To browse the Claire’s website is to enter a time machine and get out in a world of Backstreet Boys bangers (or were you more of an NSYNC girl?), freshly pierced ears, snap bracelets, puberty, and malls that were actually filled with people. But today, suffering under a pile of over $2 billion of debt, Claire’s filed for bankruptcy. A ’90s fashion revival and Lil Uzi Vert mall-goth Grammys outfit alone were unable to save it.
As of now, Claire’s will still keep all of its stores open, and it thinks it can pull through, given that you can’t get your ears pierced on Amazon, but in these times there’s really no saying how long it’ll last. If recent trends teach us anything, it probably won’t be that long. Just last week, less than a year after filing for bankruptcy itself, Toys ‘R’ Us announced it’ll be closing all of its stores. So while it’s hard to find Claire’s stuff that we actually like now that we’re older than 12, we took a little trip in the time machine and surfaced 13 crazy-cheap things we actually might still buy and wear now. Naturally, it’s heavy on the earrings.
Or a set of three smaller hoops in gold and rose gold.
These flamingos are like the acceptable adult version of some of the more embarrassing cartoon-earring mistakes you made as a tween.
And sterling-silver Saturns, if you believe aliens are real.
Remember those colorful spiky studs that everyone used to wear? These are way better.
A classic little gold infinity ring that you don’t have to worry about wearing every day.
If you’re looking for dainty, these rose-gold chevron earrings are for you.
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