How to Style Flat Back Stud Earrings

With so many fun and striking options, ear styling can begin to feel a little overwhelming for some, especially those working with multiple piercings and wanting to create a curated ear look. We've worked face-to-face with hundreds of customers in our retail store, and we're distilling our top tips and style picks right here with a post about how to style flat back stud earrings. 

First, we'll show you how to build the base of your flat back stud look. Next, we'll share some examples based on various moods before closing with a handful of our no-brainer flat back earring suggestions. Let's dive in!

Highest to lowest on ear: Glimmer Crystal Cluster Fan, Flutter Crystal Butterfly, Gossamer Mini Sphere, and Frosted Crystal Trio 14k Solid Yellow Gold Flat Back Sleeper Earrings

How to Style Flat Back Stud Earrings at Home: The Basics

Building the perfect curated ear for each client in our retail store takes time, but it's always worth the effort! Here's how to style flat back stud earrings at home (and it couldn't be simpler). Let's build your look!

1. Style your largest earring in your lobe piercings, closest to your face.
2. Dot smaller flat back stud earrings in the upper lobe or cartilage piercings.
3. If studs touch, it's too much! We like a little breathing room between pieces. Try mixing smaller with larger studs, or tiny with tiny for a constellation-inspired ear stack.
   

Highest to lowest on ear: Solitaire Marquise, Leaf Marquise, Arc Marquise, and Curved Crystal Row Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings

The easiest way to start your stack is to put your larger pieces, or focal points, in your more prominent piercings, where they are most displayed. Space your larger studs apart enough so nothing feels too cramped (unless you're going for maximalist, which, when done well = *chef's kiss*!).

Mix in a smattering of smaller, different styles (polished, glowing hoops... even more dazzling flat backs?!) between to achieve a look fit for the red carpet. Or your bedroom - we don't judge. It's all about feeling good.

Tips and Tricks for Aspiring Stylists

Keep it Casual

Left to right on ear: Gossamer Mini Sphere, Flutter Crystal Butterfly, and 3mm + 2mm Tinsel Solitaire Round 14k Solid White Gold Flat Back Sleeper Earrings

Try a sprinkle of small studs to complement classic denim or a patterned tee. Don’t worry about overwhelming a simple outfit with multiple pairs of earrings — we’ve got plenty of 2mm to 4mm Flat-Back Earrings that layer stunningly together and add the perfect polished touch to an everyday look.

Mix it up with Texture and Color

Top, left to right, on ear: Milo Faceted Titanium Hinged Segment Ring, Ellipsis Dotted Bar, 4mm Kitt Smooth Disc Titanium Flat Back Earrings. Bottom, left to right, on ear: Celine Twisted Rope Titanium Hinged Segment Ring, 3mm Kitt Smooth Disc, Cassis Diamond Cut Disc, and Ellipsis Dotted Bar Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings

Pop some personality into a monochromatic look with vibrant gemstones or bright enamel, or try mixing in studs with unique texture to add miles of depth to simpler outfits.

Dressing up? Consider the Frame

Highest to lowest on ear: North Star Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings, Wisp Crystal Pavé, and Mya Smooth Titanium Hinged Segment Ring, Laurent Etched Diamond, and Cascade Crystal Chain Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings, and Edie Oval Locking Sleeper Huggie Earrings

For their smaller size, Flat Backs are surprisingly suited for more formal or flashy occasions. Let precious stones or intricate patterns shine with a sleek ponytail or an elegant up-do. Glossy locks tucked behind the ear or loose beachy waves create a beautiful backdrop for your favorite gems. No hair? No problem! Pay attention to our next tip.

Have Fun!

Studs from left to right on ear: Milan Paperclip Chain Drop Stud Earrings, 2mm Smooth Sphere (both), and Tiny Trio Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings. Hoops from left to right: Illusion Triple Row Hinged Segment Ring, Ojai Twisted, and 14mm Essential Locking Sleeper Huggie Hoop Earrings

Try really changing it up with mixed metals, asymmetrical styling and different sized hoops and huggies. Pair gold and silver together, add some texture, play with varying sizes. Just make sure to pull it all together with a unifying feature like smooth, shining metallic surfaces, glittering stones or similar shapes. In the above look, we stayed away from anything with stones or color to accentuate all the smooth gold lines of the jewelry.

Styling Flat Back Stud Earrings for Different Moods

Vampy Vibes

Mysterious, moody, and refined, we have the perfect flat backs for anyone who’s a little bit more in touch with the darker things in life. Tap into the macabre side of your style with our Deco Snake under the light of the Moon and North Star. This bewitched stack will keep your ears looking magical from dusk till dawn. (Also pictured above: Solitaire Marquise Crystal Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earring and Mya Smooth Hinged Segment Ring Hoop.)

