Wearing multiple earrings can elevate a basic outfit or ensure you shine bright at your next formal event. If you’re ready to create a stylish earring stack, these tips from our jewelry experts are here to help. Here’s how to build a chic, unique earring stack you love.
Create a Cascade
Earring stacks tend to look best when earrings go from large to small as they move upward. This creates an aesthetically pleasing cascade effect that arches alongside the curve of your ear. Try wearing a larger pair of earrings, like dangle earrings or hoop earrings, on your earlobes. Then, accent those with smaller hoops, studs, or ear cuffs.
Start With Your Statement
Whether you’re layering bracelets, necklaces, rings, or earrings, it’s a good idea to start with your biggest statement piece. It’s easier to create a cohesive look when you have a focal point to play off of.
Start by choosing a pair of statement earrings, then complement them with more understated earrings. Your other picks don’t necessarily need to be minimalist or delicate, but they should be less eye catching compared to your bold earrings.
Match Design Details
If you’re styling an earring stack and it doesn’t feel quite right, check how many design details your pairs of earrings have in common. Design details include things like metal tone, finish, gemstone color, and overall style. The more design details your jewelry pieces have in common, the more they’ll look like they “go” together.
One of the easiest ways to make a set of earrings look harmonious together is to choose pieces in the same precious metal. A set of yellow gold jewelry could be different in style, yet still look good together because metal color is a very strong visual tie. Keeping your jewelry in the same tone is an obvious solution when you feel it looks mismatched.
Of course, precious metal is far from the only detail that can tie your jewelry together. A pair of baroque pearl teardrop earrings will look lovely with pearl stud earrings because they share the same gemstone. Modern geometric hoops pair well with other contemporary earring styles, like graphic studs and ear cuff earrings, because they have the same overall style. Take a look at the details your earrings share and experiment to find matching combinations.
Accent Your Outfit
Your earrings should complement each other and your overall attire. You’ll want to choose different earrings if you’re putting together a simple outfit to run errands in versus if you’re getting dressed for a black tie event. You’ll also likely want to choose different earrings to go with a little black dress versus something busier, like a bold dress in a graphic print or vibrant pattern.
When you’re pairing earrings with an outfit, you have two options: you can match your outfit’s style or choose jewelry that contrasts with it. For example, say you’re styling a basic sweater dress in a classic style. You could pair it with a few elegant jewelry pieces to keep that classic look or you could pair it with statement earrings that make the outfit more striking and modern.
Or, imagine you’re styling a glamorous gown for a special event. You could go with dangly earrings and a classic pair of diamond studs to add to the glamour of your look, or you could choose chained asymmetrical earrings to add a bit of edginess to your formal occasion attire. Experiment with different combinations and find what works for your personal style.
Layer Jewelry Thoughtfully
Unless you’re going for a particularly bold or eclectic look, it’s usually best to focus most of your layering in just one area of the body. Wearing layered necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings all at once can cause your jewelry to overwhelm your outfit, so keep that in mind as you layer your earrings.
If you’re heavily layering earrings, make sure your other accessories are more understated if you want to avoid looking overdone. This is especially important for nearby jewelry, such as necklaces. A statement necklace may detract from your look, while a chunky cuff bracelet would be far away enough to let your earrings shine.
There’s No Wrong Way To Style Your Earring Stack
The tips shared above are designed to help you easily create a look you love, but remember that there’s no wrong way to style an earring stack. Fashion is about expressing yourself and embracing your unique sense of style. Have fun experimenting with different combinations, including non-conventional ones, and enjoy discovering what you love.
If you’re looking for new layering-friendly earrings to enhance your jewelry collection, browse our online store. Our earring collection has all the earring styles you need to create a stylish layered look, including everything from eye-catching statement pieces to chic minimalist earrings.