The Most Popular Earring Styles Today: Designs and Inspiration

Fads come and go, but jewelry lasts forever. When purchasing new earrings, combining what is currently popular with your personal taste is essential. It is good to have a combination of both classic and in-style jewelry to mix and match. This way, you can build an earring collection you can rely on for any occasion, now and into the future. Here are a few of the most popular earring styles today:

Dangle Earrings

Dangle earrings, also known as dangly or dangling earrings, hang down from the earlobe. Unlike huggie earrings, which fit snugly against the earlobe, and drop earrings, which hang but stay in place, dangle earrings swing and sway as the wearer moves for a more eye-catching effect.

Dangly earrings come in a variety of styles and lengths, from simple to elaborate. They can be made from a variety of materials, and may feature one or several decorations such as a gemstones, beads, and pendants. Furthermore, they can have additional embellishments, like fringes, tassels, and feathers, which add texture and movement. There are many different ways to wear dangle earrings, from festive to formal, and everything in between.

Inspiration: Dangle earrings

Drop Earrings

Drop earrings are designed to hang down from the earlobe.  While dangle earrings do the same, the difference is that drop earrings are designed to be stationary. Both types can be made from various materials, and can have embedded gemstones or other decorations.  Also, drop earrings come in various shapes and sizes, and have popular subcategories, such as hoop earrings. 

Inspiration: Drop earrings

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Hoop Earrings

Hoops have to be one of the most popular earring style in the fashion world right now, but have always been a classic. Hoops are very diverse: they can be thick and chunky, thin and wiry, small, or large. The endless array of options means there’s a style for everyone and every occasion. Wear a smaller pair of hoops with a work outfit, or go big for a night on the town with a large pair with gemstone accents. Many designers have their own take on the hoops trend, so you should be able to find something to your liking from a brand you already love.

Inspiration: Hoop earrings

Stud Earrings

Studs have always been a popular type of earring due to their simplicity. They are very versatile, as they can be subtle and minimalist, or elaborate and striking.

Minimalism is in, and there’s been a shift in fashion in recent years to effortless daily accessories. Casual wear seems to be trendiest, and that often means subtler accessorizing. On the other hand, elaborate studs with texture, color, and other design elements can add a lot to an outfit.

Whether they’re just a simple pearl, or they’re edgy and have a quirky shape, you can’t really go wrong with studs. Pair them with anything from a formal look to sweatpants and a hoodie, and they’ll fit right in. Next time you’re shopping for your favorite brands, don’t overlook the studs section.

Inspiration: Minimalist stud earrings

Inspiration: Elaborate stud earrings

Huggie Earrings

Huggies are a type of earring that fit snugly around, or “hug,” the earlobe, hence the name. They are a popular earring choice for everyday wear due to their minimal look, and can be dressed up or down depending on the setting. 

They can be made from various materials, can be very plain or have unique textures and designs, and will often include some decorations, such as gemstones. Also, huggies are versatile and understated, but can still add eye-catching sparkle and shine to an outfit.

Inspiration: Huggie earrings

Fringes, Tassels and Feathers

Fringe, tassel, and feather earrings are three different styles of jewelry, but we’ve grouped them together because they all bring that whimsical, youthful attitude and unique twist to an outfit.  The difference between fringe and tassel earrings is that fringe earrings have strands that hang down from the earring base, where tassels are usually clusters of threads that make up the whole earring. While these styles can give a boho, festival vibe, they can also be toned down for a mature and professional look.  Whatever the occasion, there are sure to be some fringe, tassel, and feather earrings that will allow you to express yourself with an appropriate style.

Inspiration: Fringe earrings

Colorful Statement Earrings

Vintage-inspired gems have been making the list of popular earrings recently as if it’s the roaring twenties all over again. Colored gemstone jewelry has that classic vibe that seems luxurious and expensive, and brings some old school glamor and sophistication to your look. The way bright gemstones catch light is mesmerizing, and they accent your outfit with color. Try pairing them with a neutral or all black ensemble for an emphatic statement, or mix and match different colors for a attention-grabbing effect.

Inspiration: Colorful statement earrings

Maximalist Earrings

Maximalism can be thought of as the opposite of minimalism: bold and overstated. It is achieved in earrings with the use of multiple colors, textures, styles, shapes, and embellishments, often in a single piece.  Furthermore, this style often uses non-traditional materials, like plastic and wood, to create unique and bold designs. The goal with maximalist earrings is to be a dramatic yet playful element of an outfit. They are a great way to add personality and individuality to express style and taste.

Inspiration: Maximalist earrings

Diamond Earrings

While diamonds aren’t technically a style themselves, they are too classic and iconic to not touch on here. Diamond earrings are a versatile staple in any jewelry collection.  They come in many different forms, including stud earrings, hoop earrings, dangle earrings and drop earrings.  They can have just a single stone or an array of different sizes in different patterns on a single piece. For a subtler effect they can accompany other jewelry, or they can be the main accessory to an any outfit, from casual to formal, and everything in between. 

Whatever the style, diamond earrings are a classic choice. No matter the outfit or occasion, there is guaranteed to be a large selection of diamond earrings that will look great.

Inspiration: Diamond Earrings

Takeaways

Earrings are one of those staple jewelry pieces people just can’t get enough of, with many of us having extensive collections. They’re easy to change out, can be styled with any outfit, and are prevalent and abundant in stores. They have many classic styles, but also go through different trends. Another great thing about earrings is that if you have multiple piercings, you can wear more than one of these styles at a time. Hopefully this list of popular earrings can help you look your best!

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