In the Orient, earrings historically were worn by both sexes; in the West (including ancient Israel and Egypt) as a general rule, they were considered to be exclusively female ornaments. Among the Greeks and Romans earrings were worn only by women, and the practice of men wearing them often is spoken of in classical literature as a distinctly Oriental (i.e., Middle Eastern) trait.
In the tombs of the Greek settlers on the Crimean Peninsula (4th century BC), earrings of marvelous complexity and beauty were found. Jewels of the same class, of exquisite beauty and workmanship, were found in the sepulchres of ancient Etruria. Earrings of comparatively simple forms, but set with pearls and other stones, were the mode in Rome.
In Europe, earrings tended to go out of fashion when the wig, coiffure, or headdress obscured the ears, as in the late 17th and 18th centuries. Use of these ornaments continued to be unfashionable in Europe and the Americas during the 19th century but were revived again in the 20th, especially with the introduction of clipping devices. Simplified painless methods of piercing the ears led to the renewed popularity of silver cup chain earring with rhinestone.
Party season may be looking very different this year, but that is no reason not to go all out on your look with a pair of statement earrings. Adding a little sparkle goes a long way: take Shrimps’s black beaded pair, or perhaps Anissa Kermiche’s statement pearl drops, both of which are guaranteed to confer polish on any outfit. From statement styles in gold and silver to crystal, black, coloured and pearl embellished pairs, here is British Vogue’s edit of the best shoulder-sweeping statement earrings to buy now.
Gold Statement Earrings
If you’re looking to invest in a pair of luxe statement earrings, gold is probably your go-to. Enjoying a resurgence in recent, more maximalist seasons, this go-big-or-go-home trend can transform a plain white T-shirt into an evening-appropriate style. Look to Laura Lombardi and Gucci for pointers.
While gold might be the preferred choice for some, layerd triangle earring pack an equally stylish punch. A firm favourite on the red carpet, with the A-list continually choosing diamond-encrusted platinum, white gold or silver statement earrings or ear cuffs to bring their gowns to life, Vogue editors are also partial to some gentle mixing of gold and silver, courtesy of Spinelli Kilcollin.
Earrings are an important part of every woman�s wardrobe, whether we are headed for a day at the beach, to the office, or to a wedding. Your earrings give a subtle hint about your personality.
You can change the entire look and feel of your wardrobe by adding the right earrings. You can bring out your softer feminine side, the sexy goddess, or present simple charm, sophistication, or elegance. For both men and women, today earrings are a definite fashion statement.
Earrings have been a part of human culture since 3000 BC. In past times, earrings actually established your position in society, because only royalty and very wealthy were able to afford expensive jewelry. Fine jewelry was worn by only the wealthy. The rest of the population also wore earrings to decorate their body, but they were replicas of high society jewelry.
There are many styles of earrings. There are quite literally thousands of choices. There is an earring style for every personality. Fine jewelry remains popular with precious stones such as sapphire and emeralds. Semi precious stones are also very popular. But even more popular are the costume jewelry earrings. These are affordable, look great, and are great for staying trendy and in style.
Earrings are one of the most popular forms of jewellery around, worn with pride by women and some men alike. But picking the right rose gold earring with rhinestone is about more than just your mood, your outfit, or the event you are going to; they also have to go with your face shape, skin colour, eyes and hair…your choice of what you put in your ears can transform or ruin your look. Earrings vary in length, size, type of fastening, the materials used, so I would suggest you get stuck in because there are plenty to choose from!
Ear studs have been a familiar, even ubiquitous, sight on people’s faces since the start of the 20th Century. The key feature of this type of jewellery is a precious or semi-precious stone, an enamel or metal design, fixed tightly to the earlobe. The shape can be chosen to suit your personal preference: geometric, conceptual, animals, stars…and if you have already exhausted all the styles on offer, why not trying mixing two studs from different pairs?
A fun set of long, shimmering drop earrings can magically transform any woman’s look, elongating the face, lending it femininity, grace and an aristocratic air. Earrings of this type can be long, short, slender or chunky – the main thing is to be sure to pick out the style that suits you best.
Chandelier earrings differ slightly from drop earrings, and not just in name. Narrow at the point of the earlobe, ballooning out below, it is unsurprisingly their similarity to multi-layered decorative chandeliers that gives them their title. Their large size, relative length and complex design – a sophisticated interweaving of multiple precious stones (or even feathers) – coupled with their striking look, cannot fail to draw attention to any girl’s face. The wow factor means they are usually considered to amount to a full set of evening jewellery in and of themselves, so you need to pick carefully if you want to wear them with other jewellery.
Hoop earrings, also known as Congo earrings, are probably the first earring invented by man. Earrings in this category vary but are all united by their signature shape. You can find all sorts of different looks, with different diameters, materials and styles, from cute miniature ringlets to gigantic hoops that go down to your shoulders for the real socialites. Creole earrings, which come in a half moon shape, are another variety of these earrings.
