Cuffing Season

I hate needles. Always have. I’ve cowered in the corners of doctors offices, I’ve fainted off of chairs and I’ve turned pale green as the nurse looked at my veins with an almost greedy glee. Getting my ears pierced at 10 was no different. From the constant cleaning to the mere idea of having a hole in my ear, the petite piercings lasted approximately 2 hellish weeks before I took them out and resigned myself to the fateful closing-up proess. 

15 years on, I am still piercing free and while I intend to squash my cowardice and just get it over with (one day) for now I have had to master the art of faking it till I make it. 

While I’ve been at war with myself and my lobes, I have also honed my non-pierced jewellery routine. Be it simple hook on pieces or more elaborate designs, ear cuffs are becoming staple products for both pierced and unpierced alike. Anna Jewsbury of Completedworks was seen donning her pearly cuff designs at the brand’s latest exhibition. While for Swarovski’s new Party of Dreams campaign, Ariana Grande wore stacks of deliciously sparkling crystal cuffs.

London-based jewellery brand Completedworks has added intrigue to their collection with gem set, precious metals and resin ear cuffs, crafting something for all types of jewellery wearers. Their Ruffle collection features 4 ear cuffs crafted from a wiggly resin in  green, yellow, lilac and pearlescent shades. While the Chasing Shadows anthology offer more refined pieces, with pearl and gold vermeil adding a more classic look to the ear cuff. As a silver jewellery girl, I’m particularly taken with the Arc and Horizons II offerings. Sterling silver with neat bands or zirconia gemstones wrap around the helix and can be worn closer to the lobe or higher up. With all the cuffs available the mind can delightfully wander through the various stacking combinations or metal mixing looks given such an impressive range offering.

Sister-led brand Otiumberg has also markedly improved our options for non-pierced ear jewellery. If you prefer chunkier jewellery, take a peek at their Wave Cuffs, offering both gold and silver, thick bands wrap around the ear adding a bold elevation to your jewellery routine. Like your jewellery on the strange side? Check out cool kid on the block, Panconesi. From squared-off silhouettes to downright bizarre swirling shapes, Panconesi's cuffs are for those of us who are willing to experiment with our jewellery rotations (just not experimental enough to go down the piercing route…). 

So my dear non-pierced, whether you’re simply biding your time or have sworn it off entirely, the expanding market has made room for us. Go forth and embellish thine ears and if you need a hand starting your journey, look no further than our favourite selections below!