On Layering Necklaces

 

Do you ever watch Gossip Girl and wonder where they get all their amazing jewelry?  I do.  For those of you who think Gossip Girl is a mindless drama sitcom, it is–but it’s also a jewelry styling masterpiece.  Last week while I was recovering from my self-inflicted injury I took the time to analyze and pick apart Lilly and Serena’s jewelry ensembles and had two major revelations: 1) the jewelry on the show comes from the same places I purchase my costume jewelry–Net-a-porter, Bottica, Max & Chloe, BaubleBar and a scattering of smaller boutiques; and 2) all the necklaces seem intricate and unique but they are actually many necklaces layered together.  Layering necklaces is something of an art form.  When executed properly, it increases your jewelry options exponentially and gives the impression that you possess a treasure trove of goodies.

Lengths

For the layering novice, know there are 3 lengths you can work with: short, long and graduated from short to long.  Obviously for long and short layered looks choose necklaces of roughly the same length and for graduated lengths you will have to choose a selection of lengths ranging from short to long.

Contrasts

Simply piling a bunch of necklaces of the same color or texture together is a no brainer but it also makes for a rather dull arrangement.  In order to pack the most visual punch, make sure you have a contrast in color, texture of both.  The contrast is what makes, as Diana Vreeland put it, the eye travel–the importance of which is laid out in my post here.

Mink puff-ball necklace from Kopenhagen Fur, Givenchy Crystal Station Long Necklace, available here.

Start Simple

One thing I know for certain is that layering, and accessorizing in general, is a gateway drug.  One day you wake up and innocently stumble upon a simple jewelry combination that makes your little heart go pitter patter, the next you look for another and by the end of the month you look like a crazy bag lady.  So so I’ve been told. . .ahem.  So, start simple with two necklaces to play around and train your eye.  You’ll be building on that naturally so no need to rush.

Mink puff-ball necklace from Kopenhagen Fur; Givenchy Crystal Station Long Necklace, available here; and silver confetti necklace, similar one available here.

Experiment

Try playing around with different styles of necklaces to see which ones go together and which order of stacking is the most lovely.

Neon necklace, similar one here; Venus Flytrap necklace, available here; and starburst necklace, similar one here.  All from J.Crew.

Don’t Hold Back

Once you’ve got into a groove and you have a good thing going, don’t edit yourself.  I believe that eccentricity is awesome.  As long as you’re dressed appropriately, who cares if you’re a bit over-dressed or fabulously accessorized?  Nothing wrong with turning some heads as long as you are comfortable with the attention it comes with.

BaubleBar, White Crystal Mix necklace, available here; Vintage Lawrence Vrba Sultan necklace; Givenchy Crystal Station Long Necklace, available here; and silver confetti necklace, similar one available here.

Happy layering my DMD darlings!  Feel free to comment and include a picture of your favorite arrangements.  I would love to see!

Big Kiss and Bigger Diamonds,

JZP