Stylish Clip-On Earrings That Don’t Look Dated
After updating my guide to current earring trends, I thought about how our relationship with earrings can change. I also had a reader ask me to do a roundup of stylish clip-on earrings and figured many of you may also desire such. Maybe you never pierced your ears. Maybe your piercings have stretched after decades of wearing earrings. Maybe your lobes have become more delicate, or traditional earrings simply aren't as comfortable as they used to be.
Whatever the reason, not having, or not wanting pierced ears shouldn't mean choosing between no earrings and something that looks like it came from your grandmother's jewelry box.
I went looking for clip-on earrings I would actually want to wear, and there are some seriously stylish options out there. Sculptural metals, modern hoops, oversized studs, colorful statement earrings, and elegant evening styles are all available as clip-ons.
Clip-On Earrings Have Become Chic
If the phrase clip-on earrings makes you picture the Avon catalog from the 80s or playing dress-up in the 80s, it's time for another look.
Modern clip-ons come with several different types of closures, including hinged or paddle backs, adjustable screw backs, sliding/spring mechanisms, and nearly invisible resin clips. Different closures distribute pressure differently, and some allow you to adjust how tightly the earring grips the ear.
Clip-on earrings have become popular again because they are the best way to rock a statement earring. I personally own several pairs of clip-on earrings, vintage and new, that I prefer to many of my post styles because they better disperse the weight and shape. Clip-ons have also gained popularity because it's not uncommon for us grown women to find over time our piercings have stretched out, torn, or become too sensitive for pierced earrings.
The Best Stylish Clip-On Earrings I've Found
I went on a journey to find the most stylish clip-on earrings for you, and was thrilled to find a great range of styles, materials, and pricepoints.
Modern Gold and Silver Clip-On Earrings
The bold gold, silver, or two-tone earring is a big jewelry trend right now, and I was thrilled to find many options with clip-on backings. Made from thin strips of metal or hollow tubes and balls, these may be big but often surprisingly lightweight.
What I'd look for: If the shopping site doesn't offer side or back photos of these earrings or them on a human ear, take the brand and product name and drop into your search engine. Look under Images and you may be able to find more product photos on other sites. This can help determine size, clip style, and a general idea of weight.
Clip-On Hoop Earrings
Not only can you find clip-on hoop earrings, some of these hoops have better clip technology than other styles of clip-on earrings! Some modern clip-on hoops use spring mechanisms designed to make the hardware far less noticeable than the clip-ons many of us remember.
And you don't have to stick to a traditional round gold hoop. I'm seeing all sizes, pave styles encrusted with CZs or diamonds, two-tone options, and even high-end designer offerings. This was a pleasant surprise, and I suggest if you wish to shop beyond the collage above, use your search engine and enter “clip-on hoop earrings for women” to get stylish options and not just twee options for little kids.
Colorful and Statement Clip-On Earrings
This may be my favorite category because clip-ons don't have to be sensible. Creating this collection made me want to go shopping because there are so many chic and fun options out there for colorful and statement clip-on earrings!
If you're someone who wears a relatively simple wardrobe, a pair of colorful earrings can do a remarkable amount of heavy lifting. Such earrings will take a crisp button-front shirt and jeans, a gray sweater and trousers, or a not-so-little black dress and completely transform them into a modern and chic ensemble.
Sparkly and Dressy Clip-On Earrings
The selection of sparkly and dressy clip-on earrings is shockingly impressive. In fact, I found so many I decided to focus on more colorful and trendy options as the retailers in this collage also have clear and more subtle options. But from Nordstrom and Macy's to quality jewelry brands like Kenneth Jay Lane and Alexis Bittar, there were beautiful dressy and sparkly clip-on earrings of all sizes, colors, and design.
And honestly, if you're only going to wear a dramatic pair of earrings a few times a year, clip-ons make a lot of sense. You don't need to base your everyday jewelry choices around an occasional statement earring.
Clip-On Earrings for Everyday
If you're looking for an earring that can go from work to weekend and just add a little something to your everyday, there are a lot of stylish options of smaller and more versatile clip-on earrings.
From pearls to metal knots, designer brands, and semi-precious stones, you can find lightweight and comfortable clip-on earrings to fit with a range of personal style aesthetics.
Whimsical Clip-on Earrings
Jewelry doesn't have to be so serious, but it also doesn't need to be junk to be fun and whimsical. I found some beautiful, stylish, and also utterly adorable whimsical clip-on earrings during my research and had to share.
Enamel, beading, rhinestones, and quality construction takes these cute earrings into stylish territory, working well for everyday or special occasions.
Where to Shop for Stylish Clip-On Earrings
If you are looking for clip-on earrings to add to your wardrobe, this is where I found the best selection:
Kenneth Jay Lane
Best for: Stylish statement clip-on earrings that will make an outfit and hav strangers stopping to ask where you got them. By far the best selection of creative, colorful, and occasion clip-on earrings of great quality, though know these are not cheap. These are earrings you'll rock for decades to come.
SOMIY
Best for: Clip-on earrings for more sensitive ears. Even offering clip-on earrings specifically for children, this company focuses on lightweight styles and more comfortable clips.
