While women's jewelry can be flashy, men choose options that are more restrained in design, designed not to become an accent in the overall image, but to emphasize the individuality of its owner. Such chains are simple in weaving, but at the same time massive, solid, impressive.
How are men's chains different from women's?
The difference is quite significant, although some models belong to the “unisex” category. In order not to doubt the product you chose in the store, I recommend remembering the rule. Men's chains can only be short (but not less than 50 cm!) or medium length (that is, they do not fall along the torso), they must be thick (from 7 mm) or medium thickness (from 4-5 mm). There is no enamel or inlay on men's chains.
The most popular among both men and women are thin chains of medium length. This is considered a classic, versatile neck chain option.
What types of chains are there in length?
There are several aspects to choosing a necklace by length:
- Personal preferences;
- The image being created;
- The ability to highlight a beautiful neck or make it visually longer.
Women's chains made of gold (go to the SUNLIGHT catalog)
Choosing the length of the ideal product, following the recommendations below, will not be difficult. The size of the chain corresponds to its length in centimeters:
- Chain size 40: shortest length; Suitable for teenagers and petite women with thin, graceful necks;
- Size 45: this length looks especially impressive with a heart-shaped pendant or a neat floral pendant;
- Size 50 refers to the medium length and is considered universal: the chain will suit almost everyone, and therefore it is recommended to buy products of this particular length as a gift.
The standard length of branded jewelry chains is always a multiple of 5 cm
- A chain length over 55 cm is suitable for tall and stately people; it visually lengthens the neck;
- Sizes 60-65-70 are usually made to order.
When and with what to wear? Should I hang the pendant?
Firstly, the cost of the suit (or other clothing) must be commensurate with the cost of the product. That is, thick gold chains are best worn in the evening, with a suit, and medium-thick silver chains are suitable for sports. Secondly, bright gold looks stunning with things of rich colors, and silver and steel fit into a black and white look. Bronze and copper are best reserved for informal meetings. Third, remember the “one metal rule.” Wear silver with silver, and gold with gold.
Men's pendants are a trend in recent seasons. And if previously the only thing that was permissible to hang on your chain was a cross or a small icon, now the vastness of men’s pendants opens up before you. Zodiac pendants, pendants symbolizing strength and courage... when buying them, remember that they will pull the chain a little. Therefore, the chain for the pendant should be 5-7 cm longer than usual. And the pendant itself should be twice as light as the chain.
Length of the product
One of the main parameters that distinguish men's gold chains is their length. The final cost of the product and how impressive it will look on a man’s neck depend on this characteristic. There are several standard length options for gold neck chains:
The shortest are the decorations, reaching forty centimeters in length. This option is most suitable for medium-sized men with a thin body structure or teenagers. Short chains fit very tightly around the neck and look chic with sporty or business attire.- The next type of product has a length of forty-five centimeters - not much longer than the previous version. Most suitable for men who prefer to wear a chain with any stylish pendant, with the exception of a pectoral cross.
- The standard length of gold jewelry is fifty centimeters - suitable for all men, regardless of their physique and clothing style. Moreover, fifty-centimeter gold chains act perfectly not only as an independent decoration - they combine perfectly with stylish pendants of any shape.
- Chains with a length of more than fifty centimeters are long varieties of jewelry. They are usually worn not on clothing, but under it. This option is most suitable for men who have a large and massive neck.
Here you need to understand that the longer the product is, the higher its cost will be. And vice versa, the shorter the chain, the less it will weigh and, accordingly, cost. However, such an expensive product must be selected in such a way that it is comfortable to wear.
How to choose a chain size for a man? We decide on the length and thickness...
The diameter of the chain is determined by the proportions of your body. Remember that chains less than 3 mm thick are usually women's, so it is better to discard them immediately. The optimal thickness for an athletic man is 5-6 mm, but the more massive your torso is, the wider the chain should be.
The length of the chain depends on the width of your neck and whether you will be hanging a pendant on it. The length of men's chains starts from 50-55 cm (the chain lies at the level of the base of the collarbone). For chains with pendants and wearing under clothes, chains of 60 cm or more are required. Remember that short chains are suitable for work and sports, they should be thick; a medium-length accessory is more catchy - it is worn in an informal setting, sometimes over clothes.
