This Accessory Will Make Every Outfit You Wear Feel More Current

After years of forgoing statement necklaces in favour of delicate, layered pendants, fashion has spoken: Heavy-duty neck candy is very much back on the sartorial agenda for 2021, with one particular necklace style leading the It accessory charge.

Tracing all the way back to the '80s, chain necklaces have enjoyed peaks in popularity over the best part of four decades. And now, thanks to the likes of Saint Laurent and Bottega Veneta, which have each served up their own chunky-chain offerings this season, they're once again in demand.

Last summer, Net-a-Porter invested in more than 840 units of chain necklaces, and just one look at its new-in jewellery section is all the proof we need that the designer hotspot is backing them just as prevalently for summer 2021. That said, you needn't have a designer budget to be able to channel the trend. The high street has an abundance of chain-link necklaces to choose from, too.

With the power to breathe a new lease of life into roll-necks and T-shirts and bestow more fanciful items with a cool edge, a chain necklace will serve you well for the next 12 months and beyond.

Without further ado, keep scrolling to see and shop the best chain necklaces for every budget.

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(Image credit: @ch.phr8ph)

Like we said, nothing has the power to update your basic jersey tops quite like a chain necklace. 

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(Image credit: @nnennaechem)

Nnenna layers her chain necklace with finer pendants and chokers. 

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(Image credit: @ruerodier)

Marissa gives her cream cardigan a refresh with a chain necklace. 

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(Image credit: @yoyokulala)

It might be a statement, but that doesn't mean you can't pair your chunky chain necklace with equally large earrings. 

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(Image credit: @tineandreaa)

Tine uses her necklace to dress up a T-shirt–and-blazer combination. 

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(Image credit: @chainkyr)

There's only one way a chain necklace can be improved upon—with the addition of a pearl necklace sitting with it. 

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(Image credit: @bettinalooney)

Bettina gives her chain necklace a fancy overhaul with a sequinned dress. 

SHOP OUR FAVOURITE CHAIN NECKLACES

This post was originally published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Next Up, Autumn/Winter 2021 Trends: The Only Fashion Looks You Need to Know

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Maxine Eggenberger
Deputy Editor

Maxine Eggenberger is Who What Wear UK’s Deputy Editor and has over fourteen years of experience in fashion journalism. She been creating engaging and authoritative content for Who What Wear UK since 2018, covering runway reports, emerging trends, long-form features, talent interviews self-styled shopping stories and columns, including her edit of the best new-in buys. She ensures the highest editorial standards are met across the site, leads the editorial team in their search and keyword planning, works closely with the fashion and beauty team on strategy and continues to pen many of her own articles. Prior to Who What Wear UK, Maxine's contributed to publications including Grazia, InStyle Marie Claire, Elle and Look, amongst others.