Earrings are traditionally worn in the ear through a piercing in the lobe, but clip-on earrings gained popularity in the U.S. in the 1920s. Although traditionally worn by women in the U.S., earrings also became popular among men, especially in the 1960s to the present.

One of the oldest forms of body modification, ear piercing is prevalent in many different cultures and earrings are made in a wide range of materials and styles. Studded earrings are small studs – often metal balls or gemstones – attached to a post that is held in place by a backing behind the earlobe. Hoops are circular or semi-circular earrings, and dangle earrings are earrings that hang below the earlobe and usually feature intricate designs or gemstones. Other popular styles are huggy earrings, which cling tightly to your earlobe, and slave earrings, in which a stud is attached to an ear cuff by a chain.