I have many questions about female life. I thought it'd be valuable and fun to pose them to you. This is the first of several posts in which I will ask your opinion on a subject that perplexes me. In the past, you guys have been deeply informative with your responses. Thank you for that.
Some of my questions, like this one, don't have an easy answer. You may not know why and that's okay. Just toss out whatever is in your head.
Question: What is it about hoop earrings?
From childhood, I've been attracted to hoop earrings. More than to ordinary earrings. If we're being totally honest, the bigger the hoop, the stronger the attraction.
Is it their cultural association with pirates and loose women? Or something else? I believe there's something about their appeal that goes beyond cultural significance.
Researchers have posited that hoop earrings -- because of their shape -- remind us of a woman's breasts and that is the source of their allure. Studies show people react subliminally to hoop earrings, more than other earrings. Something primal is going on. What?
I too have always been drawn to hoop earrings. Nothing deeply symbolic however. I just liked the gypsy, free-spirit, tough girl image they conjured up in my mind. Even as a little girl I was drawn to them...and they had to be PIERCED earrings. THAT in itself was a forbidden thing to do, pierce ones ears. I had mine done by a housemate in college, with a ice cubes to deaden the pain and a darning needle to do the job. Oh the GUILT of doing THAT and going home for Christmas vacation for my mother to see! Mom used to say "only ITALIANS do that." And then I found a very old, formal photograph of a relative who had HER ears pierced! And we're GERMANS!
ReplyDeleteI have always been obsessed with hoop earrings!
ReplyDeleteInteresting question! To which I have absolutely no answer! I do like the look of them on other girls but have never had an affinity to them.
ReplyDeleteI have no answer either, other than maybe it's because they are big and noticeable, therefore drawing attention to our faces rather than other things we may not want eyes drawn to? Good question!
ReplyDeleteI have a few pairs.
ReplyDeleteThey remind me of summer, outdoors and for some reason I relate them to being latin. Usually worn in casual, less formal events.
I also think that if they are too big you get a trashy look.
No idea!!! I'm more attracted to drop earrings!x
ReplyDeleteI used to have smaller hoop earrings, and one large pair, but stopped wearing them after I accidentally snagged them with my finger--it wasn't pretty, lol. <3 Have a nice weekend and thanks for your thoughtful comment. /Madison
ReplyDeleteI love them! They're so pretty and versatile. And they are easy! Mine don't have separate backs, so there's nothing to lose, and they pop open and fall off if I catch them instead of ripping my ear.
ReplyDeleteI don't leave the house without hoop earrings, but that's because I'm Sicilian. Maybe why we're perceived as sexy?
ReplyDeleteThis post is right up my ally because I love hoops, especially large gold ones. I don't know if you were born around my time, 1960, but my first pair of earrings, which were large gold hoops, came with the Jackson 5's first album and it was a very impressionable day for sure. Just those two things together symbolized a discovery of early thoughts on feeling a little attractive and hip. They also are classic but not in the Elizabeth Taylor sense. More like the classic that more closely matches the likes of Peggy Lipton from the Mod Squad, which I much more relate to then the glamorous Hollywood styles.
ReplyDeleteMore than that, maybe it's our tribal core that draws us to them? This is a fun post! I'm glad to have rediscovered your blog again after taking a long break. ;)
Welcome back, Joni! And, yes, since I was born in 1957 I understand all your pop-culture references. That's so cool you got hoops with your record.
DeleteVery cool post ideas series and intriguing query to kick it off with. I think that part it may stem from the fact that hoops are amongst the oldest types of earrings. Originally they were worn by both sexes in some cultures (and still in certain ones to this day), so it's possible that we're responding/being drawn to them on an almost evolutionary point, given that they've been with us for many, many thousands of years now.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
This made me laugh, because my husband LOVES when I wear hoop earrings. I actually don't prefer them because my hair gets caught, but I wear them for him sometimes. I'll have to ask him what the appeal is!
ReplyDeleteDo a little test -- Watch how much he tips waitresses with hoops over non-hoops. I've found men tip much bigger when the waitress is wearing hoop earrings. And some waitresses have caught on to this!
DeleteI think the curves echo those of a woman's body, and that's what makes them so attractive? I don't care for big hoops, mainly because I always end up catching my fingers in them and I worry about ripping them out of my ear!
ReplyDeleteI believe you're right, Carrie, about both their symbolism and their impracticality.
DeleteI heard a lot of theories regarding hoop like a projection of female body. For me it's more of pirate thoughts (I've always been attached to Pirates) and Gypsy which always very outstanding for me in terms of fashion.
ReplyDeleteLyosha
Inside and Outside Blog
hmmm I dont know what it is either but i have always loved and worn big hoops and so has my mom. I have so many pairs of different sizes. I always think of the image of a very classy lady (like Sophia Loren) with a beautiful high bun (hair do) and a tight black turtle neck and big silver hoops. I love that look, especially paired with an awesome trench coat-- something very James Bond about it to me for some reason.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if it's my age, my regional location, or what, but the going saying growing up was "The bigger the hoop, the bigger the ho!"
ReplyDeleteSo it definitely has some realm of sexuality. Such a strange thing that a simple circle of metal can inspire.
Personally, I don't wear many earrings (or jewelry). My skin is very sensitive. My tattoos are the only adornments I can stand for long periods of time.
I'm sure you know that I'm a huge fan of anything silver, especially silver earrings but in particular silver hoop earrings. I remember getting some clip on ones many years ago and loving them. I was delighted when I finally got my ears pierced so I could wear real ones. Not sure what the attraction to them is but like you I'm drawn to them.
ReplyDeleteI see it on another level, as something symbolic of infinity. The round shape of things destine dot go on and on in a circular way.
ReplyDeleteI love them too, but tend to like smaller ones, perhaps because I am such peanut.
xx, Elle
http://mydailycostume.com
i have never heard of that! but i do love hoops.
ReplyDeleteI can't PROMISE that Nelly Furtado holds all the answers, but maybe it's because they make you grow twenty stories tall and rampage through a city?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=qjvXmpOTtdQ