What to wear right now: statement earrings
That IS My Ear. Photo: Claire Pepper
Statement earrings are the easiest to make a simple outfit extraordinary. And, even though I would always include standout sparklers as part of my signature look, I have to confess that the multiple ear piercing arrangement, has led to a temporary shunning of the shoulder-grazers. But, not anymore. Bringing on the bling is exactly what is needed, right now. January is the perfect time to whoop things up. I’ve rediscovered my fondness for chandelier earrings.
As with style, jewellery is personal. What matters most is that the item is something you love. The sculptural earrings in the picture are from J. Crew (borrowed for a shoot last year and then returned). Jewellery doesn’t have to cost a fortune: most of mine is cheap and cheerful and of the costume variety. I have a few silver bits and pieces – bracelets, hoop earrings and one, long handmade pendant necklace – most of which needs polishing, when I get round to buying some more silver cleaner. But it’s a pair of old diamanté, dangly earrings that get the most compliments. The posts are bent and the backs are tarnished, but the sparkly, uplifting effect is still the same. These statement earrings are so old I can’t remember where they’re from, but I do know they’re high street, very ‘me’ and the perfect way to temper a blazer or mannish shirt.
Photo: Nordstrom
For reasonably priced statement styles try Mango. And Bauble Bar’s earrings are flamboyant and fun, but definitely not fun-sized (available at Nordstrom, Selfridges and shopbop). Go to Toolally for lightweight, acrylic earrings that don’t drag on the lobes (now sold at John Lewis and some designs are available as clip-ons). I’m also enjoying Spanish label Paloma Wool’s selection at Liberty. And the pair of Star Spinner earrings from Tory Burch (above) has caught my eye, quite like the idea of wearing stars in my ears.
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Discussion (29 Comments)
Hello Maudie, funnily enough I am considering a post on specs – as I now have to wear them! I just need to sort out my prescription. In the meantime, there’s a section on ‘Choosing the right glasses’ in Know Your Style – and Bailey Nelson is one of the brands I mention. Excellent style sleuthing!
Little Brown Bird says:
Alyson
I’ve recently bought new glasses from Cubitts. Definitely worth a look; stylish and not spendy 😉
Goddessinthedetails says:
Oh yes please to a post on specs. I just blew 700 quid on a pair from a Spitalfields opticians. They looked fab when I tried on the frames on but less fab when I got the glasses and I think that’s because the try-on mirror-image is fuzzy and flattering due to my myopia! Wish there was some way round that.
Maureen says:
No no no. You are NEVER too old to wear just one earring or different ones. Just do it as the slogan says. I love people’s faces when they aren’t sure if I’m making a statement or they are mismatched by accident. My good friends just laugh in encouragement. And that’s all you need, friends who encourage you to be silly
Jacqueline says:
Thanks for mentioning clip on earrings! Really difficult to get. And my ‘pissed’ ears (according to my gc) didn’t take kindly to nickel – a long , long time ago – and closed up. I also wear hearing aids but my new super duper ones are far less noticeable. Now there’s a subject for another post.!
Barbara says:
I love statement earrings, too. They really give me a lift and often get compliments. I own a few real gold and silver, but like you, I like inexpensive earrings that sparkle and don’t require a lot of upkeep. Great post!
Elaine says:
I have not plucked up the courage to have multiple piercings in my ears ….. yet. But I love quirky earrings, particularly bright acrylic ones. I also love that it’s easy to buy mismatched pairs now. I have discovered a wonderful little shop in Edinburgh where I live that sells fabulous cheap ones. Tom Pigeon makes and sells great earrings too. As does Sahara, great if available in sale. I’m really looking forward to your post on specs. You are an inspiration!!
Joyce Morris says:
I adore ear rings, well, certain ones, but wear specs and I think you have to be sooooooo careful in choosing ones that look good. I imagine if you have longish hair and the ear rings can peep through it would be easier than with shorter hair. Depends on the specs of course too.
