What Do Hoop Earrings Mean To You?

[AGBF]

I wish hoops *did* look better on me, I've always wanted little diamond inside out huggies!

I am one of the people with the weird, off kilter ear lobes due to making the mistake of going to a dermatologist to have my ears pierced. (I have posted about this a lot. I was brought up to fear pierced ears and when I finally got them, naturally wanted them done with clean, medical precision. I also forced my daughter, when she had her ears pierced, to do at the dermatologist's office.) The result was that my earrings have been askew ever since. Since my daughter grew into The Queen of Piercing and starting to frequent tattoo parlours for her piercings, I eventually learned that i should have gone to a professional piercer if I wanted my earrings to hang straight. But that is water under the bridge. I grew up white bread and I learned slowly.

A few years ago, though, I did get huggies. I actually hardly think of them as hoops anymore. (But then, given DSS-Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome-I no longer think of my 2 carat diamond as too big to wear in a ring I wonder if I should have taken it out of the ring to put in a pendant because I was embarrassed by it!)

I would get huggies if they look good on you. They are really not like hoops. In my opinion, of course. here are mine (since we seem to be doing photographs).

 

[swingirl]

Very large hoops -- African American
Small hoops -- Gypsies
Very itty bitty hoops -- men
Can't afford hoops -- Ghetto
Diamond hoops -- ME!

 

[Jambalaya]

I loved hoops as a teenager, although I only ever had very thin gold ones that were max 1.5 inches. Then I didn't wear hoops for about 3 decades except very tiny diamond huggies.

Recently, I bought three pairs of hoops. One is a diamond pair, baguettes, F/VS2 diamonds - but again, very small huggies.

Then I branched out with an inch-diameter pair of thick-ish silver hoops with a gold ball in the middle of each, Cape-Cod style. I had not worn real hoops like this in thirty years.

And most recently, a pair of 3/4-inch tri-color gold hoops which look just like Cartier ones (But they're not.)

So, after 30 years of not wearing hoops, suddenly I'm wearing them again. However, I can't imagine more than an inch in diameter as I have a short face. Large hoops don't suit me and I just really don't like them. I don't find them tasteful. But I never considered hoops in any cultural context. Preferring smaller hoops is simply a matter of personal taste.

At the moment I only like mixed-metal or diamond hoops. I find mixed metals give just a touch of richness/warmth without having to wear all-gold. I also like my small diamond hoops. I never wear plain metal hoops in one color.

I've really enjoyed wearing my silver-and-gold inch-diameter thick hoops after so many hoop-less years!

Perhaps it's just a matter of what you're used to. Maybe I'll branch out with some bigger hoops!

I quite like these: https://www.bluenile.com/14k-gold-twisted-hoop-earrings_52025?elem=img&track=product&vtype=sample

 

[Queenie60]

I have small diamond huggie hoops, medium sized in-out hoops and large oval in-out hoops. Love them all and wear them often. My husband says that the large oval hoops look like I'm a rock star!!!

 

[AGBF]

I have small diamond huggie hoops, medium sized in-out hoops and large oval in-out hoops. Love them all and wear them often. My husband says that the large oval hoops look like I'm a rock star!!!

Pictures of the rock star, please!!!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Best my 5yo managed to do with my phone. I couldn't take one myself at all!

 

[AGBF]

Best my 5yo managed to do with my phone. I couldn't take one myself at all!

Now that earring is a sight that was worth waking up to! Thank you (and thank your daughter for me), mellowyellowgirl! I covet it!

Deb

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Now that earring is a sight that was worth waking up to! Thank you (and thank your daughter for me), mellowyellowgirl! I covet it!

Deb

Awww thanks Deb! I LOVE LOVE LOVE your earrings! We need an ear shot!

Kidlet is a 5yo little boy who loves gems! haha he loves to look at the pictures on this forum! Especially the green gem thread in the Coloured Stones forum!

