These 5 Engagement Ring Trends Are Making Traditional Solitaires Feel Dated

The decision to get married is deeply personal, and so is the ring you choose to wear for a lifetime. It’s more than a simple piece of jewelry. It’s a symbol of commitment, identity, and even style. And while the relationship with your significant other is what matters most, you want to be just as in love with your forever ring.

Because of this, engagement rings are feeling more expressive in 2026. Lovebirds are still prioritizing romance and longevity, but the design conversation is shifting towards unique cuts, bold silhouettes, and unexpected details that speak to the couple itself. These modern engagement rings serve as a looking glass into the relationship, highlighting personality and values, while serving as wearable art. 

Celebrity engagements continue to influence this dialogue, whether it’s a vintage-cut stone that sparkles under candlelight or a framed setting that adds dimension. Often created alongside star designers, these headline-making styles set the tone for what feels current.

More importantly, engagement ring trends are a starting point, not a rulebook. Whether couples opt for a natural or lab-grown diamond, a yellow or white-gold band, or a champagne-hued stone is entirely up to them. Today’s engagement rings are about interpretation and not formula, making it easier than ever to choose a piece that’s both current and intimate. 

Whether you’re saying yes beneath the cliffs of Positano or on the couch eating takeout, discover the five engagement ring trends that lean less traditional and more expressive for 2026.

East-West Stones

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Zendaya attends the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 05, 2025 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage)

Elongated diamonds are being set in an east-west orientation, horizontally sitting across the finger for an architectural look. This design choice takes a classic shape—marquis, oval, emerald—and turns it into something quietly distinctive. Set the stone in a thin bezel for a finishing flourish.

Vintage Romance

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 26: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) (L-R) Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift attend the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 26, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

Vintage-inspired rings are romantic, emotional, and perfectly imperfect. The antique-inspired diamonds boast softer facets and a candlelit glow, making for an idyllic choice. Pair it with yellow gold to enhance its warmth, or add hidden engraving for a personal touch. 

Full Volume Bands

PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 27: Dua Lipa attends Chanel Haute Couture Week Spring/Summer 2026 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on January 27, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by JB Lacroix/Getty Images)

Bold minimalism and statement simplicity come together to create weighty designs. This heavier appearance prioritizes presence over delicacy, sometimes encasing the stone in its entirety. It’s a bold statement approach, often found in yellow gold.

Warm Honey Diamonds

CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 20: Scarlett Johansson attends the “Vie Privée” (A Private Life) red carpet at the 78th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 20, 2025 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

Honeyed brown, champagne-colored, and sunlit ocher diamonds tap into organic warmth, mimicking liquid gold. These warmer tones move away from bright, icy white diamonds, pairing beautifully with yellow- and rose-gold settings

High-Impact Cluster Rings

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 06: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Lainey Wilson performs during the 2026 CMA Fest on June 06, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Taylor Hill/FilmMagic)

Single stones are being swapped for groups of diamonds set in bold, dimensional designs. This maximalist take adds texture and dimension to a vintage-style ring with a modern flair.

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What’s In Megan Thee Stallion’s Beach Bag: Hot Girl Swim, Unreleased Perfume & More

We’ve officially entered hot girl summer and that’s all thanks to the one and only Megan Thee Stallion. The ultimate It girl turned her song into a whole vibey lifestyle that we’re excited to embrace every time the weather gets warm. So, as we prepare to celebrate at pool parties and long beach days, we’re looking to Megan for her best tips and must-haves to stay hot (and keep cool) all summer long.

Timed to her campaign for NYX Professional Makeup’s Caramelt Mami Body Oil and her Hot Girl Summer swim runway during Miami Swim Week, Megan is spilling what she keeps in her beach bag to stay prepared for anything. From sleek Gucci sunglasses and her go-to SPF to a Nintendo Switch and an unreleased perfume she teased to Refinery29 (we’re keeping our eyes peeled!), the singer bares all. Plus, we get to see the mogul proudly show off her many brands and collaborations that we can support beyond her music.

Ahead, watch Megan Thee Stallion’s full Spill It video and shop everything in her beach bag now.

Meg’s Fashion Beach Bag Must-Haves

Right off the bat, Megan shows out with a timeless summer bag from Saint Laurent. “She’s a little see-through. That’s how you know she’s specifically for the beach, ’cause you ain’t supposed to be bringing no big old serious bag to the beach,” Megan tells Refinery29 about her raffia tote.

While you’re likely to see her wearing her own Hot Girl Summer swimwear out on a yacht, she’s also packing an extra swimsuit in her bag “because you just never know when you’ll need to make an outfit change,” opting for a pink tie-dye bikini. (Likewise, she packs an extra thong, explaining: “I have a fresh pair of panties ‘cause you just never know when you’ll need one of those” with a cheeky laugh.)

“Are you on your way to the pool party right now? You might not like your swimsuit, but guess what? You’re gonna like mine and you can run right up to Walmart and go grab it,” she adds. While many styles have either sold out or are only available to pre-order online, there are more options at physical Walmart stores to quickly refresh your swimwear drawer.

