When rapper Doechii stepped onto the BET Awards red carpet this past summer with stacks of bracelets on her arms, it was clear that a certain maximalist jewellery trend had re-emerged.
In ancient civilizations in Egypt and Rome, layered chains represented status and wealth.Jenny Bird
Jewellery stacking – layering rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings in varying shapes, sizes, metals and textures – is gaining traction on fashion runways and social media, as a way to express one’s personal style.
Stacking may be having a moment, but the practice can be traced back centuries. In ancient civilizations in Egypt and Rome, layered chains represented status and wealth. The look gained popularity as a fashion movement during the Roaring Twenties before seeing a resurgence in the 2010s.
Meghan Markle and Catherine, Princess of Wales, have been known to wear stacked ring sets featuring their engagement rings, wedding bands and eternity bands, along with sentimental pieces from their late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Stars such as Gigi Hadid and Rihanna have also been spotted with bracelet and necklace stacks. Hadid often adds a playful element, while Rihanna tends to favour chunkier pieces. While the look can vary depending on the person or occasion, it’s common for jewellery lovers to have a staple everyday stack.
Jenny Bird, founder and creative director of her namesake Canadian jewellery and accessories brand, said the best stacks are highly personal.
“If the foundation of your stack starts with something you love, it tends to look effortless,” she said. “The magic is in the combination of the pieces you’ve worn forever and new pieces.”
Consider pairing silver with gold.Jenny Bird
While there are no hard and fast rules for building a jewellery stack, there are a few guiding principles to keep in mind.
When arranging bracelets and necklaces, Bird considers the “three Ts” – texture, tone and thickness. Consider pairing silver with gold, diamonds with beads, metal with thread and various widths to create visual interest.
Another approach is what Bird calls “the modern mash-up,” which involves starting with a personal keepsake or heirloom and building around it. “Pair a sentimental piece with a new piece of trend-forward jewellery,” she said.
As for the ears, Bird emphasized asymmetry and not being afraid to ditch matching pairs. She suggested stacking a pair of earrings on the same ear if you have multiple piercings, wearing ear cuffs on the upper ear or finding styles that create the illusion of multiple piercings.
When it comes to mixing metals, Bird is all for it. “Two-toning metal is one of the biggest trends right now,” she said.
Materials
Start with a personal heirloom and build around it.Jenny Bird
Vancouver-based fashion stylist Lindsay Wilkins recommends using your favourite metal as the focal point and adding just one or two pieces of an alternative material. “Think in twos – two chains or lengths, two bracelets, two earrings in each ear, and over time build on that,” she said.
There are some materials that hold up better than others. Both Bird and Wilkins recommended looking for pieces made with solid gold (yellow or white) because it won’t wear down.
Don’t
There are few rules when it comes to building a stack, according to Bird. The only mistake, she said, is overthinking it.
To Wilkins, jewellery is always appropriate – if anything, it can elevate even the most casual outfit.
However, she cautioned against adding too many pieces, especially when it comes to louder items. She recommended limiting yourself to one bold piece. “Chunky, heavy layers can get too costumey,” Wilkins advised.
