STUDDED EARINGS

It is not a known fact, but men began to wear earrings before women. Iceman Otzi, the oldest European mummy found so far, was discovered wearing a earring. Depictions of men wearing earrings indicated that the person wearing them was different or exotic. During the Renaissance, earrings were worn by men to indicate status and wealth. Ironically, several years later, they would be worn by slaves to show that they were owned by a master. In the 20th century, thanks to the hippy movement, punk rock and the fact that many male public figures wore earrings, the act of wearing an earring went from a symbol of rebellion to a more mundane fashion statement.