How to Wear an Ear Cuff: Build an Ear Stack Without Extra Piercings
An ear cuff clips around the edge of your ear, no piercing needed. With one ear cuff and two small earrings you can build an ear stack in seconds that looks as if you have three piercings. Below you'll find what an ear cuff is, how to wear it so it stays in place, and which combinations look best.
The short answer
- What is an ear cuff? A small open ring that clips around the edge of your ear. You don't need a piercing for it.
- How to wear it: slide the ear cuff over the thinnest part of your ear rim, then move it to the spot you like best.
- Ear stack in three steps: a huggie or small hoop in your lobe, a tiny stud in your second piercing (if you have one) and an ear cuff higher up your ear.
- Good to know: we sell our women's ear cuffs individually, because you usually wear just one.
What is an ear cuff?
An ear cuff is a piece of jewellery that clips onto your ear instead of going through a piercing. It has a small opening, so you slide it over the rim of your ear and it stays in place with gentle tension. That makes an ear cuff ideal if you don't want extra piercings but love that playful, layered look.
An ear cuff is often confused with an ear climber. Here's how to tell them apart:
- Ear cuffClips around the edge of your ear. No piercing needed.
- Ear climberWorn in a regular lobe piercing. It climbs up along the edge of your ear, like the Sterre with tiny stars.
- HuggieA small hoop that sits snugly around your lobe. The perfect start to any ear stack.
- StudSits quietly in your piercing and finishes the look without making it busy.
How to wear an ear cuff so it stays put
It looks tricky, but after one try it comes naturally.
- Find the thinnest part of your ear rim. It's usually about halfway up your ear.
- Slide the ear cuff over it with the opening. Turn it slightly so the edge of your ear slips into the opening.
- Move it to your favourite spot. Higher up looks playful, closer to your lobe looks more subtle.
Feels a little loose? Move it to a slightly thicker part of your ear rim, where it will sit more firmly.
Which ear cuff suits you?
All Lundholm ear cuffs are made of stainless steel and are waterproof, hypoallergenic and tarnish resistant. So you can simply choose by style:
How to build an ear stack in three steps
An ear stack is an ear with several pieces of jewellery that work together as one look. You don't need a row of piercings: with an ear cuff you simply add one more.
Pictured
Ear cuff plus ear climber
In the piercing, the Sterre ear climber, with tiny stars climbing up the edge of the ear. Higher up, the Soof ear cuff with three bands, no piercing needed. Two pieces, and the whole ear looks finished.
View the Soof →- Start at the bottom with your eye-catcher. A huggie with a small charm or a small hoop with zirconia in your lobe.
- Add something small. A stud in your second piercing, or a second huggie. Only have one piercing? Just skip this step.
- Finish with an ear cuff. Higher up your ear, where you don't have a piercing. That's the look of three piercings with just one.
Not sure about colours? Go all gold for a calm, elegant ear, or mix gold and silver for a modern twist. These huggies make a lovely base for your ear stack:
Ear cuffs for men
More and more men wear an ear cuff, especially if they don't want a piercing. The Oscar has a broad outside with a fine scale pattern and clips onto your earlobe, so it looks like you're wearing a solid hoop. Choose from gold, silver and black.
How to keep your ear cuff beautiful
Our ear cuffs are waterproof, so a rain shower or washing your hands is no problem. Do take it off when you sleep or work out, so it can't get caught on anything. Avoid direct contact with perfume, body lotion and cleaning products, and store your ear cuff separately from your other jewellery. A soft, dry cloth keeps it shining.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a piercing for an ear cuff?
No. An ear cuff clips around the edge of your ear. That's why it's ideal if you want the look of several piercings without getting pierced.
How does an ear cuff stay on?
Through the gentle tension of the opening. Slide it over the thinnest part of your ear rim, then move it to your favourite spot. If it feels loose, move it to a slightly thicker part of your ear.
Do you wear an ear cuff on one ear or both?
Usually on one ear, which looks playful and effortless. That's why we sell our women's ear cuffs individually. If you prefer a symmetrical look, simply choose two.
What's the difference between an ear cuff and an ear climber?
An ear cuff clips around the edge of your ear without a piercing. An ear climber is worn in a regular lobe piercing and then climbs up along your ear.
Can you shower with an ear cuff?
Yes, our ear cuffs are waterproof and tarnish resistant. Do take it off when you sleep or work out, so it can't get caught on anything.
Ready for your own ear stack?
Discover all Lundholm ear cuffs and ear climbers: waterproof, hypoallergenic and always in luxury gift packaging.
