The One Jewelry Upgrade That Makes Every Outfit Look More Expensive

There’s a reason the world calls Jennifer Fisher the “Queen of Hoops.” As such, there was no contest when it came to my top overall pick if you’re looking for a single chunky hoop earring that does it all. Fisher has crafted an army of hoops that fit every shape, size, and style—and all at a contemporary price point that makes you want to collect them all.

Though chunky hoop earrings are, more often than not, made of gold or silver-toned metal, a cluster of pearls can also create the same look. And, as Sophie Bille Brahe works magic with her pearls, it’s no surprise that she’s created the best chunky hoops that fit the bill.

I could have rounded up dozens of affordable hoops, whether chunky or barely-there thin. But there’s something about Zara’s use of a single pearl that’s embedded between the two sides of this chunky medium-sized style that allows them to play with the best of them, while still ringing in at less than $20.

There are few hoops quite like the Cartier Trinity. Part of a classic collection from the jewelry house that was first designed in 1924, the tri-color gold rings were fashioned into rings, bracelets, and—yes—earrings. I love not only the timeless elegance of design, but also the versatility that the white, yellow, and rose gold bands offer.

Sophie Buhai does beautiful work with silver. While many rush for gold items, she’s made sterling feel elegant, chic, and truly effortless. Though you can also snap up nearly every one of her designs in gold vermeil as well, it’s her silver pieces that truly shine.

Though a chunky wave would be fabulous all on its own, Jemma Wynne has added one of my favorite settings: the star-set stone. Not only do the inset diamonds add a little extra sparkle, but the star-shaped cuts that surround each one truly radiates the reflections like magic.

If you’re looking for a little more of a unique design, but still opting for a chunky look, reach for these Bottega hoops that feature a single knot at the lobe, before they loop around the lobe.

Sometimes you just want to treat yourself to something with some great diamond power. These chunky huggie hoops do just that, hugging your lobe with almost 1.5 carats of diamonds. In true Brent Neale fashion, these earrings follow her signature design aesthetic with a deliciously chunky gold setting and fabulous stones to boot.

With lapis and malachite mixed together in one, these chunky hoops pack a strong colorful punch. Without the sparkle, a hard stone allows the saturation of hue to truly shine through and still feel like a casual addition to any look—from the office to date night and everything in between.

When it comes to a chunky hoop earring that can take you day-to-night, these J.Crew earrings check all the boxes. They’re just chunky enough without feeling like door-knockers, they’re quietly elegant, yet uniquely eye-catching, and they feature a knotted motif that offer up equal parts preppy and creative—ready for whatever your wardrobe has to offer.

Whether you’re looking to wear a single earring, want to mix-and-match styles, or stacking your way up your ear with multiple piercings, you can still opt for a chunky hoop—even if you’re shopping half a pair.

Certain materials effortlessly offer themselves to the world of chunky design. And one such material is wood. These chunky hoops, accented with gold, feel cool, fresh, unique, and statement-making.

If you want to layer up with multiple holes, these Baublebar hoops are just the style to fit the bill. They make mixing and matching easy, due to the understated, albeit chunky style and their low price point allow you to jump right in and buy a few at once in the hopes of effortlessly mastering your perfect earring stack.

Though designers master the art of the ready-to-wear collections, it’s not always a given that they’re able to translate the same vision into jewelry. With Chanel’s Coco Crush earrings, the brand was able to use their signature quilted motif in a way that felt elegant without screaming the brand’s name, which is a true testament to the fashion house’s timeless design.

These hoops are the Goldilocks of chunky styles. They close in a full-round, making sure that they look just as good from the back as they do from the front, they ring in at a medium scale that hits right at your jaw-line, and—trust me—you’ll want to buy a pair in both gold as well as silver so you always have a great pair on hand.

I love a double hoop because it offers movement. The dynamic nature of a ring attached to another makes just enough of a statement without truly falling into the category of “statement earring.” What’s more, they provide a jingling noise that’s akin to a great bracelet stack. Which, as it happens, is another weakness of mine…

Hard stones make for a great chunky hoop earring, as they can be fit to exaggerated proportions while still remaining more affordable than a gem. These Mateo hoops add just enough color, while still feeling streamlined, making them a great size and proportion for everyday wear.

Personally, when it comes to chunky hoops, I tend to re-adjust my assessment of “large.” While I might be willing to go for more oversized styles when they are made of thinner wires, a chunky hoop makes enough of a statement without the added diameter. As such, these 1.5-inch babies are a perfect oversized option.

With a frosted finish and countless tiny inset diamonds, Cece’s hoops truly twinkle as the light hits them. The “Fairytale” name is apt, as they bring whimsical life to your earring stack with just enough of a chunky shape to sustain the carat weight that’s set throughout.

Why wear one hoop when you can wear two? These prove that you can never have enough with their side-by-side design that gives the illusion that you’re wearing two chunky earrings that simply sit glued at the hip.

If you’re looking for a small hoop, but want something with a little more clearance under your lobe than a true huggie, I love these EF Collection earrings. They offer just enough space to swing a bit as you walk, but feel truly weightless when you put them on—you might even forget you’re wearing them.

For a little extra interest, reach for a pair of ribbed hoops. With retro appeal, these earrings might be small, but they surely make themselves noticed.

Though they sit close to the lobe, these hoops certainly bring the chunk. Not only do they feature an exaggerated tube design, but they double down on scale with a rounded ball post closure.

While hoops generally thread through your lobe in a perpendicular manner, Sézane has designed an elegant pair of chunky earrings that put their looped shape on full display. Securing to your lobe like a stud, they circle parallel to your ear to truly show off all their chunky glory.

Taking inspiration from the trinity look, Madewell has intertwined rings of varying gold and silver tones and twisted them together to achieve the chunky hoop look. But, instead of concentric rings, they’ve added some corners and edges that add to their statement quality.