French women have a way of making even the simplest details look cool: an undone bun, a red lip smudged just so, or the tangle of gold chains at their collarbone that somehow looks perfectly accidental, not intentional. According to Donnie Soddu, founder of High Light Rituals, that nonchalant French ease comes down to intuition and restraint. “I always think of layering as a conversation between pieces,” Soddu says. “Each one should have room to breathe, like friends at a dinner party. You want them close, but not competing for attention.”
And while that might sound easy, there’s actually an art to making jewelry look unintentionally intentional. The secret to a perfectly layered necklace stack isn’t about how many pieces you wear, it’s about how they move together. To nail the layered jewelry look, start with a mix of lengths and textures so the chains naturally fall in harmony. Start with a short, delicate strand near the collarbone, then pair with a medium pendant for balance, and then a longer chain for flow. “The key is restraint: stop one necklace before you think you should,” Soddu says. “That’s where the magic happens.”
When it comes to proportion, contrast is everything because it’s what keeps your layers from looking flat or overly coordinated. Mixing weights, shapes and textures creates visual rhythm, the same way a great outfit balances structure. “If you’re wearing a chunky chain, balance it with something fine and fluid to soften the weight,” Soddu suggests. “I like the heavier chain near the collarbone and a lighter strand falling just below it, like a little surprise. The interplay between bold and delicate adds that undone, yet intentional feel. It’s the difference between looking styled and looking naturally put together.”
For daytime, opt for keeping things pared back like a fine chain, a crystal strand or a small charm that feels lived-in. “I love jewelry that looks like it’s been part of your story for a while. It doesn’t scream ‘trend,’ it whispers personality.” But for evening, she’ll add a longer pendant or a rich gemstone piece for dimension. “A vintage heirloom or something with deep color always tells a story,” she says. “Even if you’re wearing a simple black dress, a bold pendant brings a sense of intention and magic.”
