How to Get Creative with Layering Necklaces

One day I went to work in a plain business outfit with every gold chain in my possession around my neck.  The creation was a statement necklace that got attention all day long.  You don’t have to go crazy with beads as seen above or wear every gold chain you own all at once, but layering your necklaces will create many unique looks that will certainly not ever be boring!  So let’s explore how to get creative with layering necklaces.

Age doesn’t matter.  In fact, the older we get the more we are entitled to creative license, am I right?

This guide to layering necklaces begins with 18 ways to layer various kinds of necklaces, followed by eight ideas for how to layer necklaces with your outfits and concluding with ways to layer each different type of necklace by category (i.e., pearls, chains, etc.)

Let’s See How to Get Creative With Layering Necklaces

1. A basic rule of thumb is to layer from shorter to longer.
2. You can either layer multiple necklaces of the same material, or go for contrast.  For instance, you could layer a feminine piece with edgy chains, feathers with beads, or pearls with diamantes.
3. Mixing metals is a good thing.  Feel free to mix gold and silver together:  gold and silver necklaces, gold and silver chains, etc.
4. Mix and match three or more necklaces like beads, feathers, charms, chains, etc.  Try to make sure the middle or second layer is the one that makes the biggest statement.
5. Layer the same style of necklace, like simple beads in one color or multiple colors.  Try this with other styles too, like:  multiple chains, or pearls, or gold, or gold & silver of the same type necklace.
6. Pile on pearls, or mix strands of pearls with chains.
7. Graduate three gold or silver necklaces of different shapes.
8. Graduate from delicate shorter necklaces to slightly chunkier longer necklaces.
9. A chunky gold necklace as a frame for another (i.e., stones, etc.)
10. Mix metals and motifs, such as stars and flowers together.
11. To mix jewels with jewels,  match brights with brights or different tones of the same shade.
12. Mix beads with metal necklaces.
13. Layer small-to-medium size beads, coins, charms and delicate link necklaces.
14. A fabric strand (like a leather or braided chain) combined with a tassel necklace creates a boho feel.
15. Pair a bolo with a chain about the same length.
16. For a full bust:  group together similar-length strands of beads that fall no longer than mid-chest.
17. For summer:  Layer shell necklaces, from choker-length to longer ones.
18. To turn an evening look into day:  add chains to a jeweled bib necklace.

Ideas for Layering Necklaces Over Your Outfits

1. Layer chains, coins, tusks, horns, shark’s teeth and charms, from long to medium to short.  Wear with solid basics, like a black tank or tee and jeans.
2. Try wearing a lot of (or at least three) chunky necklaces in a color similar to your t-shirt (includes silver for gray or gold for yellow.)
3. For a collar effect (under a button-up shirt):  layer chunky necklaces right on top of (above) each other.
4. With a basic shirt, collar or not, add a lot of necklaces.
5. With a simple top, layer on:  a 16-18″ short necklace, a middle necklace with color, one longer necklace, and maybe one more a little longer or between the others.
6. A 16″ dainty necklace + an 18″ tube necklace + 23″ coin pendant + 32″ tassel.  Try over a black sweater and a skirt.
7. Layer long necklaces with a dress, sweater or shell (under-layer) top.  With this look, put the earrings away.  Opt for a ring or a bangle instead.
8. Coin necklaces add an instant bohemian feel (i.e., a beaded necklace + a coin charm pendant + a colored gemstone necklace.)  Try in the neckline of a plaid shirt.

Chain Necklaces

Chains are so minimal, I think they could be added to just about anything!

1. Layer simple chain necklaces in the same color family (including plain chains and delicate pendants.)
2. A gold chain gets dressed up when you add a colored stone necklace.
3. Try different lengths of gold chains + a gold chain with beads or stones in the middle of them.
4. Larger-than-life necklaces pair well with dainty chains (i.e., an oversize statement necklace + a long chain.)
5. Pair a spiked necklace with a thick chain necklace.
6. Piles of thick, gold chains are simple yet statement-making.

Pearls 

Pearls always look cool, calm and collected.  Pearl chokers/short pearl necklaces are the jeans of the jewelry world — they go with absolutely everything.