The cherry on top of her beach look is her Gucci sunglasses. On close inspection, they seem to be these sleek black rectangular frames.

Meg’s Beauty Beach Bag Must-Haves

Highlighting her new NYX Caramelt Mami Body Oil as a must-have, Megan says: “I am wearing this all summer. I’m smelling good. I’m smelling like a bakery. I’m shimmering. I’m shining. I’m golden. I’m ‘caramelt.’ You need this. I got this on right now.” And from the look of Megan and her Miami Swim Week models doused in the oil on the runway under the spotlights, we’ve been convinced that we need a bottle (or two) to glow in the summer sun.

She’s also putting sun protection first, plucking out Neutrogena’s ultra-sheer sunscreen in SPF 70 from her bag (a similar product made it into our 2026 SPF Awards too).

The singer revealed her trusty lip combo… because her beauty is always going to be on point, even at the beach. Also from NYX, she opts for a brown cream lip liner and complementary lip gloss, exclaiming: “It’s butter gloss! That’s why it smells good!”

But one thing she’s not quite revealing yet? Her summer scent. Holding up a tester bottle, Megan explains: “Everybody that comes across me is always like: ‘Oh my gosh, you smell so good. What is that smell?’ Girl, I have curated the smell. Okay? This is the smell. Coming soon!” Through some internet sleuthing across TikTok and Reddit, the singer has been linked to wearing Miss Dior, Revlon’s Reign On, Byredo’s La Tulipe, and Xerjoff’s Erba Pura, so we expect a bright, floral, citrusy scent. 

Meg’s Food, Drink & Entertainment Beach Bag Must-Haves  

Perhaps it’s not the most practical (aka delicate) item in her beach bag, but Megan claims that she totes around her tequila brand Chicas Divertidas. “This is the tequila of the summer and it’s definitely about to get the girls turnt,” she says. But she also carries a water bottle to stay hydrated. Megan also revealed two literal body shot glasses that have yet to launch, but that she thinks pair perfectly with her liquor.

As for food, Megan says: “A snack because I’m gonna keep a snack on deck. This is my collab with Cheetos. My Flamin’ Hot Dill Pickle Cheetos.” While her limited-edition bag may be hard to get your hands on, Megan ensured that the limited-edition flavor became a fixture after she proclaimed her love for it.

And for perhaps the most surprising item in her beach bag, Megan pulled out her Nintendo Switch console, saying: “My Switch because I be playing games” with a wink to the camera. Because hot girls play video games too, duh.

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The Orange-And-Blue Style Playbook: How Knicks Fans Are Serving Flawless Looks

There is nothing quite like New York City when the Knicks are winning, and last night’s historic, heart-stopping comeback proved that the Garden faithful are completely unmatched. Rallying back from a massive 29-point deficit to defeat the San Antonio Spurs, the city is officially vibrating on a higher frequency.

With the orange and blue now just one win away from securing their first championship title since 1973, fans are bringing that same high-stakes energy straight to their outfits. From the steps of Penn Station to the streets of Midtown, the game-day style is a masterclass in sports couture dressing, mixing classic jersey tops with authentic New York edge.

Last night, we hit the sidewalks outside Madison Square Garden to capture the definitive blueprint of modern basketball style.

The New York Classics

Putting a refreshing spin on traditional game-day attire, this street style star paired her Jalen Brunson jersey with a playful denim skirt. Grounding the silhouette with classic tan Timberland mid boots and crisp white socks, this is the outfit that effortlessly channels the allure of the Y2K era. “I’ve been a Knicks fan all my life,” Mia tells Refinery29. “Born and bred in the Bronx.” 

The Cozy Chic Moment

Leaning into textural contrast and nostalgic graphic design, here’s an outfit that takes a graphic T-shirt and marries it with an ultra-comfy pair of jeans. Add contrast with a black-and-white pair of sneakers that will keep you on your feet all night long. “I was always a Knicks fan,” Diana tells Refinery29 “But now I’m an even more diehard fan.”

The On-Trend Scarf Top

Fashion girlies are in love with the carefree spirit of a bandana top. You can turn the classic piece into a shirt by folding it into a triangle and tying it in a knot behind your back. Or invest in a fancy version that effortlessly drapes over the body. Don’t forget to pair it with white jeans and kitten heels for a polished touch.

Baggy cargo pants are a no-brainer for game day. Those voluminous trousers make any T-shirt look instantly cooler. Don’t forget to use your hair accessories to show your team spirit, even if you are a newcomer. When asked how long she’s been a Knicks fan, Eliza had the most relatable answer: “About a week now.”

You can never go wrong with a pair of really good jeans, whether they are Bermudas or baggy. Keep the denim moment going strong with a handbag that fits right into the look. “I just have on my brother’s jersey,” Sanai tells Refinery29, “And I made this denim bag.”

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