Do you remember, as a child, how you wore everything you could lay your hands on from your mom’s jewellery box? While the bangles and earrings may have been impossible to wear, the necklaces made their way around your neck because they could be slipped on easily. You probably didn’t realize, but that was your first attempt wearing layered necklaces!
Then came magazines with styles and jewellery designs. For a while, they proved enough to get some ideas on developing your style. But Instagram, with its celebrity influencers, opened your eyes to infinite possibilities. While you don’t set out on your jewellery shopping spree thinking you will buy a few necklaces to layer around your neck, you may go through your collection to see which ones will be ideal for layering. Which will show off your collarbone, neck, and neckline, and what can you make into your unique style statement?
Moreover, a layered necklace indeed means more than one. But you can go overboard and wear too many or ones that don’t complement each other or add to your look. Let’s help you with a few suggestions.
Why should there be different lengths?
The different lengths will bring attention to each strand and add more interest to your outfit. With a single-strand necklace, the focus is on the pendant, whereas the layered necklace has more than the pendant going for it. Dress up a simple outfit or add some pizzazz to a more formal outfit with a layered necklace.
Two or more layers?
You can start with two layers or a choker with a thin pendant necklace as the second layer. If you like to wear more than a two-layered necklace, you can opt for a third delicate chain without a pendant that comes below the chest. But the Edgy Multi-Layer Diamond Necklace is dramatic enough to set the style you want. The diamonds add quite a bit of glam to the necklace.
One tone or two?
Typically, gold-layered necklaces are in a single tone, either yellow, white, or rose. But did you know you could also have a two-toned layered necklace? Yellow and rose gold as a two-layered necklace will be chic and go well with any outfit. So will any other combinations, including yellow and white gold, white and rose gold, and whatever makes you happy.
Can you add some colour?
Do you have to stay away from colour just because you love layered necklaces? A few tastefully placed gemstones will only add some charm to the layers. Or, you could have one plain chain and add a brilliant gemstone as a pendant to the second layer. A layered necklace like the Octa Tassel Multi-Layer Gemstone Necklace hits all the notes.
Should you wear stacked necklaces?
Stacking necklaces is another way of layering your necklaces. There is no should or shouldn’t in this decision. You can stack three necklaces close to each other and from the collar to the chest. If you wear them for a business meeting, you will be better off with subtlety and style. An exception would be the Pear and Arrow Multi-Layer Gemstone Necklace with a touch of class to go with formal business wear. As long as the gemstones are not mixed with too many other colours, they can still be subtle. The chains themselves are thin and lightweight. But if you are ready to party, you may mix it up by adding a large pendant to the middle layer, drawing the eye to the other two layers as they highlight the pendant.
Tips for wearing a layered necklace(s)
Some general tips for wearing layered necklaces are to make sure the necklaces are of different lengths and to choose necklaces with different textures or colours to add variety. It is also vital to avoid necklaces that are too similar in style, as this can create a cluttered look. One idea is to start with the longest necklace and then layer shorter necklaces above. But the opposite direction will also work, depending on what you want to wear first. Try layering necklaces of different sizes, shapes, and colours to create a unique look that is all your own. Longer chains will create a more elegant look, while shorter chains will be more casual. That’s what layering necklaces is about – using your jewellery collection to define your style statement.
There is no right or wrong number to wearing layered necklaces. Only two factors will make a difference – how much time you have to accessorize and what the occasion is. Obviously, office-wear layered necklaces must be subtle, while partywear can go for the flash. Other than that, mismatched may also work.
CaratLane has the Aisha Layered Gemstone Necklace for a slightly different type of layering. What makes it unique is that there is a small length of the main necklace that is layered to hang from the main. It may not be your typical layered necklace with chains hanging from the clasp. It goes to show that creativity has no limits.
Nothing stops you from adding a personal take on layering necklaces. It will depend on how you see yourself and want to present yourself – confident and stylish. Whatever the goal, take a look at CaratLane’s choices and give them your unique twist.
