Your ears may not be the first part of your body you think about accentuating when you pick out an outfit. But earrings can have a major impact on the overall look of your outfit. They frame your face, add some shine to your hair, and can make a big statement.
Earrings are often the first piece of jewelry that someone will notice. So, it's important to pick the right pair for every occasion.
Whether you're going for over-the-top and in-your-face or subtle and demure, it can be tricky to decide if you should go with hoops or with studs. Let's first take a look at what the different types of earrings say about you and about your outfit.
What Do Hoop Earrings Say About You?
Hoop earrings draw attention to the wearer. Even plain, smaller hoops make a statement and tell the world you want to be seen.
Hoops are often thought to be a statement of positivity and strong feminine energy. This is due to the rich and varied history of the hoop earring, which dates all the way back to Sumerian times in 2500 BC.
What Wearing Studs Tells The World
Studs, on the other hand, tell a story of simplicity. People who gravitate towards wearing studs in their ears tend to be no-fuss, low maintenance and more minimalistic. This goes for small, plain studs as well as ones with stones in them that sparkle. It's the fact that the earring sits nestled in the lobe and doesn't dangle or move around that makes the statement.
5 Tips For Choosing The Right Earrings To Match What You're Wearing
Just because you gravitate towards one kind of earring over another, it doesn't mean you can't change things up for different outfits and occasions. The key is to ensure that the earrings match the outfit and the event.
Here's how to decide between the humble stud or the look-at-me hoop:
Take Into Account What You're Dressing For
The first step is to always think about where you are going. For example, attending a wedding is different to heading out for coffee with friends, and the earrings you might wear for each will differ accordingly.
The more elegant the occasion, the more sophisticated the jewelry should be. The more casual the event, the more fun you can have with your choice of earrings. This isn't to say that it would be studs for the elegant affair and hoops for a normal day out. Rather, the style of the studs or the hoops should match the occasion.
Always Consider the Neckline Of Your Outfit
The next step is to look at what you want to wear for the occasion. If you're choosing your outfit first and then earrings to go with it, you need to have the top of your outfit on before looking at earrings.
A complex neckline could clash with hoops that dangle down from your ears. You don't want the jewelry in your ears to compete for attention with the outfit. In this case, a pair of small studs is probably better.
A simple neckline, especially one that scoops, is wider on the shoulders or is strapless, can look brilliant with bold statement hoops. With this kind of look, the earrings are making a statement around the face, not the clothing.
Work Out What You're Doing With Your Hair
As with the neckline of your clothing, your hair can compete for attention against earrings. If you're going to have your hair loose or leave some of your hair forward to frame your face, you may want to try smaller earrings so that they don't get in the way of your hairstyle.
When your hair is swept up with most or all of it away from your face and neck, you can then wear much bigger and bolder earrings. This is when hoops will really stand out.
Again, you need to consider your hair in conjunction with your clothing to find the right balance.
Keep The Balance With The Rest Of Your Jewelry
Speaking of balance, you need to consider the rest of the jewelry you want to wear when choosing your earrings. It's always a good idea to go for one bold statement item. This can be your earrings, or it could be a necklace, bracelet or cuff, or a large cocktail ring.
Whichever item you want to show off as your statement piece should be the boldest piece of jewelry you wear. The rest should be plainer and smaller so that the main piece stands out. Big hoops are always going to compete for center stage, so it's best to ensure that they're the statement piece if that's the route you go.
Make Sure Your Personality Is On Display
The final step is to make sure that you're comfortable with the look you've chosen and that it shows off your personality. It can be so awkward for you if the earrings just aren't you. If you don't like big earrings, you may want to avoid them—even if they're the better choice for the outfit and the event. You'll probably spend most of the event fiddling with the earrings and wondering if they look all right.
Jewelry is all about showing off your style and your personality—whether you're wearing classic bracelets or a contemporary nose ring. If you want your personality to shine, the same applies to earrings. You need to pick a pair that immediately tells the world who you are.
Remember, if you're a hoop kind of person, you can always go for really small hoops if the outfit needs plainer earrings.
Always Make A Statement With Your Earrings
It can be a bit of a juggling act to find the right earrings to match your outfit. The best way to find the right match is to play around and try out different options. You may even decide that you want to wear one particular pair of earrings and change your clothes to suit them. That's the best part about earrings. They're easy to change depending on your mood.
Next time you can't decide between hoops or studs, consider the tips above and choose the pair that makes you feel like you.