Jewellery trends through the years: From hoop earrings to creoles and cross necklaces

While diamonds remain timeless, the world of jewellery is just as prone to fads as the fashion industry.

Britain’s top jewellery trends through the decades have been revealed – and you’ve almost certainly worn some of it.

A flick back through the Argos catalogue archives shows just how Britain’s tastes in adornments have changed over the past 45 years.

The high-street retailer’s catalogue is fast becoming a historical document, reflecting the accessory trends of the nation. 

Their pages have seen fashion progress from giant gold hoops in the eighties, to chokers in the nineties and body piercings in the noughties.

Interpreting celebrity trends with purse-friendly versions, the iconic pages show how stars such as Diana Ross influenced earrings in the eighties, while Buffy The Vampire Slayer’s Sarah Michelle Gellar introduced chokers to teens in the nineties.

1970s: HOOPS

A thumb back through the Argos catalogue archive reveals the 1970s saw hoop earrings rule the accessory world, with circles of all shapes and sizes flying off the shelves

The hoop trend was thanks to the queen of Motown, Diana Ross, who was rarely seen without the circle earrings in her lobes

The hoop trend was thanks to the queen of Motown, Diana Ross, who was rarely seen without the circle earrings in her lobes

Hooped earrings of all shapes and sizes flew off the pages during the 1970s thanks to the queen of Motown, Diana Ross, whose giant gold hoops often brushed the top of her shoulders.

The classic trend was reinterpreted throughout the decades, with creoles – a more designed version of the simple circle – and large hoop earrings all the rage in the Jennifer Lopez era. 

 1980s: STATEMENT EARRINGS

1980s trends saw statement earrings adorning every girls' ear, the bigger, the better

1980s trends saw statement earrings adorning every girls’ ear, the bigger, the better

The trend took inspiration from Joan Collins whose role as Alexis Carrington in Dynasty

The trend took inspiration from Joan Collins whose role as Alexis Carrington in Dynasty

In the 1980s, chunky, statement earrings were all the rage – the bigger, the better. 

Thick and heavy jewelled earrings and over-sized gold studs filled the pages of the Argos catalogue, taking inspiration from an opulently-dressed Joan Collins whose role as Alexis Carrington in Dynasty mesmerised the nation.

1990s: CROSSES AND CHOKERS

This page from 1999, just two years after Buffy The Vampire Slayer premiered, shows crosses and chokers were on trend

This page from 1999, just two years after Buffy The Vampire Slayer premiered, shows crosses and chokers were on trend

Girls everywhere were seen wearing one of two things - a choker or a cross necklace, inspired by Sarah Michelle Gellar

Girls everywhere were seen wearing one of two things – a choker or a cross necklace, inspired by Sarah Michelle Gellar

The 1990s saw the rise of the Spice Girls, Reebok Classics, and of course, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 

Girls everywhere were seen wearing one of two things- a choker or a cross necklace. This page of the catalogue is from 1999, two years after Buffy first premiered. 

2000s: BODY PIERCINGS

Body piercings became big business in the noughties, with a dedicated page being made for the fashion

Body piercings became big business in the noughties, with a dedicated page being made for the fashion

Christina Aguilera’s ‘Dirrty’ era transformation and Britney Spears’ Slave 4 U brought body piercing to the forefront of fashion

Christina Aguilera’s ‘Dirrty’ era transformation and Britney Spears’ Slave 4 U brought body piercing to the forefront of fashion

Christina Aguilera’s ‘Dirrty’ era transformation and Britney Spears’ Slave 4 U styling led to a huge increase in body piercings in the noughties. 

A dedicated page sprung up in the Argos catalogue to cater to demand. Aguilera had a whopping eleven piercings on her body during the noughties, two of which were on her nose and chin. 

2010s: CHARM BRACELETS

Charm bracelets took off in 2010, along with the lasting trend of personalisation as seen with Carrie Bradshaw's name necklaces in Sex And The City during the noughties

Charm bracelets took off in 2010, along with the lasting trend of personalisation as seen with Carrie Bradshaw’s name necklaces in Sex And The City during the noughties

Ashley Greene wore her own customised charm bracelet during the height of her Twilight fame

Ashley Greene wore her own customised charm bracelet during the height of her Twilight fame

Charm bracelets took off in 2010, along with the lasting trend of personalisation. Customers were able to create their own unique accessory using beads and charms, or buy them as personal, meaningful gifts. 

Much like how Sarah Jessica Parker made ‘name’ necklaces the must-have accessory during her days as Carrie Bradshaw in HBO’s Sex and the City, Ashley Greene wore her own customised charm bracelet during the height of her Twilight fame. 

2010s: DOG TAGS

The decade following 2010 also saw men's jewellery influenced by Justin Bieber’s signature dog tag look, with high street stores and designers creating their own versions

The decade following 2010 also saw men’s jewellery influenced by Justin Bieber’s signature dog tag look, with high street stores and designers creating their own versions

Justin Bieber’s  love for belcher chains (with heavier links) also proved popular among the masses, with men of all ages emulating the statement accessory to both casual and evening looks

Justin Bieber’s  love for belcher chains (with heavier links) also proved popular among the masses, with men of all ages emulating the statement accessory to both casual and evening looks

Jewellery trends aren’t just for women either, as this page with ID style tag necklaces and belcher chains (heavier links) shows. 

Justin Bieber’s signature dog tag and cardigan look took off in late 2010 with boys and men of all ages wanting to add the army-inspired accessory to both casual and evening looks.



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