Huggies have a place in everybody’s jewellery box and have been trending for quite a while now. Huggie earrings are small hoop earrings that fit snugly against your ear, effectively “hugging” them, hence their cute name! Thanks to their sleekness, they work just as well as your go-to standalone earrings for an effortlessly chic look or as part of a maximalist earring stack.
In this Estella Bartlett guide, we’ll explain what huggie earrings are and how they differ from regular hoops, wearing one or a stack, and how to open and close them.
What are Huggie Earrings?
If you’ve ever wondered what huggie earrings are, you’re not alone! Basically, huggies are small hoop earrings with a short inner diameter that “hug” the earlobe, providing a snug fit. They are usually either hinged or come with butterfly backs, and can be worn either alone or stacked with other earrings. The perfect way to subtly elevate your look, huggies are available in a range of styles and continue to be popular for their effortless appeal.
Huggie vs Hoop Earrings: What's the Difference?
Huggies are just a smaller type of hoop earrings, and as such are more versatile and can be worn in more ways.
| Huggie earrings | Hoop earrings | |
| Size | Small diameter, sits close to the lobe | Larger diameter, hangs below the lobe |
| Fit | Snug, "hugs" the ear | Looser, more movement |
| Closure | Hinged (clicker/lever) or butterfly back | Hinged, latch back or threaded wire |
| Where to wear | Lobe and many cartilage piercings | Mainly lobe |
| Best for | Everyday wear, stacking, minimalist looks | Statement looks, occasions |
Popular Styles of Huggie Earrings
Classic Gold and Silver Huggies
Classic gold and silver huggies are the simplest style of huggies, without any sparkly stones or charms: Just plain, small hoops that sit close to the lobe. The most minimal ones are simple thin gold or silver rounds, but they can also vary in shape, chunkiness and texture for some added interest, like Estella Bartlett’s Hammered Huggies.
Pave and CZ Huggies
If you feel like adding some understated sparkle to your look, pave huggies and huggies with cubic zirconia (CZ) stones, like our Waterproof CZ Teardrop Huggies, are for you. Cubic zirconia gemstones are planet-friendly, affordable alternatives to diamonds, and have been a popular semi-precious stone in fashion jewellery since they were first created in the 1970s. They have also acquired spiritual meaning since then, being associated with Venus, the planet of love and beauty.
Charm Huggies
Plenty of Estella Bartlett’s huggie earrings are adorned with detailed charms, perfect for flaunting your personality through your jewellery collection. From celestial decorations to chic pearls, some of our huggie earrings come with removable charms, making them even more versatile, as you can choose to wear the huggie by itself or with its charms.
Double and Illusion Huggies
Estella Bartlett's illusion styles are the easiest way to have a stacked look without getting more piercings. Double/illusion huggies give the impression of wearing two huggies at a time and have been a best-selling style since we launched our first pair: Just put one pair on and your ear stack is ready to go! You can get CZ-studded illusion huggies like our Double Hoop Illusion Pave Earrings or pairs with removable charms, like the Flower Charm Illusion Earrings.
Waterproof Huggies
Crafted with PVD technology, Estella Bartlett's waterproof earrings are water- and tarnish-resistant, making them the best choice for people with active lifestyles, people who like keeping the same earrings on every day or people who'd appreciate wearing jewellery that won't need a lot of maintenance to keep looking as good as new.
Can You Wear a Huggie Earring with One Piercing?
Yes, you can wear a huggie earring with one piercing.
How to Style a Single Huggie
Suitable for everyday wear, huggie earrings are a simple but effective way to accessorise any outfit. If you have only one piercing, you can style them with a simple matching chain necklace or bracelet for a cohesive look that oozes class. If you tend to opt for the same look every day, consider shopping our waterproof earrings, designed to resist tarnish, discolouration, and moisture.
Choosing the Right Size and Finish
You can go for silver or gold earrings, or even mixed metal jewellery, which has been an ongoing trend amongst fashion-forward people. Some people check their skin undertone to understand which plating suits them best, but at Estella Bartlett we believe you should just wear the plating you like the best!
Regarding sizing, keep an eye on the product details to ensure the huggie earrings you want to buy are as small or big as you want them to be. The smaller the diameter, the snugger it'll sit on your earlobe - and if you're looking for a variety of hoop sizes, check out our hoop earrings collection instead.
New or Healed Piercing? You Should Wait
Fresh piercings have to fully heal before moving on to costume jewellery to avoid infections. The best materials for starter earrings are implant-grade titanium (ASTM F136) or 14k solid gold. Always check with your piercer to confirm when you can move on to plated earrings.
How to Wear Huggie Earrings in an Ear Stack
Huggie earrings are undeniably versatile, making them a must-have in your earring stack. Thanks to their small diameter, they can add a touch of shimmer and shine to several parts of the ear, including:
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The lobe
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The helix
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The forward helix
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The tragus
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The rook
So when it comes to styling, there is plenty of room for you to get creative: wear your huggies alongside pieces like stud earrings, drop earrings, crawler earrings, or just bigger hoops to create curated earring stack looks. This is your opportunity to experiment not only with shape and size, but also colour, so consider our gemstone earrings to ensure that your jewellery complements your overall look!