Would be interested in your thoughts peeps.dublin girl says:
Hi there, I too have nickel allergy and can’t wear earrings with a post. Best place for clip-ons is Claire’s ! Limited selection, and you’ll feel a bit like a pervert amongst all the fluffy stuff for the little girls, but they have good silver hoops which actually stay on your ear and don’t hurt. Godsend.
Gill says:
Hi dublin girl, That’s good to know . I’ve never had pierced ears but I’m thinking about going for it in my late 60s! Some of my clip ons are vintage – mostly my mother’s from the fifties, though I have some more recent pairs. I don’t wear earrings much but would like to wear them more so I’ll pop into Claire’s and have a look. I’ll feel out of place at my age but I can always pretend I’m shopping for my granddaughters! Thanks.
Alysen says:
All agog to see your styling with specs. Specs + earrings combination is easy to get wrong and it quickly starts to get busy; add any kind of necklace or complicated collar and the result is often overwhelming — unless you’re Iris Apfel. My earrings have been toned right down since I got new specs.
Watching and waiting with bated breath to see your take on the subject before too long.
Sara says:
I love all kinds of statement jewellery but since I grew my hair into a bob, have given up on the earrings as they are unseen. I have a pair of silver geometric studs that keep me going but keep my lovely silver dangly ones, in case I do return to short hair; all I do now is look longingly at them.. If anyone knows where large (non precious metal) statement rings can be found, probably online as I am in Derbyshire, (so please no Covent Garden ) do tell. Nobody is too old for any kind of earring in my opinion and statement jewellery lifts almost any outfit.
Delighted to have found this blog, Alyson; it looks like real style as against the somewhat ordinary/frumpy/ middle of the road ones that I have tried. Great stuff and plenty for me to catch up on!Sally says:
Also, I’m having a lot of fun with my multiple piercings, and as long as you take care of them conscientiously, they seem to do all right – keeping clean, not touching a lot. I, too, love statement earrings and enjoy figuring out various combinations. Sometimes I wear only a dangler, other times coordinate it with some studs – we’re not getting old, we’re just getting better and more varied! I can do with some extra sparkle these days, too!
Mrs Tonia says:
I used to wear earrings a lot from 80s onwards. Always clip or screw on ones. In silver and with stones usually. But now that I wear contacts less and glasses far more except for special going out occasions I hardly wear my earrings. I don’t like the combination personally. Any guidance on glasses given how expensive good frames and thin lenses are would be welcome. A major expense now to replace those I have including sunglasses: reading prescription and distance. Varifocals don’t work for me so I’ve returned to single useage ones. For intermediate such as reading and computing and distance for tv and cinema and after dark. Look forward to your opinions.
However seeing this post and illustration of Alyson wearing striking pair of earrings I dug out a lovely pair of amethyst earrings with a drop and good clip from French brand Phillipe Ferrandis. I got mine in Paris but they are stocked at a fabulous boutique off Lambs Conduit St London W1 on Rugby St called Maggie Owen. Website Maggieowenlondon.com. This is a wonderful shop full of interesting textiles cushions and jewellery. I examined it all without buying realising I owned many examples of the same makers already such as Wallace Sewell. Trying to enjoy and use what I have already.Kate woods says:
So pleased you mentioned Maggie Owen. It’s a FABULOUS shop: I indulged a completely wacky multicoloured pair of clip on danglers as my Christmas present to myself. Well worth an uplifting visit in person or online.
Boadicea says:
Never ever ever would I have my ears pierced, I’m far too cowardly! But I do wear small(ish) pearly clip-on earrings and reckon they look fine paired with my specs and peeping through my long hair. In the Stated clip-ons are as rare as hens’ teeth, which is so annoying as I see so many nice earrings over there, but over here rummaging through trays in charity shops or on bric-a-brac market stalls can sometimes turn up a nice surprise. As for ‘danglies”, they possibly look their best when hair is swept up or pinned back as then a nice balance is achieved.
Two extra points. Jewellers will convert earrings to clip/screw fixtures if design allows. I’ve had it done on several occasions in the past so I could wear earrings that had belonged to my mother.
