Hoops for days
What do we wear when we not only don't know what to wear we just don't want to think about it?
As much as I love to wear jewelry and feel more myself when I do, that doesn't mean I have a deep process behind every jewelry styling choice. Well, which earrings one should wear to go grocery shopping on a rainy day while having period cramps? Sometimes it's about a sort of baseline dignity. Hoops are my elected for the role.
From classical to experimental-crazy-kooky styles, They all have in common a superpower to be such a match to virtually any outfit, haircut, and mood. Even the classiest hoop adds a layer of refreshment to how someone looks, doing more than complimenting (like a diamond stud would). The denim pants of jewelry, hoops have a perfume of uniform to them.
A certain je ne sais quoi, an underlying power. Beyond their fashion appeal, hoop earrings also have one of the richest historical and cultural backgrounds, being one of the first shapes of jewelry in thousands of years, with evidence of their use dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians.
In recent history, hoop earrings have also been associated with various sociopolitical movements. Large hoops, for example, are a fashion resistance symbol in Latina communities. In the 1960s and 70s, they were popular among the hippie and Bohemian crowds. Through the 90s, they became a staple of the hip-hop fashion scene, particularly the bamboo style. It's fascinating how good hoops are probably the most seamlessly used across all ages in some shape or form.
As a Latina on my 15-year birthday as is typical I was gifted my first few gold jewelry pieces, including hoops, and I still wear them on a daily basis. I've been growing my collection since then and of course, have a lot on my wishlist. Let me present some of my considerations on them.
For times when you would like to go for simple but not basic, the ones with a classic style are a good pick. They are the unmistakable choice for traveling, as they can be dressed up and down to any dress code. It is also very good if you're building a capsule collection for office attire, for example.
Huggy-type hoops are good for not getting tangled up in hair or clothing. I particularly prefer the ones that are a bit thicker, not dainty. These two-tone huggies in silver and gold vermeil are my favorite, purchased from a local shop in my hometown many years ago. Louis Vuitton has these, same idea.
The advantage is that you can easily combine other accessories in different colors, and sometimes use them on one side or the other, alternating the front face. Note that good, well-cared-for vermeil lasts a lifetime. I matched it with this ear cuff by Brazilian designer Nathalie Edenburg, also in two tones and vermeil. By the same designer, I love the Alma and Moore hoops.
In a slightly more robust and still very classic model, I have these bijoux from Luzia Salum, a Brazilian accessories brand. Although they are not made of precious metals but are gold-plated, the quality is impressive. Bijoux is a good consideration for this type of earring that would be highly expensive for the size if they were in silver or gold.
The next step is to consider some texture, a surprising material, and a hint of color.
One of the most beautiful earrings I have is this one from the Mexican brand Urblack, which at first glance looks like a traditional model, but is actually inspired by corn leaves in texture and shape. The vermeil is in vibrant yellow gold.
If you were going to want gold in a larger size, an earring that is a little thinner but with a different shape is a good choice. This rectangular one from Vivara has a super lightweight construction. The model without an apparent clutch is the most comfortable and hardest to lose. The Lock from Tiffany is similar.
Speaking of Tiffany, they have a lot of great ideas, such as this one with a little diamond by Elsa Peretti. This one with a pearl as delicate as it is strong, and the Hardwear with two hoops intertwined is gorgeous.
On color, I recently tried on these earrings from Bottega Veneta, in silver and enamel. The design is very charming, but the weight and price are not appealing. Bea Bongiasca does the best when it comes to enameling.
Fresh and easy, colored hoops help avoid an overwhelmingly fanciful look. This emerald green is easy because it is small, so balances the strong color. The black earrings have an urban appeal, even more so if stacked.
On stacks, a cool, yet a bit kitsch move is to put together several hoops within one theme, like these heart-shaped hoops. These are my 15th birthday gift earrings :)
Switch to a front-facing model and you have something more sumptuous as it increases the attention area around your face. The actress Audrey Hepburn was often seen wearing this model in the photo.
A recent iteration, the Loop earring by Hermès is made of aluminum and leather.
I'm a big fan of jewelry with different materials, perhaps not traditionally precious. That said, one of the hoops that have been very popular on social media is this one with transparent plastic from Chanel.
The model has a play with the light that can be interesting, and the lightweight is an extra point. However, while the Hermès earrings retain their precious look by introducing aluminum, Chanel doesn't play on the same level with some of their costume jewelry. The earrings are made of not-special plastic and unnamed gold-tone metal, without further details.
I deeply appreciate feeling the jewelry on my body and getting to know its details up close even more before sharing it here with you. The Chanel that I visited does not allow trying on the costume pieces, which makes me think that the durability is very low (since an occasional cleaning can damage so much). I say this because not everything that is expensive or from big brands means quality. The earring costs $1300 before tax—are the design and CC worth that much? If so, I hope your skin is not sensitive to obscure composition.
But regarding play with transparency, the creative director of Swarovski, Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert, continues to surprise us all, delivering design and comfort to its highest standards (at a bit more friendly prices). Btw, her Instagram profile is an excellent source of inspiration. For example, the green Lucent earrings, a hoop + shine + new shape + intriguing material:
If you'd like something a little different, I recommend checking out earrings from Innan, Alexis Bittar, Charlotte Chesnais, and Jacquemus. This one from CompletedWorks would look great on a bride.
To finish off, I would like to share my dream hoop, made by my dream jeweler, Ana Khouri. I saw them in person last year at Sotheby's in New York. It's a front-facing earring, a deconstructed hoop that looks like a new branch of a plant rising gently and perfectly through the ear.
If you enjoyed this issue and would like to read more about hoops, I suggest:
That's all I got for you at the moment—Thank you for reading, enjoy your week!
Signing off, with love,
Ísis