1. Pearls mixed with chains is a common way to add some edge to the classic.
2. Wear a pearl necklace with a pendant, or a pearl pendant with gold chains.
3. Try different types of pearls of the same length.
4. Mix pearls with cross or peace pendants, chains and/or stones.
5. Wear a long string of pearls with a necklace on black cording.
6. Over a sheer white blouse or other delicate fabrics, pile on four ropes of pearls of varying lengths starting with the longest.
7. Layer pearls in pink, blue and black (and white too, if you want.)
8. Wear large pearls in multiple strands.
9. Wear all of your pearl necklaces together for a rich, high-society look.  You may also want to add gold.
10. Layer a metal choker with black and white pearls and a different size strand of pearls.
11. Mix a vintage gold locket with pearls and an edgy item.
12. A large statement necklace + a smaller single pearl necklace.
13. A gold pendant + a longer strand of pearls + another, even longer, strand of pearls.
14. Anytime:  Don’t be afraid to put together a showstopper combination in classic materials such as pearls, chains, beads and crystals.  A simple tee pairs well with the over-the-top pearls.  Add blue jeans to keep the look from going overboard.

Delicate Necklaces

1. Layer more than one delicate necklace — one, two or even three for a soft statement.  And don’t be afraid to mix metals.
2. Try layering delicate necklaces of varying length – gold with gold and approximately the same thickness (delicate with delicate, thicker chains with thicker chains.)
3. Look for light and delicate long necklaces to layer.  Similar patterns and metals create a cohesive look.
4. Start with a delicate gold necklace.  Then add sparkle and length with a tassel necklace and a loop or single strand in between.
5. Try a gold chain + a longer delicate gold pendant.
6. Mix delicate necklaces with a statement necklace.
7. Mix fine, delicate pieces with bolder costume jewelry.
8. Place larger heirloom pendants below shorter ones.
9. Try a delicate pendant + a longer chain + a longer delicate pendant.

Pendants

1. Frame a gold pendant with a gold chain or two around it.
2. Try a long chain framing an oversize pendant with a simple tunic.
3. Add a longer necklace to your go-to pendant.
4. Try layering a simple chain or beaded strand with a longer pendant.
5. Try a dainty charm necklace + a mid-length pendant + a long statement pendant.
6. For spring:  Mix a leather pendant with a long, beaded piece.  You may want to layer more beaded necklaces and other kinds, too.

Beaded Necklaces

1. Wear a wood bead necklace with a brushed gold chain.
2. Mix brown strands of beads with lavender beads.
3. Brown beads mixed with turquoise beads.
4. Wear a wood bead necklace with black beads or another brown bead necklace.
5. For a more bohemian-inspired look, try layering beaded necklaces of varying lengths and materials.
6. Jet beads + a long black cord necklace.  (These are good with a white top.)

Turquoise and Amethyst

1. Multiple strands of turquoise-colored beads brighten up plain t-shirts.
2. Layer turquoise necklaces over solid-color tees, a fitted jacket for work, or with a sundress.
3. Wear turquoise or amethyst beads with a gold chain or string of gold beads.  This can make all the difference in the look of a sweater or blouse.  It can turn a look instantly from country to city pulled-together chic.
4. Wear three or four gold-link chains with one string of turquoise or amethyst chunks.  This looks fabulous with an all-black or all-white outfit!  Wear plain gold earrings and some gold bracelets.
5. Layer shorter turquoise and coral necklaces with a pendant.  You may also want to add turquoise bead bracelets.
6. Mix tiger’s eye beads with turquoise beads.

Statement Necklaces

You can even layer statement necklaces!

1. Just mix two to three statement necklaces that share one common detail, such as fringe.
2. Layer the same shade pieces with a statement necklace.

A Lariat or Y-Necklace

A lariat or y-necklace is the best way to add length.

1. Try combining a collar necklace with a lariat or a y-necklace.
2. A single charm necklace + a bar necklace + a lariat necklace.  Try in the neckline of a long-sleeve black tee with faux fur jacket.
3. Try a lariat with a tunic top.

Evening

1. Build a neck of three necklaces in chunks of amethyst or other gemstone, or just use one important gold necklace.  Then you could add a string of gemstone beads if you like.
2. Wear three or four gold link chains.  Add one string of coral chunks.  This looks fabulous with all-black or all-white outfits.  Wear plain gold earrings and some gold bracelets with this look.
3. Dress up a sweater or blouse with one or two mineral necklaces, or one mineral necklace with a gold chain.

Was this helpful?  Let us know your experiences with layering necklaces in the comments below!

Like this post?  You might also like to read:

• “How to Choose the Best Necklace for Every Neckline“
• “How to Make Magic with a Statement Necklace“
• “How to Get Good at Layering Bracelets“

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