Guide to Hoop Earring Sizes

Diamonds may be your best friend, but hoop earrings are like family. There’s nothing quite like the day you graduate from stud earrings to your first pair of hoops. A staple set of hoops can last a lifetime and can make or break any outfit. That’s why choosing the right ones to suit your style, face shape, and occasion is crucial.

If you’re looking to adopt a new family member (or should we say twins), look no further. This guide covers everything you need to know when it comes to hoop earrings, from their origins to how to choose a hoop earring size to hoop maintenance and care.

Hoops in History

A hoop earring is just that: any earring that protrudes from the ear and loops around to the other side, as opposed to an earring of any other shape (like a stud, a drop, a dangle, or a cuff). Hoops have been around since 2500 BCE, making them the earliest form of earrings archaeologists have ever found.

First worn by Ancient Sumerian women, then spreading across the Mediterranean and Western Asia, hoop earrings eventually became a status symbol, adorning both the elites of Ancient Rome and Ancient Egyptians’ beloved cats.

Today, hoop earrings are a versatile accessory that can be styled with endless looks. Many stick to a staple everyday pair, while others choose to layer multiple pairs or alternate weight or width.

Hoops can pull an outfit together, whether it's an evening gown or dressing up a tee and jeans. They also work to frame a face. The key to accessorizing with hoops is choosing the right size for your hairstyle or outfit.

Understanding Hoop Earring Sizes

When it comes to how to put in earrings and choosing the right hoop size is the determining factor of style and comfort. Hoops come in varying levels of thickness, as well as various diameters (some “hug” your earlobe, while others dip to chin level).

Standard earring hoop sizes (by diameter) include:

• Huggie earrings and small hoops (1” or less) – These hoops fit the “tightest” around your earlobe, almost like a cuff for your earlobe. Ranging from “micro huggies” to 1-inch hoops (which fall around the cheekbone), they’re a delicate and subtle option.
• Medium hoops (1.5”–2”) – Perhaps the most classic hoop style, medium hoops descend an inch or so below your earlobe. They’re slightly more eye-catching than mini hoops, kissing the edge of your jawline as they frame your face.
• Large hoops (2.5’–3”) – Large hoop earrings descend, naturally, the furthest away from your ear—typically a few inches or more to land closer to the chin. They’re perfect for making a statement and can be dressed up or down.

Thickness is also a factor to consider when choosing hoops. Consider:

• Thin – Hoops (especially larger hoops) might be rail-thin, providing an airy, minimalist look.
• Chunky – Chunky hoops have become popular in recent years, drawing attention to your face and adding dimension to any outfit.
• Textured – Some hoops come ribbed, twisted, or shaped. These can add cheek or flair to an outfit while still complimenting a variety of colors and fabrics.

When choosing a hoop diameter and thickness, consider both the style you’re going for and your ears’ comfort. If you plan to wear your hoops day-to-night or even sleep in them, choose a lightweight pair with a small diameter. Luckily, all Jennifer Fisher Hoops are lightweight. These daintier hoops work well as an everyday staple accessory.

Larger hoops are ideal for making a statement, whether it’s an accompaniment to an office look or formal wear. Some experienced hoop-wearers are even able to sleep in them.

Types of Hoop Earrings

Hoops can be classified into different “families” of their own. If you’re struggling to choose a pair of hoops based on diameter and thickness alone, consider the type and shape of hoops that suit your style and/or current trends the best.

Classic Hoops

“Classic hoops” are likely what comes to mind when you picture “hoop earrings.” Varying in diameter anywhere from 1” to 3” and in thickness anywhere from rail thin to chunky, they might stick close to the earlobe, but don’t “hug” it.

Classic hoops are incredibly versatile, and can be worn with almost any outfit. They’re perfect to adorn your face when wearing a ponytail or updo (but can sparkle through your hair when it’s down, too).

Novelty

Novelty hoops are another recent trend that is here to stay. Hoops might be textured, adorned with stones or pearls, or differently shaped (i.e., teardrop, oval).

Novelty hoops are the perfect jewelry box addition for anyone looking to stand out, accentuate their features, or celebrate a special occasion.

Choosing the Right Size

If you’re having trouble choosing which size hoops will compliment you best, there are a few factors to consider. Whether you’re looking for an everyday pair or hoops for a special occasion, one size or variation will often stand out.

