on TikTok. Running is increasingly becoming a jewellery occasion, and the little touches that jewels can bring to one’s look and stride makes it a great companion for those who a favour a more understated approach to sport style.
It might be easy to dismiss the trend as one more social media obsession, but the appeal runs deeper and reflects a culture shift. For many women, the growing popularity of running and its social dimension—whether that’s Strava screenshots or looking cute for dating pool-adjacent run clubs—has helped make the sport feel more approachable, communal and, crucially, enjoyable.
Running has proved itself especially suitable for dressing up because it’s one of the most accessible sports there is. Technically, all you need is a pair of trainers and the willingness to lace them up—no additional gear needed. But for those looking to elevate the experience, jewellery is an easy addition to the ritual.
Brands are taking note. As part of its global After Dark tour, Nike has sought to “reclaim the night” for women runners, creating safer and more welcoming spaces to run after dark in cities like Shanghai, Sydney, London, Manila and Mumbai. An all-women innovation team from Nike designed the 2026 finisher medal with a new look: a swoosh jewel. The design features interchangeable coloured carabiners for each city stop on the tour, and offers the freedom to switch and style as each runner wishes. More than a keepsake, it is intended to be worn long after crossing the finish line—with a transformable design that can be worn as a necklace, bracelet or belt chain. The concept has since expanded into a wider jewellery offering, including swoosh hoop and stud earrings, and ear cuffs. In a single swoop, that couch to 5K regime is looking a lot more appealing.
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Sport has made its way subtly but surely into the realms of fine jewellery too. Tennis has perhaps the most natural complement, thanks to the tennis bracelet style that has gone from court-side legend to a jewellery must-have. Fred, the Parisian jeweller, for example, has a special capsule collection of its Force 10 bracelet—sporty in spirit, elegant in make—in collaboration with the Roland Garros tournament. The message is clear: sport and self-expression need not exist at opposite ends of the spectrum. If dressing up makes the prospect of a run feel less intimidating, more joyful or simply more like yourself, then perhaps that is reason enough.
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What jewellery is suitable for running with?
Not all jewellery is created equal when it comes to logging kilometres. Lightweight materials are key. Titanium, beloved by a growing cohort of contemporary jewellers, has emerged as a particularly compelling option. As light as aluminium yet stronger than steel, titanium can be anodised into a range of colours, allowing for sculptural, statement-making designs that are comfortable on a body in movement.Stainless steel offers a similar practicality, durable, resistant to tarnishing, and generally affordable. On the more precious end, minimal gold chains in 14-carat gold remain a favourite among runners seeking pieces they never have to take off.
The key is to be intentional with assembling your look. A slim chain, pair of hoop earrings, or a delicate pendant can add a touch of personality without distraction. Layered necklaces, meanwhile, work best when worn with different lengths to avoid tangling mid-stride.
Race day cues: Jenna Litner’s approach to jewels on track
Jenna Litner, a fixture among fashion girls’ RunTok algorithms, makes a strong case for wearing jewellery on a run. Litner’s statement earrings are as considered as her trainers, and her look has helped prove that performance and polish are not mutually exclusive. Or, more importantly, that running isn’t always about chasing the best time on Strava. A simple love of the game, worn with a pair of fun earrings or a silver star hairclip to add to that joy, might just be the real runner’s high.
A champion of both emerging and established brands, the Nike ambassador and NYC-based content creator uses jewellery to elevate her run looks. Litner’s styling touches show how even the smallest details can have an outsized impact—and her fashion-forward running looks have garnered a following. Here, Litner tells Vogue Singapore all about her jewellery rules, race day essentials, and the brands she’s keeping an eye out for.
How did your relationship with running begin?
I ran my first half marathon in 2022, and was initially focused on running purely as a form of fitness and a hobby. I quickly became very enamoured of the culture and community that exists in the running space and realised the sport offered much more than fitness to me. I was developing genuine connections with like-minded people.
When did you start thinking about running through a style lens?
It’s a small portion of my day, but as someone who’s intentional about how I present myself every day, it made a lot of sense to bring that energy into spaces where I’m cultivating really strong relationships through what’s otherwise a challenging sport. Expressing myself through style makes it a bit more fun and enjoyable, and allows me to show up as my true self.
When you’re building a running wardrobe, what jewellery pieces do you recommend investing in?
As you get used to wearing jewellery while running, you’ll naturally find pieces that work best for you, and learn to adjust your styling based on the temperature or conditions. If I had to choose one starting point, it would be a pair of statement earrings that are flat, structural, and lightweight. They work year-round regardless of weather, they move with your body in a way you won’t notice mid-run, and, if worn consistently, they become a signature part of your personal style. People associate or recognise an accessory with you, and it can elevate any outfit with very little effort.
When it comes to jewellery for running, what details matter most to you?
This can change depending on the context and setting. For leisurely, social runs with friends that might extend into coffee or lunch, I’m primarily focused on the overall design and how it’s best aligned with the style of my outfit for that given day. That said, there’s inherently a trade-off between functionality and design, and I think it’s important to be intentional and realistic about which I’m prioritising.
Have you noticed a shift in how people approach jewellery as part of activewear or sport styling?
Yes, absolutely, and it’s really exciting! Athletes like Flo Jo and André Agassi were already pushing the boundaries of personal expression in their respective sports in the late ’80s and early ’90s, so this conversation has been building for a long time. Today, we have athletes performing at the highest level while also walking in fashion shows, partnering with brands, and investing in their personal style. Gucci becoming the title sponsor of the Alpine F1 team is another example how those worlds continue to converge. I think this trickles down to fans and consumers, and that intersection has only grown stronger. At the same time, younger generations are prioritising fitness and wellness in a way that feels fully integrated into their lives, which means they’re thinking more critically about how they show up in those spaces too.
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Are there any brands or designers in the performance or running space that are catching your eyes right now?
Minted New York has been building really exciting and distinctive pieces. Their Mach line and the recent Chromium shoe collaboration with Saucony are pretty indicative that they’re not afraid to try something different. I’ve been really impressed with Bareen, particularly with how intentional and precise their construction feels. On is operating on a much greater scale, but they’re doing something important by pushing the larger players to prioritise aesthetics and styling alongside performance. And in the cycling space, MAAP and Pas Normal Studios have been releasing such considered and exciting collections that make me want to take up the sport just for the kit alone.
What about cultural or style trends that you’re excited about?
Beyond specific brands, I’m really excited about the reclamation of personal style within sport through vintage. Not everything needs to be technical, and not everyone’s training for a race. The activewear space has been incredibly homogenous, largely as a result of trend culture, and people are starting to push back against that by incorporating what would otherwise be considered non-athletic clothing to their advantage. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what brand you’re wearing. What matters is that you feel confident and excited enough to get out the door and move your body, and that’s exactly what personal style can do for you.
