Men's Chains

The right length for a men’s chain depends on a number of factors including your personal preference, the chain type, and the overall look you're trying to achieve.

A men’s chain length can accentuate or minimise certain features—such as the length of the neck or the curve of the jaw—and highlight your unique sense of style. 

The average length for a men’s chain is around 50-60cm, though the ideal length will differ between individuals. How it will sit on your neck and what you plan to wear with it will also impact the right length of a necklace. Chains around 50-60cm will either rest on the collarbone or in the middle of your chest, and look stylish worn on top of the shirt, or tucked inside. 

A larger drop of 55-63cm is ideal if you’re pairing your men's chain with a pendant. These medium-length necklaces go with just about anything, and can be a safe purchase for those who don’t wear a lot of jewellery or are buying a chain for the first time. Check our our chain length guide if you are still unsure.

Gold and silver chains and necklaces are both excellent choices for men, as both of these precious metals will give you lasting shine and versatility to style with a number of different looks.

A 925 sterling silver chain is the best type of silver chain for men, as this is the standard for quality jewellery. Sterling silver contains 92.5% pure silver, blended with a small percentage of a different metal to increase its hardness and durability. Silver will also give you the most versatility, as it has a more understated appearance than gold, while still adding eye-catching shine to your look. Sterling silver is also a more affordable option in comparison to gold, so you can experiment with heavier chain styles.

To care for your sterling silver chain and keep it shining, it is best to avoid wearing your chain in the pool or where it will be exposed to chemicals such as household cleaning products. Ideally, you should take your chain off at the end of the day and store it safely. Gently polish your silver chain regularly with a very soft cloth, such as a dedicated jewellery cleaning cloth, to remove dust.

A gold chain or necklace for men is also a fantastic choice. Gold is timeless, durable, and stylish, and you can pair it with any number of looks, from work wear to casual outfits and more formal occasions. For a piece that you can wear everyday, and enjoy for years to come, opt for a genuine gold chain crafted in at least 10ct gold, rather than a gold-plated or gold-filled style.

A popular choice for many is to match the metal of their existing jewellery, such as rings or watches for a cohesive look.

Layering is a big trend in jewellery, and one that you can adopt for your men's necklaces and chains. If you are new to layering necklaces, it’s best to start with just two at once, as this look will still be subtle and will allow you to experiment and work out the style that works best for you.

There are some simple guidelines to follow for a foolproof guide to layering men's chains and necklaces. Start by matching your metals, for a cohesive look – for instance, two yellow gold pieces. If you’d like to pair gold with silver, or different colours of gold, ensure your pieces have the same finish – for example, matte or polished. Wear two pieces that are different lengths so that both can be seen clearly. You can also experiment with pairing chains in two different weights, or add a pendant necklace into the mix.