Whether it’s an engagement ring, a passed down necklace or simply a trending silver ring we’ve picked up from a high street store, jewellery is one of the best ways to elevate any outfit. Not only does it add a unique element to our looks, but it can also be incredibly personal, acting as a reminder of special people in our lives, places we’ve been or simply another way to express ourselves.

Just like clothing, jewellery looks follow trends, and according to some of our favourite fashion insiders, it’s safe to say the current aesthetic is channelling the ‘more is more’ mindset, meaning ring stacks, heavily embellished ears and layered necklaces are the go-to looks of the moment.

However, there are a few tricks to mastering the layered jewellery look to achieve a more curated ear, wrist or neck worthy of a Pinterest picture. While you could layer on your favourite pieces and hope for the best (sometimes this works perfectly), we wanted to uncover the tried and tested methods of making it look chic yet still effortless, every time. And it appears it’s best to be bold, mixing metals, getting different gemstones involved and paying attention to layers. 

“Layering jewellery is a breeze but take it to the next level by playing with materials,” shares Ophelia Alickaj, founder of Crystal Haze, the original creator of the famous gummy bear necklaces. “Play with colour, materials, textures, lengths – the options are endless – and have fun with it. This creates visual impact and adds a unique touch to your outfit,” she adds, noting that the beachy, festival-ready layered necklace look is one of her favourites.

For Loveness Lee, founder and creative director of her namesake label that focuses on crafting sculptural pieces with the help of fruits, vegetables and outdoor plants, rings are a great way to begin practising jewellery layering. “This is literally my daily layering look. Mixed and matched gemstones are so fun – think emeralds, sapphires and moissanite, which create such a statement when they’re stacked across gold and silver styles,” she says. “Stacking a different number of rings on each finger creates structure on the hand, which is more interesting. You can play with the different ways of stacking every day with the same rings.” So, once you have a small selection of jewellery, layering them together in different ways will leave you with a huge range of different ways to wear them. 

Of course, to achieve a great layered look, you need to be able to actually see every piece of jewellery that you’ve put on which wouldn’t be possible if everything was the same length. According to Maya Brenner, founder and CEO of her namesake label: “There’s no set formula, but a good place to start for beginners is a dainty personalised piece,” which can then be layered with something a little longer. Plus, varying lengths “will help prevent tangling”, a huge bugbear of any regular necklace wearer.

Lee also talks about the importance of weight and how this ties into the length like some sort of formula. “Definitely mix chunky chain link necklaces and thin chain drop pendants. The chunky chain needs to be shorter in length than the pendant necklace to create this look,” she explains. “This is the perfect combination for wearing with a low-cut top in summer and creating an everyday layering look that can be easily switched out from a casual to a more dressy outfit.” Then you can continue adding different length chains to add even more interest.

The same weight principles can also be applied to rings. According to Brenner: “When it comes to ring stacking, we always recommend some delicate bands in a range of finishes. When layering with these, they can act like the break between your statement rings especially if you want to mix metal.” She’s even created a stacking trio to help get us started with the styling, too. 

While tips on how to layer jewellery are incredibly helpful, it’s important to remember the key reason why it’s so popular. “Layering means you have styled your jewellery 100% authentically to you. Something great about layering is that you can incorporate classic pieces that may hold sentimental value but put your own twist on it to modernise the overall look and make it your own,” shares Alickaj. “Whether it’s a simple sentimental chain or a collection of charms you’ve collected over the years, wear them, layer them and keep them close to your heart.”

Plus, of course, there are no hard and fast rules. If you’re someone who prefers to keep their hands free from of jewellery, you can pile on the necklaces. Or if necklaces aren’t your thing, try earrings, which Brenner loves. “I love an asymmetrical look or a mix-and-match design. Most of our earrings are sold as singles for this exact reason, so that they can be playfully combined so you can create a look that’s uniquely you.” 

Images: courtesy of brands