How to Layer your Luxury Necklaces Like a Cool Girl

You’ve seen this look for years, and yet you’ve never had the conjones to try it: the multi-strand, elegant disarray of several delicate necklaces worn all at once, and all layered just so. The Cool Girl Factor for this look is off the charts, in no small part because it looks effortless and nonchalant. And yet it appears to be really hard to execute. Like, what goes with what? How many is too many? Fear not, dear reader. Our ace correspondent Julie Chang Murphy is sharing the secrets of how to fashionably layer your luxury necklaces and wear multiple ones this season, with all the top fashion trends and combinations in layering. Cool.

how to look chic when layering multiple luxury necklaces 

Waist-up dressing for Zoom work calls and happy hours is still a novelty and revelation for us. It’s like decorating a Christmas tree- hanging the best ornaments at eye-level and covering up the bottom stump with a blanket.

There’s some mischievous pleasure to wondering if the other side is, like you, still wearing their washed-too-many-times pajama pants. Or maybe, no pants at all!

Instead of investing in work heels or uncomfortable work pants these days, we’ve been updating our earring collections, hair care and accessories, and tops.

Another fun way to add polish and style to that waist-up frame? Layered necklaces. It’s a look anyone create- with the right recipe. Chances are you already have several different types of necklaces to build upon, and with a few essential design guidelines, this chic look is easier to achieve than you think.

Ahead, we are featuring necklaces you might already have in that jewelry box and how to stack ‘em like a pro.

Five ways to layer your luxury necklaces this season

1. The delicate pendant

We all have one. Maybe it’s a small birthstone from your sweet 16, a dangling initial or zodiac sign. For layering novices, you can’t go wrong by pairing it with at least two necklaces that have delicate chains, in the same metal finish.

Next, experiment with different lengths. The key is to have gaps between the chains. For example, the shortest length at 14”, then 18”, and 24”. As shown, try adding a satellite necklace and another pendant in a different shape for balance and texture.

1. Mejuri dot necklace ($60)
2. Lionette simulated opal charm pendant ($150)
3. ByChari initial necklace ($70)
4. Chloe crystal embellished tooth charm pendant ($580)
5. Oak & Luna bobble chain ($55)
6. Jennifer Meyer diamond stick necklace ($1,050)

2. Pearl necklace

If you haven’t noticed, pearls have been having a moment. While a single strand is always an elegant and classic look, layering it with other styles can suddenly turn those conservative strands into something more casual and trendy.

With a single strand of pearls, you can easily layer on one chunky chain for an edgier look. Or, going back to the rule of three, add in another necklace with mixed pearl elements, accented by a simple chain that allows the gems to take center stage. Consider playing with scale and add a Chanel-like avalanche of strands or just one gumball-sized pearl necklace for a playful look.

1. Alighieri pearl necklace ($275)
2. Mateo NY diamond bar single pearl necklace ($710)
3. Majorca pearl and chain link necklace ($90)
4. Lizzie Fortunato baroque pearl choker ($825)
5. Avec New York pearl stone arch necklace ($328)
6. Rosantica pearl embellished curb chain choker ($458)

3. Mixing Metals

“Silver and gold, silver and gold. Everyone wishes for silver and gold.” The popularity of metal finishes come and go just like all fashion trends. Right now it’s all about gold. But as our jewelry boxes reveal, there once was a time when it was all about pewter and silver. It’s time to take them out because it is easy enough to mix them together.

If you already have an anchor piece that combines gold and silver, you’re one step ahead. Just layer on two more necklaces that have the same finish. If not, we still like the rule of three for a 2:1 ratio. 2 silver; 1 gold or 1 gold; 2 silver. The most important rule is that the strands have a similar thickness so that the proportions look right.

1. Ippolita gold and silver hammered disc necklace ($1,295)
2. Justine Clenquet silver curb chain necklace ($85)
3. Madewell star and moon DIY necklace ($49.50)
4. Marla Aaron rose gold star lock biker chain ($1,210)
5. Adriana Orsini curb link collar ($550)
6. Nina Gilin two tone and diamond bee pendant  ($2,800)

4. Colorful Gems

For a how-to on power dressing using colored baubles, we turn to fashion’s high priestess, Anna Wintour. She is known for layering on vintage rivière necklaces, also known as Georgian collet necklaces. If you have the real thing or a luscious piece of costume jewelry in a striking color, take a page from Anna’s book and triple down.

Instead of coordinating the colors to her outfit – which is a bit too studied and deliberate- she makes a statement by power clashing three different jewel tones to a patterned top. Another idea? Mix a solid colored riviere necklace with a necklace that has multiple colors or a cluster of gems for an equally regal look.

1. Larkspur & Hawk riviere necklace with white quartz ($1,800)
2. Suzanne Kalan pink topaz and morganite bar necklace ($660)
3. S.J. Phillips antique oval amethyst necklace (price upon request)
4. Colette vintage multi-medal diamond, emerald, and ruby charm necklace ($25,000)
5. Larkspur & Hawk rose gold rivière necklace with white quartz ($1,950)

5. Instant Layers

For a ready-made #neckmess without the tangles and extra thinking, check out these multi-strands already curated to perfection. And, of course, you could always use these as the base layer and add ’til your heart’s content.

1. Tova layered enamel phrase necklace ($128)
2. Asos burnished silver mixed pendant layered necklace ($29)
3. Isabel Marant lucky charm necklace ($345)
4. Gorjana pink enamel and coin necklace ($110)
5. Jules Smith triple layer chain necklace ($70)
6. Vanessa Mooney emerald cz stone tri-layer necklace ($165)

how to wear multiple necklaces right now

As with the best recipes, experimenting and adding your own twist is the most important rule of all. So add in the beaded necklace your 9-year old daughter made for you or on the other end of the spectrum, the diamond anniversary necklace you save for special occasions. Go forth and layer!

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Crediting her training as a cultural anthropologist at Wellesley College, Julie has immersed herself in various industries in the last 15 years including fashion design, event planning, and fitness. Julie lives in New York where she loves trying every ramen and dumpling restaurant with her husband and three children. She finds joy in bold prints, biographies of fierce women, kickboxing. And spending way too long finding the perfect polish color to express her mood.

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