How to wear the chunky charm necklace trend, according to 7 Australians

“More is definitely more.”

Just last week, I bought an adorable keychain featuring reflective, gumball-like beads. It’s colourful, definitely made for a child and just the right amount of silly. It reminded me of my stash of loud, plastic-beaded jewellery I hoarded in primary school.

While my bank account statements show I’m still inclined towards this type of candy-esque collectable, in 2023, the maximalist jewellery aesthetic has matured.

For more fashion news, shoots, articles and features, head to our Fashion section.

Thanks to the likes of Bella Hadid who helped bring back the ’90s trend of cord necklaces with oversized heart pendants, there’s been an embrace of loaded jewellery stacks. In an almost gaudy fashion, stylish folk have been stacking necklace upon necklace around their necks.

Finished off with charms, pearls, pendants, gems (and belly piercings, if you’re anything like stylist Marisa Suen), these chunky charm necklaces – especially when layered – are unique; you won’t find anyone else replicating your gear. Here, seven Australians show us their chunky charm necklaces, the stories behind them and how they style them.

Marisa Suen, stylist

I’m famously in my trinket era at the moment. I love to layer these three necklaces together, they were all personally customised in [a way]. The top one is a Justine Clenquet [piece] and I’ve customised it by adding extra belly piercings. The middle is another Justine Clenquet necklace and I added a teddy charm myself.

The bottom one is a necklace I got customised when I was in Paris. I asked (begged) for the pendants to be added onto this thick ball chain. I love these three pieces separately [and] together, they’re so me. I love mixing gold and silver. They also match any outfit I put together!

@marisasuen

Jacqui Alford-Crofts, jewellery maker

I’ve always been a lover of vintage and costume jewellery. My favourite way to wear it is with a plain white tee, a tube top or over a collared shirt in place of a tie. I love chunky pendants, [they] add so much to a simple outfit and show off your personal style, they’ll always be a classic accessory staple.

@jacquialfordcrofts

Ethan Lazarof, content creator

God I love jewellery… the more unique, the better! This necklace has been a recent purchase from The Finders Keepers Market. I originally found the chain, which is vintage Tiffany and Co, and then found the rest of the charms on thrifting adventures.

I love her so much because I’m forever adding charms to it and it’s becoming a piece of jewellery that speaks to me! I like to style it by layering a shorter chunky silver chain as it creates a beautiful look. Ideally, the charms will be two-tone so that I can wear [them] with anything.

@ethanlazarof

Reese Claro, freelance photographer and web designer

Majority of my necklaces are from independent designers because I love supporting small businesses! As a creative, I love uplifting other designers and what better way to do that than to wear the art they’ve meticulously designed.

The ones I’m wearing in this photo are from Bead Soup, Peech Mart [and] Mrpk. The rest were gifted or handmade by [Frane]. I also think that stacking my necklaces is so fun because even though I’m working with the same pieces, I can achieve different looks all the time.

@reeseclaro

Elsa Mullins, content creator

I find the key to the perfect eye-catching necklace is to add as many elements as possible – more is definitely more! I tend to lean towards a gold chain adorned with a mixture of silver, glass, enamel and gemstone pendants. My favourite charm necklace I actually made myself during a cute craft night with my friend.

We went to a bead wholesale store and picked out a selection of charms that we loved, which makes the necklace all the more special. I tend to style it by layering it with other simple chains, some pearls and other statement pendants. A true maximalist dream.

@etherealelsa

Tegan Whittaker, freelance fashion assistant

A necklace is always a finishing piece for me! It always takes forever to pick which of them I’m going to wear. My favourite necklace is one that I wear all the time, my Nadia Ridiandries piece named Flashing Lights. It was a gift from my partner of five years and my first piece of luxury jewellery. I love it so much because of how it goes with my entire wardrobe, whether I’m going to the beach, going to a gig or working on set.

It’s got an aura of casual elegance, which is why I wear it so much. I usually love to style it with a boat neck or drapey top, usually in black, with a low-rise jean for a casual fit or some slacks to wear in the office. Alternatively, I also love to wear it with jorts and a bikini top for a bit of summer fun.

I also like to stack it with my Siren the Label necklace named Zephyr, which offers a more bold and intentional look. I got it after working with the lovely team on a shoot, and I just loved them so much that I had to have a piece for myself. I like to save this necklace for special occasions or for when my outfit needs a bit of ‘oomph’.

@teganwhittakr

Rylie Cooke, art director

I’ve been seeing chunky charm necklaces everywhere and am obsessed with Haricot Vert. So [I] decided with a friend that we just had to make our own. We went to a local bead store and picked out some cute charms, glass beads and filler pearls. In this pic, I’ve layered two of them that I beaded with some other Mejuri necklaces as I love a good jewellery stack!

I’m also really into mixing metals when it comes to jewellery so I like [it] when some of the charms are silver on a gold chain. I styled it with a new white Permanent Vacation lace top that I’ve popped a red bra under and paired it with one of my all-time fave jackets, a leopard print vintage piece from my mum.

@rylie_cookie

For more jewellery trends, try this.