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Men have been wearing jewelry since people invented the idea of body adornment. Throughout history, jewelry has served many purposes. From symbols of wealth to ceremonial tools, a gold necklace for men has always been a thing of beauty and meaning.
Nowadays, gold chains still prevail. If you’re wondering where to start your accessorizing journey, here are some things you need to know before investing in your first chain.
Choose Your Chain Style
The first thing you should learn about a gold necklace for men is the chain style. There’s a lot to choose from, and they all look different and express a different vibe. Here are some of the most popular types to start with.
1. Rope Chain
A rope chain is a popular style with an intricate chain pattern that gives off a three-dimensional look. It’s created by twisting multiple smaller gold chains together, thus making it look sturdy. Most rope chains are thinner, but you can still wear them as a single chain because of how intricate they are. Wear one with a simple shirt to start your gold chain journey.
2. Box Chain
A box chain is created by linking square chain links, resulting in a simple, solid look. It has a modern masculine charm, and its simplicity lends well to solo and layered styling. This necklace is something you can sport every day.
3. Herringbone Chain
The herringbone is smooth and luxurious, and it definitely makes a statement. It looks great with a dress shirt when you’re going to an event — you’ll look absolutely expensive. It’s bold enough independently, but if you’re feeling daring, you can pile it on with thinner chains to create a maximalist layered style.
4. Cable Chain
Cable chains are classic and plenty of styles fall under the cable-chain umbrella. Some of the market’s most popular chain offerings are cable-chain variants.
The chain is characterized by either round or oval interlocked links. It’s simple, making it versatile and easy to style.
5. Cable Chain
The curb chain falls under the cable-chain category. You’ll know it’s a curb chain if it’s made up of interlocking links resulting in a flat chain. It’s durable, versatile and eye-catching once you get to the thicker sizes.
6. Ball Chain
A ball chain is a thin type of chain made up of round balls connected to each other. It’s simple and understated, perfect for layering or wearing with a pendant.
7. Figaro Chain
Figaro is a more flashy, eye-catching style. The chain has alternating different-sized links, which form an interesting pattern. If you really want to turn heads, go for a thicker chain.
Choose Your Chain Length
The next thing you must consider when looking for a gold necklace for men is the length. The length of your chain can determine its overall impact on your fit. Plus, it contributes to your level of comfort.
Here are the standard necklace lengths:
- 14 to 18 inches: This is a form-fitting choker fit. Because they’re shorter, these chains are almost always visible.
- 20 to 24 inches: Not too long and not too short, this is the most common necklace length for men. The chain falls right by the collarbone, and you can wear it over or under the shirt.
- 26 to 30 inches: This is the length you should go for if you’re looking to make a statement. Necklaces this long are perfect for wearing outside the shirt and with a pendant.
Your Chain Size
Thickness is an essential factor to consider when looking for a chain. Here are the different size ranges for gold chains:
- 1 to 6mm: These are thin, subtle necklaces not meant to catch attention. If you’re not as confident in wearing jewelry yet, this could be a good places to start.
- 6 to 10mm: This thickness can support pendants.
- 10 mm and thicker: These are statement chains. This thickness is all about showing off and getting noticed.
You should choose length and thickness in relation to each other. Go for what makes more sense style and comfort wise. For instance, wearing a choker-length 10mm necklace is inadvisable, so go for something more realistic.
Styling a Gold Necklace for Men
Finally, you can get to styling your chain. There are a lot of ways to wear a necklace. You can go basic, but you can also go further, like wearing it with other jewelry or layering it with different-sized chains. These are the most common ways to style a gold necklace:
- Single chain: Most men wear chains this way. Simply put on a single chain, and style it depending on the chain type, length and thickness. Putting on a single gold chain — even a subtle one — can instantly take your look to the next level.
- Layering: You might be tempted to stack all your chains together, but there’s an art to necklace layering. First of all, make sure that your chains are of differing lengths. Then, experiment with different styles. For instance, you can wear a shorter box chain layered with a longer ball chain with a pendant. It’s an excellent way to elevate your outfit.
- Pendants: Pendants are more suited to thinner chains, but you can certainly add one to a thicker chain if you want to make a statement. As for everyday wear, you can choose from simple pendants like crosses and dog tags, then switch it up to gems when you attend an event.
Going For Gold
Gold chains are as ubiquitous as they are versatile. Found on the necks of both your average yet stylish Joe and famous, prominent individuals, gold necklaces for men are here to stay. For some, gold chains have transcended accessories and have become tools for self-expression and confidence.
If you want to get an accessory soon, go for a gold chain. With all the choices available, you’ll definitely come across one that speaks to you. Try experimenting with varying styles, lengths and thicknesses to find your true style. You’ll either find one type you love or start a whole collection.