We are used to seeing jewelry on women more often. When a man chooses jewelry, he may face the problem of choosing the right jewelry so that it looks harmonious, stylish and at the same time does not make the image feminine.
We offer you recommendations from Italian stylists on how to choose and wear a chain or beads correctly for a man.
First of all, it is important to note for yourself that men wear jewelry differently than women.
If a woman chooses jewelry to “decorate” herself, then men choose it so that it is more likely to be invisible. It is important that men's jewelry - chains, beads - be simple and neat. For a man, jewelry should not become an accent in the image. The jewelry should only emphasize the individuality of the man and be combined with what he wears. It is also worth choosing neck jewelry that will look old and a little worn, as if it was worn by one of the ancestors who passed it on to you.
A person who sees a chain or other neck decoration on a man should note for himself that it looks stylish, and not bright and eccentric.
What neck jewelry should men choose?
The first option is a chain with a military style tag.
They have now become very popular among men, they have different variations: chains with small balls, flat ones, with tags in inscriptions and drawings. You can choose any style. It is important to remember: when choosing such a chain with a tag, you must be sure that this is exactly what suits your style. You should not wear chains where, for example, the tag says that you served in some branch of the military, although in fact you did not serve.
Also remember that not everyone likes to see military tags on those who have never been in the military. You may provoke criticism towards you.
The second option is chains.
This is the most popular classic men's jewelry. They can be different in length and width. It is preferable for men to choose silver or platinum, that is, metal-colored jewelry.
It is not recommended to choose gold, it looks old-fashioned.
The main secret in how to wear chains correctly is unobtrusiveness.
There is no need to put the jewelry in the foreground; just hide the chain under a T-shirt or shirt so that it is barely visible.
Choose only good quality chains - without damage or rust. When choosing a chain, it is important to pay attention to its thickness. If you have a full neck, then the chain should be long and not thick. If a man has a fairly long neck, then it is recommended to choose a shorter and wider chain.
The third option is chains with pendants.
This is a good jewelry option for men. It is best if it is a pendant with one ornament. It should be small and not attract much attention.
It is best to combine this decoration with casual clothes, with casual T-shirts, polos, jeans and a casual jacket.
Another option is beads around the neck.
Many men like to choose beads around the neck, which we know from the hippie style or surfer culture. Such decoration can be made of leather, wood, stone.
However, it is not recommended to choose metal beads with a pendant, as this style is very reminiscent of a dog collar.
You should choose beads that will not fit around your neck.
If a man has a full and short neck and a double chin, such jewelry is not recommended, as it further emphasizes facial imperfections.
Types of weaving men's chains
The main difference between men's chains and women's chains is the small number of decorative elements. Men's neck chains are simple, smooth, no frills. They emphasize your self-confidence, dignity, status. The most popular weaving is “bismarck” (links of sections are connected at different angles, forming a tight weave). However, “diamond”, “shell-clad” and “anchor” are also considered typically masculine - a minimum of elements, a maximum of strength - this is their feature. For lovers of fancy designs, I recommend “Byzantine weaving”.
PS I have a question for you. What piece of jewelry do you wear most often and why? As usual, I am waiting for your answer in the comments to the article. Perhaps your opinion will be the topic of the next article!
Sincerely, Andrey Fedorenko , director of the online store TopGrant.ru
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Which chain is better to give?
First, let's decide who you will give it to. If you are giving it to a man, then perhaps more massive chains will do. In addition, there are typically male types of weaving. Thus, men are usually recommended to pay attention to the “bismarck”, wide armor weave and “diamond”.
If you want to give a chain to a woman, then Venetian weaving, “lava” and “nonna” chains are perfect. There is also a universal weave, for example, “python” (this is a type of men’s “Bismarck” weave) will look very good on a woman.
How to choose the optimal chain for a man?
The thickness and length of the chain is selected depending on the size of the owner and style preferences. The thickness of a chain for a man's neck can vary, but it is usually not worn too thin. The larger the man’s torso, the more massive the chain is allowed. The average thickness is 4-6 mm .
How to choose the length of a chain for a man’s neck?
