How to Wear Silver Necklaces for Men

Whether you’re after a simple necklace or enough bling to be seen from space, take a look at everything you need to get started. Learn how to choose the right necklace length and how to wear dog tags without getting arrested.

Actually men’s necklaces have been here to stay. Whatever necklace you’re after, choose something that tells your story. An accessory does more than just look good – it symbolizes your journey, an adventure, a special moment in life or even reminds you of a time and place. What story will yours tell?

HOW TO WEAR MEN’S NECKLACES

1)  Know what story you want to tell

Ask yourself how attention-grabbing you want the necklace to be. Do you want an outrageously thick gold necklace or a simple

steel necklace and cross pendant?

2)  Know what you’ll wear with your necklace

Will you wear it on top of your shirt or beneath it? Knowing this helps you decide on the size and length. A necklace with a Thor’s Hammer pendant can add style when worn on top of a basic T-shirt, while a 2 mm gold-tone steel chain would just peek out from under a button-down shirt.

And if you’re after something lightweight in the summer, waxed cotton cord blends nicely between hanging out at the pool and going for drinks at night.

3) Know what color you need and match metals

From colored beaded necklaces to silver- and gold-tone stainless steel, your necklace should

match other colors in your outfit and other metals. If you’re also wearing bracelets,

rings or a watch – and why wouldn’t you? – keep everything cohesive. And since necklaces touch the skin, make sure they’re made from nickel-free metal to avoid an allergic reaction.

4）Know how many you want

This goes back to #2. It’s tricky to wear multiple necklaces under a shirt without their outline being visible. But on top of a shirt… go wild.

To layer necklaces and wear more than one, choose 2-3 necklaces of different textures and varying lengths. Wearing 3 thick, gold chain necklaces won’t look as good as 2 chains of different thickness and 1 beaded necklace with gold-tone accent beads.

CHOOSING THE BEST SIZE & LENGTH OF CHAINS

For most men’s chains, 50 cm (20”) is the average length. This falls at the collar bone between the top two buttons on a shirt and looks good inside or outside the shirt. If you’re wearing a pendant necklace, opt for 55-63 cm (22-25”) so the pendant finishes in the middle of your chest.

35-45 cm (14-18”) – Quite form-fitting and will be visible above your shirt.

50-55 cm (20-22”) – Falls at the collarbone and is the most common size for men’s necklaces. Can be worn inside or outside the shirt.

55-61 cm (22-24”) – Falls in the middle of the chest and looks great with a medallion, pendant, or dog tags. Can be worn inside or outside the shirt.

61-76 cm (24-30”) – Designed to be worn on the outside of your shirt. Looks best with a larger pendant or a thicker chain. Total attention-grabber.

If you’re only wearing a chain (and aren’t looking for a statement-making necklace), a width of 2-6 mm is a good start. When adding a pendant, make sure it fits the chain and isn’t overpowered by its thickness. If you’re looking for a chunky gold chain necklace that falls in the ‘bling’ category, shop for 12 mm or wider. Chain width and length go hand and hand, so make sure they’re proportional to each other – in other words, no 35 cm (14″) chains with 12 mm width.

1-6 mm – This ranges from the discreetly thin to the standard width of most men’s necklaces. Can easily go under your shirt.

6-10 mm – This necklace width works well for pendants and chains outside of your shirt.

10-X mm – You’ve entered the ‘I wore this to impress’ zone. Necklaces of more than 10 mm (the thickness of recent iPhones) are worn to garner attention.

HOW TO CLEAN & CARE FOR NECKLACES

Too much dirt and dust on your necklace chain can cause it to break and lose its shine. Pendants also look better without months of fingerprints, sweat and oil caked on. Take note of the material and follow the guidelines below for general cleaning.

HOW TO CLEAN STAINLESS STEEL NECKLACES & JEWELRY

Add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap to a bowl of warm water.

Dip a soft, lint-free cloth in the water and wipe the necklace (pendant removed) until clean.

Rinse off any soap from your necklace.

Dry with a clean towel and air dry.

Use a polishing cloth for extra shine.

The steps above can also be used for steel rings, bracelets and pendants. Some people in our office swear by toothpaste and an old toothbrush for cleaning stainless steel necklaces. Be sure you use a non-abrasive, non-whitening toothpaste and completely rinse the necklace afterwards.

HOW TO CLEAN LEATHER NECKLACES & BRACELETS

Do not submerge a leather necklace in water because it can shrink and lose its color. Instead, use a slightly damp cloth with a drop of mild hand soap (moisturizer free) to gently wipe down the necklace. Wipe with a clean damp cloth afterwards and allow the leather necklace to air dry before wearing.

HOW TO CLEAN BEAD & STONE NECKLACES

Keep your beaded necklace looking like new with a soft brush (an old toothbrush) and a bowl of warm water. Add a drop or two of mild dish soap and, using the brush, gently clean the beads. Use a clean damp towel to wipe off any soap and allow the necklace to air dry.