Fellas, there’s a hot new accessory trend that’s been taking the men’s fashion world by storm – necklaces for guys! From rappers and rockstars to actors and Instagram influencers, it seems like every cool dude is rocking some sort of necklace these days.
But are necklaces actually attractive on guys, or is this just a weird fad that will fade out faster than frosted tips? As someone who’s experimented with male necklaces myself over the years, I’m here to give you the real deal on this polarizing topic.
Potential Benefits of Guys Wearing Necklaces
They Can Add a Stylish, Personal Touch
Let’s be real – lots of guys struggle to accessorize and add personality to their outfits. We basically wear the same jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers every day. A necklace is an easy way to elevate your look and make a simple outfit more stylish and unique.
Speaking from experience, when I started wearing some simple beaded necklaces a few years back, my buddies immediately noticed and were like “Yo, you’re actually putting in effort now!” A little necklace bling made my boring outfits pop.
It Shows Confidence and Personal Style
Rocking a necklace, especially a bold one, takes a certain level of confidence that’s low-key attractive. It shows you’re comfortable expressing yourself through fashion and not just following the crowd.
My friend Marcus is a perfect example – dude has zero problem busting out some crazy necklaces that I would never have the guts to pull off. But you know what? The confidence he has while wearing them actually makes the necklaces look cool on him. It’s all about how you own the look.
Masculine Necklace Styles Exist
I know what you’re thinking – “Necklaces are for chicks, bro.” But hear me out, there are plenty of necklace styles that can actually come across as very masculine and complement a rugged aesthetic.
Think leather cord necklaces, thick metal chains, beaded necklaces, dog tags, or pendants with tribal/ethnic influences. Styled right, those necklaces don’t look feminine at all and can mesh perfectly with an edgy, tough guy vibe.
Necklaces with Meaning Are Conversation Starters
One underrated perk of rocking a necklace is that it can be a great conversation starter, especially if it has some symbolic meaning behind it. I have this simple wooden pendant that was a gift from my grandmother, and multiple people have asked me about its significance.
It’s an easy way to instantly connect with someone new and share something personal about yourself. Way better icebreaker than just talking about the weather!
Potential Downsides of Necklaces for Guys
As with any fashion risk, there are definitely some potential downsides to be aware of when it comes to guys wearing necklaces.
Some View It as Too Feminine
Let’s face it, much of society still views necklaces as more feminine jewelry that should be reserved for the ladies. You might get some strange looks or even negative comments from more old-fashioned folks who consider male necklace-wearing unacceptably feminine or metrosexual.
My uncle never fails to give me a hard time whenever I wear one of my necklaces to a family gathering, calling me fancy names like “Mr. Accessory” or asking if I raided my girlfriend’s jewelry box. It can definitely rub some people the wrong way.
The Risk of Looking Gaudy or Over-Accessorized
There’s a fine line between adding a stylish necklace and going overboard into gaudy, over-accessorized territory. One wrong necklace choice and you can quickly start giving off “try-hard” vibes or looking like Mr. T hit the mall jewelry kiosk a little too hard.
I’ve definitely been guilty of this one. A few years ago I thought layering multiple chains and pendants looked cool, but photos from that era are oof city. Less is definitely more when it comes to male necklace game.
It Has to Be the Right Necklace for Your Style
Just like not every haircut or clothing style works for every guy, necklaces are very much a look that has to complement your overall aesthetic and vibe. Certain necklace styles and vibes simply won’t mesh well with your personality or the way you dress.
For example, I have a friend who rocks streetwear/hypebeast fits almost daily. A grungy leather necklace would probably look dope with his ‘fits. But if I, a basic T-shirt and jeans kind of dude, wore that same necklace, it would just look forced and out of place.
Necklaces Don’t Work in Very Formal Settings
While necklaces can elevate and add personality to casual looks, there’s a time and a place for them. More formal, conservative settings and dress codes may not be necklace-appropriate, even for the most stylish guys.
Like, you would never catch a groom wearing a beaded pendant necklace with his tuxedo on his wedding day (and if you did, his mother-in-law would probably pass out). Same goes for super corporate offices, courtrooms, etc. Read the room and remove the necklace bling when it’s not the vibe.
