"I'd love to wear earrings, but clip-ons hurt." It's the thing we hear most often from customers without pierced ears, and it's usually fixable. With the right style and a few simple tricks, most people can wear clip-on earrings comfortably from morning to evening.
We stock one of the largest ranges of clip-on earrings in the UK, so here's everything we've learned about making them comfortable.
Why clip-on earrings can hurt
Discomfort almost always comes down to one of three things:
- Pressure in the wrong place: the clip sits too high or too close to the edge of the lobe, where there's less soft tissue.
- Too much weight: a heavy earring needs a stronger grip to stay in place, which means more pressure.
- Wearing them too long without a break: even a comfortable clip can start to ache after many hours of constant pressure.
1. Position the clip on the fleshy part of the lobe
This makes the biggest difference. Place the front of the earring in the centre of the soft, fleshy part of your lobe, where a piercing would normally go. Avoid clipping too close to the edge or too high up towards the firmer cartilage.
Open the clip fully, position the earring at the front, then close it gently at the back. Don't squeeze it shut. A quick look in the mirror helps you get it straight.
2. Start with lighter styles
If you're new to clip-ons, or have found them painful before, start with lightweight designs and build up to larger statement pieces. Smaller button and half-hoop styles spread their weight close to the lobe, so they need less pressure to stay put.
Good first clip-ons:
- Bibi 12mm Pearl Clip-On Earrings (£19): a classic, lightweight pearl button.
- Suzy Polished Clip-On Earrings (£25): smooth half hoops with a quality clip, in silver or gold.
- Caspain Clip-On Earrings (£25): understated brushed ovals, in gold or silver.
- Quant Clip-On Earrings (£35): a polished knot with a clip designed to spread pressure evenly.
3. Use comfort pads
Small, soft silicone or foam pads that stick to the back of the clip are one of the easiest fixes. They cushion the lobe, spread the pressure and help stop the earring slipping, so it can sit more gently. All our clips come with comfort pads and extra pads are also available to purchase
4. Give your ears a break
For a long day, such as a wedding or a full day at work, take your earrings off for a few minutes every couple of hours. A short break lets the blood flow return to the lobe and makes the rest of the day far more comfortable. Pop them in a pocket or your handbag pouch so they don't get lost.
5. Choose the right size for your lobe
If you have small or thin lobes, a large earring can overhang and tip forward, which pulls on the clip. Choose a size that sits neatly on your lobe. If you have fuller lobes, you'll usually find larger statement pieces more comfortable.
6. Put them on last and take them off first
Put your earrings on after you've done your hair and make-up, and take them off before you lie down, use the phone a lot or put on a hat or headphones. Anything that presses on the earring presses the clip harder into the lobe.
7. Don't force or bend the clip
It can be tempting to bend a clip looser with pliers, but this can damage the hinge and the finish, and it may make the earring fall off. If a pair feels too tight, try comfort pads first, or get in touch and we'll happily advise.
Quick checklist
| Problem | Try this |
|---|---|
| Pinching straight away | Move the clip lower, onto the fleshy part of the lobe |
| Aching after a few hours | Add comfort pads and take short breaks |
| Earring tips forward | Choose a smaller or lighter style |
| Earring slips off | Add comfort pads for extra grip |
Find your perfect clip-ons
Browse our full ranges of gold clip-on earrings and silver clip-on earrings. Every pair comes in a Cachet London gift pouch with free UK delivery and returns. Want to know more? Read our complete guide to clip-on earrings and our comparison of clip-on, magnetic and screw-back earrings.