Jewelry Trends

Think About Ear Anatomy Before Stacking

Before you start putting on multiple earrings, or going out to get new piercings, you should consider the anatomy of your ear. Every ear shape is unique and not every ear can handle the same types or number of earrings. Placement is key to stacking earrings, and the most common spots on the ear for piercings are the lobe (the lowest part of the ear where most people get their first piecing), upper lobe (where the skin starts to get thinner) and the helix (the top of the ear near the edge).

If you already have piercings in these locations and want to go for more, there’s the conch (the curved edge of your ear, located between the upper lobe and helix), the rook (the inner ridge of cartilage below the helix), the tragus (the part in front of the ear canal), and the forward helix (just in front of the helix, closest to your head).

Keep the Earring Stack Simple

Whether you’re just starting out with multiple earrings, or you’re a stacking pro, the best rule of thumb is less is more. Wearing too many earrings can feel uncomfortable, and you don’t want to make your ear look cluttered. With the lobe being the most popular place for multiple earrings, experiment with a stack of multiple gold or diamond studs or add a dangling drop earring for some extra flair. Multiple hoops are also a great choice for stacked earrings or choose a smaller huggie earring if you have a helix piercing.

Consider the Earring Arrangement

Once you’ve got the hang of stacking multiple earrings, it’s important to arrange a stack that looks balanced and cohesive. If you have piercings all over your ear, we recommend following the cascading rule. Start with the larger or more dangly pieces on your lobes as your statement piece, such as hoops or drop earrings, and as you move up the ear choose smaller pieces such as studs or huggie earrings. This will help you achieve a beautifully balanced look that will go with just about any outfit.

Curate Complementing Pieces

As mentioned above, the statement piece of your earring stack will anchor your entire curation of multiple earrings. A large hoop or decorative drop earring is a great statement piece, providing the foundation for smaller accent pieces like smaller hoop or drop earrings. And if you have a lot of ear piercings, it’s good to follow the 40/60 Rule: 40% of your earrings should be bolder statement pieces and 60% should be smaller accent pieces to achieve optimal balance.

Mix and Match Colors and Textures

Finally, as you’re pulling together a winning combo of stacked earrings, don’t be afraid to mix and match your pieces! Wearing multiple earrings should be an expression of who you are, so feel free to wear different metal colors, like yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold, or go with the classic combo of yellow gold and sterling silver. You can also select a mix of gemstone earrings with complementing colors to add more vibrancy to your earring stack. And for different textures, try link hoop earrings, chain drop earrings, or stud earrings in different shapes, like flowers, stars, circles, and bar earrings. These different shapes will give your stack of earrings a look that’s uniquely textured and entirely your own.