Also known as lobe earrings, the mismatched ear jacket is one of our favorite jewelry trends of 2015. The ear jacket usually consists of a small stud that goes in front of the ear and a second piece that goes behind the ear and hangs or follows its curve. Featuring adjustable backs these ear adornments can fit ears of all shapes and sizes and can be mismatched and worn with any other stud that has a post back. Want to make them a little different? Try wearing one ear jacket and one stud from the same design and work two trends into one.
Not only are they comfortable for everyday wear, they are every bit glam too. We’ve spotted the trend on the likes of Jennifer Lopez and Emma Watson to name a few. Here are our favorite ear jacket looks straight from this years red carpets…
Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Watson opted for ladylike pearl ear jackets. These subtle and sweet earrings are perfect for those who prefer smaller earrings and want to keep their look clean and classic.
Get their look with these timeless pearl ear jackets…
Kim Kardashian-West and Natasha Poly wore large diamond ear jackets at their last red carpet appearances, we adore how these ear jackets look like they are floating under the ear lobe.
These ear jackets by Armadoro give the same floating illusion, great for mixing and matching!
With so many styles of ear adornments now in fashion, it can get a little confusing as to what’s called what. From the most recent ear jackets, as seen on many celebrities including Rihanna, Rita Ora and Reese Witherspoon, to ear wiresandear cuffs, as seen on Marilyn Monroe and Carmen Miranda, we are here to help define and clarify.
Ear Jackets
Also known as lobe earrings, this type of earring usually consists of a small stud in front with all the party going on in the back. With adjustable backs these fit ears of all shapes and sizes and can be worn with any other stud earrings that have a post back!
Ear Cuffs
These have to be one of our favourite types of ear accessories as they come in so many variations. From pretty punk to glam, post backs to clips, you name it and someone has designed it! Ear Cuffs sit on either the lobe (bottom soft part) of the ear, or up on the helix (upper hard part) and travel up or down the outer edge of the ear, this means the same pair of cuffs could be worn in many different ways.
Ear Wires
Similar to the ear cuff this travels up the ear but the person wearing them has to have a pierced earlobe. The reason for this is the wire goes through the whole and secures behind the antihelical fold to hold the cuff in place. These are usually smaller in size compared to the ear cuff and have a more dainty feminine feel.
Have you heard? This season’s sensational earring trend sweeping through the style elite is mismatched earrings. Red carpet looks everywhere are being topped off with finishing touches that scream glamour infused with sheer contemporary coolness. By teaming different length drops or a statement-making earring alongside a simple sparkling stud, you’re bringing your look up-to-the-moment with true minimal effort.
This one-sided earring obsession is one that can be achieved a multitude of ways. Our recent favorite celebrity spots have been the following:
CUFFS & STUDS
The ever-glamorous Rihanna always knows how to don a top trend, so it’s no surprise that she’s been captured with an ear lobe full of silver open cuffs and a pearl-ended stud and spike on the other ear.
Miley Cyrus chose a safety pin and four cuffs on one ear, with a different mix of studs and cuffs for the other, meanwhile sexy siren Jennifer Lawrence kept her look sparkly with a jewel encrusted ear cuff combined with a simple stud, her hair up and finished with vampish rouge lipstick.
Jessica Alba achieved effortlessly understated chic by complementing her wavy long hair and strapless dress with her asymmetrical additions.
To get the look for yourself, Sophie’s Closet have an abundance of cuff and stud options from Joanna Laura Constantine…
Emma Watson was recently sited enhancing her formal LBD with a simple yet oh-so-effective bullet-style drop, Angelina Jolie teamed her up-do with a smart jacket and statement jewel earring, allowing her jewelry to offer all the style statement to her ensemble, and Emma Roberts keeps it sharp and edgy with stud style asymmetric earrings in gorgeous gold.
Gwyneth Paltrow always knows how to perfect girl next door prettiness with a twist of something stunning. Her simple stud is accompanied by a silver, elaborate drop style statement earring – very vintage-chic whist sporting a modern trend too.
Diana Kruger’s stud and leaf-style drop will work for daytime drama or evening elegance alike.
Get the look with Sophie’s Closet’s Dannijo Bella earrings, Lulu Frost’s Dada earrings and Erickson Beamon…
The final way we’ve seen the asymmetrical ear trend in action is on Vanessa Hudgens’ gold leaf-inspired drops that offset her gold and black dress. We love the hair styled up as it adds further to the dramatic effect finish.
Visit here again soon for more fashion news and celebrity trends.
Our fascination with the ear cuff continues to grow season upon season, as the style elite, celebrity icons and designer catwalk shows continue to embrace and rediscover this key accessory trend.
We were curious to know more about this enchanting ear adornment, and considered how it may have developed over time to become such a loved and lusted-over jewelry box addition.
