Tems is Gradually Making the Waist Chain a Trend

Waist chains have long danced on the edge of fashion trends, sometimes peeking out on vacation-ready beachwear or worn subtly under clothes for a more personal flair. But if there’s one person making a strong case for waist chains in mainstream and high-impact fashion, it’s the Nigerian Grammy-winning artiste, Tems. 

Her recent looks suggest that this once-niche accessory is slowly evolving into a staple, and Tems’ waist chains are becoming a recurring signature of her style. While she’s worn waist chains in the past, Tems has recently been sporting them more consistently and weaving them seamlessly into both stagewear and off-stage style.

Her first striking waist chain moment came when she paired a fitted chain with chunky accents and a bold red heart motif, with a windbreaker, sports bralette, and baggy jeans. The look felt bold, playful, and deeply rooted in her effortless cool-girl aesthetic.

A while after, Tems stepped things up during a performance on the iconic Ed Sullivan stage in September 2024. While delivering a fiery rendition of her single “Burning,” she wore a gleaming gold waist chain with large accents that matched her necklace, another sign that her accessories are not afterthoughts but part of the visual message.

Before this performance, she had already begun leaning into the waist chain trend with subtle flair.

During a concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, in September 2023, Tems wore a vibrant red two-piece, cropped top and trousers, layered with a sheer red veil. The outfit was elevated with a three-tiered silver waist chain that added just the right amount of shimmer and drama to the monochrome ensemble. She styled it with round earrings, and her look captured a balance of movement and mystery.

In another standout look, she wore a sultry black ensemble featuring a bra-style top beneath a sheer long-sleeved overlay with textured detailing. The outfit included a thigh-high slit skirt and a visible silver waist chain belt adorned with charms, including what looked like a red, heart-shaped lock. 

Styled with chunky rings, drop earrings, and dark sunglasses, the edgy look served a perfect dose of confidence and quiet luxury, solidifying Tems‘ waist chains as a go-to feature across her wardrobe moods.

More recently, in July 2025, her love affair with the waist chain continued. The Nigerian star was photographed at her performance in Amsterdam, Netherlands, wearing a vibrant yellow halter-neck tunic and light-wash jeans, accessorized with layered gold-toned jewelry and a subtle flash of her signature gold waist chain peeking out from the waistband. 

The detail might have been easy to miss, but for fashion enthusiasts like us, it felt like a subtle wink; Tems’ waist chains are becoming part of her fashion language.

Later that same week, on July 11, Tems stunned again in a fiery red two-piece for a performance in Portugal. The halter neckline top featured dramatic waist cutouts, revealing just the right amount of skin and space, for a delicate, layered gold waist chain to gleam against her waist. Paired with red trousers, gold bangles, and hoop earrings, it was a masterclass in balancing bold color with her feminine edge.

Most recently, she shared new photos from a European performance where her love for waist chains took an even bolder turn. 

In one outfit, the Nigerian singer wore a fitted black halter-neck gown with a deep V-neckline layered over sheer black lace trousers. Her accessories, a mix of chunky silver bangles, oversized rings, and dangling silver waist chains with red embellishments, added dimension to the all-black look. 

In another outfit, she stunned in a structured two-piece in shades of red, featuring pink waves and sparkling stones, cinched with a striking silver-toned waist chain belt that showcased gold details and delicate dangling pieces. 

Again, Tems’ waist chains weren’t just present; they anchored the entire look.

And of course, we can’t forget her history-making performance at the FIFA Club World Cup Final Halftime Show on July 13, where she became the first African musician to ever headline the event. 

Her custom Coccellato look was a work of art in itself, one-shoulder, sparkly, dramatic, but if you looked closely, even that ensemble had design details cinched around the waist, staying true to her now signature style ethos.

In her latest Instagram post, she captioned it “no ordinary girl”, and rightfully so. Tems is not just a Grammy-winning musician with a growing list of international achievements; she’s quickly becoming a powerful style icon in her own right. 

And whether subtle or statement-making, Tems’ waist chains are shaping up to be a defining accessory of her fashion era. We love to see it, and we’re watching closely for what she does next.

Photo: Instagram/@temsbaby