Quick answer
- During the Ziggy Stardust era (1972–1973), Bowie was often photographed wearing a single earring.
- The look leaned glam: sparkle, drama and a deliberately mismatched ear.
- To get it, try one rhinestone or crystal drop with the other ear bare.
- Pair it with bold color — the earring works best as part of the whole theatrical look.
David Bowie earrings are a lesson in how one small piece of jewelry can change an entire look. In the early 1970s, when Bowie became Ziggy Stardust, he was often photographed wearing a single earring — sometimes a sparkling drop — alongside the red hair, lightning-bolt makeup and jumpsuits. It wasn't the loudest part of the look, but it was part of what made it feel deliberately different.
Bowie changed his image so often that there isn't one "Bowie earring." But the Ziggy-era single earring is the one people most want to copy. Here's how.
The Ziggy Stardust single earring
Ziggy Stardust lived roughly from 1972 to 1973, ending on stage in London in July 1973. In photos from that time, Bowie is often seen with one earring rather than a pair. Sources describe and picture different pieces — sparkly drops, small hoops, crystal-look studs — so it's better to think of it as a style than as one specific earring.
What ties them together is the attitude: asymmetry, shine and a sense that the jewelry is part of a character, not just an accessory.
Why David Bowie earrings mattered in glam rock
Glam rock played with gender norms through makeup, platform boots, glitter and jewelry. For a male rock star in the early 1970s, wearing an earring on stage and in photo shoots was still a statement. Bowie's single earring sat alongside the rest of the costume to say: this is theater, and the rules are different here.
That idea — jewelry as self-expression rather than a "his or hers" category — is a direct ancestor of today's genderless jewelry, from the Harry Styles earring moment to the curated, mismatched ears you see everywhere now.
How to get the glam look
Recreating Bowie's earring style is about choosing one bold piece and committing to it.
| Piece | Why it fits | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Rhinestone or crystal drop | Catches stage light | 20–40 mm length reads well from a distance |
| Small sparkling stud | Subtle everyday nod | 4–6 mm crystal or CZ |
| Thin hoop | Clean, rock-and-roll | 12–15 mm, silver or gold |
| Lightning-bolt charm | Direct Aladdin Sane reference | Best for costume or tribute looks |
Wear it in one ear only. The other ear can stay bare or carry a tiny stud to keep the focus where you want it.
Vintage and secondhand shops are great hunting grounds for this look, since 1970s and 1980s costume jewelry often has exactly the right mix of sparkle and drama.
Tip: for costumes, clip-ons let you try a dramatic drop without a piercing. They're also handy if your lobes aren't up to a heavier earring.
Beyond Ziggy: Bowie's changing image
Bowie reinvented his look many times — from Ziggy and Aladdin Sane to the sharp tailoring of the Thin White Duke years and beyond. Jewelry came and went with each persona, which is why it's hard to point to one definitive piece. That constant change is itself the lesson: your earrings can shift with your mood and your era.
If you want a Bowie-inspired look that isn't a costume, take the principle rather than the exact piece. One unexpected earring, worn with confidence, does more than a whole matching set.
Styling ideas
- Full tribute: crystal drop, metallic or patterned top, bold eye makeup.
- Everyday glam: a single sparkly stud with a plain T-shirt and a sharp jacket.
- Mismatched ear: one longer drop on one side, a small hoop on the other, in the spirit of the curated-ear trend.
For more ideas from the decades that followed, see our guide to 80s earrings — Bowie's influence runs right through the New Romantic style.
Single earring etiquette
There's an old idea that the side you wear a single earring on "means" something. In practice, those codes have changed so often — and varied so much from place to place — that nobody reliably reads them today. Wear your single earring on whichever side you like best, or the side your hair is usually swept away from, so it actually shows.
The bigger question is balance. With one dramatic drop, keep the rest of your accessories quieter so the earring stays the star — exactly the way it worked in those early-1970s photos.
Picking jewelry that's comfortable
Costume drops can be heavy, and that weight can stretch a lobe over time. Look for lightweight acrylic or hollow metal pieces for long wear, and take them off before sleeping. If your skin reacts to costume jewelry, swap the hook or post for titanium, sterling silver or solid gold.
Unsure about earring sizes in millimeters? Our earring size tool shows them at actual scale so you can judge before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Did David Bowie wear an earring?
Yes. He was often photographed wearing a single earring, especially during the Ziggy Stardust era in the early 1970s.
What kind of earrings did David Bowie wear?
Photos show a range of pieces, from sparkling drops to small hoops. The common thread is a single, glam-leaning earring rather than a matched pair.
How do I get a Bowie-style earring look?
Wear one sparkly drop or crystal stud in one ear and keep the other ear simple. Pair it with bold color for a glam feel.
When was the Ziggy Stardust era?
Roughly 1972 to 1973. Bowie retired the character on stage in London in July 1973.