With the growth of our ear cuff collection at SOPHIESCLOSET.COM we decided to delve a little into history and discover where the story began…
It Began with the Kafa…
The first type of ear cuff ever recorded in history, in 2000 BC, was called a Kaffa. Examples of the original Kaffa were found in burial sites during excavations that took place in the British Isles.
Kaffa circa 2000 BC
Unlike earrings and clip-ons that attach to the earlobe, these were made to attach to the pinna, the visible outside edge of the ear.
Lion motif Kaffa, date unknown
No piercing was required for this type of earring and since its weight put little pressure on the ear, more elaborate and large designs were created.
Evidence of Kaffa illustrated onto pottery circa 800 BC
Early Kaffas were crafted from brass with no stone embellishment and designed with a large round mount to wrap around the ear.
Greece – 350 BC
Greek aristocrats wore golden ornate adaptations of the brass Kaffas in approximately 350 BC.
Golden detailed pegasus Kaffa and Silver and gold pendant portrait displaying Kaffa circa 350 BC
They were worn as a symbol, to reflect a wealthy status in society and were more elaborate and fine in design in comparison to the early Kaffas.
Traditional painting circa 350 BC showing the simple golden Kaffa
Asia – 1200 AD
Kaffa images were seen in ancient Indian art dating back to the 12th Century. These Kaffas were made using precious metals and stones and were decorated with numerous chains and pearls that clipped from the ear lobe to the nose or to the hair.
Canvas illustration of a woman drinking tea in decorative jewelry, including beaded Kaffa. circa 1200 AD
Indian Kaffas were worn mostly at weddings and celebrations and this is still seen in the Indian culture to this day.
Canvas illustration of bridal party wearing traditional jewelry, including ornate Kaffa circa 1200 AD
In Thailand, Kaffas were also seen during the 12th century. This is illustrated in many of the antique paintings and sculptures of that time period in Thailand.
Traditional Thai interior decoration with statues wearing large Kaffas circa 1200 AD
Thai Kaffas consisted of more detailed and sharp winged designs that were larger in size and mostly bird-inspired. Kaffas today are a part of the traditional Thai costume.
Ornate Thai Kaffas circa 1200 AD
Europe – 1800AD
In the 18th century Kaffas appeared in Europe. These modernised Kaffas, unlike those from the ancient period, were more restrained in execution and outwardly resembled classic earrings. Jewelers used floral ornaments and patterns to create feminine Kaffas. These were crafted using premium metals and decorated with precious stones, mainly diamonds, sapphires and rubies.
Lavinia Fontana portait of Isabella Ruini as Venus 1592
These modernized ornate and jeweled Kaffas were only affordable to the upper class, and worn to showcase wealth and social status as in ancient Greece.
Kaffas gold plated and adorned in Diamonds and rubys, approx. 1800AD, designer unknown
America – 2000AD
In the 20th century, Kaffas were no more. Women no longer lusted over classic ornate or heavy large gold earrings and craved something new glamourous and exciting. It was during the post-war prosperity in America that Earrites were born.
Editorial adverts by Marcel Boucher, approx. 1920
Marcel Boucher, the French jeweler who immigrated to New York in the early 1920s met the demands of the elite women of America by creating the first Earrite. The Earrite was an ear jewel or earring which was worn over the ear just like a Kaffa but clipped and pinned to the earlobe. The designs were very feminite and delicate and became so popular in the 1950s that Boucher patented his creation and sold them individually.
Editorial Adverts, Albert Weiss, Kramer and Trifari circa 1920’s
Popular among fashionistas and socialites alike, Earrites also appeared on the famous ears of the most successful actresses of that time period: Marylin Monroe, Lita Baron and Miranda Carmen were photographed wearing Earrites.
From left to right; Lita Baron, Carmen Miranda and Marilyn Monroe
In 1951 to 1957 when the television series “I Love Lucy” was being broadcast, the main character Lucy, played by the Legendary Lady of Comedy, Lucille Ball, was often seen wearing Earrites.
Actress Lucille Ball
Modern Ear Cuffs
20 years later and the glamorous Earrties were known as something of the past. Ear cuffs were now on the scene and recognized as a symbol of toughness rebellion.
Actress Edie Sedgwick – 1950’s
The mid 1980s saw ear cuffs adorning the runway in a mix of pop and punk culture thanks to Jean Paul Gaultier, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Etro and Alexander Wang
Ear Cuffs 1980s
The 1990s saw the next wave of popularity for ear cuffs, however their popularity was no longer glamourous and instead developed from the punk trend. They re-emerged as simple silver accessories, embellished with multiple chains, spikes and studs.
