5 Australian creatives share their jewellery ear stacks

Adored adornments.

Getting my seconds pierced was a pivotal day for me. There’s something about having a bit of extra metal lodged in your earlobe that can make a huge difference to your sense of identity. Earrings can act as armour or ornamentation – or, in the case of Aquamarine, take the form of compliment-whispering starfishes.

But when I got my thirds pierced (before they sadly closed up), it opened up a whole new styling game. I could mix and match studs and dangles, sleepers and huggies, and hoops and chains. And while I’m not brave enough to get my helix pierced (or anything above or below my lobes, for that matter), I can’t help but admire other people’s ear stacks.

For more style inspiration, head to our Fashion section.

Like with ring stacks, the process of curating your ear stack is personal. There’s something intimate about knowing what jewels someone chooses to adorn themselves with – because these tiny pieces come with life experiences, stories and memories held, quite literally, close to the wearer. Below, we were lucky enough to hear what makes up the ear stacks of five Australian creatives.

Jasmine Dowling, she/her, graphic designer

I try to strike the balance of practicality and fun with my ear stacks, mainly because I’m not the type of person [who] removes all my jewellery for showers or sleep. The top piercing is always safe [for] sleep and goes with everything, like the Eta Huggies from YCL Jewels.

Next along is a sentimental earring my aunty gifted me for my 30th birthday. [It’s] something with a little more going on. My first piercing is the high-traffic earring that changes out regularly with mood or outfit. My favourite pieces currently are these beaded fruits by Pura Utz – you can mix and match [them] to create a little fruit salad on your ear!

@jasminedowling

Keely, she/her, content creator

There’s a lot on my ears. [On] my firsts [are] my SGS hoops, [next are] my Millie Savage earrings. My Swarovski drop earrings were gifted [to me during] a really hard time so they mean a lot. I didn’t wear them until maybe three years ago [when] I felt ready.

Next are my new faves – they’re bow earrings from my dad. Next is a cut-up old chain I attached to a hoop, then my mum’s diamond stud she always wore. I have a hoop in my tragus and snug, which I’ve attached an earring from Les Deux, and some secondhand heart earrings are in my helix.

I don’t feel like myself when I don’t have [my earrings] in. Whenever I try to go minimalist, it never lasts long. [My ear stack] feels like an extension of who I am now. I like to change them up every few months; I usually use the same earrings, but I might move them into a different hole and add one or two new ones. But right now this is my favourite stack I’ve had.

@k__eelz

Ashira Paraskevas, she/her, model and mental health advocate

I love ear stacks; they make me feel powerful and I love how creative I can get with them. It’s another way I feel like I can express my personality and take control over my own beauty standard. I typically wear the solid gold collection from S-kin Jewellery. I love anything gold and dainty that still is a statement piece. They have great stack-worthy collections!

@ashparaskevas

Jacqui Alford-Crofts, she/her, jewellery maker

With my jewellery style, I mostly stick to [buying from] small makers and high-quality brands that will last, thrifting [and] making my own jewels. I love mixing metals and mismatching single earrings. Currently, I’m wearing sleepers from Underground Sundae, hoops from Mejuri, a single chain from Kick in the Eye and the Anti earring from Silver and Cold!

@jacquialfordcrofts

Nora Chan, she/her, content creator

I love using earrings as a way to elevate any outfit. I generally like to keep my earring stack pretty simple and will often change out the first pair of earrings depending on the day. Aside from having a staple pair of medium-sized hoops, I also like to incorporate pieces that are timeless with some sort of embellishment or twist such as varying textures, shapes or widths.

A [few] of my favourite brands include Mejuri, Reliquia, Luv Aj, Alix Yang and YCL Jewels. Here, I’m wearing Reliquia earrings, Luv Aj huggies, [an old] Asos ear cuff and a S-kin Studio stud.

@nrahmichelle

For more on how to curate the perfect ear stack, head here.