In looking at jewelry in the context of fashion, it’s important to keep abreast of not only what is stylish, but also how it is being worn. Back on March 22, I wrote about the style of pairing a collar necklace with a long pendant necklace, a style largely driven by French design house Lanvin. Stacking multiple necklaces of similar shape, especially short necklaces, takes more skill because of the proximity of the pieces.
Layering small pendant necklaces on fine chains is a time-honored style tradition. Examples of this include this photo from an article on flattering bathing suits in the May 2012 issue of Real Simple. The necklaces pictured are by Sydney Evan and Helen Ficalora.
What’s especially fresh is pairing or layering necklaces that each have more visual substance. The April 2012 issue of Marie Claire put together some creative necklace pairings in a feature on lip color, including this look that combines a lariat necklace from Cantamessa with a spike necklace from Solange Azagury-Partridge. The top is from Chanel.
A pair of necklaces are stacked in this photo from the same feature in Marie Claire. The choker is from de Grisogono and the crystal necklace from Dannijo. The dress is from Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière.
In a separate feature, the April 2012 issue of Marie Claire pictures a pair of dissimilar necklaces worn with an ensemble from Marni, left. Both necklaces are from Etro. The boots are from Miu Miu. The ensemble to the right is from Miu Miu, worn with boots from the same designer and geometric earrings from Marni.
Choosing pieces by one designer can simplify the process, of course. The May 2012 issue of Lucky stacks fuchsia and neon yellow necklaces with crystal detail from Lydell NYC. The neutral dress that serves “as a chic canvas” for these vibrant accessories is from A/X Armani Exchange. The bag is from Diane von Furstenberg and the sandals from Michael Kors.
One designer currently promoting the look of stacked necklaces is Rebecca. Here’s an ad from the February 2012 issue of Elle.
The March 2012 issue of Vogue combines sterling silver necklaces from Alice Kwartler Antiques and Robert Lee Morris with an Art Deco–inspired ensemble from Etro. One oxidized silver bangle is identified as a Bottega Veneta design. The other bracelets are not identified, nor is the source of the third (longer) necklace. The earrings are from Prada.
Here’s another example of stacked necklaces from the March 2012 issue of Vogue. The rectangle chain necklace and matching bracelet are from Kelacala Q. Vogue fails to identify the source of the longer and more prominent two necklace strands. The earrings are from Bottega Veneta, as is the dress. The ring is by Amy Glenn.
Here’s a current ad for John Frieda promoting hair color products with the suggestion: “Pile on lush, decadent layers of jewelry comprised of mixed metals and shapes—for a look as luxe as your vibrant new color.” Along with matching cuffs and mismatched rings, the model wears a pair of stylistically very different necklaces—a geometric design and a bead-bedecked charm necklace.
Stylists are all over the map as to what pieces work together. I think some of the pairings are more successful than others, but it’s good to know that something as simple as adding a second necklace can take a look from pleasant enough to something edgier and sometimes significantly more interesting.
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