Rigid, non-conforming short necklaces, a trend I wrote about in December, and chunky chains, ditto, are statement pieces all on their own, but a number of fashion stylists are giving them added versatility by combining them with longer necklaces.  

On the cover of the January 2011 issue of InStyle, actress Gwyneth Paltrow is pictured wearing short chunky chain necklaces (one worn as a bracelet) from Munnu/the Gem Palace and a long charm necklace from James Colarusso. She also wears a chain necklace from Lazaro Soho as another bracelet. Her jacket is from Chanel and tank is from T-Los Angeles.

The January 2011 issue of Vogue accessorizes a white ensemble of blazer, blouse and pants by Dries Van Noten with a short goldtone necklace and a pendant on a black cord plus a cluster of bracelets and numerous rings. Only the rings are given attribution, from what I was able to discern in the magazine; they are from kennyjossick.com; a phone number only is given for the short necklace. There is a great deal of jewelry utilized in this multi-page fashion spread that features model Daria Werbowy and actor David Strathairn, but almost none of the jewelry is identified.

The March 2011 issue of InStyle calls the tunic top one of the magazine’s Top 10 Trends of the season, calling the tunic “Perfect for exotic jewelry.” With the pictured ensemble from Etro, the jewelry is a combination of a rigid short necklace and multiple long strands.

To make this necklace combination look work, be sure that there is visually both harmony and a hierarchy to the pieces you are wearing. Take a good look at your ensemble head-to-toe, and see where the eye is drawn. If the eye is confused and the pieces look mismatched, rethink your ensemble. Choosing either short or long and wearing it singly is an easier look to pull off.

JCK