How to Layer Necklaces: The Art of the Neck Mess

These days, one necklace is rarely enough.

Layering three, four, or even more necklaces together, sometimes called a “neck mess,” is one of my favorite ways to wear jewelry. It feels personal, a little unexpected, and gives you the freedom to mix pieces that mean something to you with chains and pendants that simply look beautiful together.

For Jewelry by Cari, necklace layering has been part of the collection almost from the beginning.

Back in 2003, at one of our very first trunk shows in Hollywood, I remember being completely captivated by the layers of gold necklaces worn by Christina Aguilera’s stylist at the time, Trish Summerville. She looked glamorous and cool without looking overly styled, and it changed the way I thought about wearing jewelry.

From that point on, I became obsessed with layering chains and stacking pendants in different ways, from simple, delicate combinations to bolder, more eccentric mixes of chains and charms.

That idea has influenced Jewelry by Cari ever since. Our chains, charms, pendants, and links are intentionally designed to work together so you can mix, layer, add to them, and change the look over time.

Below are a few of my favorite ways to create a layered look.

Start With the Chains

Lay your chains out in front of you before you put anything on. It makes it much easier to see how the lengths, weights, and textures work together.

For shorter layers, I usually like the necklaces relatively close together. As the layers get longer, I tend to leave more space between them.

Contrast also makes a layered look more interesting.

Try mixing:

• Dainty chains with heavier links

• Ball chains with link chains

• Smooth chains with textured chains

• Simple chains with something more sparkly or substantial

You don't need every chain to match. In fact, the differences are usually what make the combination work.

Add Charms and Pendants

Once you have your chains, start adding charms and pendants.

Mix different sizes and shapes rather than choosing pieces that are all the same scale. I often put the largest pendant on the longest chain, but there really are no hard rules.

Some layers can carry several small charms, while another might feature just one pendant.

This is also where the look becomes personal. Initials, symbols, diamonds, birthstones, meaningful dates, places, people, and little reminders of things you love can all live together.

For more ideas on arranging charms, see The Art of Composing a Jewelry by Cari Charm Necklace.

Add More Chains

Not every necklace needs a pendant.

One of my favorite ways to break up a group of charm necklaces is to add a beautiful chain on its own.

A shimmering chain, substantial link chain, choker, or textured chain gives your eye somewhere to rest and keeps the layers from feeling too repetitive.

Sometimes that solo chain ends up being the piece that pulls everything together.

Choose Your Style

For a cleaner, more polished look, space your necklaces evenly and keep the number of layers a little more restrained.

For something more relaxed, mix lengths, textures, and different-sized pendants.

And if you want a true neck mess, lean into it.

Overlap chains. Mix styles. Add multiple pendants. Let a charm sit slightly off-center. Mix something delicate with something chunky.

It doesn't have to look perfectly arranged.

That's part of the point.

Mix It Up

You absolutely do not need to choose between gold and silver.

I love mixing sterling silver with yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold. Mixed metals make a layered look feel collected rather than overly coordinated.

You can also add something unexpected:

• A horizontal centerpiece

• A lariat

• A dangling charm chain

• A heavier statement chain among several delicate ones

• An off-center charm

• A front-worn push lock or clasp

Those little differences are what keep your layers from looking like a matching set.

Jewelry by Cari charms come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and textures and are designed to work together.

That gives you the freedom to choose pieces that are meaningful to you without worrying that everything has to come from the same exact collection or match perfectly.

Build a Jewelry Collection You Can Play With

The easiest way to create great necklace layers is to slowly build a collection of pieces you really love.

Start with a few chains in different lengths, textures, weights, and metals. Splurge on a choker or a beautiful link chain that you know you'll wear constantly, then build around it.

Add charms that mean something to you.

Over time, you'll end up with pieces you can rearrange depending on your outfit, your mood, or what you feel like wearing that day.

Don't overthink it.

Put together pieces you love, move things around, add another chain, take one away, and see where you end up.

That's the fun of it.

If you have questions about layering or want help putting together your own combination, I'd love to help.

Cari