Every day when I'm getting dressed, jewelry becomes the final touch. I often find myself putting on one necklace, and then another, and another and another, then taking one off, then switching one out, then taking them all off in an attempt to start from scratch, then eventually giving up. I'll be the first one to admit it: Learning how to layer gold necklaces is no easy feat.
Luckily, I spoke to the queen of necklace layering — Alexandra Smith, the founder of jewelry line Alexandra Phillip — about how, exactly to layer the right way. Her line is full of simple, elegant gold pieces (Madonna's a fan!) that can be worn separately, but are really meant to be worn together. The collection was inspired by the belief that when a woman wears jewelry that makes her feel good, it gives her confidence, and shows in the way she carries herself, and the pieces are designed to make every woman feel effortlessly stylish and enable her to express her best self.
Because of this, Smith is a firm believer in the idea that wearing jewelry in interesting ways is a form of self expression. The beauty of layering is that it adds a unique touch to otherwise simple pieces. "It allows each woman to express her personal style," Smith tells me. "No two woman will wear the same necklaces the same way."
Here are her tips on the best ways to layer necklaces, complete with some gorgeous pictures from her new collection.
1. Utilize Different Lengths
Wearing short, medium, and long pieces together allows you to show off all three, especially if the lengths are significantly varied. These can be similar or different shapes.
2. Think About Necklines
The beauty of layering is that there is no one "cut" that works best — it can be worn with all kinds of different tops. Smith suggests wearing longer lariats with a plunging neckline to show off your cleavage for a more sexy look, but also loves seeing her pieces over simple, crew-neck T-shirts.
3. Combine Shapes
By using different shapes, the pieces function to draw attention individually and together. Pick shapes that are very different — like a clover and a line — to get the full effect.
4. Don't Be Afraid Mix Metals
Smith's collection is mostly gold jewelry, but she loves to include the occasional silver piece every once in a while to add dimension. These pieces look gorgeous together, and throw traditional fashion "rules" out the window.
5. Embrace Stones
Just as mixing metals can be super chic, including stones can be a great way to add personality to your layered look. Take pieces you already own and pair them with simple gold pieces, like the signature lariat from the Alexandra Phillip Collection.
6. Keep It Simple
Know what your go-to pieces are and stick with them. "I like to have one or two very special pieces that I wear every day, no matter what," says Smith. "That way, I am already 'dressed' without having to think about it. From there, I can add/switch and get creative if the mood strikes."
7. Layer With A Casual Look
Contrary to what you may think, wearing lots and lots of jewelry at once doesn't necessarily "dress up" your look. Smith loves to combine lots of gold jewelry with simple, oversized white tops — like this one — to give a feminine touch to an otherwise casual and somewhat masculine ensemble.
8. Change It Up Throughout The Day
The beauty of layering is that it's totally fluid, and a really easy way to change up your look. Smith suggests wearing one or two necklaces during the day, and then adding a third or even a fourth to dress up the same outfit for evening.
9. Play With Your Mood
Layering necklaces is a way to express yourself, so don't be afraid to just go for it! There is no such thing as "too much," as long as you feel confident in what you're wearing.
Images: Courtesy of Alexandra Phillip
