Wearing Earrings as a Fashion Accessory

Of all the pieces of jewellery earrings are the most popular. They have been worn for 1,000's of years and have been worn by both men and by women. Whether it is a pair of classic studs or a pair of Bet Lynch chandeliers we all love to wear this piece of jewellery.

I remember when I was a little girl playing in my grandmothers jewellery box and admiring all the beautiful pairs of earrings that she used to keep in there. The fashion then was for something that sparkled, so many wear made from cut glass and diamante. I longed for the day when I would be able to have my ears pierced so that I could wear these beautiful pieces of jewellery.

The 60's when my Mum was in her teens saw the fashion of wearing fun fashion jewellery and earrings where made from bright plastics and acrylics. Bright round circles of colour and big hoops were the fashion in earrings. When I look at old photos of that time i can see how fashion had really changed around from my Grandmothers time when jewellery was a serious business and in Mums time it was fun bright and funky a complete change around.

In my youth of the 80's the fashion was for earrings to be big and a statement. Bright coloured glass was used to imitate Jewells set in gold coloured metal. Earrings were made into opulent designs to match the times. Earrings were big as was hair and the shoulder pads, and like every girl of that time I was a follower of all the fashion trends. The new romantics saw men wearing diamante earrings and brooches and it was not unusual to see men wearing women's earrings. I also remember the fashion being for wearing odd earrings or just one.

The punks took the art of wearing earrings to a new level having more than one piercing in their ears and wearing multiple pairs of earrings in one ear. As well as wearing piercings in other places on their face. I wonder what they think when they look back now.

Today I am a little bit more conservative when it comes to my choice of fashion earrings. I still like to think that I am fashionable but classic designs are what I look for now. Small gold hoops or studs made from semi-precious stones are what I would chose for during the day and for evening wear I may be a little bit more adventuress in my choice of earrings design.

I wonder what the fashion for earrings will be in the years to come. One thing I can be sure of is that people both men and women will still be wearing earrings as they have for 1,000's of years.

By : Linda Firth