The White Lotus Effect: How Luxury TV Aesthetics Are Shaping 2025 Wedding Ring & Fashion Trends

vintage-style engagement ring on a hand

HBO’s The White Lotus isn’t just a television show—it’s a cultural movement. With its European glamour, quiet luxury looks, larger-than-life panache, and opulent resort scenery, The White Lotus has sparked a shift in how we view extravagance. Inspired by its aristocratic aesthetics, many are embracing grandeur in various ways, particularly through wedding jewelry and fashion. From vintage-inspired engagement rings to elegant, old-money bridal looks, the show's influence is undeniable.

Ashley, one of the founders of Taylor Custom Rings, works directly with couples to help them design their dream rings. Here’s what she had to share about recent commissions.

“It’s fascinating to see what cultural references people draw from when choosing or designing their engagement rings. Sometimes references are explicitly called out (yes, we’ve made The One Ring), and other times there’s a broader, more implicit shaping of public taste and opinion as we consume media and art as a community. As The White Lotus has gained popularity, we’ve definitely seen trends evolve. Many recent rings embrace a glamorous Jaclyn-inspired aesthetic, while others feel more timeless, like Laurie. Have some of the destination weddings we’ve been a part of also been inspired by the show? It seems likely!”

This rising fascination with luxury and sophistication, fueled by The White Lotus, extends beyond just the visual appeal—it has left a lasting impact on wedding trends. Let’s dive into the statistics, trends, and cultural influences that demonstrate how the show is shaping the way couples approach wedding rings and fashion today.

Key Takeaways

  • Hashtag Growth — The influence of The White Lotus is clear in hashtag activity spikes. Following each episode of season three, engagement with hashtags such as #WhiteLotusWedding, #WhiteLotusFashion, and #WhiteLotusRings soared. For instance, on March 14, 2025, these hashtags reached just 5,035 people. However, two days later—after episode five aired—that number skyrocketed to 1,056,985.
  • Spike in Search Interest Trends — Google Trends reflects a similar pattern, showing surges in interest for jewelry featured on The White Lotus whenever new episodes are released. From mid-February to late March, searches for “White Lotus jewelry” more than doubled compared to February. In January 2025, there was little to no measurable search activity for terms like “White Lotus wedding rings” and “White Lotus engagement rings,” but by March, interest had reached its highest level since 2020.

The White Lotus Effect in Action

TV shows have long influenced fashion, but The White Lotus has taken it to another level. The show’s jewelry and wardrobe choices have made a profound impact on consumer trends, with many fans actively seeking out the exact pieces worn on-screen.

According to Google Trends, searches for “papillon earrings” and “snake choker” have spiked, reflecting a growing demand for the luxurious and distinctive accessories seen on screen. These pieces, worn by key characters, have captivated audiences with their unique symbolism and statement-making appeal, proving that the show’s influence extends far beyond the screen and into the world of fashion.

Papillion Earrings Google Trends
Snake Choker Google Trends

Social media is also buzzing with discussions about the show’s style. Hashtag activity shows The White Lotus effect in action. After each episode of season three, activity surrounding hashtags like #WhiteLotusWedding, #WhiteLotusFashion, and #WhiteLotusRings surged. For example, on March 14, 2025, those hashtags had a reach of just 5,035 people. Two days later, after episode 5 aired, that figure skyrocketed to 1,056,985. You can trace this consistent pattern every 1-2 days after a new episode airs.

Social Media Buzz of The White Lotus effect

Google Trends also shows how interest in the jewelry featured on The White Lotus peaks when new episodes air. Episode one of season three premiered on February 16, 2025. It’s no coincidence that the following search terms spiked around the same time. Between mid-February to late March, search interest around “White Lotus jewelry” exploded, with interest more than doubling since February. In January 2025, there was no real measurable search interest around “White Lotus wedding rings” or “White Lotus engagement rings”, but by March, that interest had exploded to its highest level since 2020.

white lotus jewelry Google Trends
White lotus engagement ring google trends
white lotus wedding ring google trends

Beyond jewelry and fashion, The White Lotus has also significantly influenced tourism. After season two, travel to Sicily surged by 100%, and season three is already driving a rise in bookings for resorts in Thailand. Even destination weddings in Italy saw a 22.3% increase in 2023, likely due to the show’s impact.

Wedding & Engagement Ring Trends Inspired By The White Lotus

emerald halo engagement ring in a ring box with a matching wedding band

The White Lotus has captivated audiences not just with its gripping storytelling and lavish settings but also with its effortlessly chic aesthetic. The show’s influence extends far beyond the screen, shaping fashion and jewelry trends—especially in the world of engagement and wedding rings.

The characters of The White Lotus exude understated extravagance, wearing heirloom-style pieces, oversized pearls, and vintage-inspired jewelry. This aesthetic has influenced modern couples to prioritize the look and impact of their rings, choosing maximalist lab-grown diamonds, intricate antique designs, and statement gemstones that reflect wealth and refinement. Let’s explore how The White Lotus has sparked a shift in bridal jewelry preferences and the key trends defining 2025.

Yellow Gold & Mixed Metals

Yellow gold is having a major moment. The warmer tone of yellow gold beautifully captures the essence of antique and heirloom styles.

With that said, the sleek, effortlessly cool look of white metals like silver, white gold, and platinum isn’t going anywhere. Couples are seeking out rings that have a “modern classic” vibe, and combining vintage styles with contemporary metals is a great way to strike that balance.

Many couples are loving the eye-catching look of mixed metals, too. The contrast of platinum and yellow gold has gained a lot of attention as people seek out ways to put their signature spin on old-money glitz and glamour.

Unique Diamonds & Gemstones

Many couples are opting for stones with unique cuts instead of the traditional round cut, like marquise, oval, pear, asscher, and hexagon. There has also been a lot of interest in old European cuts that exude the charm, splendor, elegance, and romance of the bygone era, such as cushion, emerald, and antique cuts.

It’s not just diamond cuts that are getting a makeover, either. For some modern couples, the idea that wedding rings must have diamonds is outdated. Instead, many are opting for the dazzle of colorful gemstones that command attention. The regal hues of emeralds and rubies are especially desirable among fans of The White Lotus who wish to capture that aristocratic, ultra-luxurious feel.

As with lab-grown diamonds, savvy couples are stretching their budgets further by purchasing created gemstones rather than mined. You can get a bigger, higher-quality gem for the same price and avoid the impact of mining at the same time. 

Bespoke Designs

Many couples are choosing to create one-of-a-kind rings that tell their unique stories and resonate deeply with their personalities. There’s a certain prestige that comes with owning a piece that nobody else on the planet owns. One can easily imagine the characters from The White Lotus refusing to wear anything that doesn’t fit their personal vision of utter perfection! Couples are adopting and embracing the same philosophy, refusing to settle for anything less than a custom engagement ring.

Vintage-Inspired Styles

Another noteworthy trend is the rising popularity of vintage-inspired pieces. Couples today are drawn to the opulent design aesthetics of past eras—Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Edwardian, and Victorian—seeking intricate details like shimmering rose and step cuts, elaborate halos, and delicate milgrain accents.

Find or Design Your Dream Ring Today

the eri engagement ring in a white ring box

If you adore the styles featured on The White Lotus, you’re in the right place. We offer a variety of engagement rings and wedding bands with a timeless aesthetic that exudes tasteful luxury. If you’re not sure where to start, check this blog for inspiration: 8 “Old Money” Engagement Rings. Take a peek at our collections or design your own ring today!