I was able to buy clip silver and pearl earrings in a boutique in Florida which sold Mexican silver jewellery. That might be a source.
I received a newsletter online from LadoubleJ featuring Vintage Jewellery including clip fixture earrings as well as other sparkly pieces.maudie says:
ps V&A shop (also available online) do a fab selection of earrings – well, all jewellery actually. I am drooling over the Iris de la Torre ‘hand hook earrings’ and trying to resist pushing the buy button.
Susannah says:
Yes Yes Yes to a feature on specs. I wonder if I could ask/beg for a feature on eye makeup for older women who wear specs?
I’ve been for two makeovers, one with Chanel, the second at Space N.K. both over did the sparkly shadow to make sure my eyes didn’t “ get lost” behind my fine metal rimmed Scandinavia specs.
Even my 8 year old granddaughter laughed at me.
I used to feel really confident applying my makeup but I’m struggling with this one.Nanda says:
Glad to read this post. I was sticking to smaller earrings a while ago but have embraced the new bigger is better and recycling some of my old favs from 1980’s.
Here are two tips for shining sliver earrings..
1. Use a soft small toothbrush and toothpaste
2. Line a small bowl with aluminium foil, add all your tarnished silver and fill with boiling water. Add a few teaspoons of Bicarbonate or baking powder. Let bubble away, rinse and dryI see Toolaly a lot on Instagram, they look really unique and funky.
Blimey Goddessinthedetails, £700 is waay too much for beautiful specs! Have you seen Ollie Quinn online? Or Warby? There are lots of small companies making incredible frames at more reasonable prices. If you have a prescription they do it all online.K says:
LOVE Maggie Owen’s shop in Lambs Conduit St! Waitrose do an impregnated silver cleaning cloth for about 4 quid and it works on all metals, even cheap costume stuff.
Natural silver cleaning tips most helpful. For really tarnished silver I use Duraglit. Pretty noxious I’m sure wearing rubber gloves. Then washing with a bit of detergent then paper towels.
I’m sure one can buy less expensive spectacle frames. I’ve recycled a lot of my older ones with new lenses. The real cost is in the price of ultra thin lenses so they don’t look so bad with high index myopia. I used to wear contacts a lot but now can’t read in them but fine for socialising out. I’ve had eye surgery on a macular hole five years ago so the repaired eye causes distortion with contacts on. Okay with glasses but vision rather imperfect. My varifocals expensive frames and expensive lenses scarcely work and were a waste of money so had to get reading and intermediate range glasses made. I now carry a large handbag with multiple pairs of glasses. But it’s necessary to be functional.I love an unusual pair of earrings. Very hard to find when you do not have pierced ears. I have always been afraid of having any piercings.
Catriona says:
If you live in or are visiting Norwich, then please visit Lovering & Co in the market. The fantastic Heather (for whom this is a mid-life change of career) stocks an edit of vintage mens tweed, Burberry, Nordic woollen jumpers and Japanese yukata (the lighter summer kimono).
Helen England says:
I love statement earrings but having pixie-short hair and glasses fear it’s the worst of all possible combinations … Pat Butcher here I come. Any advice gratefully received!
Joyce Morris 
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I could not agree more! My favourites are from the charity shop. Long, multi-stranded diamante chandeliers with chipped and blackened backs and wobbly posts. (If I wear them for too long a period my ears itch and then my wafting fragrance is TCP!). I wish I had the courage to do the trendy thing and wear just one earring, but maybe I could possibly, may be be a bit long in the tooth for that? I found some corkers in Boots of all places – big fake tortoiseshell hoops AND they were in the sale. I have found that now that my salt and pepper hair is longer I can get away with long earrings. I think either short and sassy hair or longish hair looks best with danglers – when I had a blah bob they didn’t seem to work so well. H&M are a good source of mad earrings as well. Alyson – would you consider a post on specs? I have just discovered Bailey Nelson in Covent Garden and am in seventh heaven.