In our opinion, the most interesting ear stacks come together organically. Using earrings that you already have in your jewelry collection vs. buying earrings in order to create a matchy, coordinated stack seems to yield the most interesting results. It’s also important to love each of your stacked earrings when worn alone, too - they should be versatile and enjoyed as part of a stack or solo! Throughout this ear stacking guide, we’ll offer some tips and tricks for creating a stylish and personalized look that’s perfect for any occasion!
What is Earring Stacking?
An earring stack is a group of earrings worn side-by-side. The stack begins with the earring that’s worn on the earlobe and is followed by other earrings that move up the ear. Depending on how many piercings you have, the ear stack can range from 2-3 earrings or 10 earrings – totally personal! Throughout this post, we’ll focus on an earring stack that features three earrings.
Choosing the Right Earrings for Stacking
DRD has some casual guidance for creating what we consider to be the ideal ear stack. The beauty of jewelry stacking lies in its flexibility of styles and the freedom it allows. A successful stack should include earrings with varying sizes and textures. This is our formula:
-The Anchor Earring: Because this is the earring that sits on the earlobe, we think that a larger earring looks best here – something like a hoop, prominent stud – anything that’s larger than the earrings that follow. Our Poppy Rae U Hoops work so well as an anchor earring – the texture from the 14k gold pebbles and the earring’s unique shape, makes things interesting while paving the way for so many other earring designs to follow in the stack!
-The Huggie Earring: We love how a huggie – something with a slight edge or softness – compliments the bolder look of the anchor earring. Our Reese Brooklyn Knife Edge Huggies embody dainty with a side of fierce energy perfectly!
-The Stud Earring: This earring is kind of like the necessary punctuation at the end of a beautiful sentence! Our Sophia Ryan Petite Teardrop Studs bring the perfect splash of sparkle to any ear stack as they’re sophisticated, chic and fun.
DRD offers a variety of single earring huggie and stud options for ear stack flexibility or in case you don’t have the same amount of piercings in each ear!
Finding Balance in Your Earring Stack
To masterfully balance your earring stack, start with lightweight pieces—tiny diamond studs fit perfectly here—and then begin to add in larger items like hoop earrings around the lobe. Distributing weight evenly is key to comfort, as starting with heavier statement pieces can tug the ear downwards. Opt for dainty diamond earrings or ear cuffs at the top, reserving bold designs for the lower lobe. This not only crafts a stunning aesthetic but also ensures lasting comfort.
How to Create an Ear Stack for a Variety of Occasions
One of the coolest things about an ear stack is that they translate well to almost any occasion. If you’re trying to elevate the stack for a more formal occasion or tone things down for something more casual, this can often be achieved by making one small change.
For example, heading to a cocktail party? Swap out your anchor earrings for something a bit more elegant and sparkly, like our DRD Large Tapered Hoops.
Going for a more edgy, modern look? Rock our Taylor Elaine Cuban Chain Single Stud to complete the stack!
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our virtual earring stack builder!
General Tips for Stacking Earrings
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There are no rules! You do you always and forever! The best stacks are the ones that grow organically over time – just go for it!
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A GREAT stack begins with what you already own. Don’t buy earrings that must be worn together, you should love rocking each earring alone AND as a stack. Stacking is a journey and an adventure - have fun!
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Consider the composition and inspiration. Think about earrings that make you genuinely happy because they’re sentimental and/or you just think they’re beautiful! Choose an anchor earring that will serve as the “guiding light.”
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Depth and contrast will add dimension! Pairing something sleek yet bold (like the DRD Medium Gold Hoops) — next to earrings with more dimension (like our Sarah Leah Six Burt Huggies) will make things pop. Think about symmetry too – are you going for a look that has a balanced, uniform vibe or more of a mashup of various styles? Again, there are no rules - most ear stacks magically work - there is beauty in the randomness!
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Power clashing is cool! We love the look of various shades of the same color side by side - it adds an ombre vibe and looks especially lovely with colorful gemstones. Think: a sapphire next to aquamarine or a ruby alongside rose quartz.
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Mixing metal is the move. There is something beautiful and unexpected about a tri-tone stack – when white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold are paired together. Mixing metals adds character and dimension to an earring stack. Whether you want a subtle contrast or a bold combination, a thoughtful mix of metals can enhance your stack beautifully. Sandwiching a different metal color between two earrings of the same metal looks lovely.
Now get to stacking! We love to see your creations so please grab a pic of your goods and tag us on insta [@danarebecca / #everydayluxe]. DRD is a team of communicators - we love talking to our clients about anything and everything – please email or call us to discuss earring stack options and more!
