Hoop earrings are one of the easiest earrings to wear. A good pair works with a plain tee, a work blazer or an evening dress, and the choices that matter are size, thickness and metal. This guide covers seven easy ways to wear hoops, whether you prefer gold hoops, silver hoops or both, plus the size, finish and closure details for every hoop style we feature, so you can pick the right pair before you order. For smaller hoops that sit close to the lobe, see our guide to styling huggie earrings.
Quick Answer: How Do You Style Hoop Earrings?
- Pick the size first. Our measured hoops run from about 20 mm to 50 mm (about 2 inches). Small sizes sit near the lobe, and large sizes are a statement.
- Choose thickness for the mood. Slim hoops look understated. Chunky hoops look bolder, so keep the rest of the outfit simple.
- Match your metals, or mix them on purpose. Gold and silver both work with most outfits.
- Let one pair lead. Keep your necklace and other jewelry quiet when the hoops are the focus.
The Hoop Earrings We Feature at a Glance
| Style | Look | Finish and stones | Size and closure notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Classic Hoop Earrings | Slim, smooth open hoop | 316L stainless steel with 18K gold plating, per the page. Gold or silver color. | 30, 40 or 50 mm hoop diameter. The open C-shape has posts in the photos. |
| Gold Chunky Hoop Earrings | Thick, polished, crescent-like hoop | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating. | Latch-back closure. The page does not list a size. |
| Golden Tides Hoop Earrings | Thick hoop that tapers, smooth outside with a ribbed inner curve | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating. | About 17 x 22 mm (size chart in the photos). Hinged clasp. |
| Aurora Arch Hoop Earrings | Chunky, slightly angular hoop | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating. Gold or silver color. | Hinged clasp. The page does not list a size. |
| Silver Hoop Earrings | Three styles: Wave, Oval and Classic | Silver-tone stainless steel. | Size charts in the photos: Wave 2.5 x 2.8 cm, Oval 2.8 x 3.2 cm, Classic 2.0 x 2.0 cm. |
| Gold Twisted Rope Hoop Earrings | Twisted rope hoop with a cluster of small gold rings at the bottom | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating. | Latch-back closure. The size chart in the photos lists 12 x 36 mm. |
| Twist Rope Hoop Earrings | Thick twisted rope half hoop with cubic zirconia along the outer edge | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating, cubic zirconia. | Post-back closure. The size chart in the photos lists 9 x 20 mm. |
| Scrunchie Hoop Earrings | Twisted, gem-covered hoop | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating, cubic zirconia. | 20 mm or 25 mm. Latch-back closure. |
| Cubic Zirconia Halo Hoops | Hinged hoop looped through a circle covered in cubic zirconia | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating, cubic zirconia. Gold or silver color. | The page does not list a size. Hinged in the photos. |
| Royal Pearl Hoop Earrings | Gold curved top with a row of pearls | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating. The page calls the pearls freshwater. | The page does not list a size. |
| Pearl Ribbed Small Hoop Earrings | Ribbed open hoop with a pearl at the tip | Stainless steel with PVD gold plating, simulated pearl. Gold or silver color. | Post-back in the photos. |
| Stainless Steel Square Hoop Earrings | Square hoop with a star pattern on the surface | 316L stainless steel. Gold or silver color. | 21.8 x 22.4 mm (size chart in the photos). Hinged in the photos. |
| Nail-Inspired Hoop Earrings | Small, slim hoop with a nail motif | Stainless steel, polished. Gold or silver color. | Latch-back closure. The page does not list a size. |
7 Ways to Style Hoop Earrings
1. The Everyday Gold Hoop
Start with a classic. A slim gold hoop with a white tee, jeans and your hair pulled back is hard to beat. The Gold Classic Hoop Earrings come in 30, 40 and 50 mm, in gold or silver, so you choose how much of the hoop shows. 30 mm sits close to the face, and 50 mm (about 2 inches) is for days when you want the hoop to be the statement. The page lists 316L stainless steel with 18K gold plating.
2. Chunky Hoops for a Statement
Chunky hoops do the work of a full accessory set. The Gold Chunky Hoop Earrings are a thick, polished, crescent-like hoop with a latch-back closure, and the Golden Tides Hoop Earrings are thick at the bottom and taper at the ends, with a ribbed inner curve. Wear either with a blazer, a knit or a plain tank, and keep your necklace simple. Our statement earrings guide has more ideas for balancing bold pieces.
