Earrings - types, differences and guide to choosing

Earrings can look the same in pictures, but feel very different in everyday life. Here's a quick guide to the most popular types: hoops/hoops, earcuffs, hanging earrings and stud earrings. You'll learn what characterizes each variant, who they suit and how you can easily style them alone or in a personal ear stack. Perfect if you want to get it right the first time - whether you're looking for something discreet for everyday wear or a piece of jewelry with a bit more statement.

Earstick (also called studs) is the most minimalist type of earring - it sits close to the ear and gives a discreet, clean look. Studs are perfect as your jewelry wardrobe staple: they go with everything, are easy to wear all day and are ideal if you want to build an ear stack with multiple earrings. They're also a great choice if you want something that feels elegant, but never too much.

Here you can see studs, which are small earrings that sit directly on the ear. They are simple, comfortable to wear and an obvious choice if you want a discreet piece of jewelry for everyday life.

Hoops are round earrings that create a clean, classic look - from small huggies that sit close to the ear to larger hoops that make a statement. They're popular because they go with everything and provide an elegant frame for the face without being too ornate. If you want an everyday favorite, hoops are often a good choice because they can stand alone or act as the base of an ear stack.

These are hoops or creoles, which are round earrings that fit tightly or slightly looser around the ear. They give a classic look and can be worn alone or with other earrings.

An earcuff is an earring that clamps lightly around the edge of the ear for a cool, modern look. Many people choose earcuffs because they create the illusion of multiple holes in the ear and can provide styling edge in seconds. They're ideal if you want to try a stacked look without changing anything permanently - and they can often be combined with both hoops and studs for a more personalized look.

Here you see earcuffs that are worn on the ear without necessarily requiring a hole. They are easy to combine with other jewelry and give a modern layered look.

Hanging earrings are earrings with a length that hangs freely from the ear. They create visual movement and help to mark the face more clearly than, for example, small studs. We generally work with two types under this category:

Hanging earrings with chain: Here, the hanging part consists of a fine chain. It gives a light look and a smooth movement when you move your head. This type is good if you want a distinctive look that still feels easy to wear throughout the day.
Shaped hanging earrings: These have a fixed shape or figure that is visible in profile. They often have more weight and edge than the chain models and are suitable for those days or occasions when jewelry is allowed to add a little more weight to the overall outfit.

Common to both types is that they add vertical lines that work well for both everyday and party wear.

Here you see chains, which are earrings with chain details that create movement and a more eye-catching look. They add lightness and are great if you want a little more playfulness in your styling.

Here you can see hanging earrings that fall from the ear and create a more elegant and distinctive look. They work well both for everyday wear and for occasions where the jewelry needs to be a little more prominent.