You don't need thirty pairs of earrings. You need the right five or six: the ones that quietly cover every outfit, every mood, every occasion without you having to think twice. Here's the full rundown, from the basics you'll reach for on repeat to the pieces you save for a big night out.
Western Styles
1. Stud Earrings
Every collection starts here. Studs sit close to the ear, disappear into pretty much any outfit, and never look out of place. Office, gym, dinner, it doesn't matter. If you're only ever going to own one pair, make it this one.
2. Hoop Earrings
Hoops are the shape-shifters of the earring world: tiny "huggies" that barely peek past the earlobe, all the way up to bold, statement-sized circles. A good gold-plated pair earns its keep faster than almost anything else in your jewellery box. See our Gold Plated Earrings collection for a range of sizes.
3. Huggie Earrings
Think of huggies as hoops' quieter cousin: small, close to the ear, easy to stack if you've got more than one piercing. The go-to for a minimal, barely-there look.
4. Drop & Dangle Earrings
Anything that swings below the earlobe lands here. A single small charm counts as a drop, and a bit more length and movement makes it a dangle. Either way, it's an easy route to a little drama without going full statement piece.
5. Chandelier Earrings
These are the ones you save for a reason to dress up: weddings, festive season, a proper night out. Multi-tiered and unapologetically extra, they deserve an updo so nothing gets in their way. Browse Party Wear for options in this style.
6. Threader Earrings
A slim chain that threads straight through the piercing, with the two ends left hanging at uneven lengths. A more delicate, modern spin on the dangle earring.
7. Ear Cuffs
No piercing needed. Ear cuffs clip onto the outer cartilage and give a plain outfit a bit of edge without any real commitment.
Indian Traditional Styles
And these three deserve a spot right alongside the Western styles above. Most "types of earrings" guides skip them completely, which never quite made sense to us.
8. Jhumkas
Bell-shaped and unmistakably festive, jhumkas have deep roots in traditional Indian jewellery, and the lightweight, gold-plated versions now available make them wearable well beyond weddings. Come festive season, a pair feels almost non-negotiable.
9. Chandbalis
Shaped like a crescent moon, chandbalis used to mean elaborate and formal. Now you'll find pared-back versions that work for far more than a wedding, a solid middle ground between a stud and a full statement piece.
10. Balis
Small, hoop-style earrings rooted in South Indian tradition, often finished with a bead or drop detail. Understated enough to move between traditional and Western outfits without missing a beat.
How to Build Your Collection
A good starting set really only needs three pairs: one for every day (studs or small hoops), one that bridges the gap (drops or chandbalis), and one saved for occasions (chandeliers or jhumkas). From there, build out by occasion. Our Office Wear, Everyday Essentials, and Statement Pieces collections are organised exactly this way.
Choosing Earrings That Actually Last
Whatever style catches your eye, one detail matters more than the shape: whether it's anti-tarnish and skin-safe. Earrings spend more time in direct contact with your skin than almost anything else you wear, so it's worth caring as much about what they're made of as how they look. Every style above is available in Mehrooh's Anti-Tarnish Earrings collection: gold-plated, hypoallergenic, and priced ₹499–₹1,999 with free shipping pan-India.