Six Lemeure (Jenna von Oÿ), Joey Russo (Joey Lawrence) and Blossom Russo (Mayim Bialik) from the 1990’s hit TV show – Blossom and Six
In 2003, the ears of Alexander McQueen’s runway models were decorated with Kaffas in the shape of feathers.
Alexander Mcqueen AW 2003 collection
Today…
11 years on and wearing ear cuffs, as we call them today, is a trend that has been rediscovered over and over. From Rodarte and Jason Wu to Chloe, Dries Van Notem, Thakoon, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Roberto Cavalli, high fashion designers are continuously adapting the ear cuff into something of their own.
Rodarte, Thakoon, and Jean Paul Gualiter, 2013
The transformation of this ear ornament every season is fascinating and we can’t wait to share the Fall/Winter 2014 ear cuff collections with you soon!
Blake Lively, Jennifer Lawrence and Cara Delevigne 2013-1014
Here are a few of our favorite ear cuffs available now at SOPHIESCLOSET.COM:
Discover the pursuit of pearls through the ages, with our review of how our fascination with this exquisite gem has grown over the years. A few memorable moments in history have enhanced our love for classic, outfit-elevating pearls:
Audrey Hepburn
Every woman can recall the inspirational images of this British actress and fashion icon wearing her timeless pearls. Thanks to Ms Hepburn the style status of pearls soared, and as a result we all lusted after simple, stylish and classic pearls worn as a minimal accessory in their rawest form.
Marilyn Monroe
At the height of costume jewelry taking full force in our jewelry boxes, sex siren Marilyn Monroe grabbed our attention with statement-making pearl jewels. For Ms Monroe bigger meant better and she showed us how to achieve this look in the most classy, elegant way imaginable.
Princess Diana
The former Princess of Wales became Britain’s sweetheart for her kind nature, fun loving family ethos and beautiful gowns and jewels. One of the most iconic images of Diana features her wearing a strapless dress and a pearl clustered necklace. It opened the way for pearls and semi-precious stones to adorn the necks of everyday consumers, not just royalty.
Katherine Heigl
This effortlessly elegant American actress and film producer knows how to turn a few heads. Steal her style of wearing pearls alongside other gleaming gemstones to achieve a modern mix of contemporary charm and charisma.
Katy Perry
This lady sure knows how to steal the spotlight and Ms Perry choose to recently introduced pearls into her stage and off-duty ensembles. Get glam a la Katy Perry by picking the prettiest pearl pieces around.
Rashida Jones
And finally, there’s an alternative way to wear perfect pearls, as actress Rashida showcased a way to wear them with a punk-inspired edge.
No longer just classic, the story of pearls has evolved to suit every screen siren or style-setter.
To get this ever-glamorous, timeless pearl look for yourself, take a browse at the current pearl selection at sophiescloset.com. From simplistic pearl earrings, crystal and pearl studs, a pearl necklace set, pearl encrusted bracelets, pearl headpieces, pearl rings and much, much more… sensational pearl jewelry styles await you!
Join the glitterarti and achieve your own red carpet worthy looks with our quick fix guide to stealing the styles of the stars, as seen at this year’s Golden Globe Awards 2014.
A Time for Turquoise
The most head-turning Golden Globe jewels were in shades of too-chic turquoise. The ever-sleek Sofia Vergara wore a statement-making Lorraine Schwartz turquoise necklace to completely offset her polished black sleeveless Zac Posen gown, whilst Emma Roberts achieved the same contrasting combo with her black off-the-shoulder number and bright turquoise earrings.
Another hue stealing the spotlight in the Golden Globe Jewelry style stakes was elegant emerald. Both the effortlessly glamorous Helen Mirren and fun-loving Jennifer Lawrence chose to adorn their lobes with this enticing shade of emerald green. Ms Mirren’s emerald drop earrings perfectly complemented her matching green Jenny Packham dress and Roger Vivier clutch. Jennifer Lawrence made her mark in a white and wonderful sleeveless Dior ball gown and chose to complete her look with a simple black box clutch, a stack of black and silver toned bangles, and dazzling drops of green emerald crystal earrings.
The most modern way to work the winning Golden Globe Jewels trend is with a contemporary and oh-so-chic earcuff, a la Rashida Jones and the truly stunning Amber Heard. Amber oozed pure class in her midnight blue-hued Versace frock, sky-high Jimmy Choo shoes and Graziela Gems jewelry.
Here are a few of the current earcuff offerings just waiting to entice you at Sophie’s Closet:
The gorgeous celebrities at this year’s Golden Globe Awards ceremony certainly knew how to work a glamorous gown and the best way to maximize its appeal. Many opted to keep jewelry subtle yet sensational, such as Berenice Bejo and Cate Blanchett (in her Armani Privé dress and Chopard jewelry) and Ariel Winter in Mikael D. These fashionistas donned contemporary hoops.
