It’s no secret that trends are cyclical. When I first started sharing online in 2010, layered necklaces were IT. But by 2014, the trend had died, and we all put away our stacks of jewelry. Flash forward to 2024, and layered necklace outfits are back (right alongside the re-emergence of tennis skirts!) However, the current styles are a little less J.Crew bubble necklace and a lot more dainty jewels stacked together. So don’t go digging through your old jewelry just yet!
Today I’m going to share my current favorite chains to stack, a few tips and tricks on how to layer necklaces, and some great outfit ideas to pull everything together.
Favorite Layered Necklace Styles
The current layered necklace trend is all about stacking dainty, minimalist pieces together in interesting ways. I love playing around with unique proportions and shapes to come up with fun combinations. I also enjoy mixing high-end pieces with affordable options, as there are currently so many great styles at all price points. Here are some of my recent favorite necklaces to stack.
Dorsey Necklaces
Dorsey has quickly become a go-to jewelry destination for me. Their lab-grown sapphires and other gems are high-quality, well-constructed pieces at an amazing price point. This brand has become immensely popular, and for that reason, a lot of their items sell out quickly. My favorites are the James Bezel necklace and the Moss necklace. These two styles serve as my anchor when building a layered necklace look. They also look stunning as stand-alone statement pieces and everyday jewelry staples. The Clemence necklace has also been on my radar, I love how dainty it is. You can see Dorsey’s full necklace selection here.
Pacharee Necklaces
Pacharee is a brand I have been wearing for years. I love how they infuse natural shapes and elements into each piece. This gold-plated pearl necklace and this alphabet pearl necklace are some of my most treasured items. And after over a year of being out of stock, they are finally back! The pearl necklace is a tighter fit, so it lays at the top of the neck, making it an easy piece to layer. I often wear it above my Dorsey pieces with the Alphabet necklace tucked under all of them, hanging at the bottom. It is as if these styles were made to be paired together! Also, NET-A-PORTER just restocked these Pacharee pearl earrings, which I wear two to three times a week.
Aurelia Demark
Aurelia is not only a dear friend, but also an incredibly talented jewelry designer. Each of her pieces has a beautiful meaning behind it, and I love that they can be hand engraved. They are true heirloom pieces. I own the large elephant pendant, the large four leaf clover pendant (engraved with Penny), and this adorable white heart pendant. I actually wear these stacked together on the 30’’ mini Natalie chain. They look great hanging against a printed sundress, such as this Hill House Home piece. Her turquoise stone heart necklace is next on my list!
Budget-Friendly Layered Necklace Styles
Not everything in my layered necklace stack is an investment piece, as I always love a great high-low moment! I’ve recently found some amazing styles to layer that don’t break the bank.
This colorful beaded necklace (under $40) is first on the list! This Amazon find is great for adding a pop of color to your stack. I love it against a crisp white linen top. Looking for a pearl necklace option under $20? I just got this pearl choker, and I am impressed with the quality for the price! If you are into very, very minimal delicate jewelry, this $16 dainty necklace is perfect for layering. And last, but not least, this sterling silver chain is one of my favorite budget-friendly finds. But I will warn you, it sells out every time it’s restocked. So be sure to set up an alert!
Additional Favorites
While this isn’t a fully comprehensive list of my layered necklace collection, I wanted to include as many styles as possible. So here are a few others that you’ll often see me wearing.
I love the unique palm leaf design of this Jane Win gold heart pendant. I also own and love a lot of colorful stone necklaces from this Etsy shop. Brinker and Eliza is another personal favorite of mine. I am constantly layering necklaces from this brand including this one, this one, this one and this one.
Layered Necklace Tips & Tricks
While there is no right or wrong way to stack necklaces, I thought it might be helpful to share some of my personal tips and tricks. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll quickly realize that even a simple t-shirt can be dressed up with the right jewelry combination!
- Vary the lengths. To keep a layered necklace look interesting, choose pieces that are different lengths. This will allow the necklaces to visibly stagger so that they don’t look too cluttered or messy.
- Play with proportions. Sometimes I like to keep my jewelry stack all the same density or size. But most of the time, I try to create some depth by mixing extremely dainty necklaces with a few thicker pieces.
- Don’t be afraid to mix metals. I am constantly mixing metals. I think having an eclectic mix of finishes and stones keeps the look more natural and authentic, rather than formulated and forced.
- Layer three or more. When I am layering necklaces, I typically stack four to seven pieces. Personally, I never layer less than three. And no matter how many necklaces I am wearing, I make sure to only have one “wow” necklace or anchor piece. Otherwise, the look will get too busy.
What to Wear with a Layered Necklace
Now let’s talk about how to style a beautiful stack of jewels! One of the easiest layered necklace looks is pairing them with a great tee and jeans for a simple everyday outfit. I also love the combination of an oversized button down, such as this one, this one, or this one, with a favorite pair of jeans. These styles allow you to have a really open neckline, and in return, you can better highlight your layered chains!
Another great outfit option for these jewelry pieces is a bandeau or strapless top. The open neck on these styles provides the perfect canvas! Two of my current favorites are this one and this one, and wide-leg pants would look great with both.
And lastly, another way to style layered necklaces is with a very deep v-neck summer dress. A few that have recently caught my eye include this printed maxi dress, this crisp white mini dress, and this easy under $60 dress.
Layered Necklace Trend
What are your thoughts? Have you fully embraced the layered necklace trend? As always, trends come and go, but as long as you stay true to your personal style, it can be fun to dip your toes in them now and then! For more fun styling tips, check out my posts on tennis skirt outfit ideas, sneakers to wear with dresses, and how to style white pants.