 

[Austina]

I like small tasteful hoops, don’t like the current trend of young girls wearing hoops the size of Dinner plates, ugh, chavvy.

 

[missy]

I am one of the people with the weird, off kilter ear lobes due to making the mistake of going to a dermatologist to have my ears pierced. (I have posted about this a lot. I was brought up to fear pierced ears and when I finally got them, naturally wanted them done with clean, medical precision. I also forced my daughter, when she had her ears pierced, to do at the dermatologist's office.) The result was that my earrings have been askew ever since. Since my daughter grew into The Queen of Piercing and starting to frequent tattoo parlours for her piercings, I eventually learned that i should have gone to a professional piercer if I wanted my earrings to hang straight. But that is water under the bridge. I grew up white bread and I learned slowly.

A few years ago, though, I did get huggies. I actually hardly think of them as hoops anymore. (But then, given DSS-Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome-I no longer think of my 2 carat diamond as too big to wear in a ring I wonder if I should have taken it out of the ring to put in a pendant because I was embarrassed by it!)

I would get huggies if they look good on you. They are really not like hoops. In my opinion, of course. here are mine (since we seem to be doing photographs).

Gorgeous. Please share a photo of these on your ears Deb. Love them!

(fwiw my piercings are uneven as well).



@mellowyellowgirl love those earrings! And what a talented kid...great photo!

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

I am one of the people with the weird, off kilter ear lobes due to making the mistake of going to a dermatologist to have my ears pierced. (I have posted about this a lot. I was brought up to fear pierced ears and when I finally got them, naturally wanted them done with clean, medical precision. I also forced my daughter, when she had her ears pierced, to do at the dermatologist's office.) The result was that my earrings have been askew ever since. Since my daughter grew into The Queen of Piercing and starting to frequent tattoo parlours for her piercings, I eventually learned that i should have gone to a professional piercer if I wanted my earrings to hang straight. But that is water under the bridge. I grew up white bread and I learned slowly.

A few years ago, though, I did get huggies. I actually hardly think of them as hoops anymore. (But then, given DSS-Diamond Shrinkage Syndrome-I no longer think of my 2 carat diamond as too big to wear in a ring I wonder if I should have taken it out of the ring to put in a pendant because I was embarrassed by it!)

I would get huggies if they look good on you. They are really not like hoops. In my opinion, of course. here are mine (since we seem to be doing photographs).

Yummy!! Those are gorgeous! Been thinking of buying huggies for a long time, but I guess I have to try and then buy the exactly right pair for my ears / face/ piercing problem. Good to know there are exactly the right ones out there.

 

[missy]

Sharing some interesting background re the hoop earrings. They have been around since 2500 B.C.

http://www.refinery29.com/2017/08/169562/hoop-earrings-trend-history

The gold hoop earring has been a powerful symbol in numerous cultures throughout history. Both men and women have been adorning their bodies with jewelry since the earliest days of civilization. The oldest earrings archeologists have discovered belong to Sumerian women who lived in 2500 BC, and favored the now classic, gold hoop style.

The popular saying, “the bigger the hoop, the bigger the hoe,” has been now been reclaimed and changed to "the bigger the hoop the bigger the love.”

The history of the hoop earring is as long as human history itself. They have never been just a trend, which is why they have become a charged accessory in the cultural appropriation debate... it’s an essential part of many women of color

 

[House Cat]

I’ve always worn hoops. I grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, which meant that hoops could be worn as big as one liked. My teenage rocker girl style. meant that my hoops looked best if they were big enough to be worn as bracelets. Anything smaller would get lost in my hair.

I still wear hoops all of the time. They are more boho style. I wear them about silver dollar sized. I still have my long hair and feel that many smaller earring would disappear behind my hair.


I grew up in a poor urban area until 1989. Most of the girls wore hoops. They were a big part of our fashion. Gold bamboo style hoops were incredibly popular and worn in multiple piercings. Huge thin hoops were worn by Latino girls. Fingernails were pierced with tiny gold hoops too. That is a trend I do not miss.

