So you're a guy and you've been thinking about upping your fashion game with some ear ornamentation, but you don't know where to begin. Sound familiar? Men's earrings are becoming increasingly popular, and for good reason (for further reading, check out Evening Standard's 2018 Article "How earrings became the boys' toy of the moment"). There's nothing inherently gendered about a pair of earrings, and they make for shiny, sophisticated-looking accessories. Here's just a couple of examples:
A$AP Rocky in Diamond Studs
Source: WhoWhatWear
Get the Look: Emerald cut gemstone earrings (hypoallergenic studs for men)
Justin Bieber in Huggie Hoops and Ear Cuff
Source: Tumblr
Get the Look: Titanium square huggie hoops (hypoallergenic hoop earrings for men)
Both of these superstars are rocking subtle earrings that add to their fashion statement, and they both look great. Of course, there's no reason you have to stick to studs or huggies (though, spoiler alert, both are going to look good on everyone). There are a few tips and tricks that can help a guy pick out the best earrings for himself.
1. Check Your Undertones
As referenced in the Tini Lux article "What Metal Looks Best With my Skin Tone?", you can determine whether you will look best in gold, silver, or a mix by looking at the undertones in your skin. To put it simply, if you have warm undertones, you will look best in yellow or rose gold. If you have cool undertones, silver is going to look best on you. And if you have neutral undertones, you can probably look great in any metal (lucky you!).
2. Determine Your Face Shape
It might not be something you've put much thought into, but the shape of your face can help you decide which earrings will be the most flattering for your face. Here is a helpful chart and guidelines from TrendHim.com:
1. Oblong - round earrings
2. Heart-shaped - straight earrings without curves
3. Square - round or curved earrings
4. Round - square earrings
As you can see, there are some themes of offsetting the shape of your face with the shape of your earrings. These can give you a starting point when choosing styles, but remember also that rules are made to be broken, especially in the fashion world!
3. Match Metals
When you're getting started, it's a safe bet to try and match the metals you're accessorizing with. That means if you choose silver earrings, wear a belt with a silver buckle to go with it. It may be easier to look at the accessories you already have-- watches, belts, rings-- and choose earrings to match those accordingly. Also, we recommend choosing hypoallergenic earrings of course! Titanium earrings or niobium earrings will be the kindest to your ears.
We hope all you men out there are leaning into wearing jewelry. In my experience, the right jewelry has always made me feel put together, polished, and pretty, and I wish the same for everyone.
