Why Long Necklaces Are Trending

If the early 2000s were your teenage playground, you’ll no doubt still have a soft spot for a gold chain necklace à la Gossip Girl – and that you once flaunted a puffy heart pendant that almost reached your denim skirt and leggings. Long necklaces were a mainstay of the 2000s, easily worn over bohemian handkerchief dresses in summer or a knitted dress paired with pirate boots once winter set in. On the spring/summer ’26 runways, ready-to-wear designers allowed themselves to indulge in these ultra-versatile, nostalgic stalwarts once more, opting to hero the long necklace as a final flourish in the layering-focused ensembles we witnessed across fashion month’s four cities.

Ralph Lauren Collection championed long cord necklaces with sculptural silver charms. Suddenly, trinkets and purses were appearing on fabric lengths and chains at the likes of Victoria Beckham – the only rule was that one was never enough. Tory Burch and Zimmermann, meanwhile, compounded the theme by proving that there wasn’t a sheer blouse, harlequin print, or ’60s-inspired dress that couldn’t be adorned with a low-plunging pendant – or three – layered on top. The consensus? Long necklaces are now part of an outfit’s architecture – and they must be swinging loud and proud, preferably en masse.

Celebrities have also played their part in pushing the revival of longer necklace lengths, too. Zendaya and Anya Taylor-Joy both had exemplary long-necklace red-carpet moments – often worn backwards to add extra oomph to eveningwear. A simple chain bearing a precious pendant may look chic over a shirt and blazer, but its styling mileage seriously increases when you realize you can also wear it backwards over a backless little black dress. And this season, you can even add a few more for good measure.

If there is one sub-style of the long necklace trend that feels especially modern, it is the kind trimmed with tassels. Jacquie Aiche’s delicate 14-karat gold chain cascades with a fringed flourish and is peppered with diamonds, while those feeling a little braver will appreciate Le Sundial’s unabashed ‘Venice Opera’ design, crafted in silver and onyx – a statement piece that will give a monochrome wardrobe a whole new lease of sartorial relevance. Y-shaped necklaces are also proving popular, such as Anita Ko’s 18-karat gold and diamond design, or Shay’s 18-karat gold, emerald and diamond lariat – the perfect companions to this season’s trench coat with double layered lapels.