Shooting Hoops: The classic earring for statement lobes this summer

Gretchen Weiners might not be allowed to wear them but you sure are. Sarah Young investigates how the hoop has made its way back into our jewellery box

Givenchy Spring Summer 2016 (AFP/Getty)

As the new season appears in stores, finding a way to stay on trend for spring/summer can be taxing and while the mercury might have only just begun to rise in Britain the summer, sales wait for no man. Luckily there are other ways to find your fashion fix; enter the statement earring. They were seen every which way on the catwalk, from shoulder-skimming drops to geometric clip-ons, but for a host of designers it was the classic hoop which reigned supreme.

Marni Spring Summer 2016 (Rex) (Rex Features)

From J-Lo to Lauryn Hill, Carrie Bradshaw and the raucous British Chav, hoop earrings conjure an eclectic mix of images which, as it goes, are pretty passé. For 2016, loops set the tone and it’s one brimming with eclecticism and style in equal measure. Over at Givenchy the jewellery box mainstay got the dramatic treatment with cartilage-tugging dimensions; oversized hoops hung from above the top of the ear and attached to an intricately bejewelled mask. For Celine though, the bona fide classic came in lacquered black with the brand’s habitual minimalism and appropriation of the 90s slip dress affording it a new lease of life; the hoop, much like the Celine woman, is undemanding, effortless and requires a modest approach to accessorising.

Celine Spring Summer 2016 (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Despite their dubious repute, when styled in the right way reverting back to this look will inject the most run-of-the-mill of get-ups with a little panache but in the case of the hoop, is bigger always better? Dimensions are determinative, with this trend dependent on what it is you’re looking to achieve – from the enormous to the teeny tiny, size does matter. If you’re a novice or prefer to keep your trappings pared back then opting for a small pair of matching hoops is a timeless way to stay on trend. Keep them under an inch in diameter and stick to silver or gold for fuss-free elegance. Not convinced? Then go big or go home with a pair of XL earrings that hark back to the 90s; preserve a little simplicity and go thin or for the ultimate statement lobe super-thick, heavy-duty hoops to offer a toughened-up take on fashion.