Cluster earrings are similar to stud earrings in the way they fasten to your ear; they differ on the exterior side in that they feature a number of precious stones in a single enchanting composition. The stones used can vary in shape, size and colour, and they can even include decorative pattern elements or dangling parts.
These earrings snuck onto the jewellery scene from the fashion world just a couple of years ago and represent the logical continuation of the ear cuff. The quirk of ear climbers is their long design, which makes it look like the earring is climbing up the earlobe, usually no higher than the helix (halfway up the ear). To give them their full name, they are called earclimber cirle and square stud earring.
This is the name for the type of earring which covers the bulk of the ear from the lobe to the top, running up the edge of the ear. They are often combined with earrings but they also come without any hanging attachment, simply worn on their own. Ear cuffs are a fashion accessory which reinvents itself from season to season, which means they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, covering the whole ear, half the ear or as small rings fixed solely to the top.
Twenty years ago, a charm bracelet was the go-to jewel to express your personality and tell your life story in precious, miniature form. Indeed, charm bracelets have a rich and deep history, dating back as far as 400 BC. More recently, in the 19th century, they were widely popularized by Queen Victoria, during the mourning of her husband Prince Albert. And in the 20th century, they became a stalwart of every baby boomer’s jewelry box during the ’50s and ’60s.
My own jewelry box is populated by pieces passed down by my two grandmothers. I can still talk through their every trinket, listing its provenance and significance for two of the most important women in my life – from a tiny silver refrigerator to a miniature squirrel. Today, however, there is a new, more modern canvas for self-expression: a curation of single earrings, each judiciously selected to bear its own meaning.
The premise is very much the same – start with one single, symbolic earring and build your story from there. Your first step could be as simple as selecting an amulet-inspired stud infused with talismanic symbolism. Case in point: the Latin translation of Foundrae’s ‘Per Aspera Ad Astra’ earring means ‘through challenges to the stars’, and the design features three glittering gold stars to represent energy and divine guidance. Ole Lynggaard Copenhagen, meanwhile, has drawn upon a gleaming snake – also a signature motif of the maison – to create a striking single earring that creeps up the ear lobe. Snakes are widely considered a symbol of protection, healing, and rebirth, offering the perfect choice to represent a new life chapter, reward resilience or celebrate a conquered challenge.
“I was one of the first brands to sell single earrings,” says New York-based designer Maria Tash. “In the early 1990s this was unusual, but it spoke to the freedom of not having to adhere to old jewelry traditions of matching sets and displays,” she explains. “Now, there are no more societal rules for symmetry and matching both ears; each piercing is its own autonomous vehicle for adornment.” Tash certainly gives her devotees plenty of choice; with single-earring options that sit upon nine different locations of the ear, customers can select single studs, huggies or hoops that blend harmoniously with the rest of your ear stack.
“If it speaks to you, it works,” says Sophie Bille Brahe, who has similarly gained a cult following for her effortlessly chic single earrings. The first single earring that Bille Brahe launched was her ‘Croissant de Lune’ – a row of graduating diamonds that ascend the lobe – but the Danish designer now offers a full range of diamond and pearl single-earring styles to select from. Her ‘Splash’ designs are perfect for symbolizing oceans crossed, for example, or provide a reminder to go with the flow while they seamlessly blend into your everyday jewelry arsenal.
“Single earrings are really popular with the stacking trend that we have been seeing for the past few seasons, as customers like to have the option to mix and match and buy just one earring if they have more piercings on one ear,” agrees Edwina Hilton, fine jewelry and watches buyer at NET-A-PORTER. Those seeking meaningful styles to stack up should look to Jacquie Aiche’s abalone shell and feather design, with feathers remaining a popular choice for remembering lost loved ones or acknowledging the presence of angels. Elsewhere, Yvonne Léon’s vibrant palm trees are the perfect reminder of exotic adventures, while Alison Lou’s wide selection of single earrings – which include alphabet studs and ‘Mama’ huggies as well as quirkier pretzel-, emoji- or baguette-inspired designs – offer wide artistic license. Everyone has their own interpretation of eccentric motifs, and no two ear stacks will tell the same story.
However, if selecting a smattering of small studs feels labor intensive, single-earring stories can be just as impactful with one principal protagonist. Cue Diane Kordas’s diamond Star collection, which is the ideal self-purchase to symbolize success, particularly the largest and unapologetically glamorous design – now one of her bestsellers. “Single earrings are a really fun way to be creative and let loose,” explains Kordas. “I like to mix all shapes and length – long, short, medium – as long as the scale of the earrings complement each other [it works],” says the New-York born, London-based designer. “It absolutely allows you to show your individuality,” she explains. The best bit about writing your life story in diamonds and gems? “These days, there are no rules,” she quips.