Popular Jewelry Pie Chart
Different Necklace Styles for Guys to Consider
Okay, so now that we’ve covered the pros and cons, let’s dig into some of the most popular necklace styles guys are sporting these days. I’ve broken them down into a few categories with my personal thoughts:
| Necklace Style | Description | Ideal For | My Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Necklaces | Classic metal chains, often gold or silver toned. Can be thick and chunky or more delicate. | Casual to semi-formal looks. Works with t-shirts, button-downs, jackets, etc. | A solid choice that can read masculine but also classy depending on the chain thickness and outfit. Just don’t go too Mr. T and you’re golden. |
| Pendants | A chain or cord necklace with some kind of decorative pendant or charm hanging from it. | Any casual look. Pendant designs can range from symbols to letters to shapes. | One of the most versatile styles that lets you get creative and personal with the pendant. Just be mindful of size and avoid anything too gaudy. |
| Beaded Necklaces | Made from materials like wood, stone, shells, glass or plastic beads strung together. | Laidback, boho, surfer, hippie inspired casual looks. | I’m a big fan of the beaded look for summer. Very earthy, relaxed vibe that works for guys. Just avoid anything too “bro” or Phishy. |
| Leather Necklaces | Necklaces made from leather cord or braid, sometimes with wood/metal accents or beads. | Edgier, rocker influenced casual to smart casual looks. | Can definitely give off a rugged, masculine vibe. Just be mindful of length and don’t go too wild west cowboy with it. |
And here’s a quick reference table I’ve thrown together rating how well I think some of these necklace styles suit different aesthetics and body types:
| Necklace Style | Streetwear | Rocker/Edgy | Preppy/Clean Cut | Athletic Build | Skinny/Lean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain Necklaces | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |||
| Pendants | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Beaded Necklaces | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Leather Necklaces | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
At the end of the day, the “right” necklace style depends heavily on the individual’s personal taste, style, and what they feel comfortable and confident wearing. But hopefully those tables give you a general sense of what necklaces may mesh well with your look and body type.
Necklace Inspo from the Celebs
Sometimes it helps to look at some real-life examples of celebrities nailing (or failing) the male necklace game to get necklace style inspiration. So here are a few examples to peep:
The Winners:
- Harry Styles’ pearls and charm necklaces giving vintage rocker vibes
- Jay-Z’s signature diamond-studded chain balancing luxe with edge
- Jared Leto’s funky beaded and shell necklaces complementing his bohemian aesthetic
- Michael B. Jordan looking suave AF with a simple gold pendant on the red carpet
These guys do a great job of choosing necklaces that elevate and complement their personal styles without looking too gaudy or out of place.
The Losers:
- Johnny Depp wearing literally a million tangled necklaces at once (go easy, dude!)
- Kanye going way too character with those oversized tribalist necklaces
- Spencer Pratt’s spray-tanned chest totally obscured by a mountain of clashing necklaces
The big takeaway from the “losers” is that scaling back is super important with necklaces for guys. Go minimal, choose quality pieces that make sense for the occasion, and know when enough is enough.
So Are Necklaces Actually Attractive on Guys? My Verdict
After weighing the good and the bad, my overall verdict is yes – necklaces CAN be very attractive on guys if styled properly! But there’s also a lot of potential for necklaces to look overly gaudy, cheesy, or forced if you don’t do it right.
If necklaces are something you want to experiment with, start simple and gradually build up your necklace arsenal over time. Pay attention to what styles and materials best complement both your personal aesthetic and your physical features/build.
Don’t be afraid to buy some cheaper necklaces at first to help you get a feel for what you like. Get opinions from friends you trust too. Then once you get comfortable, invest in some higher quality necklaces you really vibe with.
But most importantly – CONFIDENCE, CONFIDENCE, CONFIDENCE. The most attractive part of any accessory is wearing it unapologetically and fully owning the look. Do that, and even the most statement necklace can work for you.
At the end of the day, necklaces are all about personal expression, having fun with fashion, and letting your personality shine through. So play around with the necklace game, fellas! Just please, for the love of god, know your limits. No one wants to be that try-hard at the club with the tangled necklace tower on.