 

[redwood66]

My mom took me to the mall piercing place when I was 16. She watched them like a hawk on how they did it and made sure the dots were placed so earrings would hang evenly because my lobes are not the same size. Thanks mom!

 

[lyra]

My mom's friend pierced my ears with a sewing needle and a potato. I got what I paid for there, free at our kitchen table. I was 14. I do envy perfectly pierced ears, but studs look just fine. I'm not going to change anything now!

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

My mom's friend pierced my ears with a sewing needle and a potato. I got what I paid for there, free at our kitchen table. I was 14. I do envy perfectly pierced ears, but studs look just fine. I'm not going to change anything now!

I'll stop complaining about my derm story now!

 

[yennyfire]

I wore them in the 80s/early 90s and haven't again til last month when I bought a tiny pair of multi-colored gemstone hoops in rose gold in Israel. I'm loving them!

 

[AGBF]

I'll stop complaining about my derm story now!

kipari-

You make me laugh!

Deb

 

[AGBF]

I wore them in the 80s/early 90s and haven't again til last month when I bought a tiny pair of multi-colored gemstone hoops in rose gold in Israel. I'm loving them!

Ooooh! Photo? They sound wonderful!!!

 

[yennyfire]

Ooooh! Photo? They sound wonderful!!!

Your wish is my command!

 

[AGBF]

Your wish is my command!

Wow! I don't know which I want to copy first, your French manicure or rose gold earrings! Here are the pros and cons: I would have to search for similar earrings on-line (and then pay for them). Time consuming and expensive. On the other hand, I have no finger nails. Which is the more possible?

I have a lot of envy, yennyfire!!!

Congrats on the ring. It is truly lovely.

Hugs,
Deb

 

[yennyfire]

Wow! I don't know which I want to copy first, your French manicure or rose gold earrings! Here are the pros and cons: I would have to search for similar earrings on-line (and then pay for them). Time consuming and expensive. On the other hand, I have no finger nails. Which is the more possible?

I have a lot of envy, yennyfire!!!

Congrats on the ring. It is truly lovely.

Hugs,
Deb

Don't be envious of the mani Deb! It's three weeks old and looks horrific, but the french mani's hide that better than a color.

I'm happy to try to find the name of the shop in Israel. I'm sure they have a website you could take a look at. These truly weren't that expensive. Maybe $140?? I'm trying to remember how many shekels they were...

 

[lilmosun]

So hoops turn outwards on me. Way outward. Looks horrible. The bigger the worse.

Same here....my ears sit pretty much flat against my head and so unless my hair is up, most of what one sees is the side of my earrings Like everyone, I remember buying round gold hoops in the late 80's (still have them) and they stuck out like elephant ears. On the upside, the fact that most earrings don't look right on me does save me quite a bit of money.

I always wanted nice diamond hoops and tried on many and often over the years..but they all looked horrible on me..until I found these! The combination of being elongated (so not technically hoops?), inside-out style with diamonds set in 3 rows with the out rows wrapping around the sides have made them the only "hoops" I've found that look normal on me to this day and have become my every day earrings.



P.S. I like hoops...but I have a habit of admiring things others can wear and I can't

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

Great find, @lilmosun !Very very pretty!

 

[AGBF]

Don't be envious of the mani Deb! It's three weeks old and looks horrific, but the french mani's hide that better than a color.

I'm happy to try to find the name of the shop in Israel. I'm sure they have a website you could take a look at. These truly weren't that expensive. Maybe $140?? I'm trying to remember how many shekels they were...

Tell me! And, by the way, I meant earrings, not ring, of course! My great-nephew is going to a family wedding in Israel any day now. Depending on where that shop is...maybe he can stop in. (He has little time this trip, however. He and his partner are in new jobs and have very limited vacation time. His Chinese/Christian partner has never seen Israel. Besides attending this wedding, I think they will only attempt to visit Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and The Dead Sea.)

