2026 — year of the necklace?
“Neck mess”: why 2026 has become the year of the necklace
On August 28, 2026, the authoritative publication Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) officially named the current season the “year of the necklace.” What was recently perceived as a random layering of jewelry has turned into a deliberate and commercially highly successful trend known as the neck mess.
The essence of the phenomenon is simple yet radical. Instead of a single statement piece, several appear on the neck at once—varying in length, texture, material, and origin. Delicate chains sit alongside large pearls, chunky pendants beside airy strands, and modern design next to vintage finds. The main rule of this trend is that there are no strict rules. It looks deliberately “messy,” almost collage-like, but it is precisely in this effortless chaotic quality that the new luxury lies.
The numbers confirm the shift in priorities. According to luxury retailer Moda Operandi, necklaces have overtaken earrings in sales share for the first time—in both the fashion jewelry and fine jewelry segments. Customers are increasingly purchasing multiple pieces in a single order, while acquiring more expensive items gradually, turning the neck into a personal, constantly evolving collection. The company even dubbed this style “neck mess”—a term that quickly caught on across the industry.
On the runways, the trend has already become the norm. Mathieu Blazy actively used multi-layered jewelry in his debut collection for Chanel. Gucci featured tangled, almost collage-like combinations in its Resort 2027 line. Meanwhile, Marc Jacobs pushed the idea to decorative chaos, turning the neck into an independent artistic statement. Designers no longer offer “one perfect necklace”—they offer the freedom to combine and tell one's own story through layers.
For the jewelry industry, this is an important signal. After several seasons of minimalism and delicate chains, the market is once again craving expressiveness and individuality. The neck mess works equally well in demi-fine and high jewelry. It looks organic both in everyday outfits and on the red carpet.
In the coming months, we will see this trend evolve even further—from bold experiments by young designers to refined interpretations in the collections of major houses. One thing is already clear: the neck has once again become the primary canvas for self-expression.
Sources:
• Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). “Why Layering Statement Necklaces are Trending for 2026 and Beyond”, August 28, 2026.
• Comments by Ryan Kleman, Vice President of Non-Apparel at Moda Operandi.
• Collections by Chanel (Mathieu Blazy, Spring 2026), Gucci Resort 2027, Marc Jacobs Spring 2027.
On August 28, 2026, the authoritative publication Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) officially named the current season the “year of the necklace.” What was recently perceived as a random layering of jewelry has turned into a deliberate and commercially highly successful trend known as the neck mess.
The essence of the phenomenon is simple yet radical. Instead of a single statement piece, several appear on the neck at once—varying in length, texture, material, and origin. Delicate chains sit alongside large pearls, chunky pendants beside airy strands, and modern design next to vintage finds. The main rule of this trend is that there are no strict rules. It looks deliberately “messy,” almost collage-like, but it is precisely in this effortless chaotic quality that the new luxury lies.
The numbers confirm the shift in priorities. According to luxury retailer Moda Operandi, necklaces have overtaken earrings in sales share for the first time—in both the fashion jewelry and fine jewelry segments. Customers are increasingly purchasing multiple pieces in a single order, while acquiring more expensive items gradually, turning the neck into a personal, constantly evolving collection. The company even dubbed this style “neck mess”—a term that quickly caught on across the industry.
On the runways, the trend has already become the norm. Mathieu Blazy actively used multi-layered jewelry in his debut collection for Chanel. Gucci featured tangled, almost collage-like combinations in its Resort 2027 line. Meanwhile, Marc Jacobs pushed the idea to decorative chaos, turning the neck into an independent artistic statement. Designers no longer offer “one perfect necklace”—they offer the freedom to combine and tell one's own story through layers.
For the jewelry industry, this is an important signal. After several seasons of minimalism and delicate chains, the market is once again craving expressiveness and individuality. The neck mess works equally well in demi-fine and high jewelry. It looks organic both in everyday outfits and on the red carpet.
In the coming months, we will see this trend evolve even further—from bold experiments by young designers to refined interpretations in the collections of major houses. One thing is already clear: the neck has once again become the primary canvas for self-expression.
Sources:
• Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). “Why Layering Statement Necklaces are Trending for 2026 and Beyond”, August 28, 2026.
• Comments by Ryan Kleman, Vice President of Non-Apparel at Moda Operandi.
• Collections by Chanel (Mathieu Blazy, Spring 2026), Gucci Resort 2027, Marc Jacobs Spring 2027.
31.08.2026