Kerry Washington hit the headlines by confirming her pregnancy at the Golden Globes 2014. She was also credited as being one of the best-dressed stars of the night in her Balenciaga bump-friendly ensemble, cute clutch and simple jewelry. Her earrings were a nod to the current tassel trend sweeping the globe.
Bag yourself a beautiful pair of tassel-tastic ear enhancements with one of these shimmering styles:
Ear cuffs are the latest accessory craze to hit our hotlist at Sophie’s Closet HQ. Eccentric or elegant, embellished or feathered, whichever ear adornment you choose, you’ll surely soar in this season’s style stakes. Clips around the ear were awash on the AW13 runways, with Dries Van Noten, Roberto Cavalli, Chloe and Moschino Cheap & Chic just a few of the designers donning the key trend.
As always, we are pleased to bring you a sensational selection of outfit-enhancing ear cuffs from the acclaimed New York designer Joanna Laura Constantine.
Lend a tough-luxe edge to all your ensembles with these gorgeous-glam pieces:
As the punk trend grows ever more popular, its anarchic spirit is infused into accessories, onto shoes and all over leather separates. Not only was punk a key theme on the AW2013 runway shows with Chanel, Saint Laurent and Versace just a few of the designers embracing the trend, the style set also know how to rock punchy punk (we’re talking influential fashionista’s Rita Ora, Pink and Jessica Alba).
Rita Ora
Stand-out spiked necklaces and bracelets add edge and a quirky-cool dimension to every ensemble, plus punk is always appealing and contemporary.
To bring revel references into your new season style, here are some spiked jewels that are sure to get the sartorial seal of approval.
Grunge meets girly glamour with this stunning spikey Punk Princess piece. Crafted from 18K rose gold plating and Swarovski crystals, it’ll lend a tough-luxe accent to all your attire.
For a classic rebellious vibe, infuse your outfits with punk power pieces such as this Joomi Lim Gunmetal Chain Bracelet with Single Spikes. Edgy and androgynous for an of-the-moment modern update.
For a subtle way to adorn spikes, try these eclectic Maxi Large Pave Spike Pearl Earrings. The offbeat jewels and adornments will add instant drama to upgrade all your day or after dark looks.
Olivia Wilde wearing the Mawi Pave Spike earrings from sophiescloset.com on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar
Necklaces don’t come more statement-making and trend-topping than this Joomi Lim Metal Luxe Crystal Spike Necklace. Meticulously made from a 16K gold plated chain and Swarovski crystals, it’ll wow whenever.
Sophie’s Closet Headquarters was the recent location for this beautiful bridal photoshoot organized and styled by The White Connection and photographed by Shereena Lootah. All the jewelry featured is either available at sophiescloset.com or Sophie’s Closet Showroom.
*The White Connection is a Dubai based wedding blogand directory with a wide range of topics that coverspectacular weddings,latest updates in the industry, wedding inspiration and a list ofthe best regional vendors.
At sophiescloset.com, not only do we stock a sensational selection of earrings for pierced ears, we have an abundance of delectable designs that are clip-ons. You’ll have noticed that large statement earrings are once again enjoying a major fashion moment, with celebrities, the style conscious and fashionista’s everywhere opting to adorn their earlobes with big, bold clip-on styles. Clip-ons are the only way to wear this statement-making oversized earring trend, as the weight would be too much for a pieced earring design, putting too much pressure on the ears. With clip-ons the designs sit perfectly on the ears, without drooping and without the risk of tearing or damaging your ears.
Beyonce wearing large Vintage Chanel clip-on earrings
So why did clip-on earrings become so popular? Here’s a few fascinating facts: During the 20th century pierced ears were considered uncivilized and so screw backs and clip-ons were invented to make it possible for women to wear earrings. Even though both pierced styles and clip-ons are desirable today, many of the top costume jewelry designers, such as Kenneth Jay Lane and Miriam Haskell, still prefer to create their beautiful designs with clips.
Costume jewelry is notoriously crafted from large bold stones of various colors, sizes and shapes. The more elaborate the design, the heavier the earrings may become; so clip-ons make the most comfortable and flattering choice. In addition to this, clip-on earrings will not drop down the ear, they’ll sit exactly where you want them to – essential for creating a striking impression, whatever the occasion!
Follow these easy steps to wear your clip-ons in ultimate comfort: • Alternate days between wearing heavy clip-ons and more lightweight earrings to give your ears time to recover. • Always use clip-on pads to reduce the tension on your ear lobes. • When wearing clip-ons, we recommend removing the earrings every few hours and massage the area that was under the clips to relieve any pressure. Clip-on earrings have been long been a favorite amongst celebrities and on the catwalks, so why not take the time to give them a try and enjoy them too? Come back soon for more fashion tips and news about all things rare and pretty…
