Make a statement

Hilary Duff

A pair of statement earrings is guaranteed to up the ante of any outfit, from evening gown to woollen jumper ... Photograph: Michael Germana/PA

Sophie Ellis Bextor

... provided their owner can concentrate while wearing them and deal with the inevitable lobe-stretching and potential shoulder-chafing risks Photograph: Suzan/PA

Beyonce

Over the last few months, supersized earrings have overtaken the trend for giant heels Photograph: Robert Pitts/PA

Alicia Keys

Since then, big earrings have barged their way on to the pages of the glossies and into the lobes of celebrities. Photograph: Lionel Hahn/PA

At the Louis Vuitton show last autumn, a pair of wood and resin earrings known as 'Madmax' and measuring an estimated 15cm long, swung down the catwalk Photograph: Dominique Charriau/WireImage

At the Golden Globes earlier this month, statement earrings stole the show - Drew Barrymore's giant pair fought for supremacy with her sizable blowdry Photograph: Frazer Harrison/Getty

Kate Winslet repeated her earrings-but-no-necklace Globes success with a 7cm pair of drop earrings at the Screen Actors Guild awards Photograph: Paul Buck/EPA

Serena Williams

The good news for those wanting to wear this look is that no single style of big earrings is winning out Photograph: Mick Tsikas/Reuters

Freida Pinto

Wooden, sparkly or metal; all qualify so long as their dimensions are generous Photograph: Chris Pizzello/AP

Kate Beckinsale

And since the provenance of earrings is much harder to scrutinise than that of a statement bag or shoe ... Photograph: Paul Smith/PA

Pam St Clement, aka Pat Butcher

... this is, at last, an 'It' accessory that can genuinely be bought for a tenner in Marks & Spencer Photograph: Ray Tang /Rex Features