Most people have a pair of studs somewhere. Many have a hoop or two. Fewer people know what huggie earrings actually are, yet they have quietly become one of the most searched earring styles in the UK over the past few years.
The choice between studs, hoops, and huggies isn't just about aesthetics. It is about lifestyle, comfort, face shape, and what you reach for when you get dressed in the morning. A pair of earrings you love but never wear is not the right pair for you.
This guide covers every main style, what makes each one different, and how to decide which type suits you best. If you want to see these styles in person, our gold earrings collection at Manna Jewellers covers studs, hoops and drop styles in 9ct gold, all hand-finished in our Jewellery Quarter workshop.
Huggie earrings are small hoop earrings that sit close to the earlobe, typically 8mm to 14mm in diameter.
What are huggie earrings? They are a type of hoop earring with a hinged closure that clicks shut, designed to hug the lobe rather than hang below it.
Stud earrings are the most widely worn type and sit flat against the ear with no movement.
Hoop earrings range from small everyday sizes to large statement pieces and come in round, square and oval profiles.
Huggie earrings are particularly popular for second piercings, cartilage piercings, and everyday layered looks.
Different earring types suit different face shapes, ear sizes, and personal styles.
Manna Jewellers offers all three styles in 9ct and 18ct gold.
Huggie earrings are a specific type of small hoop earring. The name comes from how they fit: they hug the earlobe closely rather than hanging below it or swinging away from the ear. A standard huggie is typically between 8mm and 14mm in diameter, which means the bottom of the hoop sits at or just below the bottom of the lobe.
The defining feature of a huggie is the closure. Most huggies use a hinged click-shut mechanism, similar to a lever back or latch back, which makes them secure and easy to put on. They do not have a separate earring back. The hoop itself clips together when closed.
Huggie earrings became popular partly because they fill a gap between the stud and the full hoop. They have more visual presence than a stud without the movement and size of a larger hoop. They sit neatly against the ear all day without shifting, which makes them a strong choice for daily wear.
They are also the most popular style for second piercings and cartilage piercings, where a small, flat hoop works better than a stud or a larger hoop.
Stud earrings are the most commonly worn earring style in the UK. A stud consists of a single stone, shape or decorative element mounted on a post that passes through the piercing, held in place by a back fitting behind the ear.
Studs sit flush or nearly flush against the earlobe. They do not move, swing or dangle. This makes them the most practical choice for active wear, workplace settings where large earrings are not appropriate, sport, and sleep.
Studs suit most face shapes because they do not add width or length to the face. For smaller ears or piercings positioned very close to the face, a stud often sits more naturally than a hoop.
Diamond stud earrings and pearl studs are the most common fine jewellery choice for women who want a single pair that works across all occasions. Simple gold studs, such as square, round, or geometric shapes, work well as everyday pieces that don't compete with other jewellery.
Most everyday gold studs range from 4mm to 8mm across the face of the stone or design. Smaller studs (3mm to 4mm) sit almost invisibly against the ear. Larger studs, 8mm and above, make a bigger visual statement and function more like a statement earring.
Studs with claw settings collect debris underneath the stone over time. A gentle clean with a soft brush and warm soapy water every few weeks keeps them looking their best. Our jewellery repair service includes professional cleaning and claw checks for stud earrings.
Hoop earrings are a continuous or near-continuous loop of metal that passes through the piercing and closes at the bottom. They can be round, oval, square or D-shaped in profile, and range from very small to very large in diameter.
A small hoop (10mm to 15mm) has a similar footprint to a huggie but tends to hang slightly lower. A medium hoop (20mm to 30mm) is an everyday classic. A large hoop (40mm and above) is a statement piece.
Hoop earrings vary in thickness and diameter. A thin wire hoop of 1mm to 1.5mm is delicate and light. A thick tube hoop (3mm to 5mm) is bolder and heavier. Twisted, diamond-cut, textured and plain polished finishes are all widely available in gold.
Hoops suit most face shapes but particularly complement oval and heart-shaped faces. Larger hoops add width to the face, which can balance a longer or narrower face shape. Smaller hoops and huggies suit rounder faces better because they do not add significant width.
Hoop earrings work across a wider range of occasions than most people expect. Small yellow gold hoops suit most workplace settings. A large statement hoop suits evening wear and special occasions.
Most gold hoop earrings use one of three closure types. A hinged latch back clicks shut and is the most common for medium and large hoops. A lever back has a hinged arm that clips behind the ear and is common on smaller decorative hoops. Click-through closures are used on very thin wire hoops. For more detail on how each closure works and which is most secure, our earring back types guide covers every option.
