“Medallions are an anchoring piece in any necklace stack,” says Johnston. “Based on the size of the coin and the drop length of the chain, you can then choose delicate pieces to sit over and under, such as an ultra-fine chain or a string of seed pearls.” Marlo Laz’s coin necklaces are a cult choice – look to its personalized initial style or the brand’s ‘Porte Bonheur’ charm, which is available in an array of colored gemstones. Elsewhere, Anita Ko and Foundrae offer similar amulet-inspired designs, featuring potent symbols that include a serpent and a flower among thorns to manifest good fortune and resilience.

While clips and clasps used to be purely functional, several designers are now employing them as a design signature. “Eéra’s iconic carabiner-style designs are just as popular as ever,” says Johnston. “The brand’s white gold diamond-set tennis necklace is a wear-forever piece, but the utilitarian clasp ensures it remains contemporary.” New York-based brand Marla Aaron takes locks and layering to another level, offering elaborate clips that are shaped as stars, lightning bolts and hearts, allowing you to switch up your stack in seconds. “Even if the clasp isn’t a design point in itself, so many jewelers are now offering multi-functional designs, so look for extendable chains that will give you more versatility when creating your layered look,” suggests Johnston.

This season, it’s time to add a white-gold or silver chain into your necklace stack, as the trend for all-yellow gold is receding in favor of a mixed-metal mélange. “Longer link styles are really popular, too,” says Johnston, who advises choosing a classic style, such as Gucci’s ‘Link to Love’ design, or Lauren Rubinski’s 14-karat-gold pieces. “We’re also seeing a lot of oversized styles coming to the fore; these are bold investment pieces that mean you don’t need to wear any other jewelry alongside them.” Those seeking an ultra-elevated iteration should look to David Yurman’s diamond-set designs, which will add extra scintillation to your stack.

A subtle way to add color into your layered look is to choose a cord-style necklace, especially if you prefer diamonds to colored gems. “We’re seeing a lot of black, navy and white for fall, which suits all skin tones and feels elegant when paired with dark knitwear or a smart coat,” says Johnston. Marie Lichtenberg is the queen of cord-making – each of her multi-hued silk strings is entirely unique – while Pippa Small’s gold-cord designs feature petite pendants that can be effortlessly slipped into an eclectic stack.

“While summer’s bead trends always lean towards bright colors and riotous combinations, FW23 is signaling a shift towards a more sophisticated, richly hued palette,” says Johnston. Harwell Godfrey, Sophie Buhai and Lié Studio are leading the charge, with bold beads carved from lapis lazuli, carnelian and onyx, while Azlee’s precious ‘Staircase’ designs are crafted from ruby and sapphire beads, plus a striking central stone. “Even darker hues of beads still feel a little playful,” says Johnston. “They bring character to a stack of plain chains and remind us that experimentation is key – it’s all about finding the perfect pieces to express your style, and your style only.”

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