Short answer: a huggie is a small hoop, usually 8 to 17mm, with a hinged closure that sits snug against the lobe. A hoop is larger, usually 20mm and up, and hangs away from the ear so it swings when you move.
Where the line sits
There is no official cutoff, but the working one is around 18 to 20mm. Under that, the earring hugs the lobe. Over it, the circle has enough room to hang below. A 17mm piece is still a huggie. A 20mm piece is a small hoop. Our guide to huggie sizes goes deeper on the smaller end.
The real differences
| Huggie | Hoop | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 8 to 17mm | 20mm and up |
| Closure | Hinged, clicks shut | Hinged or a thin post that threads through |
| Movement | Almost none | Swings and catches light |
| Snag risk | Low | Higher, hair and scarves can catch |
| Stacking | Easy, several per ear | One or two before it looks crowded |
| Price at Celune | $17 to $19 each, trio $39 | $16 to $24 |
Which suits what
Choose a huggie if you want something you can leave in, wear with a hat or helmet, or stack in a second and third hole. The snug fit means it rarely turns around or pulls.
Choose a hoop if you want one earring to be the focal point of your look. Hoops frame the jaw and read as more dressed up from across a room, so they work for evening and for casual outfits that need a lift.
Thickness changes the feel
Two earrings with the same diameter can look completely different. A fine 2mm wire looks delicate, while a polished tube of about 3mm looks chunky. Our Chunky Polished Huggie is 17mm across, and the Chunky Tube Hoop is a 30mm hollow circle, so tube width does a lot of the visual work.
Can you wear both?
Yes, and it is a good formula: a huggie in the first hole, a 20mm hoop in the second, or a huggie above a small hoop. Keep the larger piece lowest so they do not collide. If you are not sure how to arrange more, our earring stack guide has formulas for two, three and four holes.
How each one feels on the ear
Because a huggie is shorter, its weight sits close to the piercing and does not pull downward. A larger hoop shifts weight outward, so you notice it more when you turn your head or tuck hair back. Neither is better; they are for different moods. People who wear earrings from morning to night tend to collect huggies first and add hoops for occasions.
Quick buying rule
If you are buying your first pair of gold earrings, take a huggie in 15 to 17mm. If you already own several huggies, the thing you are probably missing is a single 20mm hoop to change the silhouette. If you are buying for a second or third hole, only huggies of 8 to 12mm make sense.
Putting them on
A huggie closes with a small hinge: you open the curved arm, thread it through the piercing, and press until it clicks. A hoop with a thin post threads through and tucks into the tube. Huggies are generally quicker to put in and out, which is another reason they suit daily wear. Whichever you pick, check that the closure clicks fully before leaving the house.
Shop
- Everyday Huggie Trio, 15, 17 and 21mm, $39
- Chunky Polished Huggie, 17mm, $17
- Classic Gold Hoops, 20mm, $24
- Chunky Tube Hoop, 30mm, $16
Compare in the hoops and huggies collection, and check your fit with the size guide.
FAQ
Are huggies the same as small hoops?
Close, but huggies are thicker and have a hinge that clicks into place, which is why they feel more secure.
Is a 21mm huggie a hoop?
It sits on the border. Many people call 20mm and over a small hoop.
Which is easier to sleep in?
Huggies, since they sit close and have less to catch. See our sleeping guide.