10 Types Of Earrings That Were All The Rage In The '80s (& Still Look Good Today)

The 1980s were one of the most definitive and unforgettable style eras of the past century. This is a decade that was known for shoulder pads, neon palettes, and the Canadian tuxedo, so it's hardly surprising that the '80s also favored some big-energy earring trends. As a rule of thumb, if it was maximalist and over the top, it would have fit right in as part of your '80s jewelry case.

Despite the immense differences between the fashion of the 1980s and that of the 2020s, many of the biggest earring crazes of the neon decade could still work today, with a few adaptations. The basics are similar; materials like gemstones and pearls are popular in any era, and then there are those classics that never go out of style, like hoops. You could tone these trends down to incorporate them into your modern wardrobe, or you could make a statement by keeping them big and bold, channeling '80s energy to the core. The following earring trends were just about everywhere in the '80s, so there's no better way to pay homage to the era than to wear them proudly today.

Hoops are timeless, and no matter the era, some form of hoop earring will always be in style. But in the 1980s, the hoops that were en vogue were chunky and statement-making. Think of them as matching the energy of the decade in general: Everything was big and over the top, so why would the hoops be any different? If you want to channel the '80s in your wardrobe today, this is one of the best ways to do it. Otherwise, there are plenty of other ways to style the eternally classic hoop earrings.

It's no surprise that in the neon decade, neon earrings were all the rage. Neon everything was acceptable in the '80s, whether you were wearing bright-pink spandex, highlighter-yellow leg warmers, or vibrant blue eyeshadow. Neon earrings came in many forms and colors, but they often incorporated other trends that were also big during that time, like chandelier styles or the aforementioned oversized hoops. It's not a look for the faint of heart, as neon-shade earrings are, by definition, eye-catching.

Given the love that people in the '80s had for bold, maximalist fashion, it makes sense that statement earrings came in all shapes — quite literally. Geometric earrings were the perfect way to complement even the most sophisticated of outfits, and balancing out bulky shoulder pads with equally chunky earrings was a standard fashion move. Rectangular earrings have survived to the modern era, but it was really an attitude of "anything goes," from diamond earrings to triangles.

Chandelier earrings were definitely trendy in the '80s, but we don't automatically associate them with the decade today because their popularity has never really waned. This timeless classic looks great in any era, and it's a safe bet that they'll always be in demand. Like everything else that people found attractive in the 1980s, chandeliers at the time were even more over the top and incorporated other contemporary trends from that decade, like neon and pearl.

The silhouette of the disc earring suits the '80s motif perfectly, and though similar to geometric styles, disc earrings carried a distinct sense of refinement. In the 1980s, this style of earring was often gold or silver and leaned bigger rather than smaller. Disc earrings are actually quite versatile; while the original styles were oversized, you can evoke the decade in your own way today with slightly more dainty alternatives while still keeping that classic disc shape.

To understand why pearls were in demand in the '80s, you just have to look at one of the era's most influential figures: Princess Diana. The late princess loved her pearls, not just in her earrings but in almost every kind of jewelry that graced her exclusive collection. Pearl earrings became one of the biggest crazes, and it's a style you could easily work into your jewelry rotations today. The good thing about pearl earrings is their versatility; you can go the '80s route and make them statement earrings, or you could go with something more subdued and still channel the same throwback energy.

In a colorful decade like the '80s, gemstone earrings had a natural place. Even if young fashionistas couldn't afford real gemstones, faux stones were common and often worn as part of elaborate designs. In addition to cluster earrings and geometric shapes, gemstone earrings were another earring trend that the it-girls of the decade couldn't seem to get enough of. Back then, big, bold gemstone earrings were regularly paired with even bigger, bolder outfits, but today a better approach might be to add the style to a more muted outfit for a bit of flair.

There was one simple alternative to the many maximalist styles of the '80s, and that was the classic button earring. Of course, this ageless design was often taken to new extremes at the time, and you could find a lot of variation on the simple style. Button earrings in the '80s could be oversized, chunky, colorful, and generally much more exciting than the refined pair you might be imagining in the 2020s.

They may not be the most comfortable earring design to wear, but eye-catching door knockers were super-trendy in the '80s. While the modern version tends to be much smaller and lighter, door knockers in the '80s were often as bulky as you expect them to be. This can be a fun trend to bring back today, but for the sake of your earlobes, maybe limit the heavier pairs to events that don't last all day.

Tassel earrings had a revival in the 2010s, so younger fashion fans might not even realize they were an '80s staple. Again, tassels of the decade usually had all the trimmings of '80s style, from bright colors to over-the-top sizing, and anything that captured the fun essence of the era. Since tassels can be lighter and might not necessarily weigh down your earlobes, these are good ones to wear to longer events. 

Now that you have your ear bling sorted, here are our tips for incorporating the best '80s dress trends into your 2026 outfits.