Ear Suspenders Are the New Ear Jacket

Text, Font, Metal, Natural material, Beige, Design, Stationery, Earrings, Gold, Ammunition,

(Image credit: Courtesy, design by Betsy Farrell)

published 12 August 16

If we're ranking the types of creation, improving upon something someone else made (like a remix) undoubtedly comes in below making something novel (like an original Yeah Yeah Yeahs song). Ear cuffs once fell into the latter category, but they've been so thoroughly reworked that they've gradually moved into the former category. No worries, though—as fashion beats on, a new kind of earring has risen up to replace the ear cuff: the ear *suspender.*

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Made by L.A.-based design duo (and best friends) Sara Smith and Mara Rothbart, these hooked studs (opens in new tab) are as versatile as they are chic: Worn conventionally, they resemble a modified hoop; worn flipped upside down, they create the optical illusion of an earring floating inside the ear. (Just imagine the styling possibilities with multiples—in different precious stones and metals (opens in new tab), naturally—circling the lobe and cartilage. Brilliant.)

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What's left to be seen is how it looks with the Piercing of the Moment (opens in new tab). TBD, friends. TBD.

Brown, Text, Font, Tan, Ingredient, Beige, Metal, Number, Brass,

Smith + Mara ear suspenders, $150–$460, smithandmara.com (opens in new tab).

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Chelsea Peng

Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at MarieClaire.com. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.