The Guide

Exploring the Types of Earrings and How to Wear Them

Exploring the Types of Earrings and How to Wear Them:

Earrings have been a wardrobe staple for millennia – from a status symbol in ancient Egyptian society and a good luck talisman in Ancient Persia, followed by their Renaissance revival. Of course, modern day earrings have developed from what they were then, and the types of earrings accessible has improved with technology and fashion trends. Below is a list of the most popular types of earrings.

  • Studs

  • Hoops

  • Huggies

  • Dangle Earrings

  • Drop Earrings

  • Ear Cuffs


When selecting earrings, consider the occasion, your personal style, and your hairstyle. For formal events, elegant studs or chandelier earrings might be ideal, while casual settings can be graced with hoops or studs. Remember, there are no rules – experiment and have fun finding your perfect stacks.

Stud Earrings and How to Wear Them

A versatile classic, stud earrings feature a small post that secures them to the earlobe. Often adorned with pearls, diamonds, or gemstones, they can be simple and understated for everyday wear or glamorous for special occasions.

Stud earrings, despite their apparent simplicity, hold the key to unleashing a world of personal style. Whether you seek a cohesive look, a playful touch, or a touch of evening elegance, these versatile staples have you covered. To achieve a harmonious appearance, match the metal tone of your studs to other jewellery or hardware in your outfit. For a more daring approach, mix and match by combining different shapes, sizes, and colours of studs.

Remember, the occasion plays a role too. Delicate studs can be great for everyday wear or professional settings, while larger, more intricate designs or gemstones can add a touch of evening glamour. With a little creativity, you can create a unique and cohesive stud look that elevates your personal style, whatever the occasion.

Oversized studs are a current runway and celebrity staple, popularised within the rise of the “Clean Girl” aesthetic. Embrace the trend by wearing an oversized pair of studs, a few rings, neutral toned outfits, and a slick-back bun.

Hoops Earrings and How to Wear Them

From small and sleek to large and statement-making, hoop earrings come in a variety of sizes and shapes, offering a touch of modern flair or vintage charm. Smaller hoops hug the earlobe closely, while larger hoops can add a touch of drama.

Hoop earrings can often be the framework for an earring stack, with everything styled around the main hoop. But pairing them can sometimes be slightly overwhelming, especially for those with newly healed piercings they want to accessorize cohesively with their hoops.

Playing with sizes is one of the easiest places to start when it comes to stacking. For a balanced look, pair smaller hoops with studs, huggies, or ear crawlers in the same or complementary metals. This creates a layered effect that adds depth and dimension to your ear stack. If you're rocking larger hoops, opt for delicate studs or minimalist huggies in the additional piercings to avoid overwhelming the overall look. Starting with your biggest hoop in your first lobe piercing (closest to your face) and gradually getting smaller is a great trick to elongating and accentuating your jawline.

Mixing smooth hoops with textured studs that feature intricate detailing or gemstones adds juxtaposition to a look, creating visual interest. For a bolder statement, experiment with hoops in different finishes, like gold or silver, alongside complementary studs or huggies to create a cohesive yet stylish combination.

If you’re feeling like you want to take playing with your ear stack even further, try mismatched earrings. Pair a hoop on one ear with a stud, huggie, or ear crawler on the other, ensuring they share common design elements like metal tones or similar shapes for a harmonious aesthetic. This playful approach allows you to showcase your unique personality and experiment with different styles.

Remember, the key to successfully styling hoop earrings with other earrings lies in balance and cohesion. Play with sizes, textures, and finishes, and don't be afraid to experiment! Let your creativity shine and embrace the endless possibilities of this dynamic earring combination.

Ultimately, the beauty of hoop earrings lies in their versatility. So, embrace your creativity, experiment with different styles, and let your hoops become your signature statement piece, adding a touch of timeless elegance or bold individuality to your personal style.

Big hoops are back in a big way. To achieve the ‘Mob Wife aesthetic’, pair your biggest hoops with some chunky chains, cocktail rings and stacked bracelets. Pair your jewellery with dark colours outfits and bold animal prints, like leopard or snake, for the biggest impact.

Huggie Earrings and How to Wear Them:

Huggie earrings are more than just everyday staples. They offer a surprising amount of styling potential. Here's how to unlock their versatility and elevate your look.

Embrace the trend of stacked huggie earrings. Play with different sizes and finishes (think gold, silver, or rose gold) for a personalized touch. Stack multiple huggies on a single lobe for a curated, modern vibe. Want to push boundaries? Experiment with stacking on various cartilage piercings like the helix or tragus for a unique stack.

