How to Wear Women’s Gold Chains with Style

Lester Fangonilo - December 25, 2021

Gold chain necklaces are the most deceptively simple pieces of jewelry. Certainly unfussy and frills-free, they can add a certain je ne sais quoi to practically any outfit from the basic pairing of a plain white tee over faded denims to a slinky little black dress.

However, it’s also quite easy to go from ultra-simple to ridiculously over the top - and by over the top, we mean layering enough chains on yourself to make you look like an extra from a hiphop video. In today’s feature, we talk about how you can stylishly wear gold chain necklaces with practically anything in your wardrobe, taking into consideration your own tastes and personality in the process.

Pretty and Practical Ways to Wear Women’s Gold Chains

1. What Sort of Gold Chains Do You Prefer?

Women's gold chains come in a dizzying array of styles and lengths to suit diverse tastes. From classic cable link chains and anchor chains to more elaborate designs like the Byzantine and serpentine chains so favored by many upmarket jewelers, it's pretty hard to choose.

Rule of thumb: the look of the chain will help determine what you could pair it with from your wardrobe. For instance, chunky gold chains - particularly choker-style Cuban links with oversized loops - are a statement piece that would go magnificently with a strapless dress, preferably one in basic black or in a darker shade of either blue or red. The effect would be stunning and the overall look would benefit from equally chunky accessories such as avant-garde earrings or a particularly extravagant bracelet or timepiece.

Meanwhile, for those who prefer a daintier, more subtle look, more delicate-looking gold chains are a go-anywhere / do-anything accessory. Rope chains, the slightly more elaborate-looking rolo chains, and Singapore chains would be perfect choices and all three can be worn alone. They're also quite versatile and would actually work with everything from loungewear to corporate power dressing, adding a nuanced hint of sophistication.

2. What Does Your Wardrobe Look Like?

We stated earlier that you can pair women's gold chains with practically any outfit, but the sort of gold chains you should invest in would also depend on what you wear on a regular basis.

For example, those who wear turtlenecks would probably prefer longer chains, particularly those that fall slightly above the bustline or thicker chain types that would add a hint of Left Bank or avant-garde chic to a turtleneck in neutral shades. Likewise, chains that wrap choker-style around the base of one's neck would look fabulous with tops with an off-the-shoulder neckline, or are sleeveless or single-sleeved. Gold chains of a more conventional length work with round-necked tees, button-downs, and even frilled blouses.

3. Consider the Shape of Your Face

Even your physical appearance can help you choose a suitable gold chain necklace. Women with round faces are advised not to wear gold chains that are either too chunky, outre, or are of a shorter length. This is because these will only make your neck seem shorter and your face a lot rounder - and no one particularly likes being described as moon-faced, after all. In order to flatter the curves of your face and give your profile a somewhat tapered look, we recommend wearing thinner gold chains.

Conversely, thinner chains are not recommended for those whose faces are on the narrower side as it makes them look pinched in. Wearing chunkier pieces will help mitigate the angles and give the illusion of contour.

4. How Long a Chain Do You Usually Wear?

As we stated earlier, women's gold chains tend to come in varying lengths. The standard women's gold chain necklace is usually between 20 and 24 inches, making it the perfect length to wear with a pendant or a small cluster of charms.

Those who want something between a choker and a necklet that can rest within the area of one's collarbones would do well to choose a chain between 14 and 18 inches long. Conversely, those who like wearing thicker, chunkier chains on their own or like layering multiple chains over their outfits should consider those that are between 25 and 30 inches or even longer for a fun, swinging look.

5. How Wide a Chain Should You Wear?

Now this point is a matter of personal taste as the thickness or width of a woman's gold chain - along with the length, of course - will create different looks with different outfits.

If you're gunning for simple sophistication, we suggest wearing chains that are between 1mm to 6mm wide. Chains of this width are also the perfect ones to wear with a pendant, medallion, or even a set of charms. Just be sure that the pendant is not that much heavier than the chain itself as this will make it prone to snapping and breaking.

Women's gold chains that are 6mm to 10mm wide have just enough heft to be worn on their own, particularly with a simple little black dress or with a blazer and skirt / slacks combo for work.

To stay within the bounds of good taste, however, we suggest refraining from chains thicker than 12mm with your regular look as these may be too out there to wear to work and they will weigh on your neck and shoulders over the course of the day. Just save these for the club scene and you are good to go.

Things to Remember Before Buying Women's Gold Chain Necklaces

Before you buy your bling, be sure to check with your jeweler of choice as to what styles and lengths they would recommend for you based on the shape of your face as well as your personal style.

Getting your neck measured for a chain is also a good way to ensure that the chain you get is something you'll actually want to wear in terms of both style and comfort. Getting the right length and width of chain for a necklace ensures that it doesn't feel heavy or uncomfortable when you wear it. Likewise, be sure to check the durability of the chain; after all, you don't want it slipping or snapping off you.

Finally, it pays to ask about the different styles of women's gold chains. Standard rope chains are all well and good, but there is a galaxy of aesthetic forms waiting to be discovered. These are interesting to look at and you just may find one that truly suits you.