I’ve only ever had my earlobes pierced once, as a baby. My friends, however, have been getting their ears pierced repeatedly since they were in middle school. I’ve always been a little envious that they were allowed to express themselves through fashion trends at a young age. We all had a uniform growing up, but a few things that made my friends feel like an individual were their shoes, socks, nail polish, and, my favorite, jewelry. As a Gen Z adult, jewelry trends within my circle of friends have evolved from cheap hoop earrings from the mall to elaborate earlobe stacks
The earring stack trend is more popular than ever, and it isn’t going anywhere. My friends gravitate toward huggie hoops, studs on their tragus, hoops on their helix, barbell earrings on their cartilage, and much more. I’ve never been a fan of needles, but my curiosity is always piqued when I see tons of shimmering jewelry on my friends’ earlobes.
The stacked earring trend was established in the ’70s and ’80s punk rock era, when many musicians hit the stage with multiple piercings. As the punk era of rock music gained popularity, so did the style of the rock stars. In the name of rebellion, we now have one of the coolest trends that will never go out of style. It’s become more of a mainstay (if you’re comfortable with needles, that is). The reason it’s not going anywhere? An ear stack can suit various aesthetics from maximalist to minimalist, and at the end of the day, it’s just cool. It’s no surprise that my friends with cool style are constantly dragging me along to their spontaneous ear-piercing appointments. I’m convinced that even in old age, they’ll be wearing tons of stud earrings throughout their ears.
Celebrities such as Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Miley Cyrus, Beyoncé, Cynthia Erivo, and many more have also been privy to the trend for years. They’re the new wave of rock stars, defining and redefining trends. I’m finally on the verge of getting a few piercings after careful consideration and influence from my cool friends and those celebrities. My middle school self was always obsessed with having a stack—my parents not so much. If you’re considering getting an earring stack started or already have one and are seeking a few more piercings, keep scrolling to shop versatile jewelry for daith, cartilage, tragus, and helix piercings.
Shop Stacked Ear-Pierced Jewelry
Pops of color in the middle of your ear are always a good idea.
Pamela Love
Straight Barbell
The bar across your cartilage will always be cool to me.
Banter
14k Tube Gold Cz Marquise Flower Stud
This flower shape can live on any part of your ear.
Pamela Love
6mm Pavé Huggie
Add this pop of color to your hoop stack.
Pamela Love
Circular Barbell
Love a straight barbell, but a curved shape with diamond details was made for me.