Among the many styles of jewelry available these days, hoop earrings have become a big favorite, for both men and women, although the more flamboyant styles are best reserved exclusively for the girls. The boys should adopt a nice discreet pair of small gold hoop earrings instead. This general type of earring is designed to pierce through the earlobe and then form a complete circle or hoop – hence the name. Some more sophisticated designs are attached to the lobes rather like stud earrings, and generally these do not finish off the complete circle, but are open behind the ear, out of view.
Whether you are looking for a beautiful pair of gold hoop earrings or a stunning yet affordable pair of sterling silver ones set with cubic zirconias, you will not end up disappointed, as there is so much choice with this style of earrings. And you’ll be able to find the perfect ones for whatever the occasion, from cute and understated hoops for more formal situations, to crazy huge ones just for fun, and to turn heads in the street. Your shopping trip might last a lot longer than you anticipated as you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Whereas ladies’ hoop earrings are available in all sorts of different styles, the mens earrings used to be very plain. Generally they were simple precious metal rings without any kind of ornate design etched into them. Dangle styles were, and still are, less acceptable for men, but since a lot of the high profile celebrities, notably rappers, have been seen wearing very exotic designs encrusted with diamonds, it has become more common for men to be able to wear similarly glitzy types of earrings.
With young men, often the wearing of earrings is a sign of breaking free from conformity, as can be seen by the earlier youth subcultures such as the punks, who relished shocking people with unusual jewelry and fashions. These days, it is more likely to be the goths who want to wear them to complement their look, and this means buying hoop earrings made out of polished black steel, with various motifs etched into them.
One thing is sure, now we are well into the 21st century, hoop earrings are certainly an accessory you will commonly find being worn by both men and women.