Glitz and Glamour

You can never have too many dazzling crystals! This curation features some of our fan (and personal) favorites - Paradise Ornate Flat backs, Solitaire Round Flat backs, Marquise leaf flat backs, and more - in a fun textured arrangement. If you’re a fan of glimmering gemstones, it can be fun to mix unique shapes to create a dynamic flow that is just too easy to show off to the world. (Also pictured above: Curved Crystal Row Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earring, Celine Twisted Rope Titanium Hinged Segment Ring Hoop, and Solitaire Marquise Crystal Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earring.)

Downtown Nights

Calling all of our late-night birdies out there, this ear stack is perfect for an evening in the city. Combining sleek chunky styles with little hints of sparkle helps to create the effortless cool vibe that just goes so well with your go-to going out top. Here, we combined styles like our Romy Locking Hoops and Lou Beaded Curve Flat Backs that can easily keep up through drinks after work and midnight raves. (Also pictured above: Mya Smooth Titanium Hinged Segment Ring Hoop, Tiny Trio, and Ivy CZ Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings.)

Forest Nymph

Sometimes it’s so easy to dream of what it would be like to run off into the woods and live among all the flora and fauna. Things like that are easier said than done, so channel your inner fae with some of our nature-inspired flat backs. Our Gaia Butterfly, Acacia Leaf, & Euphoria Mushroom flat backs are just too cute paired together or even on their own. You really can’t go wrong with these botanical babes. (Also pictured above: Wisp Crystal Pavé Titanium Hinged Segment Ring Hoop, Solitaire Round Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earring.)

Stacked in Solid Gold

Our solid gold earrings suit refined tastes for timeless beauty and are a great investment. Here, the Gossamer, Tinsel, Frosted Crystal, and Glimmering Cross flat backs are paired with a few Miki hinged clicker rings to create a delicate yet chic look. Mix and match our Solid Gold sleeper earrings to your heart's delight so you can manifest prosperity and abundance in your life. (Also pictured above: Miki Smooth 14k Solid Gold Hinged Segment Ring Hoop.)

The No-Brainers: The Easiest Flat Back Stud Earrings

OK, we've shown you how to style flat back stud earrings. Maybe you're inspired, but still a little intimidated! We get it. If you're not sure what pieces to start with, allow us to share a few of our time-tested favorites:

1. Solitaire Round Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
   Our Solitaire Flat Back earrings are by far one of our most popular styles, for obvious reasons. They're a new take on a wardrobe staple that is so easy to wear for every occasion. If you’re ever in need of a little (or maybe big—we have them in 4 sizes!) sparkle, these babies have got you covered. Wear them on their own for a minimal look, or add them to your fave stack for some extra dimension.
   
   
   
2. Turquoise Round Bezel Set Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
   Turquoise symbolizes communication, wisdom, and luck. It has been worn by Pharaohs and Aztec Emperors and is a sacred stone for many Native American communities. It is perfect for the person who wants to be in touch with their ancestry, a little pop of color, or anyone who just can’t get enough of this absolutely gorgeous gem.
   
   
   
3. Radiant Opal Set Flower Flat Back Sleeper Earrings - 14k Solid Gold
   This durable lab-grown Opal is encased in a delicate yet edgy 14k Solid Gold flower, and is sure to add some “wow-factor” to your very own ear curations. Our Radiant Opal Flower Flat Back turns heads no matter how you wear it. Complement your unique eyes by wearing it as a nose stud, or show off your quirky personality by pairing it with your fave earrings.
   
   
   
4. Aurora Round Opal Bezel Set Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
   Here at Grayling, we consider “opal” a neutral, goes-with-everything stone. With their pale fiery opalescence, these gems are super easy to wear, no matter your vibe. Pair them with jeans and a tee or mix them with a colorful head-to-toe outfit for vibrant, maximalist style. You truly can’t go wrong with these!
   
   
   
5. Paradise Ornate Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
   Feel like a royal with our Paradise Ornate Flat Back earrings. The glimmer, shimmer, & intricate detail will elevate any outfit to help make you feel like the ethereal being you truly are. Whether you’re working from home (and just need to spoil yourself) or are going out for a night on the town, you’ll be sure to shine with these studs!
   
   
   
6. North Star Titanium Flat Back Sleeper Earrings
   Follow your true north and shoot for the skies. Don’t let anybody hold you back from being your true self in our North Star Flat Backs. These stars can help remind you to stay on the right path and keep calm in any situation - or not! Maybe you’re not superstitious like we are, but a simple reminder never hurt anyone. This classic star design is sure to catch some eyes, and a little direction in life never hurts.
   
   

We hope you enjoyed reading this as much as we enjoyed sharing our favorite styles and stacks. If you want more help learning how to style flat back stud earrings, please reach out and we'll help!

p.s. Are you having trouble swapping out your Flat Backs at home? You need our Flat Back Stud Applicator. Seriously, everyone raves about how easy they make at-home jewelry changeouts!

Thanks for reading.