Are you ready to learn how to layer like Kylie and Gigi?
Instagram stars are all about layering necklaces. And the best part about this super hot fashion trend is that you don’t need 15 million followers to achieve it. Anyone can have that messy, thrown-together necklace look.
Learning to layer your necklaces adds a ton of variety to your wardrobe without bleeding your wallet dry. Buy yourself a few necklaces that you love and layer them together to create different looks for different days.
Check out our top necklace layering tips for how to sport layered necklaces like your Insta famous! We will teach you how to layer necklaces like a pro.
Rules of the Road: Tips for Layering Necklaces
Let’s get this layering party started! There is a lot more to this than wearing two necklaces at once. You need to learn the ins and outs of layering delicate necklaces with more statement pieces. Here are some of our best tips to perfect your layered necklace look.
Mix Your Metals
One easy way to layer necklaces is to mix your metals. But wait! We’re not supposed to mix different metals together in one outfit, right??
Wrong! It’s time to throw out that old fashion taboo. The whole point of the layered necklace look is to make your outfit interesting and different. Playing the “matchy matchy” game gets boring after a while.
Try mixing a thin, dainty, rose gold bar necklace with a long, silver pendant. Add a gold and leather choker to complete the look. You’ll have an eclectic, modern bohemian fashion look using just three necklaces.
Play with Textures
Raise your hand if you’re a Carrie Bradshaw fan? (Um, yes!) Carrie’s fashion looks from 20 years ago are still relevant today. And she was the best at playing with different textures.
Carrie’s jewelry choices often included bright gold, diamond bobbles, and heavy strings of pearls. She also paired them with her signature personalized name necklace. And she was never afraid to mix and match. She could pair a spiked, leather choker with a diamond solitaire and pull it off like a rockstar!.
When you’re choosing jewelry for your collection, keep textures in mind. The key to layering necklaces well is to think outside the box. Collect pieces made from velvet, leather, ribbons, beads, pearls, and feathers. Or anything else that fits your style!
Combine pieces of different shapes and sizes too. Don’t shy away from a set of jumbo pearls mixed with some dainty gold chains. Or try a long, beaded, opera-length necklace with a velvet choker.
One rule of thumb for texture is to stay away from too many heavy items. Pair one heavy necklace with smaller, lighter chains. You’ll never get tired of the combinations you can come up with if you give yourself permission to experiment with different textures.
Don’t Be Colorblind
Never be afraid to add color to the mix. So many of us get caught up in the idea that our jewelry should stick to the basics: black, white, gold, silver, bronze. Your jewelry collection should include all the colors of the rainbow.
The easiest way to incorporate color is to ramp up your gemstone game. Pink diamonds, opals, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies are all beautiful additions to your jewelry box. And have no worries, there are plenty of wallet-friendly options available online that look just like the real deal.
But you can also get color into your necklaces by choosing pieces made from beads, turquoise, or fabric. Pair a simple gold chain with a turquoise drop pendant for a brilliant pop of green. Add a beaded choker to complete the look.
Neck to Waist and Everything In Between
Mix and match your chain styles and chain lengths for the perfect layered look. If you’re looking for a guideline, follow the rule of three. Choose three different necklace lengths and layer them together.
Here’s a good example. Start with a short chain, like a choker that surrounds the neck, or a princess-length chain that hangs just below the collarbone. Then add a longer necklace that hangs to the middle of your breastbone. Finally, add one that falls on or below your bust.
Always keep your outfit in mind when you’re choosing chain lengths. V-neck shirts look great with long, pendant style necklaces. Button-up shirts can be worn buttoned high, with several shorter necklaces layered together. Or buttoned low with a longer chain.
Wear almost any necklace length you want with a strapless shirt. Chokers and shorter necklaces pair well with scoop-neck and boat-neck shirts.
Be Daring and Dainty
Wearing multiple slender, dainty metal chains is the current hot trend.
They’re easy to wear. They complement almost every outfit. And they give you an easy, casual look. But don’t be afraid to divert from this trend from time to time to add some daring to your wardrobe.
Combine several tiny chains together if you’re just throwing on jeans and a t-shirt to head out to the grocery store. Or if your outfit has a lot going on, like big prints, a large collar, or a heavy sweater, it’s best to go light on the necklaces.
But if you’re wearing something simple, like a little black dress, add a daring accessory to it for a pop of pizazz. In fact, the little black dress is the perfect opportunity to break out your red ribbon choker and pair it with two, smaller gold chains.
Rules? What Rules?
Okay, so we’ve been talking about rules here. But the reality is, you make your own rules for necklace layering!
It’s important that you feel comfortable with the necklaces you’ve chosen. If you don’t feel like mixing up colors, textures, or necklace lengths, don’t do it! If you want to wear a big statement necklace with a bold printed dress, go for it, girl!
Remember, your jewelry should always compliment your outfit. Try something that you wouldn’t normally wear with a certain outfit and see how it looks.
While you can take chances and be bold in your accessorizing picks for outfits there are some things you always want to avoid. Namely, tangled necklaces. Let’s go over some tips on how to keep necklaces from tangling while you layer them.
How to Keep Necklaces From Tangling While Wearing Them
Mix long and short necklaces.
One of the easiest ways to prevent necklaces from getting all tangled up is to mix ones of different lengths—that means it’s best to pair long necklaces with short ones.
Wear necklaces of different weights.
Try a thin chain with a dainty dangle on top and a heavier longer piece over the top.
Mix materials.
It’s easiest to keep the pieces separated if they are made of different materials. Metal necklaces won’t get tangled with hemp for instance. Also, mixing materials gives you an even cooler look.
Buy a necklace spacer.
If you are super concerned you could always purchase a necklace spacer to keep your necklaces in their own spot. This is good if you like a more uniform look.
Master the Art of Messy Layered Necklaces
If you can master the art of layering necklaces well, you can have a timeless fashion look any time you want. Whether you’re channeling Carrie Bradshaw or Kylie Jenner, you’ll turn some heads with the right combination of necklaces.
Try different things and look outside your normal fashion box. Don’t be afraid of bold colors and different textures. And play with your chain lengths.
Do what you feel in the moment and you never know what might look great!