The minimum length for a man of average build is 50-55 cm . A chain of this length does not fit tightly around the base of the neck, but lies quite loosely at the level of the collarbone or below. For those who like the chain to be visible from under the open collar of their shirt, this is the optimal length. If you plan to wear the jewelry under clothes, then chains from 60 cm .
Short men's chains are more associated with business or sports style. They are the most common among men. As we have already mentioned, on a more massive neck, larger chains look more harmonious, including voluminous (various double, twisted) or flat weaves.
In a more “relaxed” environment (for example, among men in creative professions), you can often find chains of medium length . The texture of such chains can be either more striking (a large chain with embossed weaving) or “calm” (a thin silver chain over a T-shirt).
By the way, some famous actors prefer to wear medium-length chains - from a discreet version with a thin silver chain from Al Pacino, to more flashy ones from Johnny Depp and Brad Pitt.
Which metal is better? Men's gold chains around the neck
The materials for making men's chains are traditional - gold, silver, steel. The versatility of gold, its high price and beauty emphasize the status of the owner. Elegant gold chains for men suit almost any age and style. The luxury of a successful man is demonstrated by jewelry combining multi-colored gold. A separate class of jewelry - the so-called “hollow” chains - will allow you to purchase a large externally gold chain, but quite light in weight, and therefore affordable. The only thing is that you need to wear such chains more carefully - if a link is bent and broken, it will be almost impossible to restore it.
More budget-friendly are gilded silver chains , which also have less risk of oxidation. The main thing is to make sure of the reliability of the manufacturer’s reputation and its sufficient “generosity” - the gold layer must be dense and comply with the “operating characteristics” of the product, that is, industry standards.
Chains for men made of silver or jewelry steel
Modern men also enjoy wearing silver chains around their necks. Today, jewelry designers offer all kinds of processing options for silver chains - coating with the noble metal rhodium, which adds shine, oxidation, blackening, engraving. “Chemical” processing techniques such as oxidation and rhodium plating of silver have a double effect - changing the appearance of the product, while simultaneously protecting the silver from oxidation. Thus, silver coated with an oxide film looks like blackened silver. Silver chains with a surface treated in this way require less maintenance than chains made from a regular silver alloy (which will quickly darken) - which should also please men.
What can you wear with a men's silver neck chain?
Just like a gold or silver chain, men today wear it with almost any clothing. Modern fashion imposes fewer and fewer restrictions on style, and makes it possible to freely express individuality. Depending on the length, you can wear the chain under or over a jumper, T-shirt, or on the neck with a shirt with the top pair of buttons undone.
Limitations can only be imposed by the situation. For example, with a formal suit (including in the office, at a business meeting, a formal event, etc.), noticeable chains may not be entirely appropriate. You should also consider the compatibility of the chain with other accessories - watches, bracelets and the like. Usually, metals of the same color look best together - either yellow or white.
Recently, chains made of steel . Such chains are not only beautiful and durable, but also personify male strength and iron will.
A little about “male” weaving
Despite the fact that men's chains are usually more laconic and restrained in comparison with women's, their weaving is quite expressive and intricate. For example, a typical male Bismarck weave is a complex three-dimensional pattern of all kinds of link connections. Rhombo, Byzantine, and rope weaving are also considered masculine. Almost any weaving (with the exception of openly feminine lava or Nonna), which has large links with angular shapes and looks solid and masculine, can be considered suitable for a men's chain (more about the weaving of men's and women's neck chains).
Examples of figaro and snake weaving:
Where can you buy men's neck chains?
Stores do not always highlight lines of women's, men's or children's chains. Men's products are most often determined visually - by the thickness and type of weaving. If you don’t see the “chains for men” category on the online store’s website, then you just need to go to the general category of chains and look at products with traditionally masculine weaves (for example, Bismarck), or simply select those that you like, guided by the thickness of the jewelry.
