Which Earrings to Wear With an Updo? The Complete Styling Guide
With an updo, the earrings that look best are the ones that follow the line of your neck and jaw: long drops for a low bun or chignon, statement earrings or chunky hoops for a sleek high bun, and something with movement for a messy bun. With your whole ear on show, you can go bigger than usual, or move the play upwards with an ear cuff. Below you will find what works for every hairstyle, face shape and occasion, from the office to galas, weddings and the holidays.
The short answer
Which earrings for which updo:
- Sleek high bun: statement earrings or chunky hoops.
- Low bun or chignon: long drops that lengthen your neck.
- Messy bun: earrings with movement or small hoops.
- Ponytail: hoops or huggies with a small charm.
- Half-up, half-down: go a little bolder, as your ear is partly covered.
- With a roll-neck or high neckline: skip the necklace and choose statement earrings.
Why an updo calls for different earrings
With your hair down, earrings half disappear behind your hair. Put it up and your ear becomes a calm backdrop where every shape and every sparkle shows. That means you can go bigger and longer than usual: what looks busy with loose hair looks perfectly balanced with a bun.
Your earring also becomes part of the line of your neck and jaw. A long drop lengthens that line, a round hoop softens a sleek bun. And because Lundholm earrings are made of light stainless steel, you can wear larger styles comfortably all day or all evening.
By hairstyle: which earrings?
| Hairstyle | Which earrings | For example |
|---|---|---|
| Sleek high bun | Statement earrings, chunky hoops | Sylvi, Skye |
| Low bun or chignon | Long drops, teardrops | Kaia, Bianca |
| Messy bun | Earrings with movement, small hoops | Marlene, Edith |
| Ponytail | Hoops, huggies with a charm | Nika, Gemma |
| Half-up, half-down | A little bolder: drops or chunky hoops | Lexi, Leanne |
| Updo with a bow or braid (parties) | Sparkling huggies or a cubic zirconia drop | Avélie, Gemma |
Face shape and neckline: the final touch
Your face shape helps you choose between long and round. Long, slim drops lengthen a round face; round hoops or a flower add width to a long or narrow face. A square jawline looks softer with round, organic shapes, and with an oval face almost anything works.
Look at your neckline, too. Wearing a roll-neck or high neckline, so cosy at this time of year? Skip the necklace and choose statement earrings. A V-neck suits drops with a fine pendant. More per neckline in which necklace for which neckline, and complete sets per dress in which jewelry with which dress.
1. Statement earrings for a sleek bun
A sleek, high bun looks clean and can easily carry a large, sculptural piece. Think of a golden leaf, a chunky shape or a door knocker. You hardly need anything else, a fine bracelet at most.
Pictured
Aura – door knocker with four rings
Four golden rings on one stud: architectural and playful at the same time. With a sleek bun and a roll-neck, this is your whole look.
View the Aura →
2. Drop earrings for a low bun or chignon
With a low bun or chignon at the nape of your neck, drop earrings may well be the most flattering choice. They catch the light with every move and draw the eye in a soft line along your jaw to your neck. A cubic zirconia drop makes it festive for a wedding or gala; a long oval drop is modern enough for dinner. Going to a wedding? Also read wedding guest jewelry.
3. Hoops that frame your face
Hoops are the all-rounder for an updo: they soften a sleek bun, add roundness to your jawline and look as good with jeans as with an evening dress. The rule of thumb: the more hair off your face, the bigger the hoop can be. Chunky and twisted looks confident; textured or half-moon shapes feel a little more distinctive.
4. Ear cuffs and a stacked ear
With your whole ear on show, you can move the play upwards. An ear cuff clips around the rim of your ear without a piercing, and an ear climber runs up from your earlobe. Pair one cuff with a fine stud or huggie in your lobe and you have a layered ear that is completely visible with a bun. More combinations in our ear party collection.
5. Subtle updos: for the office and every day
Not every bun needs drama. At the office or on an ordinary day, choose something small that lights up your face: a cubic zirconia stud, a little bow or a mini hoop. With your ear on show, even a small detail stands out. More ideas for work in autumn office outfits.
6. Galas, weddings and the holidays: updos with sparkle
Gala and party season is the moment for an updo: a Christmas dinner, the office party, a wedding or New Year's Eve. Choose one sparkling pair and keep the rest quiet. A cubic zirconia drop or huggies with an emerald green stone suit velvet and satin, and a bow in your hair is the festive finishing touch.
All tips per occasion: jewelry for a gala dress, jewelry for the office Christmas party and jewelry for New Year's Eve. For a wedding, read mother of the bride jewelry, and as a bride you will find everything in wedding jewelry 2026.
Shipping and gift wrapping
Order before 3 pm (CET) on a working day and we ship the same day. Shipping costs and delivery times for your country are on our shipping page. Every pair of earrings comes in a luxury gift box, with a free gift bag for orders from our own web shop. With higher order values, our gift ladder adds free gifts as well (different ones every month). Looking for a present for a bride? Have a look at wedding gift jewelry.
Frequently asked questions about earrings for an updo
Which earrings look best with an updo?
Because your ears and neck are on show, larger and longer styles look best: statement earrings, drop earrings and chunky hoops. With a sleek bun you can go big and bold; with a soft, romantic updo, earrings with movement look loveliest.
Which earrings go with a bun?
A sleek high bun suits statement earrings and chunky hoops. With a low bun or chignon at the nape of your neck, long drops look best because they lengthen your neck. With a messy bun, choose earrings with movement or small hoops.
Can you wear big earrings with an updo?
Absolutely. What looks busy with loose hair looks balanced with a bun. Lundholm earrings are made of light stainless steel, so you can wear larger styles comfortably all day or evening.
Which earrings suit an updo and a round face?
Choose long, slim drops: they lengthen your face. Large round hoops make a round face look rounder, so go for an oval or elongated shape instead.
Which earrings should you wear with an updo to a wedding or gala?
A cubic zirconia drop or huggies with a sparkling charm are classic and elegant: they catch the light and lengthen the line of your neck. Keep the rest minimal, so your earrings are the statement.
What are ear cuffs and do they work with an updo?
An ear cuff clips around the rim of your ear without a piercing. With an updo your whole ear is visible, so pair a cuff with a fine stud or huggie in your lobe for a layered look.
Which earrings go with a roll-neck and an updo?
Skip the necklace and choose statement earrings or chunky hoops. A roll-neck and a bun create a calm frame around your face, where eye-catching earrings stand out perfectly.
Gold or silver with an updo?
That depends mainly on your skin tone and outfit, not on your hairstyle. Gold usually looks best with a warm undertone, silver with a cool undertone. Take the quick test in our guide gold or silver: which suits me best.
Put your earrings in the spotlight
From fine studs to statement drops: waterproof, hypoallergenic and beautifully gift-wrapped.
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