If you're not sure where to start with your ear stack, refer to our Guide to Earring Stacking, or go for our earring stacking sets for the easiest, ready-for-you earring stacks.
Huggie Earring Fastenings: Which Types Are There?
Hinged or "Clicker" Huggies
One of the most common types of huggie earring fastenings is hinged or "clicker" ear posts, which have a slightly curved or straight bar to put through your piercing. They form a complete circle, can be small in diameter thanks to the fastening, and might come with removable charms or be studded with CZs.
Butterfly-Back Huggies
Butterfly-back huggies are like stud earrings, but they curve towards the back of your ear, giving the illusion of being full circles. These are usually the least fiddly type of huggie fastening.
Seamless or Endless Huggies
Famously one of the hardest types of fastening to put on and take off without someone to help you, but the best type of fastening if you want to keep your huggies on while you sleep. Endless huggies are usually very thin and minimalist.
How to Open a Huggie Earring
How to Open and Put in a Hinged Huggie
To put your hinged huggie earrings in your ear, open up the clasp and put the hinge bar through your desired piercing hole. Once the bar is through your ear, click the hinge into the other side of the earring. You may need to slightly push or bend the hinge bar into position to click it into place.
How to Open and Put In a Butterfly-Back Huggie
Putting in a pair of butterfly back huggies is really straightforward - they function exactly the same as a pair of stud earrings, for example. Simply remove the butterfly clasp from the earrings, put the bar through the desired piercing hole and replace the butterfly clasp on the back of your ear to secure it.
How to Close Your Huggie and Check It's Secure
With hinged-back huggies, listen and feel for the click to ensure it's really closed. It's always a good idea to check in the mirror if they look closed as well! If not, give the bar a gentle tug so it sits fully in the notch - some huggies need you to gently move the ear post bar upwards or downwards, depending on where the notch is.
With butterfly-back huggies, closing and checking they're secure is a bit easier, as you just have to confirm that the butterfly back is pushed in far enough.
What to Do If Your Huggie Earring Is Stuck
If the Hinge Won't Open
If your Huggie earring hinge won't open, make sure you have dry hands so you can properly grip the ear post and use a fingernail at the seam to gently push or pull it out. Be careful not to bend the ear post, and avoid using tools, as hinges are usually very delicate.
If It Won't Come Out of Your Ear
First of all, stay calm! A small amount of water-based lubricant or soapy water can help; just rotate gently until you get it out.
If It Won't Click Shut Again
If your huggie earrings no longer stay closed, check if the bar is aligned with the notch: you might have to gently push it up or down to re-align it, being careful not to bend it. Our social media team made a handy video to illustrate this! If you've tried this and your Estella Bartlett huggies still don't click shut, contact us with your order number. All orders placed through our online shop have a one-year warranty.
When to See a Piercer
If your ears are swollen, red, causing pain, or you have an earring that you simply won't move, make sure to contact your piercer for further advice.
Huggie Earrings FAQs
Can you sleep in huggie earrings?
You can sleep in huggie earrings depending on how snug they are against your ear and how sensitive your ears are. Some people manage to sleep with even big earrings on, but we actually recommend removing all your jewellery before going to bed to ensure they last longer. You can read more about how to take care of your jewellery in our guide.
Can you shower in huggie earrings?
You can shower with any jewellery, as long as it's waterproof. Estella Bartlett's selection of waterproof earrings are PVD-coated, making them 10x more tarnish-resistant than traditional plating. However, keep in mind that even waterproof jewellery eventually tarnishes, especially if exposed to chemicals.
Are huggie earrings good for sensitive ears?
Huggies and stud earrings are usually good choices for sensitive ears as they're smaller and weigh less, but if your ears are sensitive, you have to pay special attention to what your earrings are made of. Plated earrings might lose their plating with use and time, so waterproof earrings or solid gold and silver are usually the safest choices.
Are huggies good for new piercings?
Huggies are not good for new piercings, as they might move around and trap bacteria - everything you don't want near fresh piercings. What your starter earrings are made of also plays a big role, with titanium and solid gold being the most common recommendations. Make sure you wait and get the OK from your piercer before moving on to normal earrings.
How do I clean my huggie earrings?
To clean your huggie earrings, use a soft, non-abrasive cloth to remove accumulated dirt and any debris. For more information, check out our Jewellery Care Guide.
Can men wear huggie earrings?
Absolutely! Most men opt for huggies as they're small enough to put on and forget about, especially if they are also waterproof, like our Men's Huggie Earrings.
Shop Huggie Earrings at Estella Bartlett
Now that you’ve got a better idea of how to wear huggie earrings, it’s time to take a deep dive into our shimmering range of must-have huggie earrings and stacking sets. Whether you’re shopping for your own personal collection or looking for thoughtful gifts for your loved one, we’ve got pieces that are certain to speak to everyone’s personal style.
If you need any help with sizing or have further fastening questions, feel free to contact us.