Deb

 

[yennyfire]

Tell me! And, by the way, I meant earrings, not ring, of course! My great-nephew is going to a family wedding in Israel any day now. Depending on where that shop is...maybe he can stop in. (He has little time this trip, however. He and his partner are in new jobs and have very limited vacation time. His Chinese/Christian partner has never seen Israel. Besides attending this wedding, I think they will only attempt to visit Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and The Dead Sea.)

Deb

How exciting for them! Those are the highlights of Israel anyway! The jewelry store is in the Machne Yehuda market, across from the Shuka Pub. My AmEx lists the store (I think) as Muscat Tahsitim Vematanuo, which seems ridiculously long. It's literally the size of a closet and everything they had was stunning! I hope your great nephew finds it and that they have a great trip!

 

[missy]

@lilmosun I love your unique hoops. Yes I consider those hoops for sure.

@yennyfire I love those Israeli hoops. So versatile and a sweet find.

@Austina I agree there is such a thing as too big when it comes to hoop earrings however that depends on the individual more than anything else if they can wear it safely more power to them lol.

I love big hoop earrings and find them extra sassy and cool but it is more challenging to wear big hoops and sometimes I am in awe when I see some of the huge hoops girls wear. This is the largest I can go and these don't get worn too much because I am a klutz and don't want to accidentally tear my earlobe. So cannot wear these in winter with hoods and coats etc. Too much danger potential. But in summer...bring it on.

 

[arkieb1]

Hoops are just so 80s and 90s to me, I never wear them, but it’s just my taste. To tell the truth here in Europe hoops are not associated with ghetto, but I still don’t see hoops a lot.

The smaller ones with diamonds and pearls hanging I've always associated with older women (even thought I'm probably old) and the plain metal ones are mostly 80s and 90s to me too or I see young girls wearing really big ones that look cheap. I'm very boring and wear studs all the time.

 

[AGBF]

How exciting for them! Those are the highlights of Israel anyway! The jewelry store is in the Machne Yehuda market, across from the Shuka Pub. My AmEx lists the store (I think) as Muscat Tahsitim Vematanuo, which seems ridiculously long. It's literally the size of a closet and everything they had was stunning! I hope your great nephew finds it and that they have a great trip!

I am ashamed to admit that I do not have a clue where those places are! I have only been to Israel twice and on my second trip I was so ill that I saw doctors and a hospital rather than any sights. I never saw the Dead Sea, which was on my itinerary, but know a great deal about the Israeli medial system and where the doctors come from. (I saw one Australian doctor who, of course, spoke perfect English and then I saw a Russian doctor-one of several I had to see at the hospital-and everything I said to her had to be translated from my English into Italian by my husband then into Hebrew by his sister so that the doctor could understand it!)

I do not think I will burden my poor great nephew with earring shopping, but when I go there again, I will go to the shop. Is it in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv? I have been to both cities.

Deb

 

[yennyfire]

I am ashamed to admit that I do not have a clue where those places are! I have only been to Israel twice and on my second trip I was so ill that I saw doctors and a hospital rather than any sights. I never saw the Dead Sea, which was on my itinerary, but know a great deal about the Israeli medial system and where the doctors come from. (I saw one Australian doctor who, of course, spoke perfect English and then I saw a Russian doctor-one of several I had to see at the hospital-and everything I said to her had to be translated from my English into Italian by my husband then into Hebrew by his sister so that the doctor could understand it!)

I do not think I will burden my poor great nephew with earring shopping, but when I go there again, I will go to the shop. Is it in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv? I have been to both cities.

Deb

Ugh! That sounds awful! I had to take DD to urgent care while we were there, but thankfully, they all spoke perfect English. I would have been in trouble otherwise! The market is in Jerusalem and well known, as is the pub. Next time you go, hop in a cab and a taxi can take you directly there!