Wolf & Badger
Best for: Smaller indie brands that have a focus on clip-on earrings. Wolf & Badger is a marketplace for indie designers, and I have always been able to find artisans that make stellar clip-ons. At the time of writing this two of my favorite artisans for clip earrings is Michael Nash and Emma Holland.
EARA
Best for: Hoop earrings that will stay put and won't be as painful as other brands. That being said, EARA has other styles of more subtle everyday styles of clip-on earrings and plenty of customer reviews to help you determine what pair is right for you.
Ben-Amun
Best For: High-end on-trend clip-back earrings worn by celebs. Ben-Amun is a jewelry brand sold at higher-end department stores like Neiman Marcus, but the label's website has the most extensive collection of clip-back earrings. Ben-Amun is seen on the likes of Drew Barrymore, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Ego Nwodim but styles are usually under $250.
Saks Fifth Avenue
Best For: Designer clip-on earrings and the latest trends. From Isabel Marant to Saint Laurent, Valentino Garavani and Dolce & Gabbana, if you desire designer and a stylish clip-on earring, Saks is the place to go.
Which Type of Clip-On Earring Is Most Comfortable?
Unfortunately, there isn't one specific closure that is the most comfortable for every ear. Earlobes vary in thickness and shape, different folks have different strength and sensitivity of skin, and clip-on mechanisms vary in how much pressure they exert and whether that pressure can be adjusted. That's why a pair that is rated comfy by one can be torture to another.
| Clip-on style | Why you might like it |
|---|---|
| Screw-back | Lets you adjust the pressure to your ear |
| Padded/paddle back | Larger contact area can distribute pressure |
| Spring/sliding clip | Can create a convincing pierced-earring look, especially with hoops |
| Resin/U-shaped clip | Discreet and often used with lighter earrings |
| Clip-on converter | Lets you wear some earrings originally designed for pierced ears |
There are more variations than these, but these are the most commonly found. I'm sharing it because clip-on earrings can be painful, but that may be the type of backing, not the style in general. Adjustable tension and padding can make a major difference in fit.
How to Make Clip-On Earrings More Comfortable
First, don't accept pain as the price for wearing earrings. A clip-on needs enough pressure to stay on your ear, but that doesn't mean it should pinch painfully.
- If the closure is adjustable, experiment with the tension. It's not just screw back styles that offer adjustments; you can play with the foam/rubber portion of lever, and some springs can be twisted to adjust strength of grip.
- Silicone cushions may also make certain clip-ons more comfortable by creating a softer, broader contact point between the hardware and your ear.
- Pay attention to weight. The bigger the earring, the more important its construction becomes. Look for visual volume without unnecessary heft.
- Most importantly, listen to your ears. If an earring hurts, take it off. You do not need a single piece of jewelry to look chic, and discomfort is never stylish.
Can You Convert Pierced Earrings Into Clip-Ons?
Yes! A lot of styles of pierced earrings can be converted to clip-ons using inexpensive earring converters. There is a range of styles; I've gathered what I've found are the best:
This won't work equally well for every earring design, so think of these converters as another tool rather than a magic solution for your entire jewelry box.
And if your reason for considering clip-ons is that your pierced lobes have changed over time, I go into lightweight earrings, supportive backs, earlobe patches, and other options in my guide to earrings for grown-ass women.
Frequently Asked Questions About Clip-On Earrings
Do clip-on earrings hurt?
They shouldn't be painful, but some clip-on earrings can become uncomfortable if the closure puts too much pressure on the earlobe or the earring is too heavy. Adjustable closures, lightweight earrings, and padded clips can improve comfort. If a pair hurts, don't simply endure it. Try adjusting the fit or a different closure style.
What are the most comfortable clip-on earrings?
There's no single style that's most comfortable for everyone because earlobes and preferences vary. Look for lightweight earrings and closures that either distribute pressure over a larger area or allow you to adjust the tension. Screw backs, padded clips, spring mechanisms, and flexible resin clips are all worth trying to learn what works best for your ears.
Do clip-on earrings stay on securely?
A properly fitted clip-on should stay securely on the ear, but fit depends on the closure, the thickness of your earlobe, and the weight and balance of the earring. Adjustable closures can be particularly helpful because you can find the balance between secure and uncomfortably tight.
Can pierced earrings be converted to clip-ons?
Some can. Clip-on converters are available for certain types of pierced earrings and can be an inexpensive way to make earrings you already own wearable without using a piercing. Whether a converter works well depends on the original earring's construction, size, and weight.
You Don't Need Pierced Ears to Have Great Earrings
One of my favorite things about earrings is how much personality they can add to an outfit without requiring you to change the rest of your wardrobe. A great earring can make clothes you've owned for years suddenly feel interesting again, can take looks from day to night, from demure to dramatic.
Whether you've never pierced your ears, stopped wearing pierced earrings, or simply find clip-ons more comfortable now, you may be surprised by the great options currently available!
Do you have a favorite source for stylish clip-on earrings that I missed? Please share it in the comments. I'd love for this to become an ongoing resource and will continue updating it as I discover more options!
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I feel like a kid in a candy shop! Such a good, extensive guide that I will refer to often, as I slowly add to my collection of “clip-on” options.