Let the Long Pendant Necklace Be Your Go-To Fall Jewelry Statement

Gloriously long, oversize statement pendant necklaces are suddenly everywhere on the runway and they’re giving life to long tunics, easy dresses, sweaters, and streamlined jackets. At Fforme, supersized jingle bell pendants swung out from beneath lightweight jackets that were neatly buttoned at the top of the collar. Coach showed us that every single model wore at least one of them (if not two, doubled up) in the form of extra-long leather cords strung with timepieces, chunky glass crystals, or sculptural leather whistles. Sabyasachi cemented its low-key luxury collection of denim and understated staples with wildly over-the-top ancient, long pendant necklaces created in collaboration with The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In addition to Celine and Balenciaga experimenting with pendant necklaces of smaller scale for the new season, brands like Sophie Buhai, Roxanne Assoulin, Khaite, and Lié Studio are pumping out pendant after pendant. Sculptural onyx, netted carnelian stones, or chiseled metal: These pieces have significant presence and give you a one-and-done bejeweled effect that adds textural personality to an outfit in an instant. A superlong pendant necklace is easy to style and also seamlessly layers with fall staples like sweaters, cardigans, and coats.

“What we saw on the runway via the numerous pendant necklaces is something we have seen in our selling reports over the last few months,” says Ryan Kleman, Moda Operandi’s VP of nonapparel, who has seen an increase in demand. “Customers are opting to layer necklaces to personalize an outfit, making the statement at the neck rather than the ear. Currently, necklaces represent our largest category within jewelry, which is not typical.” He says an overall vintage feel, pops of color, and semiprecious stones are the top trends when it comes to the long pendant necklace.

It’s very possible that after a few seasons of iconic, oversize chandelier earrings, we’ll be seeing a major shift into more of these pendant necklaces. After all, they feel satisfyingly personal. Fforme’s aforementioned gems were created in collaboration with Alba Navarro of ANH Studio and also utilized tiny perfume bottles, fishing lures, and reclaimed silver box clutches. The inspiration? The bricolage creations of iconic designer Judy Blame, who utilized a DIY spirit (this is clearly key to this rising trend) to make objects like his infamous button berets.

Adding your own treasure to a long leather cord or combining your own favorite flea-market-found pendant with a newfound oversize stone necklace creates a one-of-a-kind jewelry moment that is impossible to forget.

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