Face Shape

Earrings can be a tool to both highlight and balance your face shape. For instance, those with round faces will likely find that large, dangly, or oval hoops help elongate their faces in a flattering way. If you have a heart-shaped face, earrings that are wider at the bottom (like double huggies, teardrops, or layered hoops) will help balance out your face’s proportions.

Square-faced individuals will find their features are softened by round, curvy jewelry (think larger hoops), while those with angular diamond-shaped faces may want to stick with huggies that sit close to the ear. If your face is oval-shaped, try a huggie or small hoop to avoid over-elongation.

Personal Style

Another crucial factor when choosing a trusty pair of hoops is your personal style. Do you tend to dress more dainty and demure, in outfits best suited for huggies or small studded hoops? Or do you prefer to dress in louder colors, take fashion risks, and make a statement with large, chunky, or shaped hoops?

Would a thicker hoop add texture to your simpler outfits, or do you prefer a thinner one to balance out other accessories? Of course, it can never hurt to have a pair of hoops on hand to suit each mood, but before you invest in your first set, take into account your current fashion habits.

Occasion

If you’re choosing hoops for a specific occasion, consider the dress code and the rest of the outfit you’re planning. Any hoop earring size can match a formal outfit, but diamond hoop earrings and gold hoop earrings, or smaller, chunkier hoops, tend to bring an elegant air to black tie or cocktail attire.

Thinner, larger hoops are perfect for a more casual outfit, happy hour with friends, or to bring a flirty, feminine vibe to a blazer and pants.

Before investing in hoops, take into account the outfit you’re already planning and what might complement it (i.e., oval hoops to balance out a boxy top or huggies with a textured sweater).

Visual Guide to Hoop Sizes

You asked, and we answered: here’s our comprehensive hoop earring size chart.

Styling Tips

With the right pair of hoops, adorning your ears (and completing your outfit) is a breeze. Remember these styling tips:

• Layers – If you have multiple piercings, layering is a trendy way to wear multiple pairs of hoops at once. Experiment withhoops of varying diameters and thickness; increasingly wide hoops can particularly flatter a heart-shaped face.
• Mixing and matching – Take the time to build your collection—owning hoops of various shapes and sizes is ideal. This way, you can mix and match pairs of earrings to suit each look throughout the week.
• Take cues from other jewelry – It can be helpful to think of all the jewelry you wear on a given day as a cohesive set. Are you opting for a uniform color or mixed metallics? Try balancing out large hoops with a dainty necklace or vice versa.
• Work with your hair and makeup – There are endless ways to pair your earrings with the day’s glam. Large hoops can play off of a bold red lip or dangle from a bob, while huggies can draw attention up toward the eyes.

Ultimately, you decide whether your hoops are a chic accessory or the centerpiece of an outfit.

Find Your Perfect Hoop at Jennifer Fisher

Hoops have been a fashion statement and status symbol for thousands of years, and they’re here to stay. Whether you choose dainty micro-huggies or bold 3” chunky pieces, hoops are a flattering accessory for any outfit (especially when you choose ones that complement your style and face shape). With proper maintenance, your hoops will be by your face’s side for years to come

You can never have too many hoops in your collection, so don’t be afraid to experiment with a variety of sizes until you find your perfect pair.

If you’re looking for your new favorite pair of hoops, you’re bound to find them at Jennifer Fisher. Our solid gold hoops come in a range of thicknesses and diameters, from 1” to 3” and everything in between. And with twists, studded hoops, teardrops, floating diamonds, and more, there’s a hoop to suit every look. Hoops should feel like family, and a pair of Jennifer Fisher hoops will stick by you, thick or thin.

Sources:

Encyclopedia.com. Earrings. https://www.encyclopedia.com/fashion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/earrings

Refinery29. This Trend Has Been Around Since 2500 BC. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2017/08/169562/hoop-earrings-trend-history

Glamour. The most flattering earrings for each face shape to balance and highlight your proportions. https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/best-earrings-for-face-shape

Martha Stewart. How to Clean Your Jewelry the Right Way. https://www.marthastewart.com/1540841/how-clean-jewelry#:~:text=%22Pieces%20that%20get%20dirtier%20more,at%20least%20once%20a%20month.