How To Wear A Necklace With A Collared Shirt

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Finding a great necklace is a thrill, but you’re not alone if your favorite chain spend too much time sitting unworn on your dresser rather than around your neck. Even if you love a jewelry piece you recently acquired, it can be a challenge figuring out how to style it and work it into your wardrobe. 

One of the most common questions men have about styling jewelry is how to wear their necklaces with collared shirts.

We hear you, and we have the answers you are looking for. Let’s get into our main necklace wearing tips so that you, too, will feel confident when wearing your jewelry. 

closeup of layered gold necklaces and unbuttoned collar
An example of layering necklaces and multiple pendants.

What kind of necklace goes with a collared shirt?

While there are plenty of collared shirt styles, the necklace style that will most suit it is going to be a simple metal chain, no matter the occasion, material, or cut of your button-up.

Chains in a yellow or white metal provide a perfect accessory to the crisp collared shirts in your closet. Metal chains are recommended because they lay nicely underneath your collar, and both yellow and white metals are easy to pair with almost any collared shirt.

We love pendant, beaded, and other unique necklaces, but these styles can look a bit busy against the tailored elements of a collared shirt. 

When it comes to the style of chain, that is really up to you, your own style preferences, and the look you are putting together. You can’t go wrong with a beautiful metal chain on its own, the rest is a matter of taste. 

Something else to love about a chain is that depending on the pairing, it can dress you up or add some downtown edge — perhaps even a touch of both. 

Do you wear a chain inside or outside of your shirt?

Short answer: It depends.

Whether to wear a necklace inside or outside of your shirt is mostly a matter of preference, but however you prefer to wear it, we do have some tips for doing it well. 

For a more stylish, trend-forward look: If you are wearing your collar buttoned up all the way up you should be sure to wear your chain on the outside of your shirt.

Closing your top button is a clean modern look and a chain can sometimes take the place of a tie as a statement accessory. If wearing a tie or bow-tie, your chain can add another element of personality to your polished look. 

More traditionally, or when wearing a collared shirt with the first two buttons undone, keep the chain inside your shirt, especially for shorter necklaces. Keeping a few of the top buttons undone will show a bit of your chest and show off the shine of your chain. 

How to wear a chain with a men’s button-up shirt

Many men wear more casual button up shirts regularly to work, on a date, or for a casual weekend outing. Your denim, chambray, flannel, or cotton collared shirts will look great with a couple buttons undone and your chain peeking out from underneath. 

A couple styles to try with a more laid back look are: wearing a more delicate chain with a pendant, layering a couple of chains, or wearing one larger cuban link chain.

No matter what you choose, it is a sexy and timeless look for men to show a hint of metal beneath the collar. 

On the other hand, when you bust out your tailored pieces and suiting, a necklace is an instant way to turn your outfit into a real statement.

man wearing striped shirt and necklaces
Layering shorter and longer necklaces. Photo by Dinielle De Veyra

A neutral tone or white collared shirt is best to keep your look tasteful and cohesive – toning down the rest of your pieces will also draw attention to your favorite chain.

Don’t be afraid to try chunkier chains and bold pieces, especially when wearing an understated suit.

With a collared dress shirt, wear your chain tucked inside your shirt collar. Choose a length that is not too long, so that it is visible even with your jacket buttoned.

If you want to go for a more-is-more look, you can also play with layering your chains and pairing longer and shorter chains together. 

Another look you can try with your dress shirt is to try a collar chain. To do this, fasten all the shirt buttons and wear your necklace directly underneath your collar (where you’d normally put a tie or bow tie).

Choose a shorter length of chain (about 16 inches) in a flat link style that will lie neatly underneath your collar. 

What length should my chain be?

The most popular chain lengths to wear with a collared shirt are between 18 – 26 inches.

These are lengths that will lay on you anywhere from your collarbone down to the middle of your chest, and can be worn both on top of, or underneath, your shirts. 

For a sharp and modern around-the-collar look you will want to try a shorter chain, around 16 inches. And if you enjoy wearing a lot of jewelry you can also have some fun playing with longer chains, 28 – 30 inches, as layering pieces.

If you’re new to layering necklaces, start with two: one shorter and one slightly longer.

man wearing shorter necklace and collared shirt
Shorter necklace with a collared shirt. Photo by VICKIIDO

How will you wear your necklace?

There are a lot of ways to wear your necklaces and chains with collared shirts. We hope this quick article has given you some confidence and inspiration to give it a try!

You can use your jewelry to create a whole new look with your collared shirts and tailored pieces, taking them from classic to trend-forward, buttoned-up to daring.

Make it your own, have fun with it, and use your necklaces to create more expressive and cohesive looks with your favorite collared shirts. 

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