Rings Galore » Mens Earrings

Men’s Earrings – a Potted History

Neal — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 00:16:55 +0000

Up until the latter half of the 20th century it was rare to see a man wearing earrings and even rarer to see men’s earrings in the stores. The only time you would be likely to see a man wearing earrings would be in an old movie featuring pirates or gypsies.

When the punk era started in the late 1970s, male punks began to pierce their ears, but usually wore safety pins or studs rather than actual earrings. Once we were into the 1980s and fashions for men became more flamboyant, earring wearing began to be more common; however the trend for men was then and is still today to wear just a single earring often just a plain gold or diamond set gold stud. Although rumors were widespread that a man wearing an earring had to be homosexual that is no longer a common belief except in the most conservative sectors of society.

Goth earrings

Men wearing earrings continues to be a subject for a good deal of debate regarding the moral and religious connotations but less than it used to. Nowadays, many of the most macho sports, movie and rock stars together with other celebrities and men who are constantly in the news, wear at least one earring, some wear several. It is natural therefore that a lot of young men want to emulate their idols by having an ear pierced. If your son comes to you and announces that he wants an earring, try not to react with shock or horror. A tiny hole in the ear is very insignificant, far less permanent than a tattoo and much less alarming than a brow, lip or nose piercing. A single ear stud is easy to remove for attending an interview or in situations or occupations where it might be out of place.

Punk Earrings

Since the 1990s it has been so common to see men in all kinds of places wearing earrings that it no longer even excites comment from most people. Recently it has become known for men that wear two or more earrings and the women that date or marry them to say that one earring wearing men are old-fashioned. It is just as usual to see men’s earrings for sale in pairs as singly and there are many fantastic designs available.

Men’s earrings for everyday wear are still usually studs or small hoops and very few men would be seen wearing large dangly earrings. As well as gold and sterling silver, pewter is popular for macho looking men’s jewelry. Some men believe that wearing earrings makes them more attractive to women as it gives them a “bad boy” look.

The fashion for men’s earrings is unlikely to die out anytime soon and is likely to become more and more commonplace. If you are a man who has never worn earrings but are intending to start, just remember that the look you are going for should be more David Beckham and less Corporal Klinger from the television series M.A.S.H.

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Hoop Earrings – Equally Fashionable For Men And Women

Neal — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:57:58 +0000

Hoop earrings are a popular choice for both women and men these days. And for men, it is perfectly acceptable to wear this style of earring as an everyday fashion accessory, whatever your age. The days of wearing an edgy, over the top earring as a rebellious statement have long gone, and the guys can now wear them as a subtle fashion statement instead. For the ladies, they have always been in style, and the range of possibilities is forever growing, in terms of styles and materials.

Hoop earrings – like the name says – are simple hoops that encircle the earlobe, and come in a variety of sizes, from gigantic “back to the 80′s” ones, to the more discreet, professional-looking ones. By the way, it’s probably not a very good idea for the guys to try out the giant 80′s style hoops yet – times have changed, but maybe not that much and mens earrings need to be a little more subtle! Nevertheless, the boys can get away with fairly big hoop earrings, just not stupidly big. For both sexes, but perhaps more so the men, it is important to choose the right earrings for the occasion – out of practicality rather than fashion. If you have a particularly active job, you don’t really want to wear large hoop earrings that can get snagged on something and rip your ear – ouch! Same if you are very sporty. Take them out, or wear something nice and small and safe.

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More Ladies Hoops

The material that your earrings are made from can vary widely, but of course the bits that actually touch your ear need to made from something inert, that won’t cause allergic reactions. The rest of the hoop earring can be made from all kinds of materials though: gold, sterling silver, stainless steel, wood, bone, you name it! Cost will be a big factor, and as long as your choice of earring promises to be hypoallergenic, then there will be something just right for your own sense of style within your own budget.

More Men’s Hoops

You will also be able to find more than just a loop of metal in the hoop earring genre. Some have embossed designs, some have diamond or cubic zirconia inserted for that added bling effect, and others are beautifully engraved.

So whatever your taste in jewelry, whether you are young or old, male or female, there is a perfect set of hoop earrings for you out there somewhere. You just need to figure out your own stylistic needs and go get ‘em! Find a huge selection of beautiful Hoop Earrings for sale.

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Mens Earrings – an Ancient Fashion Accessory Rediscovered

Neal — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:46:58 +0000

One of things that teenagers do that most irritate their parents is sloping off and getting their ears pierced. The parents frown on it, and the kids do it because the “old man” doesn’t like it. And not so many years ago it was unheard of for guys to wear earrings, but it is well documented that mens earrings have been around at least as long as the pretty feminine ones. Earrings were worn as status symbols, especially for signifying religious importance in early pre-Christian religions. They were worn as symbols of power by the Pharaohs and by men and women from various eras and regions of the world as signs of wealth, elevating them above the poorer classes. It has even been reported that the mummified 5000 year old remains of the oldest human ever excavated, Ötzi the Iceman, had very obviously pierced ears. Well I wasn’t there, so I can’t say, but I do know that men during the Elizabethan period, such as Shakespeare and Francis Drake, wore very ornate gold earrings. So mens earrings disappearing off the acceptable fashion radar was a more recent development. One which allowed the girls to take over, and make earrings their own!

Mens earrings reappeared during the 1960′s, especially with the emergence of the punk movement, as such male jewelry became a fashion statement linked to music rather than religion or financial status; and linked to rebellious confrontation against “the Establishment”. In keeping up such tough appearances, the mens earrings of this period had very unfeminine designs, some little more that pieces of metal chain, or zipper parts, or safety pins – all worn after self-piercing. The general progression of men wearing earrings has continued to the present day, but the styles are far more refined. They are worn more widely now than at any time during the twentieth century.

Modern Punk Style Mens Earrings

The punks are still here, even in the twenty-first century, and the styles of mens earrings in this genre have evolved, although the counter-culture theme is still all pervasive. Some of today’s designs include: skull and crossbones, shark tooth, dagger, silver crosses, and a whole variety of others as long as they conform to the theme of rebellion in some way.

Gothic Style Mens Earrings

Gothic Skull Earrings

The other main style of mens earrings on show in recent years is the gothic style. This fashion involves black clothing and all things dark and deathly. The earrings tend to be skeleton-related, many being simple skull designs, or even coffin designs.

So over the last several years, the punks and the goths have allowed men to start wearing earrings again, and this trend, like so many others, eventually leaks into the mainstream. The black music scene, especially many of the high-profile rappers, certainly like to get blinged up, and stud earrings are common for men now. These, and hoop earrings are becoming far more commonly seen, worn by men. The outlandish or rebellious goth and punk styles tend to be the more dangly type ones.

In the past it was dad getting upset about his teenage son wearing an earring, and worrying that his offspring was a little effeminate, or even (dare I say it) gay. But now it’s all okay. And eventually teenage sons will not be embarrassed by seeing dad in mens earrings, wearing a hoodie and trying to rap! Hmmm, yeeeeess. Was that a pig flying by?

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