Do you think that there is a psychological reason behind wearing hoop earrings? Do hoop earrings really give you an elevated level/ sense of confidence? Is a single pair of hoop earrings all you need to draw maximum attention and turn heads in every room you walk into?
These are just some of the questions we’ll address in this article. Hoop earrings have been around for decades, and these earrings are definitely here to stay, but what makes them so powerful?
While the primary reason why we wear hoops has to do with the fact that these earrings automatically draw attention to the person wearing them, it’s important for us to understand the actual psychology of the hoop earrings.
Hoop earrings psychology
Don’t we all love that big hoops energy? You wake up feeling like you no longer have any more fight in you, but then you put on your pair of big hoops and suddenly feel like you can take over the world.
This is one of those things that has happened to pretty much most, if not all the women we know of, and we really cannot find a better way of expressing the power of the big hoops, but to note that these earrings boast an impressive effect on anyone’s mood and attitude.
You throw on those big hoops, and your unapologetic level of badassery goes off, and you become unstoppable.
So, while we’ve felt this energy shift, is there a psychological explanation to the hoop earrings and the powerful effect they create?
Well, for most women, the big hoop earrings feel like a powerful statement of power, self-sufficiency, independence, and a great deal of positive feminine energy.
Yes, one person would argue that they are just a pair of silver or golden earrings, but for most women, the hoops carry all that weight and more.
To have a better understanding of the power carried by the hoops and just why they are magnificent pieces of jewelry, let’s take a look at the rich history surrounding hoop earrings, as well as the political and the provocative messages that the hoops share.
History of Hoop Earrings
Gold hoop earrings remain one of the most powerful cultural symbols across numerous parts of the world, and throughout history, men and women have worn hoop earrings.
The favored ring design then and now a classic ring design was the golden hoop, and this shows that the hoops have been on the market for a pretty long time.
Then in 1500BC, people were adorned in gold hoop earrings throughout Egypt, and this was done to cats as well – cats are regarded as the most secret animal in Egyptian culture. And during Julius Caesar’s rule of Rome, gold hoop earrings became status symbols.
Then in the golden age of piracy between 1650 and 1730, the pirates were known to wear earrings as a way for then to secure rather decent burials, especially when their bodies washed ashore after they drowned. More recent historical sightings of the hoop earrings were in the 19th century in Japan, where it was a tradition for the Ainu men and women to wear brass hoop earrings.
In the 1980s and the 1990s, the hoop earrings were common with the Cholas, an emergent subculture among the working-class Mexicans in the Southern California neighborhoods. This is one of the links that exist between hoop earrings, black communities, and the working-class Latinx. It was around this time that the phrase “the bigger the hoop, the bigger the hoe,” now, “the bigger the hoop, the bigger the love.”
For most people, hoop earrings are an important part of human history, and for most Latina women and women of color, hoop earrings are regarded as an important element of the fabric of Latina (and black women) women are. Hoop earrings transcend generations and fashion trends.
Of course, the hoop earrings have been seen in the negative light by different people, specifically by the communities that are outside the confines of the Latina and black women’s communities.
This message of negativity was amplified in 2017 when the White Girls, Take off Your Hoops message was spread across via the painting on Pitzer College. It was also said that the hoops were regarded as unprofessional and ghetto, and the ladies wearing the hoops suddenly regarded as hip.
Despite all these, it remains clear that all the communities of colors have always deeply embraced the hoop earrings, and by wearing hoops, it creates a message of optimism.
Now that we have the history and the controversies of hoop earrings covered, let’s now review the psychology of hoops and why hoop earrings somewhat give you this unseen, high level of power and confidence.
Giant Hoop Earrings – Psychology
Hoop earrings are powerful, and one of the reasons for this is that they draw an immense level of attention to anyone who wears them.
While no one wears the large hoops to announce themselves as introverts, these earrings send out the blatant and loud message that the wearer is comfortable and confident.
Hoops are very empowering, and they are a symbol of international fashion and strength. The circular shape of the hoop represents infinity, unity, and wholeness.
While it remains a staple among the immigrants and minorities in America and across Europe, the hoops are a symbol of cultural identity, a sign of strength, and most importantly, and important form of resistance against discrimination.
Having been worn for mothers and grandparents, as well as great grandparents for centuries, it is an undoubted fact that the hoop earrings are a sign of confidence, and they are for the bold.
Conclusion
Hoops come in different designs and sides, they are bold, powerful, and they carry a positive, confident message of positivity and a big attitude.
So, the next time you are want to feel good about yourself, happy, confident, positive, and bold, you might want to throw on some hoops.
For more fahsion jewelry story, please read here or here for more. See you guys in the next post!
Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.