Huggie earrings are small hoop earrings designed to sit close - to hug - the earlobe. A huggie is wider and thicker than a classic thin hoop of the same diameter, and it closes with a hinged snap post: one side of the hoop hinges open, the post passes through the piercing, and the hoop clicks shut into a continuous ring.
Huggies and Hoops
The difference from an ordinary hoop is fit and closure. A standard hoop is a thin wire circle that may hang below the lobe with space to spare, fastened with a variety of backs. A huggie is sized so its inside edge sits snugly against the lobe, and the hinged click closure makes it exceptionally secure and comfortable - there is no butterfly back to press into the neck.
That security is why huggies are the default everyday earring for many wearers, including for sleeping and for second or third piercings higher on the lobe. Plain polished huggies are the classic form; pavé and gem-set versions dress the same shape up, and charm huggies carry a small drop on the hoop.
- Plain huggies - smooth polished metal, the everyday classic.
- Pave huggies - the front of the hoop is set with small stones.
- Charm huggies - a small pendant or charm hangs from the hoop.
Choosing and Wearing Huggies
Fit is measured by internal diameter: too small and the hoop pinches, too large and it stops hugging and becomes a small hoop. For a standard lobe piercing, a snug but comfortable diameter lets the hoop click shut without pressure. Huggies stack well up a multiply-pierced ear, graduating from larger at the first piercing to smaller above. If a hinge stops clicking firmly, a jeweller can usually adjust the tension.
The Click Test
The most important check on a huggie is its click. Open and close the hinge several times: it should shut with a definite, firm click and stay shut when the hoop is gently tugged, with no wobble between the two halves. A huggie that closes softly or pops open will eventually be lost, usually without the wearer noticing. Look at the post that passes through the ear as well - it should be straight, smooth and centred, so the hoop sits level. On pavé versions, run a fingertip over the stones; the setting should feel smooth, because a huggie sits against the lobe all day and rough claws will irritate the skin.
FAQs
- What is the difference between huggie and hoop earrings?
- Huggies are small, wide hoops on a hinge that snap shut and sit snugly against the lobe. Ordinary hoops are thinner, often larger, and hang looser with separate backs.
- Can you sleep in huggie earrings?
- Many people do, because the smooth closed hoop has no sharp back. Choose plain, well-fitting huggies and make sure the hinge clicks shut securely.
- What size huggie should I buy?
- Measure the distance from your piercing to the bottom of your lobe and choose an internal diameter slightly larger than that, so the hoop hugs without pinching.