Will These Gold Chains Make You Look Like Jackie O in the Summer?
My mind goes two places when I think of perfect gold chains: my youth in pre-hipster Brooklyn, and the Egyptian galleries at the Met. One brings back fond memories of how gold glistened beneath a Sergio Tacchini tracksuit, the other testifies to the gold chain’s place in history as a marker of status and symbol of protection.
This summer, you might be delighted (or dismayed depending on how many times you have watched Saturday Night Fever) to discover that I have found a new muse in my constant quest to find my true jewelry Holy Grail: one, simply perfect, long gold chain.
You have seen it. It’s the one I could throw on with a crisp white shirt and look pressed and ready even on the hottest, most humid of New York days; one I could easily pair with big gold Lalaounis lions-head hoops to welcome Leo season; one I could wear with a caftan on a beach in Athens and play casually glamorous.
It would be long—34” seems ideal—and yellow gold, with weight. It would need to make its presence known.
My road map on this treasure hunt: my very own collection of images in a album I call “Jackie O: Gold Chain.” Her pearls get more attention, as do the Schlumberger enamel bracelet and the Cartier Tank watch (recently acquired by Kim Kardashian), but there is ample photographic evidence that the gold chain was an important element in the Jackie O wardrobe.
Here, a breakdown of styles from the heavy chunky statement necklace I have been looking for for years (if you don’t buy that vintage Bulgari, I will, so move quickly), to classic links, to the increasingly popular heart pendant. The simple perfect things, I always say, are sometimes the hardest to find. I believe we have unearthed several. Now to find that navy blue ensemble she is wearing outside 1040 Fifth...
A Few Tips for Wearing This Key Piece
Go Long
You can't go wrong with a smaller-link chain with some length—think 34" and up.
Thicker Links Are Key
Make an entrance with a bold, heavier style.
Mix It Up
Alternating materials, like gold with hard stones or mother of pearl, add visual interest.
Find Your Signature Piece
Whether it's a star, heart, or large stone, a center pendant on a chain offers a personal touch.
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