It's that time of year again where earrings are in full swing! With so many options, it is a little overwhelming picking out which ones to wear together. So we're here to help you stack your favorite pieces, read on for some amazing tips on ear stacking!
CONSIDER EAR ANATOMY
The first step to a great curated ear is to think about ear anatomy. Consider your ear shape because not every ear has enough space to house multiple lobe piercings or the correct cartilage contour for an inner ear-piercing. What type of ear piercings and earrings will look good on you depends largely on your ear anatomy. For example, If you have small or dainty ears then the best earrings for you are petite and lightweight. Cute stud earrings work well because they don't take up too much space in your pierced holes but still make a mini statement with their minimal style.
For women with larger ears, wearing multiple earrings in many different piercings can look very stylish and show off your boldness. On the other hand, too many large pieces in one ear may be overwhelming.
CURATE PIERCINGS ACCORDINGLY
Perfect ear-piercing placement is essential to a good ear stack. Don't make the mistake of getting a row of stacked ear piercings that are closely packed together then accenting them with oversized studs that completely cover the curve of the ear. Part of creating a beautiful design is to play with negative space. Wearing multiple earrings should look polished, but an overly cluttered ear comes off as sloppy and never looks beautiful. It is always best to opt for neat, tiny solitaire studs.
MATCHING EARRINGS
This is by far the easiest technique to create the perfect earring stack in a flash. Pick a single color or style and pair them with their closest matches. This ensures that they will all coordinate perfectly when worn together, keeping your look cohesive and chic with minimal effort required.
The same color doesn't necessarily mean they need be the exact same style, as long as they are similar enough. This works well with geometric shapes, like triangles or circle studs.
Go on step further and try to match the same metal finish. For example, if you are wearing matte or shiny gold hoops, pair them with matte or shiny studs for a perfectly cohesive look.
CONSIDER THE LENGTH
The traditional ear stacking method involves wearing the longest earring at the bottom and gradually working your way up to shorter pairs as you go up the ear. This is a good general rule to follow but often longer earrings are not even that long. In this case, you'll want to wear them at the top and work your way down as a counterpoint to their length.
SLIDE IN A HUGGIE
We love huggies because they are super versatile. Mini huggie hoops are perfect for placing higher up the helix of the ear for a trés cool look or you can use them as an alternative to studs in your second ear-piercing. The best part about mini huggies is that these everyday earrings hug up close and cozy against your skin, so they are one of the best earrings for sensitive ears or extra-sensitive piercings!
MIX DAINTY+STATEMENT
As if having multiple piercings isn't badass enough, throw in an unexpected statement piece. When it comes to lobe earrings, sometimes more is more. A large hoop earring is perfect for your first ear-piercing, then stack it with subtle partners like smaller studs or even a cartilage hoop. Add more, but keep mismatched earrings equal in measure. Offset larger earrings with smaller styles like a cartilage hoop to keep your ear stack uncluttered.
MIX BIG+SMALL
For an easy everyday earring stack, make like Rihanna and wear your smallest studs with a larger ear cuff. Draw the eye upwards by wearing small studs in your lobes (we love two or three) then throw on a chunky cuff for contrast. The result is effortless and cool. This look is also great for gals who like to wear their hair up or back, since it allows you to show off your studs when they peek through.
DANGLE ON
For more intrigue, add a dangling pair of cascading earrings. These super long earrings look best when worn in your first lobe piercing, so you can complement them with cute studs and little hoop earrings in your other piercings. F.Y.I., the longer your cascading earrings are, the more intense your stacked earring look will be.
TWO WORDS: EAR CRAWLERS
Ear climber earrings typically serve as the bottom of an earring stack. Add a second layer of studs or dangles to your ear stack to balance out any thin areas on either side of your ears. Wearing an ear climber at the top of your earring stack can also be done. Try wearing a small or delicate design on the bottom row and then adding something bolder at the top. This will create a nice contrast between the two sides of your stack.
PILING ON HOOPS
When it comes to stacking hoop earrings, there are many different ways you can potentially layer earrings to create an edgy and stylish look. The first technique is by tapering your hoops towards the back of the ear so that they become progressively smaller mimicking the natural shape of the ear. The widest hoop earring looks best placed in the widest area of the ear, which is the ear lobe and then progressively getting smaller.
The second technique for stacking hoop earrings is by alternating between tiny stud earrings and hoops. This will provide a break from the heavy weight of hoops and creates a beautiful pattern.
Another simple method for stacking hoop earrings is by linking your hoops together in three different sections; one at the top, one in the middle and one at the bottom. All three sections connect via a chain that also keeps each hoop stable.
THINK OUTSIDE OF THE LOBE
A tragus piercing instantly adds a boost to any stacked ear. Small, cute studs are an excellent option for tragus piercings because they are comfortable and available in a variety of styles. When you opt for a minimalist tiny stud for your tragus area, this small earring style usually blends in seamlessly and complements all other piercings effortlessly.
Likewise, a helix piercing adds an edgy and innovative twist to your ear stack. Everyday earrings like dainty hoops are ideal for this area because this delicate earring style hangs gently from your helix piercings without pulling.
PLAY IT SAFE!
Most people know that stacking earrings can cause discomfort or damage if they wear too many at once. This problem is especially true for those who like to stack their piercings with dangly pieces of jewelry.
Stick to lightweight earring styles. Buy earrings that are dainty and won’t stretch out your ear lobe piercings the way that heavy earrings might. Sticking to small earrings, tiny hoops or even dainty threader earrings can help keep your ear lobe piercings small and supported.
In contrast, wear heavy earrings only for a short duration. Try to limit the weight you place on your ear lobes by reserving heavy earrings for special occasions. If you do plan to wear heavy earrings, make sure to take them off as soon as your event is over. Another good idea is to try to buy earrings that are hollowed out in order to reduce the weight on your lobes.
FINAL THOUGHTS
In the world of earring stacks, there are few rules. You can mix and match tiny stud earrings with hoops, dangle earrings with chandeliers, whatever you want! The only rule to follow when stacking earrings is to use your instinct as it guides you in choosing the best possible look.
