What Are Huggie Earrings and How To Wear Them (The Complete Guide)

If you spend even a small amount of time on social media or so much as glance at a magazine these days, you’re sure to see someone wearing a pair of huggie hoops.

These small hoop earrings are a major fashion trend that you can constantly seen on celebrities, models, and influencers alike. That’s because these types of earrings are the perfect way to accessorize any outfit, from a minimalist, everyday look to being the statement piece of jewelry on special occasions.

So let’s talk about huggie earrings. What they are, the styles they come in, and how to wear them. You’ll see why I believe every woman’s jewelry collection should include at least one pair of huggie hoop earrings.

What Are Huggie Earrings and How To Wear Them

Huggies are a type of hoop earrings. They are also commonly referred to as huggie hoops or huggie rings. These small hoops come in a variety of sizes but typically should “hug” the ear lobe. Some are as small as a 4 mm hoop, fitting flush against the lobe. The smaller the earring, the more snug they will fit. This type of earring comes in different metals like sterling silver, yellow, white, and rose gold. These small earrings are generally for pierced ear lobes. But if you don’t have pierced ears, or if you have sensitive ears, wearing clip-ons may be an option. Although they are most often worn in the first or second hole of a lobe piercing, they are also worn in other areas like the forward helix or daith, the innermost fold of cartilage at the front of the ear canal.

Huggie styles are the perfect choice for people who want to wear earrings without the bulk or weight of other earring styles. Hinge huggies are also a great alternative to stud earrings that can poke you in the neck while you sleep or talk on the phone.

What Is The Difference Between Huggie And Hoop Earrings?

The standard hoop earrings are the bigger versions of huggies. Although hoops also come in various sizes, they never sit as close to the ear as huggies.

Both earring styles are timeless silhouettes and an excellent choice for everyday wear that really comes down to personal tastes. You can have fun filling your jewelry box with a collection of both!

Types Of Huggies

The types of huggies you can choose from are just about endless. They come in every metal type, so you can choose something that fits your preference and price range. Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum are the most expensive metals, and the karat weight will also affect the price. Sterling silver, gold plate, gold vermeil, and gold-filled jewelry are cheaper options.

Huggies also come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and mm thicknesses. They can be plain, have a single precious stone, or be diamond encrusted.

How To Style Huggies

Accessories and earrings, in particular, are the perfect finishing touch for any outfit. With such a large variety of styles, you can wear diamond-encrusted hoops one day and then rock the more minimal look of solid gold huggies the next day. However you choose to wear them, adding the perfect pair of huggies to your wardrobe is a great way to elevate your personal style. Have fun experimenting with different combinations to find what works best with your overall style.

Wear Them With Anything

A great thing about huggies earrings is that they look great with any outfit. Daily basics like a plain t-shirt and jeans are instantly elevated simply by adding gold jewelry. Silver or gold huggie earrings can also look sleek and sophisticated for work, with a little black dress, or formal attire. And huggies with diamond drops or precious stones are entirely glamorous. These earrings suit all fashion styles and are one of the easiest ways to make a big impact on your outfit choice.

When To Wear Them

The small size of huggies makes them a very versatile earring. They can be worn when you want a subtle but stylish way to wear an everyday look or when you want to make a statement.

Besides getting dressed for regular everyday occasions, huggies are my earring of choice when I go to the gym or to the beach. They are also a good option if you spend time around babies, as their small size makes them harder to pull on.

Stack Them

Layering and stacking your jewelry is a major trend and can be done in a subtle or bold manner. Most people probably already stack their necklaces and rings, but it can also be done with earrings.

Stacking your huggie rings will require more ear piercings, but a curated ear stack is a great way to express and show off your individual style. Wear larger, wider hoop earrings in your bottom ear hole, then as you go up the ear, reduce the size of the earrings. Mix in dainty earrings, small studs, and ear cuffs towards the top of the ear to create one-of-a-kind ear stacks that can easily be changed daily.

Mixed Metals

There are no rules against wearing your silver huggies with a pair of gold huggie hoop earrings. The different ways that you can mix and match the metals and stones of your ear stacks are just about endless. Personally, I favor yellow gold jewelry with my skin tone. However, I prefer the way white gold looks with diamonds, so my earring metals are always mixed.

Metals aren’t the only way to mix and match your earrings. You can also mix geometric designs, as huggies come in circles, squares, ovals, rectangles, and many other shapes.

How To Put In Huggie Earrings

If you’re unsure how to put on a pair of huggies…I got you covered! Huggie earrings are very easy to put in and take off. But the first step is to identify what type of earring it is.

Butterfly Back Huggies

Butterfly back earrings are extremely easy to put in as they are the same as regular stud earrings. First, insert the post into your earlobe. Next, slide the butterfly clasp up the post on the back of your ear to secure it.

A double notch or screw post is even more secure and a better choice for high-value earrings.

Hinged Back Huggies

Open the hoop by gently pulling it apart, then insert the post into your earlobe. Gently press the hinge bar into the clasp at the back of the earring until you hear a clicking sound.

How Do You Clean Huggie Earrings?

Like any other piece of jewelry, some cleaning on occasion or when needed is necessary. This will make a big impact on the appearance and lifespan of the piece. The easiest way to clean your earrings is in a bowl of warm water with a few drops of dish soap. Allow them to soak for a few minutes before gently scrubbing them with a soft bristle toothbrush. Rinse the huggies with clean water and then pat them dry. You can also use a small ultrasonic jewelry cleaner for home use. Lastly, always make sure your jewelry is completely dry before storing away.

Huggies Are The Modern Update

What type of earrings you like is of course personal preference. But gold earrings and little gold huggies in particular are definitely the modern update to to the more traditional hoop earring.

Love em or hate them, I’d love to know what are your thoughts on this style of earring!

Xx Monti