Where to buy - our advice
JEWELIRUMA catalog - an updated selection of interesting jewelry brands with search filters | Where to buy designer jewelry - review of sites | Seven brands of premium jewelry presented in Russia | The main exhibitions and sales of jewelry and designer costume jewelry
JEWELRY - CHAINS
Men's earrings | Men's rings | Men's bracelets | Men's beads | Men's brooches. Brooches under the collar | Men's neck pendants
Types of neck chains | Hand and machine knitting of chains. Making chains by stamping | Neck and waist chains and other body chains | How to wear a gold chain around your neck correctly? | Which chain to choose for your child? Gold or silver children's chain | How do you clean tarnished silver chains? | Types of chain weaving
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Works by designers from the JEWELIRUM catalog
- Co.Cos Jewelry
- Co.Cos Jewelry
- Taiga Jewelry, Tomsk
- Taiga Jewelry, Tomsk
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- UBIRING
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- Diamonds are Forever
- Diamonds are Forever
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- Fly earrings, Minty Sky
- Ring, Precious Park
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- Chain earrings, Stoyanova Jewelery
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- Ring with Slavic symbols, Svetlana Subbotina
- Indian style ring, Anna Goffman
- Indian style ring, Anna Goffman
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- Earrings with enamel, PNJewelry
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- Ring, Khramtsova Jewelry
- Ring, Khramtsova Jewelry
- Wedding rings to order, obruchalki.com
- Wedding rings to order, obruchalki.com
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- Earrings, Yuri Bylkov
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- Titanium pendant, LanaMuransky
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- Ring Veil, THING
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- Cufflinks, jewelry mechanics, VLADIMIR MARKIN
- Drop-shaped ring, EKATERINA TOLSTAYA
- Drop-shaped earrings, EKATERINA TOLSTAYA
- Necklace with amber, LETA
- Earrings with amber, LETA
- Children's earrings, combinable, FASHBY
- Children's earrings, combinable, FASHBY
- Ring of architectural form, Elizaveta Malafeevskaya MANU_L
- Architectural bracelet, Elizaveta Malafeevskaya MANU_L
- Set Ginkgo Leaf, SHABUT JEWELLERY
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- Architectural ring, GEOMETRY
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- Necklace made of polymer clay, LICORNE ART
- Brooch made of polymer clay, LICORNE ART
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- Bracelet, avant-garde. VALERY SEREDIN
- Wooden set, Scandinavian/Japanese minimalism, VLADIMIR SHESTAKOV
- Ring, Scandinavian/Japanese minimalism, VLADIMIR SHESTAKOV
- Earrings, TON ANT
- Ring, TON ANT
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- Architectural necklace, ANCHOR
- Earrings, GOHFELD JEWELLERY
- Necklace, GOHFELD JEWELLERY
- Massive ring, YAKISCHIK
- Designer jewelry, YAKISCHIK
- Architectural ring, ONE DAY ART
- Architectural ring, ONE DAY ART
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- Airplane ring, VAGANOVA JEWELRY
- Flower ring, ALCHEMIA JEWELLERY
- Set, ALCHEMIA JEWELLERY
- Pendant-cat, ethnic, STUDIO OF ILYA AND VERA PALKIN
- Earrings, STUDIO OF ILYA AND VERA PALKIN
Which one to choose?
Since there are now a huge number of different types of chains in jewelry stores, it can be difficult to make the right choice. If you have decided on the length and thickness of the chain, all that remains is to choose the type of weaving. The most popular options for men are:
- Anchor,
- Pantsirnoe,
- Lace,
- Bismarck,
- Figaro,
- Triple Chopard.
Each weave has its own subspecies. Basically, they differ in the number of links. The more rings intertwined with each other, the more massive the chain looks. It is also important to pay attention to the lock. It should open and close easily. Give preference to large carabiner locks. Practice has shown that these types of locks are the most reliable and strong. Do not forget that it is better to buy such jewelry in special stores, and not on the Internet or kiosks.
Do you wear gold chains?
Not really
For a chain to look beautiful, it must suit the man’s build and social status. Therefore, young guys should not buy very massive accessories. In order for the product to last for a long time, you need to give preference to jewelry made of gold, platinum and silver.
Choose jewelry to match your clothes
To make sure you look cool wearing a chain, match it to your outfit. Don’t think that the same accessory will go well with a black turtleneck, like in the 1990s, with a half-buttoned shirt, and with a fashionable tracksuit from the latest collection of your favorite underground designer. Thickness, length, material, pendant - all this is wildly important and depends solely on what you decide to wear. So perhaps it makes sense to do a little fitting before leaving the house so as not to look like a glamorous vampire like Dwayne Johnson in the photo above.
