A Little Love Letter to Clip-On Earrings

We have always thought clip-on earrings have the best kind of history — the kind that’s been quietly around for centuries. They didn’t start as “ear-friendly” options or a fashion shortcut. Back in ancient Rome, they were little symbols of who you were. Gold hoops, gemstone drops… those pieces weren’t just pretty. They told the world your place in society. And they did it without a single piercing.

One of our favourite clip-on brands, Monet, and its prints date back to the 40s

A couple of thousand years later, clip-ons still have a place in the fashion industry. Think of the 1920s — short hair, red lips, jazz spilling out of hidden bars, ladies wore clip-ons because they wanted something they could change with the mood, the style, and for what they were up to for the evening. Even in the 1950s, you would see actresses in photoshoots, wearing earrings perfectly matched to their gowns, and they were, of course, clipped on minutes before the camera flash.

Chanel's signature No.5 clip-on earrings, as seen on the catwalk

I like that about them — the ease. The way they slip into your day and out again. No healing, no scar, no “should I or shouldn’t I” moment. Just pure, wearable beauty.

Some designs have stayed in our minds for years. Those oversized pearl clusters from the '60s. The sculptural gold twists from the 80s. And now, the quiet modern pieces that sit like a whisper against your skin.

Discover modern clip-on earrings at Arboréa di Terra

Why do they keep coming back? I think it’s because they hold a kind of freedom. You can wear them for an hour or a lifetime. They don’t ask you to change your body, only your mood.

Maybe that’s why we love having and sharing them. Each piece feels like it’s part of a much bigger story — one that started long before us, and will probably outlive us too.