The first hoop earrings were worn in around 2500 B.C.E. in Nubia, an African civilization located in what we now call Sudan. The popularity of hoop earrings has not abated since then, with hoops also worn by ancient Greeks, Romans, Asians, and Egyptians.
Whilst the original hoop earrings were plain, they are often embellished with patterns and charms such as hearts, celestial symbolism, and crosses. The current fashion trend is to wear dainty hoops that hug your ears like these ones, which are clean and minimalist, and can be stacked with other pairs to create a layered effect. Find more gold hoop earrings at Oak and Luna, who specialize in making trend-led and high-quality fine jewelry at affordable prices.
So why does the popular hoop earring trend evolve year after year? Here's everything you need to know about the history of hoop earrings and where this trend might go next:
Hoops Through History
Hoop earrings have been around for almost as long as human civilization has. Throughout this period, they have been used as a way to identify different tribes, used as symbols of power and religion, and used to enhance a person's beauty. Persian soldiers wore a single hoop earring in each ear, Egyptian men and women wore thick, heavy gold hoops to showcase their wealth and status. Throughout this period, hoop earrings were made of both gold, silver, and bronze.
As we moved into the 1600s in Europe, there's a decline in the popularity of hooped earrings and this would continue until the 1800s when small, light hoop earrings were gradually reintroduced. In the United States, there was a stigma surrounding hoop earrings at the turn of the 20th century: they were seen as a symbol of Native American and Latino culture, and many American women stopped wearing them altogether. Thankfully this stigma was short-lived, and throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, hoop earrings continue to grow in popularity, with almost all women having at least one pair of hoops in their jewelry collection.
Current Hoop Earring Trends
Your first pair of hoops should be something clean and simple that you can wear everyday: once you have this versatile pair of earrings in your armory, you then have a little wiggle room to expand your collection and explore more elaborate styles. Hoop earrings are back in vogue, with modern fashion-forward hoops taking the traditional gold ring and giving it a twist! Mixed metal hoops in a variety of sizes are particularly popular: the bolder the blend, the better! Gold and silver hoops might make a statement but they're also incredibly versatile: they will coordinate with all the pieces in your jewelry collection.
With thousands of years of history, and a continually growing popularity, it's clear that the hoop earring trend isn't going anywhere. Have you found the right hoop earring for you, and how do you wear yours?