8 single earring ideas for your asymmetrical piercings or leanings
Solo studs, hoops and danglers that need no plus one
Mismatched statement earrings have been trending ever since Pheobe Philo put them on the runway at Céline a few years ago. Today, it's more common than ever to spot multiple and asymmetrical piercings both on the streets and on the ears of celebrities including Beyoncé and Jennifer Lawrence. So it's no surprise that more and more of the coolest jewelry brands are now offering single earrings for sale in stores and online, instead of in the traditional pair format.
Whether you have an uneven number of piercings in each ear, or simply like to wear different designs in each hole to create an more intriguing, asymmetric look, these are the brands and retailers to note. After all, why pay more for a full set of earrings if you only need a single? (Bonus tip: If you're buying your jewelry from an independent designer, they might sell a single stud or dangler to you at a discount if you email them directly, even if their e-commerce site doesn't explicitly feature that option.)
The artistic hoop
Vancouver-based designer Erica Leal handmakes each of her distinctive designs to order, including this delicate, sculptural hoop made of sterling silver, hand-cut acrylic inlay and resin.
Erica Leal Silver Emma Hoop, $160, ericalealjewelry.com
The delicate stud
Perfect for those small cartilage piercings, the small stud earrings from Montreal-based jeweler Birks' more accessibly-priced Plasirs De Birks range are designed to be mixed and matched.
Birks Single Star Stud Earring, $95, maisonbirks.com
The shoulder grazer
Made out of recycled materials, this 17cm sterling silver dangler from German designer Saskia Diez is sure to make a bold statement. And it pairs perfectly with the simplest of cuffs and studs.
Saskia Diez Paillettes Dancing No1 Silver Earring, $178.84, saskia-diez.com
The organic shape
Hand-formed in Brooklyn, this painterly stud earring is available in both singles and pairs, and can be made from sterling silver or 14k gold. Because we can't have enough options these days.
Wwake Long Smeared Flake Earrings, $229.80 for 18k yellow gold, wwake.com
The custom huggie
A white diamond and yellow gold script earring that's fully customizable? Yes please. The possibilities are endless…as long as your message has fewer than 9 characters!
Alison Lou Custom Word Huggy, from $623.19, alisonlou.com
The pearl earring
Each made-to-order earring from this New Zealand-based company features a hand-selected baroque pearl, which has an irregular shape, so no two pieces will be exactly the same.
Meadowlark Baroque Endless Hoop Single, $128.55, meadowlarkjewellery.com
The barely-there hoop
The dream hoop for those who love delicate, featherweight earrings, this chain-and-post earring is perfect for layering and styling with multiples. Made in Brooklyn from solid 14k gold.
Catbird Sweet Nothing Earring, $57.13, catbirdnyc.com
The fine padlock
The majority of Canadian Arts & Fashion Award (CAFA) winner Lauren Klassen's earrings in her eponymous line are sold as singles, which makes sense considering the cool-girl, insouciant vibe of her fine jewelry designs.
Lauren Klassen Padlock Earring Gold Vermeil, $330, laurenklassen.com
Truc Nguyen is a Toronto-based writer, editor and stylist. Follow her at @trucnguyen.