Play around with your earrings sizes by combining your huggie earrings with other earring styles to create a distinctive look. For daytime chic, pair a classic huggie with a delicate chain drop earring. Want a little drama? Juxtapose a plain huggie with a statement earring for a head-turning evening ensemble.

Consider the metal of your huggies. Gold adds warmth, silver offers a cool, modern edge. Match your huggies to your other jewellery for a polished look or play with contrasting metals for a statement stack.

A pair of huggies’ versatility extends beyond your earlobes. Their small size makes them perfect for cartilage piercings, adding a subtle touch of sparkle to your helix or tragus.

Dangle Earrings and How to Wear Them:

Dangle earrings add a touch of movement and playfulness to any look, while also being elegant and a focus point of a look. They feature a post that suspends a decorative element below the earlobe, creating a delicate and eye-catching effect. From simple chains to intricate designs, the possibilities are endless.

Dangle earrings naturally draw attention, so maintaining balance when pairing them with other pieces is essential to consider when styling them. Opt for more delicate studs or huggies in the same or complementary metals for your additional piercings. This creates a cohesive look without overwhelming the visual focus on your dangle earrings or overwhelm your outfit.

Let your dangle earrings be the focus point and inspire the rest of your stack! If they feature dangling chains, try adding an ear crawler or cuff with a similar chain design for a unified aesthetic. Dangle earrings with vibrant gemstones can be complemented by stud earrings in a matching colour for a touch of subtle sparkle. This approach ties the entire ear stack together for a visually pleasing effect.

Feeling bold? Experiment with asymmetry! Pair a statement dangle earring on one ear with a simple stud or a minimalist huggie on the other. Ensure they share a common design element, like metal tone or a subtle hint of colour, to maintain a sense of connection. This playful approach allows you to showcase your unique personality and add a touch of unexpected charm to your look.

Ultimately, the key to successfully styling dangle earrings with other earrings lies in creating balance. Play with sizes, themes, and asymmetry to create a look that reflects your personal style and lets your dangle earrings truly shine.

Drop Earrings and How to Wear Them:

Similar to dangle earrings, drop earrings hang below the earlobe but typically lack the swinging motion. Often crafted with gemstones or pearls, they offer a touch of sophistication and can range from delicate drops to dramatic chandeliers, cascading with intricate details.

Here's your guide to creating a harmonious and stylish combination:

Drop earrings, while shorter than danglers, still hold visual weight. To maintain a balanced look, pair them with more delicate pieces in your additional piercings. Tiny studs or huggies in complementary metals or with clear gemstones for a subtle touch of sparkle create a cohesive aesthetic without detracting from the drop earrings.

Let your drop earrings be your muse! If they feature a nature-inspired design with leaves or flowers, consider adding a delicate ear crawler that mimics a vine or a tiny stud in the same theme for a whimsical touch. Alternatively, drop earrings with geometric shapes can be complemented by a single stud in a matching geometric form for a modern and unified look. This playful approach ties your entire ear stack together, creating a visually pleasing and cohesive statement.

Like dangle earrings, the key to successfully styling drop earrings lies in creating a balanced and visually interesting composition. Experiment with sizes, thematic concepts, and a hint of asymmetry to craft an ear stack that reflects your personal style and lets your drop earrings take centre stage.

Ear Cuffs and How to Wear Them:

Ear cuffs are a fantastic way to add a new element to your ear stack, as well as some dimension and structure. But how do you pair them with other earrings for a cohesive and stylish look? Here's your guide to unlocking this trend.

What are Ear Cuffs?

Ear cuffs come in various styles, designed to be worn on different parts of the ear. If your cuff sits on the upper cartilage, you have more freedom to play with other earrings in your lobe piercings. Opt for delicate studs or huggies in complementary metals or with sparkling gemstones for a touch of glam. However, if your cuff adorns the lower cartilage near your lobe piercing, keep things simple with a single stud on the opposite lobe to avoid overcrowding the area.

Textures are a common feature for an Ear cuff, featuring elements like chains, pearls, or geometric shapes. Play with this by pairing them with earrings that offer contrasting textures. For instance, a chunky chain cuff can be balanced by a smooth, polished huggie. Alternatively, a pearl cuff finds a delightful partner in a stud adorned with delicate lace detailing. This textural interplay adds depth (as well as a bit of fun) to your ear stack.

Alongside the textures and placements, ear cuffs can help set the vibe of an ear stack, lending a touch of rock-and-roll edge or bohemian flair. Let your cuff dictate the overall aesthetic. This approach creates a cohesive and intentional look that reflects your personal style.

Remember, ear cuffs offer a playground for experimentation. Don't be afraid to mix and match styles, textures, and placements.