We all have a pair of earrings we wouldn’t mind wearing every single day. One that’s been a crowd favourite since 2500 BC? Gold hoops. Whether you wear yours close to the earlobes as tiny huggies or stacked up in a cool, layered look, you can always count on them to add a subtle statement to your outfit. A truly seasonless staple in our books.
In fact, once I’ve found a super comfy pair that we love, I’ve been known to wear them everywhere (and I mean, everywhere) — to the gym, in the shower and to bed. Sure, it’s not best practice, but who hasn’t been especially lazy after a long day at work or a late one at the pub?
Inspired by this, I tasked myself with finding the very highest quality gold hoops out there; with sturdy clasps, thick backings that won’t easily snap or bend out of shape, and those that are water-resistant and tarnish-free. Aka earrings that you really can treasure forever. Tried and tested over several months of general wear and tear, these are the top eight gold hoop earrings and huggies in my rotation. Read on for the selection.
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Astrid & Miyu Bold Small Hoops in Gold, £60
If you’re looking for the perfect balance between chunky and dainty, then look no further. Astrid & Miyu’s offering looks and feels like a solid investment; with a gorgeous shine and a really satisfying click when you close the clasp. There’s no way these bad boys are going anywhere — I’ve tested out in crowded nightclub dance floors and over weekends spent away at festivals. So far, I have no complaints, apart from that Astrid & Miyu don’t sell a set of the three sizes — they also offer this style in Medium and Large sizes — in one set (hence, one of the reasons why the next slide is of my favourite earrings overall…).
Astrid & Miyu Bold Small Hoops in Gold, $, available at Astrid & Miyu
Estée Lalonde x Daisy London, Dome Trio Earring Layering Set, £303
If you’re looking to stack your ear up with matching hoops, then look no further. The Dome Trio are part of the insanely popular collaboration between Daisy London and content creator Estée Lalonde, and one of the brand’s bestsellers. For good reason — they’re bold without being overtly chunky, and the gentle oval shape is very elegant (especially when stacked up in a three).
Over the past six months I’ve found no trouble with these and they’ve quickly become my go-tos. Snapping them on and off regularly as I swapped on other earrings in my first piercing, the clasps have all stood the test of time; they feel sturdy and makes a really satisfying click when attached. That is even after wearing the mini and midi hoops to bed every night, showering in them, swimming in the sea and pools, and with a habit of fiddling with the clasps when I’m bored. They’re still gleaming like new and I love that you can buy all the sizes at once.
Estée Lalonde x Daisy London Dome Trio Earring Layering Set, $, available at Daisy London
Heavenly London, The Gold Big Love Earrings, £120
What attracted me to this pair was the clasps. I’m so over flimsy, wire hoop earrings. You know the ones; where you have to slide the thin wire into the tube of the earring itself. They’re a pain on the best of days, let alone a bottle of wine deep or bleary-eyed, at 7 am in the morning. I was right — Heavenly London’s hinged offering is a great match for my butter fingers.
Also, these are great because you are essentially getting two earrings in one: the heart charms can be slipped off for plain hoops.
Heavenly London The Gold Big Love Earrings, $, available at Heavenly London
Linjer Sonia 14k Gold Hoops 10mm, £81
Though I’m not a fan of these wire hoop earrings, everything else I’ve tried from Linjer has impressed me with its quality and craftsmanship, and for their affordable prices (for example, according to the brand, the estimated retail price for these hoops elsewhere would be £148). I admit, I do still struggle to put these in, more so than a hinge clasp design, but I love how they look; there’s something so classy and elegant about a thin wire hoop earring. So far, these have stood the test of time, but I love that Linjer offers a two year warranty if anything does go wrong.
Linjer 14k Gold Hoops 10mm – Sonia, $, available at Linjer
Seol + Gold, Tiny Thick Hoops, £16+
With over 9,200 five-star reviews on Etsy, I just knew I had to add Seol + Gold to my ‘to try’ list. One reviewer even described wearing the Tiny Huggie for over two years and it “still looking amazing”.
I concur, these are great — they’re the second comfiest hoops on my list (after Daisy London). Ideal for wearing in your second or third piercings and for those who want one, live-in pair of earrings for the long run.
Etsy Hick Gold Huggie – Gold Earring, $, available at Etsy
Edge of Ember, Classic Gold Huggie Earrings, £205
When I asked Edge of Ember founder Lynette Ong for her comfy earring advice, she suggested her Classic Gold Huggies in 14k solid gold. “I would definitely recommend investing in solid gold pieces if you’re looking for an everyday pair of earrings that can be worn 24/7. They are great for sensitive skin and don’t cause reactions like brass or plated pieces.” I can second Lynette — this pair, though the smallest earrings on this list, are dainty without feeling fragile. I’ve owned mine for six months now and they haven’t snapped, bent out of place or popped open at night. I’m automatically deducting points for the staggering price point, but if you’re looking for one truly stellar pair for life, then I reckon the cost is worth it.
Edge of Ember Classic Gold Huggie Earrings, $, available at Edge of Ember
Missoma, Mini Chubby Hoop Earrings, £89
These chunky, mini hoops have sold out several times. Understandably so, they’re the perfect shape for some everyday glam (a little more of a statement than the other hoops on this list).
Over the last few months I’ve showered in these bad boys plenty of times and they still look good as new. Personally, they’re just a little too chunky for me to sleep in, so instead I reach for these on the days I want to doll my outfit up a little more (they look great worn with those Seol + Gold Huggies by the way).
Missoma Mini Chubby Hoop Earrings, $, available at Missoma
Mejuri, Dôme Huggies, £58
Love the look of Mejuri’s iconic, chunky gold Dôme Hoops, but want something more understated for day-to-day? You’re in luck, the brand has created a huggie version. With a butterfly clasp backing, these are especially great for those of us who struggle with attaching hinge-, snap clasp- and wire hoop earrings. Though, not the best for sleeping in (the backings do sometimes dig into my neck).
Mejuri Dôme Huggies, $, available at Mejuri
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