Like most kids growing up in the early 2000s, Claire's Store was my favorite destination when shopping with my mom. A sea of pinks and purples and countless racks of adorable earrings, I was mesmerized. Claire's earrings tick all my style needs as a kid, cheap animal studs and feather pendants. Since the store often has "buy two, get one free" deals, its already cheap inventory has been a gold mine for me and my $20 monthly allowance.
At the time, the store stocked a variety of popular styles, from butterflies and dream catchers to tiny plastic roses. It also has a variety of clip-on earrings, perfect for customers like me who didn’t have their ears pierced until they were older.
Fortunately, things haven't changed much for Claire. The brand still sells very on-trend jewelry, like V-shaped earrings, while retaining its early-2000s style favorites (I'm looking at you, rubber Rave Ball clip closures).
Revisiting an old trend triggers so much nostalgia: a feeling most millennials will likely never let go of. Plus, the sense of pride one feels when introducing a younger generation to an old and beloved trend (as my sister and I did) can be very satisfying. So let's go back to the early 2000s and take a look at some of Claire's contemporary earrings that you'll be obsessed with when you were younger.
1. Butterfly Charm
Pink and Green Butterfly Stud Earring Set, $7, Claires
Perhaps inspired by 2000s butterfly queen Mariah Carey, everyone I know owns an abundance of butterfly earrings, necklaces, and hair clips. They are generally considered the only necessary option.
2. Basketball for every occasion
Thin gold hoop earrings, $8, Claires
By the early '00s, another must-have for '90s babies were hoop earrings. They create a classic and versatile look that will never die out.
3. Days of the week for swag
Days Of The Week Heart Stud Earrings, $9, Claires
In the early 2000s, a large number of jewelry and clothing sets were sold that were labeled Workday. I have a lot of lingerie sets that are aesthetically specific for every day of the week, and these earrings would be the perfect addition to my collection. Never mind the oddity of assigning specific projects to specific dates.
4. Dolphin Love
Sterling silver crystal dolphin stud earrings, $12, Claires
What young millennial woman doesn’t love dolphins? They are the epitome of cute aquatic jewelry, haha.
5. Flower Power
Vintage daisy stud earrings, $6, Claires
Plastic flower earrings, especially those with daisies and a '70s vibe, definitely caught my eye a lot during the turn of the millennium.
6. We all crave ice cream
Ice cream cone with crystal drop earrings, $6, Claires
When I was younger, anything even remotely sugary was bound to land on my ears. Plus, who doesn’t love gems?
7. Satisfaction
Pastel engraved rose stud earring set of 6, $12, Claires
Everyone I know has piles of these cute little rosebud pieces, and they usually come in multi-packs like this. It's understandable, since they're all so cute, it's hard to choose just one color.
8. Every young punk’s best friend
Multicolor Rubber Carnival Ball Clip-On Earring Set, $10, Claires
I stocked up on a ton of these back in the early 2000s because I thought these little spiky balls were the punkest things ever. I'd like to take this opportunity to once again praise Claire's clip-on earring section, which is a lifesaver for those of us who didn't get our ears pierced until later in life.
Want more fashion and beauty? Check out the playlist below, and be sure to subscribe to Bustle's YouTube page for more tips!
9. Dreamcatcher vibe
Silver and Turquoise Badge Feather Tassel Drop Earrings, $12.99, Claires
In the 00s, dreamcatchers seemed to be everywhere . Girls adopt this design in their jewelry and clothes. My mom even got a dreamcatcher tattoo around this time, which really cemented the importance of this trend.
10. Feather suit
Colorful polka dot feather drop earrings set of 6, $2, Claires
Every cool girl in the early 2000s wore these colorful speckled feather earrings. They're the perfect balance of bold color and a natural vibe (as natural as polka dot feathers are, anyway).
11. Summer Gummies
Gummy Bear clip-on earring set, $10, Claires
Gummies were another thing that seemed to be everywhere at the time. Anyone who wants to take advantage of these delicacies in the form of jewelry and furniture is very wise.
12. Exquisite Danglies
Pink washed gold filigree floral drop earrings, $10, Claires
Dancing diamond-shaped earrings were very common in our youth. Add some filigree and pastels and you've got the perfect accessory to add a touch of femininity to every look.
13. Teardrop Earrings
Gold-framed blue teardrop drop earrings, $7, Claires
For whatever reason, I had a bunch of these when I was a kid. I probably think they're the most adult-looking things in the world.
14. Festive style
Gingerbread Girl Drop Earrings, $6, Claire
Claire specializes in fun (and often sparkly) earrings for every holiday you can imagine. These adorable gingerbread cookies remind me of all the hours I spend in the store looking for the perfect gingerbread to commemorate the holidays every year.
15. Cute little animals
Sparkly Animal Drop Earrings Set of 6, $14, Claires
Tiny animal earrings are everything to me and Claire has so many cute options to choose from. Winter themed ones and sparkly critters are even better.
16. Fast food life
Sterling silver fast food stud earrings, $19, Claires
These little guys remind me of the days when my family and I would often eat at fast food restaurants. Now that I'm a vegetarian, these earrings definitely make me miss the fun of a Big Mac.
17. Hot dogs
Hot Dog Puppy Drop Earrings, $6, Claire
While we're talking fast food, look at these little guys. My younger, fast-food-eating, dog-obsessed self would probably die from these earrings.
Wouldn’t this trip down memory lane really tempt you to invest in some nostalgic jewelry? Fortunately, Claire's prices are very affordable.
Image: Courtesy of Claire
