Share
Single earrings: How to wear the one-earring trend
Share
Who says earrings have to be bought and worn in pairs? Single earrings, where you wear just one earring in one ear or combine two different ones, have become one of the most popular ways to wear jewelry. Here's a guide to the trend and how to make it your own.
Contents
- What are single earrings?
- Why single earrings are so popular
- How to wear single earrings
- Which earrings work as singles?
- Mistakes to avoid
- How to build your collection of single earrings
- Frequently asked questions
What are single earrings?
A single earring is an earring that is sold and worn individually. Instead of a matching pair, you wear one earring in one ear, or two different earrings that together create an asymmetrical look.
The trend is all about freedom. You don't have to choose between two designs, you can simply have both. And if you've lost one earring from a pair, it's suddenly no longer a problem.
Why single earrings are so popular
Personal expression. When you put your earrings together yourself, the look becomes entirely your own. Nobody else has exactly the same combination.
Asymmetry is modern. An asymmetrical look feels relaxed and effortless, and it gives the face a little twist that a symmetrical pair doesn't.
It's more affordable. When you only buy one earring, you can collect several different designs for the same budget and switch them depending on your mood.
Perfect for multiple piercings. Single earrings make it easy to fill an ear with several piercings with exactly the motifs and sizes you want.
How to wear single earrings
1. One statement earring
The simplest look: one earring that gets to stand alone. Choose a style with a little more detail, such as the Single Cherry Earring, and leave the other ear completely bare or wear a small, discreet stud.
2. Two different earrings
Combine two earrings that have something in common, such as the same metal or the same style, but different motifs. A moon in one ear and a sun in the other is a classic example. Symbol Single Hoops come with several motifs, so you can put together your own pair.
3. Mirrored studs
Some single earrings are designed for a specific ear. The Single Flower Stud – Left and Single Flower Stud – Right can be worn on their own or together as a mirrored pair.
4. One ear with a full stack
Build a whole ear stack in one ear and keep the other simple with just a single stud. It creates a striking but still balanced look. Find ideas in our styling guide.
5. An earring jacket on one side
An earring jacket sits behind the earlobe and turns an ordinary stud into a layered look. Wear it on just one side, for example the Single Pearl Earring Jacket, for an elegant, asymmetrical look.
Which earrings work as singles?
- Hoops with charms are ideal, because the small motif gets to tell a story. Read more about hoop earrings.
- Earrings with symbols such as stars, hearts and moons. See what the different motifs mean in our guide to symbols in jewelry.
- Asymmetrical designs made to sit in a specific ear.
- Earring jackets, which add extra depth on one side.
Mistakes to avoid
Too many styles at once. Single earrings are all about personality, but the look is most harmonious when the earrings have something in common: the same metal, the same stone color or the same theme.
Accidental imbalance. If one ear is heavy, keep the other light. The contrast should look intentional.
Forgetting the overall look. Think about the rest of your jewelry. A statement earring works best with a simple necklace.
How to build your collection of single earrings
The great thing about single earrings is that your collection can grow over time. You don't have to buy everything at once. Here's a simple plan:
Step 1: The base
Start with a pair of small, simple studs that can sit in one of your piercings every day. Small motifs like stars, moons or hearts from the Mini Stud Collection are perfect, because they can be mixed freely.
Step 2: The star of the show
Add one earring that stands out, such as a hoop with a charm or an earring with a pearl. This is the one people notice, so choose a motif you love.
Step 3: The contrast
Add an earring in a different metal or with a different motif. This is where the asymmetrical look really comes to life. See how to make it work in our guide to mixing gold and silver.
Step 4: The extra layer
An earring jacket behind the ear or a small huggie in an extra piercing adds depth. The Single Sparkling Earring Jacket is an easy way to give a simple stud more sparkle.
Single earrings as a gift
A single earring with a symbol is a personal and affordable gift. Many people give one to a friend and keep another for themselves, for example a sun for one and a moon for the other, as a little friendship piece. Find more ideas in our guide to jewelry as a Christmas gift.
Frequently asked questions
What is a single earring?
A single earring is an earring that is sold and worn individually instead of in a pair. It can be worn alone or combined with another earring.
Which ear should you wear a single earring in?
There are no rules. Many people choose the side where they usually part their hair, so the earring is visible.
Can you combine gold and silver earrings?
Yes, that's perfectly fine and very popular. The look is most harmonious if you repeat both metals somewhere else, such as in a ring or necklace.
Are single earrings a passing trend?
Asymmetrical earrings have been popular for several years and have become a fixture of modern jewelry style, especially among people with multiple ear piercings.