Layering guide: how to layer necklaces

What’s better than one gorgeous necklace? A stack of them, of course! But is it possible to get the layered look while keeping your ensemble chic and uncluttered? It’s possible, and the secret is in how you layer your necklaces.

So what is layering and how do you add layered necklaces to your outfit? Here are all the tips and tricks so that your necklace stack looks sophisticated.

How do you wear layered necklaces?

Wearing layered necklaces all comes down to the length and thickness of the chains you choose. Regardless of what kinds of necklaces you have, make sure you have a variety of lengths. We recommend starting with the shortest chain you plan to wear, then building your stack by length.

How many necklaces should you layer? Is there a minimum, or a maximum? Not really. The key is variation. If you’re wearing one very thick or chunky necklace, adding a thin, long chain underneath can make the look more fun and textured, while still letting the larger necklace be the star of the show (your neck!).

Products displayed Snake Chain Necklace, Curb Chain Necklace, Thin Curb Chain Necklace

Layering multiple delicate necklaces gives you a bit more room to play. As long as you maintain the variation in the lengths of the necklaces, you can add as many as you like. Try having one with a charm or station elements, then adding others that are unadorned.

If you do layer a few chains, feel free to mix metal colors! There’s something carefree and cool about the look of a few necklaces in different colors. Adding pendants with colored gemstones, beaded necklaces, pearls, or other materials offers a dynamic look that can elevate a casual or monochrome outfit.

Remember: wearing jewelry isn’t about rules, it’s about what makes you feel like your best self. The old adage of “take off one item before leaving the house,” is no longer true: wear what you want, and do it with confidence.

Model wearing Octagon Textured Hoop, Octagon Textured Large Hoop, Snake Chain Necklace, Thin Curb Chain Necklace, Curb Chain Necklace

When to layer necklaces

You might wonder on what types of occasions you should layer necklaces. The answer is: any time you’d wear one necklace is a perfect time to wear many necklaces!

The thing to keep in mind is that stacking necklaces makes your look a bit more bold and, in the case of formal-wear, more casual. Therefore, if you’re going to a very formal event, that might be the time to pare-down your jewelry choices.

Tangled Necklaces

You may be concerned that your necklaces will tangle or twist around each other when you stack them. It’s annoying to constantly detangle! So how can you make sure your necklaces don’t tangle when you layer them?

The easiest way to do this is actually to hook your necklaces together into a single, long piece, then loop them around your neck. This only works, of course, if the necklaces all have the same kind of clasp (e.g. a lobster clasp).

If you don’t want to do this, or your necklaces have differing clasps, don’t worry! Closed necklaces may twist a bit, but they can’t get truly tangled; simply take off each necklace separately, then close it before taking off the next piece. This will prevent pieces from getting intertwined in the removal process.

Expert tip: necklaces of different lengths and weights are less likely to get twisted together on the neck.

How to double loop a necklace

Long chains can be worn two ways: long, or doubled-up. To double-up a long necklace, open the clasp and wrap it twice around the neck, spacing the length of the two loops as desired; you can wear them at equal length for a textured look, or at different lengths for something more layered.

It can be tempting, but don’t loop your necklace without opening it first! Even strong chains can be damaged if you attempt to stretch them over your head.