How to Layer Necklaces: Your Complete Style Guide

It started with a simple gold chain – my mom’s vintage piece that had been sitting in my jewellery box for years. As I stood in front of the mirror one morning, another delicate necklace caught my eye, and before I knew it, I was experimenting with combining them. That’s when my journey into the art of necklace layering began, and I’m here to share everything I’ve learned along the way.

I’ll never forget the day I walked into my favourite local jewellery store, feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities. That’s when Sarah, the owner who’s been in the business for 30 years, shared her first golden rule: “It’s all about the space between.” She pulled out a measuring tape and showed me the key lengths that would change my layering game forever:

She said: Choker (14-16 inches): “This is your foundation”, Princess (18 inches): “Your sweet spot for pendants”, Matinee (20-24 inches): “Where the magic happens”, Opera (28-36 inches): “For drama and dimension”, Rope (36+ inches): “The ultimate layering piece”

I used to be that person who insisted everything had to match. Silver with silver, gold with gold – you know the type. Then came the day I accidentally wore my white gold engagement necklace with my favourite yellow gold chain. Instead of the fashion disaster I expected, I received compliments all day. This happy accident taught me the modern rules of metal mixing:

• Choose a dominant metal (about 60% of your stack)
• Add a secondary metal (30%)
• Sprinkle in accent pieces (10%)

Lisa, one of my closest friends, always struggled with jewellery at work. “I want to look professional but not boring,” she complained one day over coffee. Together, we created her perfect office stack:

1. A thin silver chain at choker length
2. A small pendant necklace at princess length
3. A delicate longer chain that added sophistication without overwhelming

The Wedding Guest Triumph

When my sister got married, I wanted to make a statement without overshadowing her. The solution? A carefully curated evening stack: A crystal-embellished choker, two complementary gold chains at different lenghts, and a single dramatic pendant that caught the light just right.

Trust me, I’ve made every layering mistake possible. There was the time I wore five necklaces of the same length (hello, tangled mess), and the unfortunate incident with the too-heavy pendant that kept flipping over. Here’s what I learned: Space your necklaces at least two inches apart, consider the weight of each piece, pay attention to your neckline, and keep movement in mind.

During a styling workshop with Maria, a fashion editor I now consider a friend, she shared a tip that changed everything: “Think of your necklace stack like a city skyline – you need different heights to create interest.” She taught me to stagger pendants at different heights, mix solid chains with decorated ones, and consider visual weight of each piece.

The Tangling Dilemma

After countless mornings spent detangling necklaces, I developed a foolproof system:

1. Put on necklaces from longest to shortest
2. Use small clear silicon spacers between layers
3. Remove them in reverse order

My jewellery box used to be a nightmare until I learned these organisation tricks:

• Individual soft pouches for each piece
• Hanging organisers for longer chains
• Separate compartments for different metals

My daily go-to combination evolved from years of experimentation:

• A dainty gold choker (my grandmother’s piece)
• A medium-length chain with a small pearl
• A longer necklace with a meaningful charm
• For special occasions, I’ve perfected this combination:
• A textured collar-length piece
• Two complementary chains at different lengths
• A statement pendant on the longest layer

The Final Piece of Advice

After years of collecting, experimenting, and occasionally failing spectacularly, I’ve learned that the most important rule is that there are no rules. Your personal style should guide your choices, and confidence is the best accessory you can wear.

Remember what Sarah from the jewellery store told me on that first day: “Jewellery tells your story. Make sure it’s telling the one you want to share.”

Ready to start your own layering journey? Our curated collection includes pieces specifically selected to work together beautifully. From vintage-inspired chains to modern pendants, you’ll find everything you need to create your perfect stack.