Statement earring getting bigger and bigger

CHICAGO - Earrings are the accessory of the moment, with amped-up drama that works on the red carpet or the beach.

Let's be frank: It's not about being subtle. The most extreme styles are "shoulder dusters" reaching from the lobe to, yes, the shoulder and beyond, along with nearly head-sized hoops and surprisingly striking ornamental pieces.

"It's time to supersize yourself," says Simone Smith, whose eponymous jewelry collection offers dozens of hoop styles in large and extra-large sizes.