Layering looks effortless when it works. When it does not, the chains tangle and the pendants pile up in one spot. The difference is rarely the necklaces. It is the spacing.
Here is how we layer, with the pieces we wear most.
The one rule: about two inches apart
Give each necklace its own line. A gap of roughly 2 inches between lengths lets every piece show, and it keeps the chains from twisting into each other.
A simple way to plan it:
- Close to the neck: a choker or a short chain.
- At the collarbone, about 16 inches: a small stone or a few stones in a row.
- Just below, about 18 inches: a single pendant.
- Lower, 20 to 22 inches: a second pendant, if you want three layers.
Two layers is plenty for most days. Three is for when you want it to be noticed.
Start with the short one
The top layer sets the tone, so choose it first. A choker sits close and frames the face. A collarbone chain is softer and works with almost any neckline.
Our Double-Strand Chevron Choker ($21.99) is two layers already: a flat chevron chain and a fine cable chain, worn together. It sits close to the neck, which leaves plenty of room for a pendant below. It comes in gold-tone and silver-tone, with an extender so you can move it up or down a little.
Add one pendant
One pendant is the anchor. Everything else is quieter around it.
The Square Pendant Necklace ($12.99) sits at about 17.7 inches, a small square of colour in a gold-tone frame, in purple, aqua, deep blue or pale pink. Under the chevron choker it gives you a short, clean pair with the colour in the middle.
If you would rather keep it all sparkle, the Three-Stone Zircon Necklace ($28.99) is three bezel-set zircons on a fine gold-tone chain, about 16 inches with a 2-inch extender. Wear it short at the collarbone, with a pendant a few inches lower.
Three pairs that work
1. Choker and colour
Gold-tone chevron choker on top, Square Pendant below. Easy, a little playful, good with a crew neck or a plain tee. Together they come to $34.98, so add any small piece and US shipping is free from $35.
2. Collarbone sparkle and a soft drop
Three-Stone Zircon Necklace at 16 inches, then the Infinity Necklace ($23.99 silver-tone, $25.99 gold-tone) on its adjustable chain set to about 20 inches. The infinity sits lower and lighter, so the three stones stay the focus. The Infinity Necklace is made to order in stainless steel and always ships free, so it may arrive in its own gift box a few days apart from the other piece.
3. All silver-tone
Silver-tone chevron choker on top, then the Halo Solitaire Pendant Necklace ($19.99): a round zircon in a small halo on a fine silver-tone chain. Clean and bright, good for evenings. The pair is $41.98, past the free-shipping line.
Mixing gold-tone and silver-tone
You can. It looks intentional when one tone leads and the other appears once. Two gold-tone chains and one silver-tone pendant reads as a choice. One of each in equal weight can look accidental.
If you mix, repeat the minority tone somewhere else: a silver-tone earring with a silver-tone pendant ties it together.
Match the chain to the neckline
- Crew neck or high neck: keep it short. A choker or a 16-inch chain sits above the fabric.
- V-neck: let the lowest pendant follow the V, around 18 to 20 inches.
- Scoop or open collar: the best neckline for three layers.
- Button-up shirt: one chain at the collarbone, top button open.
How to stop the tangling
- Keep the lengths about 2 inches apart. Most tangles come from two chains of almost the same length.
- Mix chain types. A flat or box chain next to a fine cable chain twists less than two cable chains.
- Put the heaviest pendant lowest. It pulls its chain straight and keeps the others in place.
- Fasten them one at a time, shortest first.
- Take them off before bed and store each one flat or hung, not in a pile.
For the box-chain look, the Cushion Halo Necklace ($30.99) sits on an adjustable 16 to 18 inch box chain, so it holds its line well next to a finer chain.
Keep them bright
Put your necklaces on last, after perfume and lotion, and take them off before showering, swimming or the gym. Wipe them with a soft dry cloth before you put them away. It keeps the shine longer, and fewer knots too.
Where to start
If you own nothing yet, start with two pieces: one short, one with a pendant. Wear them for a week. You will know quickly whether you want a third.
See every chain, choker and pendant in our necklaces. US shipping is $3.99, free from $35, and our made-to-order necklaces always ship free.