Should Guys Wear Necklaces? (Ask Cladright)

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You may have heard conflicting opinions about whether or not guys should wear necklaces. We at Cladright believe it’s an easy answer: Yes, absolutely!

In the world of jewelry, there are no gender rules. The only thing limiting you are your own style preferences. Necklaces, in particular, are an accessory that has a long history in menswear.

European men have long embraced chains as a sign of class and style, and here in the United States men’s necklaces have a rich history in both streetwear and high fashion. 

Chains are the most popular men’s necklace style the globe over, worn either alone or with a pendant. There are so many designs and chain types to choose from that for the necklace curious, or the seasoned wearer, you are encouraged to make this menswear classic a look all your own. 

Photos by Frank K / Gabb Tapic

Are necklaces attractive on guys?

Beauty is the eye of the beholder, but when it comes to things the human eye generally likes to behold, fine jewelry is certainly at the top of the list. With such a range of designs it is certainly a matter of taste. Individual preference aside, a tastefully worn necklace is, objectively, a pretty appealing look on a man.

Photo by Jermaine Ulinwa

Tucked underneath a shirt, unbuttoning your shirt to reveal it against your chest, or worn over your shirt a necklace can bring an air of sophisticated, sexy, cool no matter how you style it. 

The key to pulling off any piece of clothing or accessory is to always start with yourself, with necklaces you can let trends or fashion icons be your inspiration but the best choice will always be the one that feels natural to you. When you wear something authentically and with confidence it will be attractive to others. 

Why do some guys wear necklaces?

Men wear necklaces for all kinds of reasons: they enjoy having fun with their style, for the feeling of luxury, and to express themselves. One of the more special things about wearing men’s jewelry like necklaces is how personal they can be.

Unlike a shirt you change out everyday, our favorite jewelry pieces become a part of us — worn time and time again and accompanying us wherever we go. 

Worn close to heart, necklaces can give us strength, comfort, or represent something meaningful to us. Even if you are just in it for the fashion, a necklace is an accessory that easily completes and elevates your outfit. 

Gold or silver chain for guys?

Two of the most common necklace styles are chains in gold or silver. That is for good reason as they are both sturdy and timeless (both in fashion and how long they will last). These metals are really neutrals that go with anything, so you cannot go wrong with either.

Photo by Reead

Depending on your skin tone, preference, and the other colors you are most drawn to in your wardrobe you may simply gravitate toward one or the other. 

When building a jewelry collection many will choose one metal in order to curate pieces that can be easily worn together. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, as well.Silver can be more affordable than gold, but with any necklace the price can vary depending on the designer, and the quality and purity of metal. 

How thick should your chain be? How long should it be?

For most men, necklaces somewhere between 1.5 and 4 mm in width will be the right choice for a modern everyday piece. The nice thing about chains in this range is that they are comfortable, lightweight, and versatile; they are beautiful but not bulky and you can wear them tucked underneath your shirt or on top of it.

Typically, you will also want to choose a more narrow chain if you plan to pair it with a pendant.

If you want to make more of a statement you can invest in a chain that is up to 12 mm wide (cuban link or flat link style chains are popularly found in these sizes), or really, as wide as you like. In terms of length, most men will feel comfortable with a necklace between 18 and 28 inches for daily wear.

So, Should Guys Wear Necklaces?

Before investing in a new piece of jewelry you should certainly give it thought. That being said, let’s put the question of whether men’s jewelry is something you could and should wear at all out of your mind.

A great necklace chain in particular is an item every guy should have in their style arsenal. While trends and fashion collections come and go every season, the endurance of the necklace as a men’s accessory throughout time and around the globe shows that it will never go out of style. 

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