A while back, a friend asked if I would help her with some necklace options for a simple black dress she was wearing to a party. She loved the look of several necklaces layered together but was at a loss for how to do it. Well, ladies, if there’s one thing I love to do, it’s layer things. It could be necklaces, a stack of bracelets on my arm, a bed with a zillion pillows and blankets, or yes, even a piece of toast with avocado, shredded egg, bacon and mayonnaise.  Layering makes life more interesting. It’s a way of showing your personality.

I don’t know if you have a favorite jewelry designer, but if you love accessories the way I do, you will. I have loved Kirsten Dexter’s designs for years. They are not only unique but have an edgy coolness that you won’t see many places. She and her daughter collaborate on the designs and then manufacture their pieces with products sourced from their travels around the world. You won’t find her jewelry many places, but BD Jeffries in Charlotte carries a nicely sized collection. My lucky day came a few weekends ago when Kirsten sent me a message to stop by her trunk show. We had never met but in my mind she is that one designer that I feel like knows my soul … ok maybe not my soul but definitely my style. While at the show we decided to collaborate on layering necklaces and see what comes of our recent connection. Stay tuned for more!

I can remember a time when a big chunky necklace was all the rage. I still have several of those thankfully. I tend to have a heavy hand when I purge both my closet and my jewelry box. It’s a trait that serves me well, but occasionally I act too fast and wish I had not given away a necklace or other overly trendy piece. Yes, chunky necklace fans, they are still in style and will always have their place in fashion. They are great paired with a simple blouse or T-shirt. But now, I’m finding that I like to layer those necklaces with some smaller ones. The key is to tuck a small choker in first. One that hugs the neck without literally choking you if you turn the wrong way. Then add in your large necklace. If there’s room, consider a charm or other pendant that can work in between the choker and large necklace. If that feels wrong, try a long strand of beads instead … or wrap it and have the beaded necklace act as two necklaces. 

When working with more delicate necklaces, I always start with a small choker. Rarely does it have a charm or pendant. Currently I wear a 14” Lana necklace that I keep on all the time. It reflects light and is so comfortable I forget I have it on. Then I like to add in a pendant. I either decide I want to stick with a color family (like similar shades of blue) or a theme … like celestial or nature. However, I also like the pendants to be different shapes. I want the chains to be different, not only in length but in design. Other times, I like to mix in a different element like a stone strand. See below for a couple of inspo pics from my time at BD Jeffries with Kirsten. 

The great news is, there’s really no wrong way to stack your necklaces. Sometimes mine touch as one may be too short. I may add multiple charms to one necklace. Just play around with it and see what feels right to you.  Keep in mind that some necklaces have an adjustable chain so you can place the necklace exactly where you need it to go. When I was coming up with necklace options for my friend’s black dress, I taped the necklaces on a piece of cardboard for her to see exactly how they should go. You could do the same thing by laying them on a flat surface. Consider a necklace extender like this one from Amazon or other jewelry sites like Bauble Bar. When I’m in a pinch, I have been known to use a large safety pin for that extra ½ inch. 

Summer is here, with lots more skin to show, so go ahead, layer it up. Mix your metals if you want. Start with three necklaces. If you are feeling rebellious, add two more. Just be sure to wear smaller earrings, like diamond studs. The other day I had on a pile of necklaces to fill in a V-neck T-shirt. I opted for no earrings that day just to keep the focus on my grouping. If you’re still feeling unsure about how to group up your jewelry, try a set that’s already designed and connected. Anthropologie has several great options on their website. 

Oh By the Way, Kirsten is offering OBTW readers 15% off through May 31. Use code OHBYTHEWAY on her website and have a great time shopping! Many of the styles shown in the pictures in this post are on her website. You can also reach out to her directly or stop by BD Jeffries!