How to Wear Colorful Necklaces Over 50 Without Looking Overdone
I tend to keep my jewelry pretty simple, so I didn’t expect colorful necklaces to be the thing waking up my outfits this spring. I bought one to try, loved it, added a few more, and then started playing with layering them. They add color, texture, and enough interest to make a simple outfit look more finished without making it feel like too much.
Since many of us already enjoy wearing color, this doesn’t feel like a big leap. It just feels like a fresh way to use it.
Why I’ve Been Reaching For Them
What I like most is how easy they are. A colorful necklace can wake up a white shirt, a striped top, a navy tee, or a simple dress in seconds. Sometimes an outfit isn’t wrong, exactly. It just looks a little flat. These fix that quickly.
They also add something near the face, which makes more of a difference than you’d think. It’s a small change, but it can shift the whole feel of an outfit.
I bought this LIzzie Fortunato Mood Necklace last year and have been wearing the daylights out of it so when I spotted the large costume pieces, they felt lke a possibility.
How to Style Colorful Necklaces With Everyday Outfits
Some days I wear one on its own, and other days I layer two together for a little more personality. One necklace looks clean and polished, while layering gives it a bit more presence. I try to keep some connection between them, whether that’s the color, the scale, or the overall feel, so it looks intentional instead of busy. And if the necklace is doing a lot, I like the rest of the outfit to stay fairly simple.
This day I layered 4 smaller necklaces in the same color family. When I took off my jacket and was just wearing a simple white tee, the necklaces were perfect!
Colorful Necklaces to Try
I pulled together a mix of colorful necklaces at different price points, from easy little try-it pieces to a few that feel a bit more special.
Under $50
If you’re just curious about this trend, this is where I’d start. These are easy pieces you can try out with what you already wear and see how you like that little bit of color. They’re simple, wearable, and just enough to make an outfit feel a little more interesting.
Under $100
You’ll start to see nicer details and materials here, but nothing that feels too precious for everyday use. You’ll also notice a few pieces from familiar brands I love, like Madewell, Talbots, and BaubleBar, which tells me this is one of those accessory trends that’s really catching on.
This Bauble Bar necklace was the one that started it all for me. The chunky size and vibrant colors are what attracted me. It’s very lightweight and comfortable to layer on. This is available in 17 colors so the possibilities are endless.
Over $100
If you’ve tried this trend and know you like it, this is where you might want to invest a bit more. These pieces tend to have better materials, a more thoughtful design that is just a little more elevated.
Colorful necklaces are an easy way to add a little more personality to what you wear, whether you choose one on its own or layer a couple together. And the nice thing is, this isn’t the kind of piece that suddenly looks dated. If you’ve had a beaded necklace tucked away in your jewelry box for years, it may be time to pull it back out.
Have you been wearing colorful necklaces this spring, or are you tempted to try them?
This has really given mr the courage to start going through my necklaces and actually start wearing them again!!!
I have a beautiful pink quartz bead necklace that my husband gave me about 30 years ago. I’m wearing it in a portrait of us when I turned 50! Im 81 now and should get it out and actually wear it!
Hi Jennifer. I agree that the right necklace can make all the difference in an outfit. I love the look of layered necklaces but they always get twisted and then of course don’t look good at all! Do you have a necklace separator that you recommend? I’ve seen several on line with mixed reviews. Dont want to waste my money. I know you scour all the best sources!
I bought one and it didn’t work so I returned it. There are probably great ones, mine wasn’t.
This is exciting news! I have many of these types of necklaces that have felt outdated for a long while. I’ve always loved the natural look of semi-precious stones and the “just dug from the ground” element. Just an old hippy, I guess. I’ll certainly be pulling from my jewelry box and wearing again. Also will most certainly consider a purchase for a larger bead choker.
Thanks for keeping us over 60/70 ladies up on trends! Always enjoy your posts, Jennifer!