The line between a huggie and a small hoop is not always clear. Here is the practical distinction:
|
Huggie earrings |
Standard hoop earrings |
|
|
Diameter |
8mm to 14mm typically |
12mm to 60mm+ |
|
Position on ear |
Sits against the lobe |
Hangs below the lobe |
|
Movement |
Minimal |
More movement in larger sizes |
|
Closure |
Hinged click-shut |
Latch, lever or click-through |
|
Best for |
Second piercings, cartilage, daily wear |
Single piercing, statement looks |
|
Weight |
Very light |
Light to heavy depending on size |
|
Style feel |
Neat, modern, subtle |
Classic, versatile, bold |
The key practical difference is where the earring sits. A huggie stays against the lobe. A hoop hangs below it. If you find larger hoops catching on clothing, hair, or collars, huggies solve that problem while keeping the hoop look.
The right earring style depends on four things: face shape, lifestyle, the piercing position, and what you already own.
Round face: studs and small hoops. Avoid very large round hoops that add width.
Oval face: all three styles work well. Oval is the most versatile face shape for earrings.
Long or narrow face: medium to large hoops add width and balance the face.
Heart-shaped face: teardrops and longer drops work well, but small hoops and huggies suit the delicate upper face.
Square face: round hoops soften angular features. Studs also work well.
Active or physical job: studs are the safest choice—no risk of snagging or pulling.
Office or formal setting: studs or small huggies. Professional and minimal.
Everyday casual: huggies or small hoops. Enough presence without effort.
Evening or occasion: medium-to-large hoops or drop earrings.
Single lobe piercing: all three styles suit a single piercing.
Second lobe piercing: huggie earrings and small studs work best.
Cartilage piercing: huggies and flat-back labret studs are the most comfortable.
Multiple piercings: mix stud and huggie sizes to create a layered look from lobe to cartilage.
All three types benefit from the same basic care routine. Clean regularly with warm water and a soft brush. Dry thoroughly before storing. Keep different earrings separated in a fabric-lined box to avoid scratching.
For hoops and huggies, check the closure mechanism periodically. If a hinge feels loose or doesn't click shut cleanly, have a jeweller check it before you lose the earring. Our jewellery repair team in Birmingham handles clasp and hinge repairs as a standard service.
Huggie earrings are small hoop earrings designed to sit close against the earlobe. They typically measure between 8mm and 14mm in diameter and use a hinged click-shut closure rather than a separate earring back. The name comes from the way they hug the lobe. They are popular for everyday wear, second piercings and cartilage piercings because they stay in place without swinging or snagging.
The main difference is size and how they sit on the ear. Huggie earrings are small and sit flat against the lobe. Standard hoop earrings are larger and hang below the lobe with visible movement. A huggie is technically a type of hoop, but the term refers specifically to the small, close-fitting style. Huggies also tend to have a more secure click-shut closure than most larger hoops.
Studs and huggie earrings both work well for everyday wear. Studs are the most practical for active lifestyles because they have no movement and no risk of snagging. Huggie earrings are a strong choice for people who want the look of a hoop without the size or movement of a larger style. Small gold hoops, 15mm to 20mm, are also widely worn daily. The best everyday earring is the one that feels comfortable after several hours of continuous wear.
The main types of earrings are studs, hoops, huggie earrings, drop earrings, dangle earrings, chandelier earrings, threader earrings, ear cuffs and clip-on earrings. Studs sit flat against the ear. Hoops form a loop through the piercing. Huggies are small hoops that hug the lobe. Drop and dangle earrings hang below the lobe and move with you. Each type suits different occasions, face shapes and personal styles.
Yes, huggie earrings are one of the most popular choices for a second lobe piercing. Their small diameter and secure closure make them comfortable in a secondary piercing position, and their flat profile means they do not catch on the earring in the primary piercing. For a newly healed second piercing, we recommend a flat-back labret stud during healing, with huggies introduced once the piercing is fully settled.
Manna Jewellers is a family jewellery business with over 40 years in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter. We stock gold stud earrings, hoop earrings and drop earrings in 9ct yellow, white and rose gold, with all pieces hand-finished by our team in our on-site workshop. If you are looking for a bespoke pair of huggie earrings in a specific metal or with gemstone detail, our bespoke jewellery service can create a custom pair to your brief. Visit us in store or book an appointment to see our earring range in person.
Earring back types explained: screw, push, butterfly and which to choose- the natural companion to this guide, covering how each earring style is secured.
Types of gold explained: understanding gold colours and carats- choosing the right gold for your huggie or stud earrings, from 9ct to 18ct across all colours.
Jewellery repair in Birmingham: your guide to choosing a trusted workshop - if your hoop hinge, stud post or earring back needs attention
