How To Style A Gold Necklace This Season, According To 6 Industry Insiders
Want to curate the perfect necklace stack, but not sure where to start? Turn to these stylish tastemakers, who effortlessly express their personal style via chic gold charms, chains and colorful gemstones…
Blend gold with colored gems and beads – Valeria Johnson
“I have no real rules as far as a #neckmess composition goes, but my first layer is usually one or two medium-weight, fancy-link gold chains, such as a paperclip, herringbone or snake style, in varying lengths. For a pop of color and texture, I add beads or colored-gemstone necklaces, followed by a focal piece – this could be a large medallion, statement pendant or multiple charms. My favorite gold necklace is a triangle flat-link vintage piece (pictured top), which I wear everywhere from formal events to the gym – the versatility of it and cost per wear is undeniable. It’s the perfect base layer.” @lelaleagems
Choose adjustable chains – Jessica Cushman
“My favorite necklace is an antique, blackened-gold watch chain that I can adjust the length of by adding small sections of gold chain with antique fittings – it’s always the first piece I put on. The difference between a good #neckmess and just a mess is getting the lengths of your chains right. I’m currently on the hunt for a chunky 18-karat-gold chain that can be worn long, doubled or tripled on the neck, or wrapped round the wrist as a bracelet, latched closed with one of my custom padlocks.” @jessicakagancushman
Stick to one classic piece – Tanya Dukes
“At long last, it’s my time to embrace the tennis necklace. It’s difficult to argue with a chic, simple string of diamonds encircling my neck, so why have I held out for so long? They look especially casual in yellow gold, and I have my eye on one from Sorellina. If I do layer up, I try to incorporate necklaces of different scales: a fine chain, a chunkier one, and maybe a strand of beads – it makes for a more interesting composition and helps to minimize tangling, which is never a good look.” @tanyadukes
Experiment with long lengths – Maria Dueñas Jacobs
“For me, layering necklaces is all about lengths. My three favorite lengths that go well together (in groupings of two or three) are a 12-inch collar, a 16-inch necklace, and a longer 18-20-inch chain with pendants. Foundrae crafts some of my favorite gold chains, which provide a great base to add my collection of charms to; I love charms that are removable and can be added to different parts of a chain. My 2024 splurge dream gift is an oversized Foundrae design – I have been coveting it for years and want to add a bajillion mismatched charms to it.” @mduenasjacobs
Mix metal tones – Geraldine Hu
“I love adding visual textures and layers by varying the gold tones, necklace styles, thickness and length. Recently, I have been wearing my favorite chunky 18-inch chain with a lavender-pearl choker necklace – pearls are an easy, neutral option that go with everything. David Yurman’s ‘Lexington’ 18-karat-gold necklace is on my wish list, too, because it checks all the boxes for a classic yet contemporary chain, and even has a clasp for adding pendants. I’d also love a Cece Jewellery ‘Horseclip’ necklace, which has a unique horseshoe-motif clasp matched with a belcher-style chain that is both understated and ornate.” @girl.with.a.diamond.earring
Embrace jumbo jewels – Lea De Veyra
“I wear a solid vintage cable-link chain every day – it’s my favorite gold necklace. I like to pair it with an oversized, heavy shackle and a large, buttery golden key connector. Starting with a classic link as a base layer is a great way to anchor the rest of my chains and charms, so I can wear them from day to night. For 2024, I have my heart set on an antique 64-inch-long guard chain that can be doubled or even tripled, making it ultra-versatile and fun to style with a big jumble of jumbo pendants.” @gldnsheep