3. Silver Hoops with Denim and Cool Tones
Silver is crisp against denim, white, gray and navy. The Silver Hoop Earrings come in three styles: Wave, Oval and Classic. The size charts in the photos list 2.5 x 2.8 cm for the Wave, 2.8 x 3.2 cm for the Oval and 2.0 x 2.0 cm for the Classic. For a more angular option, the Aurora Arch Hoop Earrings are a chunky hoop with a hinged clasp in gold or silver. Try either with a denim skirt: our guide to styling a pleated denim skirt has easy outfits.
4. Twisted Texture, Plain Outfit
When the earring has texture, let the outfit stay plain. The Gold Twisted Rope Hoop Earrings pair a twisted rope hoop with a cluster of small gold rings at the bottom, and close with a latch-back. The Twist Rope Hoop Earrings are a thick twisted half hoop with cubic zirconia along the outer edge and a post-back closure. A black turtleneck or a white tee gives the texture room to show.
5. Sparkle for Evening
For a night out, choose hoops that catch the light. The Scrunchie Hoop Earrings are a twisted, gem-covered hoop in 20 mm or 25 mm with a latch-back closure. The Cubic Zirconia Halo Hoops loop a circle covered in cubic zirconia through a hinged hoop, and come in gold or silver. Wear them with a black dress, a satin top or a slip skirt, and skip the necklace or keep it very fine.
6. Pearl Hoops for Dressier Plans
Pearls soften a hoop. The Royal Pearl Hoop Earrings have a gold curved top with a row of pearls beneath, and the page lists them for weddings and formal events. The Pearl Ribbed Small Hoop Earrings are a ribbed open hoop with a simulated pearl at the tip, in gold or silver. Wear either with a white blouse, linen or a satin slip dress.
7. Try a Different Shape
If round hoops feel predictable, change the shape. The Stainless Steel Square Hoop Earrings are a square hoop with a star pattern on the surface, about 21.8 x 22.4 mm per the size chart in the photos, in gold or silver. For something small and slim, the Nail-Inspired Hoop Earrings add a nail motif to a thin hoop, also in gold or silver. Keep the outfit simple and let the shape do the work.
Choosing Your Size, Thickness and Finish
- Size: The sizes listed range from about 20 mm to 50 mm. The Gold Classic Hoops come in 30, 40 and 50 mm, the Scrunchie Hoops in 20 and 25 mm, and the square hoops are about 22 mm. Some pages do not list a size, so check the photos before you order.
- Thickness and weight: Chunky hoops look bolder, and they can weigh more. The Silver Hoop Earrings size charts list 4.73 g a pair for the Classic and 10.54 g a pair for the Oval.
- Finish: The gold hoops we feature are stainless steel with gold plating. The Silver Hoop Earrings are silver-tone stainless steel. If you have a known metal allergy, check the material on the product page before you order.
- Closure: Several styles close with a latch-back or hinge, including the Gold Chunky, Golden Tides, Gold Twisted Rope, Scrunchie and Aurora Arch hoops. The Twist Rope hoops use a post-back. Check the closure on the page for your pair.
- Gold or silver: Choose the one that matches the jewelry you wear most. Mixing the two is fine if you do it on purpose.
How to Care for Hoop Earrings
- Wipe them with a soft cloth and store them somewhere dry.
- Keep them away from perfume and lotion.
- Care details vary by listing. Some of our product pages recommend taking jewelry off before sleeping or exercising, and avoiding water. If your page does not say, take them off.
Hoop Earrings FAQs
What size hoop earrings should I get?
For a close, subtle fit, start with about 20 to 30 mm. For a bolder look, choose 40 to 50 mm, which is about 1.5 to 2 inches. The Gold Classic Hoop Earrings come in 30, 40 and 50 mm so you can compare.
Should I wear gold or silver hoops?
Choose the metal that matches the rest of your jewelry. Gold is warm against black, cream and earth tones. Silver is crisp against denim, white and gray. Mixing them is fine if you do it on purpose.
Are chunky hoops heavy?
It depends on the pair. Weights vary, and not every page lists one. The Silver Hoop Earrings size charts list 4.73 g a pair for the Classic and 10.54 g a pair for the Oval, so check the page for your pair.
What is the difference between hoops and huggies?
Huggies are small hoops that sit snug against the earlobe. Larger hoops hang lower and frame the face. Our huggie earrings guide covers the smaller styles.
Can I sleep or shower in hoop earrings?
Care details vary by listing. Several pages recommend removing jewelry before sleeping or exercising, so take them off unless the page says otherwise.
Find Your Hoops
Ready to shop? Browse all of our hoop earrings, the silver hoop earrings collection, or our smaller huggie hoops. If you prefer posts, see our stud earrings.