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You can never have too many necklaces in your collection, or on your neck. Okay, well, maybe there is a right number of layered necklaces, but the more options in your jewelry box, the better. Wearing more than one necklace at once isn’t about throwing on all of your favorites—it’s about carefully curating a necklace stack that follows a layered jewelry recipe and feels personal to your style.
The Best Necklaces for Layering at a Glance
- Best Dainty Diamond Necklace: James Allen 14K Yellow Gold Bezel Lab-Grown Diamond Pendant, $360
- Best Lariat Necklace: Electric Picks Paloma Lariat Necklace, $78
- Best Pendant Necklace: Blue Nile Four Prong Basket Solitaire Lab Grown Diamond Pendant, $640
- Best Chunky Necklace: Brilliant Earth Lab Diamond Bubble Necklace, $2,995
- Best Paperclip Chain Necklace: Quince 14K Gold Paperclip Chain Necklace, $298
- Best Tennis Necklace: Cate & Chloe Olivia 18k White Gold Plated Tennis Necklace, $50 (was $170)
- Best Pearl Necklace: Blue Nile Akoya Cultured Pearl Ball Necklace, $710
- Best Beaded Necklace: BaubleBar Joan Semi-Precious Necklace, $68
What Is the Trick for Layering Necklaces?
Layered necklaces can be as subtle or as bold as you want, depending on the style and stack you choose. To start, consider how many necklaces you want to layer. “When layering jewelry, off numbers usually look best together, so think in terms of three or five layers,” says celebrity stylist Samantha Brown. “Two pieces paired together can also look nice if opting for a simpler stack.”
A layered necklace look is truly about mixing and matching, and Brown says incorporating pieces that feel personal to the wearer can make all the difference. “Stacking is an opportunity to show personality,” she notes. With that in mind, consider stacking charms, unique metals, different chain weights, mixing stones, and even materials when layering pieces in your collection (or shopping for new styles).
How to Layer Necklaces Without Tangling Them
Wearing multiple necklaces at once can lead to tangles if you’re not intentional about your choices. According to Brown, the best way to avoid this kind of mess is to vary the thickness of the chains. “Pair delicate chains with chunkier or thicker ones,” she explains. It’s also vital that you remove your jewelry before going to bed, as sleeping in more than one necklace can also cause tangles and might even damage your pieces.
If you’re concerned about tangles, you can also buy a necklace layering clasp on Amazon, which allows you to wear three necklaces at once while preventing them from twisting in on themselves.
How Many Inches Apart Should Layered Necklaces Be?
Brown says there are no rules for layering in different lengths. However, you’ll want some distance between your necklaces to prevent them from tangling. “Standard necklaces come in 16 inches, and those look good worn with 17 or 18-inch ones so that they nestle,” Brown explains. If you want to keep things shorter, you can also pair 16-inch necklaces with 15 and 14-inch ones, so that your stack sits higher up on your neckline.
Is Layering Necklaces Still in Style?
While a simple single necklace can make a statement, Brown says “layered necklaces will never go out of style.” This is an excellent way to show off your personality and get more wear out of your necklace collection. Additionally, layering necklaces makes it easier to pair timeless styles, such as pendants, with more trendy designs like beaded necklaces if you want to experiment with what’s currently popular while still creating a classic look.
Refresh your necklace stack with these top picks for the best necklaces for layering.
Our mission at STYLECASTER is to bring style to the people, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. James Allen is a STYLECASTER sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
The Best Necklaces With Thin Chains
The Best Necklaces With Chunky Chains
The Best Tennis Necklaces
The Best Beaded Necklaces
The Best Charms
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