Chunky, oversized jewellery has had us in a chokehold for the past few years. But while hefty, sculptural link chains are instant statement pieces, they aren’t necessarily the most practical for everyday wear. Which is why fine jewellery designers today are offering up a range of link necklaces, bracelets, pendants, and earrings in various sizes that are easy to layer, many of them finished with other industrial-inspired motifs like padlocks and T-bars. Playing with tension and proportion, these pieces have a certain duality, simultaneously looking both dainty and tough, hard and soft, grungy and sophisticated.
Even though you might not be handling any heavy machine parts at work, you can wear the tools of the trade in a more distilled form. In 2024, Tiffany added scaled-down, more slender versions of bangles and pendants to its signature Lock collection, making them even more stackable and easier to mix and match. The brand’s HardWear collection, identifiable by its ball-and-chain links inspired by New York’s architecture, also carries pieces in multiple sizes which have been spotted on Blake Lively, Dua Lipa, and Rosie Huntington-Whitely. London-based label Annoushka’s Knuckle Dust double hoop earrings, an elongated take on the mariner’s chain, can be worn as a matching pair or be split and worn asymmetrically, or even with detachable earring charms. Yvonne Léon’s diamond necklace with an oversized carabiner-like latch is a great stand-alone piece, but looks great layered with others as well.
Whether you prefer gold or silver, simple or diamond-encrusted, curb or paperclip, below, see our edit of jewellery to which you can anchor your look.
