Hoop earrings are a classic. I can’t think of a version that looks dated, and there are all sorts of modern and interesting iterations that surface each season. Small or large. Chunky or dainty. Simple or ornate. Heavy or lightweight. Single-hooped or multi-hooped. Metal or tortoise shell. Fringed, tasseled, baubled, spiked, braided, asymmetrical, square or floral. Take your pick.
The beauty of the hoop earring is that you can make a bold statement with its size, while keeping the style refined and lightweight. Chunky hoop earrings look particularly good with long, thick hair because they’re visible and complement the mass that’s created by having a lot of hair. But a good hoop earring can look equally great with short hair, or hair that is tied back away from the face.
As classic, versatile and fabulous as hoop earrings are, I don’t see them all that frequently on clients, friends, family members, or on the street. Diamond stud earrings on the other hand, are absolutely ubiquitous. That makes sense since hoop earrings are “dangly” and fussy, unless they’re small and dainty. Friends and clients who wear large hoop earrings tend to have “big hair”, and they look fabulous in them. Some wear them during the day like a wardrobe essential, while others leave them for dressier settings.
I don’t wear earrings anymore, but when I did as a child in the ‘70s, I wore small gold hoops very regularly. I had a few matching pairs that I wore together with my Mum, which made wearing them even sweeter.
Do you wear hoop earrings? If so, which styles tickle your fancy, and why do you like them? While we’re celebrating the gorgeous classic today, here’s Sade’s, “The Sweetest Taboo” from 1985, where she wore the most memorable hoop earrings of them all.
