In fall, as “people start to cover up,” earrings take on new prominence, says Danielle Snyder, co-founder of Dannijo, a jewelry line sold in high-end retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Bergdorf Goodman. “You see less skin, and the ears are the body part that you can adorn and really have fun with.”
This season, earring styles are particularly varied, from ear jackets and ear cuffs to asymmetrical pairs designed to offer some offbeat edge. Ms. Snyder, who launched the New York City-based label with her sister, Jodie Snyder Morel, in 2008, compares today’s earring fashions to the proliferation of bracelets in the past few years.
Ms. Snyder likes the wearability of ear jackets, which typically feature an understated stud in the front and a back attachment that is ornate, such as a fan-like design that shows at the bottom of the ear. “It creates a dynamic look that’s not one-dimensional,” says Ms. Snyder, who favors simple diamonds or pearls as the front stud.
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Such styles are particularly useful as the holiday season nears, she notes. “For people who are going to cocktail parties straight from work, you can wear them with a button-down shirt dress during the day, which is great and refined for the office,” she says. “But the earring dresses up your style enough to go into evening.”
Asymmetrical pairs of earrings can add unexpected oomph to an ensemble. (They’re often sold in pairs, but if you’re planning to mix and match asymmetrical pairs yourself, Ms. Snyder says, “steer clear of different colors on different ears.”)
With such styles, she is careful to let the earring be the only statement in her outfit. “You don’t want to pair that with a statement necklace. That’s a whole lot going on up top,” she says.
Ms. Snyder likes to pair her asymmetrical earrings with a “skinny cuff or a bunch of rings” to put some distance between two blingy areas. “And if you’re wearing ones where one side is longer than the other, try to keep the neckline a little bare,” she adds.
Ear cuffs, which stretch over much of the upper part of the ear, may be a little more suited to a rock concert than the office.
But Ms. Snyder thinks the look of a dainty pearl or crystal stud attached by a slender chain to a small ear cuff in the upper part of the ear is understated enough to work with suits.
“As long as they’re minimalistic in design, it’s a nice trend to try in fall,” she says. “Focus on dainty pieces.”
With ear cuffs, it’s important to wear them on only one side. “It’s a little too much to wear it on both. It’s meant to be a little touch of edge,” Ms. Snyder says.
It’s important to keep your face shape in mind when choosing an earring, since it is worn so close to the face, she says.
“If you have a really round face, don’t buy earrings that are really round,” Ms. Snyder says. “If you have a longer face or an oval face, try oversized studs or a round silhouette.”
When it comes to color, “you can’t go wrong with a classic for fall—all gold, rose gold and jewel tones definitely,” says Ms. Snyder.
She is partial to emerald greens, ruby reds and “really dark blues—denim blues” this season.
Oversize statement earrings such as chandelier styles can feel a little dated. Instead, “studs are a nice way to wear an earring from day into night. It’s the perfect touch of femininity,” she says.
For those who have multiple holes in their ears, Ms. Snyder says this is the season to use them.
“Have fun with your accessories,” she says.