The Chicest Earrings To Wear With A Turtleneck Sweater

When it comes to jewelry styling, there are few combinations as classic as a turtleneck sweater and hoop earrings. As a general rule, this pairing helps to bring balance to your knits and your ear candy. Wearing a chunky, oversized sweater? Tiny huggies will get lost. So you need to match your energy accordingly – big knits require sizeable hoops, while finer, lightweight cashmere is the perfect canvas for delicate, glittering styles, such as Lucy Delius’s diamond and yellow-gold huggies. If you’re looking for utmost versatility, consider L’Atelier Nawbar’s ‘The Buoy’ hoops, or By Pariah’s triple-hoop sapphire and diamond earrings, which offer plenty of sparkle – perfect for when you want to pair a turtleneck sweater with silk pants or an elegant skirt in the evening.

Year on year, piercing pros become even more inventive with their earscape options – now, it’s possible to adorn almost the entire ear with carefully placed touches of sparkle. This requires careful consideration, and you will need to invest in an eclectic collection of stud earrings to ensure balance and harmony across the ear. For an evening look, a full constellation of studs is especially striking when paired with a black or navy turtleneck sweater – go for white-gold tones, such as David Morris’s classic diamond studs, which can be passed down through generations. Meanwhile, those who prefer to wear warmer-hued knitwear, especially fall’s jewel tones, should compose a chic edit of yellow-gold studs. David Yurman’s ‘Infinity’ design is an artistic, organic take on timeless yellow-gold studs, while Jennifer Meyer’s 18-karat gold and emerald studs are a petite yet punchy way to add a splash of color to your lobes. Our tip? Stick to one vibrant gemstone to complement colorful knits.

The beauty of a turtleneck sweater is that it frames the face, and long drop earrings will add instant luminosity – they’re a quick and easy way to feel instantly pulled together. Be careful that your knitwear doesn’t compete with shoulder-sweeping styles, though – if you’re wearing an ultra-long style, your sweater needs to sit tight against the neck so the gemstones don’t snag. Anita Ko’s diamond drop earrings will look effortlessly extravagant with any simple sweater, while Shay’s chain-link design is nifty enough that it can be worn swinging low or hitched up for a shorter, hoop-style drop that will suit more maximalist knits. Those keen to embrace color should look to Suzanne Kalan, and pair the designer’s 18-karat yellow gold and emerald drop earrings with a turtleneck under a tailored coat – they’re an instant mood-booster.

There is something delightfully satisfying about pairing pearls with stylish sweaters, perhaps due to their age-old affinity with the twinset. This season, shake off a little of their prim and proper reputation by choosing contemporary styles, such as Sophie Bille Brahe’s ‘Petite Amis Fleur’ clusters, which will feel especially elegant when worn with minimalist knits in white, cream or taupe hues. The pearl drop earring is an effortless way to elevate a basic turtleneck, but don’t feel you have to stick to perfectly round gems – Mizuki’s freshwater pearl earrings feature a unique, organic silhouette that helps them feel a little more modern. If you’re an old-school aesthete, Mateo’s petite drop pearls suspended from diamond-set huggies are heirloom-worthy yet can still be rocked with a turtleneck under a denim jacket.

For those deliciously thick, structured turtlenecks that cocoon the shoulders with chunky wool, the only option is to go big or go home when it comes to your earring choice. Oversized, sculptural designs can compete with thick sweaters while channeling 1980s elegance – choose gleaming metal-only designs for work or off-duty weekend dressing. It’s helpful to have a pair in every metal colorway to wear with cool and warm tones, such as Julietta’s silver-plated knot earrings and YSSO x Danielle Copperman’s gold-plated ‘Clos’ design. Looking to add an investment piece to your collection? David Webb’s 18-karat gold, platinum and diamond clip-on earrings are future heirlooms – showcasing almost 10 carats of scintillating diamonds, these are legacy jewels that you will cherish forever.