Big Earring Energy
Photo: Claire Pepper
My statement earrings have been on a sabbatical. This is partly down to not wanting to faff around and change the multiple, midlife piercings in my left ear, but also because of the pandemic and the risk of a face mask tangle. After a train journey to a family wedding last summer, I realised that I’d lost one of my brand new Bar Jewellery earrings. Gutted. I’d splurged for the special occasion and didn’t even get to wear the new jewellery (apart from on the bloomin’ train). Now, many months later with masks mostly off (I’m still wearing one on public transport and in small spaces), I’ve been dipping into my jewellery box again.
Standout sparklers used to be part of my signature look and they’re an easy way to give your basics a boost; particularly when you’re getting your head around transitioning from winter to spring, finally venturing out of the spare room into the real world. This cracking pair are from sustainable brand Completed Works . Admittedly, they’re a bit on the pricey side (they were loaned for the shoot) but the good thing about big earrings is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to make a statement. Cheap and cheerful styles are equally striking – and it’s far less frustrating if one goes for a burton when you’re whipping a face mask off. Over the years I’ve picked up some great costume jewellery at Boden, Mango, J. Crew and Anthropologie. Plus, vintage clip-ons in second-hand shops. It’s time to supercharge your style.
Big Earring Energy. Bring it on.
Style notes: My tweed jacket is Weekend Max Mara (last year). The & Wiser sweatshirt is from the TNMA Edit (still available) – new designs coming soon!! Earrings loaned from Completed Works. Pleated linen trousers loaned from Cawley at Young British Designers
Discussion (22 Comments)
Hi Jane, I hear you! Have a look at Heirloom Jewellery (heirloom.london) , they offer a remodelling service and should be able to help. Also, it’s worth contacting small independent designers like Amanda Doughty and Claire Stratton who take on commissions. Let me know how you get on!
Jane says:
Thanks Alyson! That’s very helpful. I feel weird asking g a jewellery designer to copy someone else’s work, but if they offer that specific service…
I’ll let you know. I know we can’t post pictures here, but I’d love to show your readers my magnificent Berlin earring!!Patricia Rowley says:
Have you thought about having the remaining one made into a necklace?
I have done this several times.
This is so useful. I have also lost one of my favourite earrings and so thanks for the information
Joann Rodriguez Iriarte says:
Thank you for this post. Please give your take on cut out dresses. My younger friend of 42 years to my 62 years says their inappropriate for me but I like the idea.
Tara says:
When you lose one earring why not do what I do? Wear a different one in the other ear that coordinates whether in style, color or size. I think it looks cool. Not so matchy matchy,
Step says:
After one of my friends lost two earrings (from two different pairs) as a result of mask wearing, I abandoned wearing anything that could become dislodged or entangled in mask elastic. Now that mask wearing has relaxed (although I too am wearing them on public transport) I’ve started to wear my favourite resin disc earrings from Accessorize again. I hope your lost earring turns up – maybe in LT lost property?
Anne Allen says:
Very interesting, Alyson. I love to wear fine dangly earrings with glasses I look like a Christmas tree if they’re too chunky. Add glasses & hearing aids to the mix & the face mask tangle us fraught.
Sarah P says:
I have the same issue! Glasses + hearing aid + mask causes tangles even without the earrings. When I add earrings to the mix too then it’s a recipe for disaster.
Nora Brooks says:
Got to give a shout out for Lingua Nigra…amazing statement earrings! And black-owned.
Liz Loudon says:
I frequently visit an independent jewellery shop in Bath that sells unusual jewellery, mainly in silver, and many stunning earrings. Whenever I buy a pair the lovely lady in the shop gives me some silicone back or stops (sorry, don’t know the technical term). When you slide one on behind the butterfly at the back, I have found them to be really helpful in securing my earrings when dealing with the mask and glasses tangle.
ClaireEB says:
I have a collection of silver earrings I wear day to day but do like a statement earring when I go out. Until recently my favourite was a pair from French Connection – until I saw Foreign Secretary Liz Truss wearing the same earrings on several different occasions. Maybe hers are a more upmarket version, but I’m afraid mine have slightly lost their appeal!
MaureenC says:
Love a big dangly earring! However I have lost so many over the years, before mask wearing taking jumpers off over my head was the main cause and whilst I mourned each one it never stopped me doing it again. However I’ve mainly worn them for zooms over the last two years so I’ve only lost one.
Much bigger problem for friends who wear hearing aids they really don’t mix well with mask elastics and the loss of one of them is a much, much bigger deal!Kate says:
Big energy . My mind went to that other phrase that includes a D. You are a hoot!
Our masks are finally off too except for medical appointments and plane rides, so I ordered some dangly earrings and chopped my hair to show them off-special occasion on the horizon. Other than that ,,I remain committed to small studs for everyday . I repeat the mantra “faff free”many , many times a week. I want a sweatshirt that reads this. It’s become my inner compass. Thanks Allyson!Kristine Clark says:
No pierced ears! Where, oh where, can I buy clip earrings online that don’t look as though they belonged to a maiden aunt, back in the fifties?!
Ooh there are more brands making cool clip-ons – this could be a separate feature or an Ask Alyson – leave it with me!
I too have lost one of a pair of statement earrings after a mask tangle on train. They had only been worn twice! Now I’ve stopped wearing earrings. Even small ones have a tendency to get tangled on mask when I’m removing it.
Lizzie Anne says:
Big dangly earrings are lovely, but I don’t buy on line any more as I like to weigh them up before purchase. Old ladies earlobes grow bigger anyway, so I want to avoid anything that might stretch them. I’m 74 now and I don’t want to have flappy earlobes in 10 or 15 years (if I survive till then).
Thank you for sharing your enthusiasm for big earrings. I completely agree that big earrings are a great way to make a statement without breaking the bank. Your blog post has inspired me to experiment with different styles and to be bold in my accessory choices. Great job!
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I really get this post Alyson! Face masks + specs + earrings are not a relaxing combination.. sad, as I love a statement earring.
I have a beautiful one of a pair, bought ages ago in Berlin (can’t track down the designer / shop).. lost the second one a few years ago. so wondering if anyone in the UK knows of a silversmith who’s prepared to copy an earring..?
The design is a small curved sheet, pierced with lots of tiny pins that move as you walk, so it’s like kinetic art.