Jingle Jangle Summer

Summer jewelry styling and tips from a guest star

It’s mid-June, so by now you’ve nailed down a few solid summer looks. Good for you! But an outfit’s not done until we layer on the jewels. And summer jewelry styling is so fun because it’s where hi/low THRIVES. Is your necklace a string with a shell from the beach? Fantastic! Some colorful beads on twine from the Galapagos? TELL ME MORE. Summer jewelry styling is all about texture and storytelling and you can really make a fun stack with whatever you have. Today I’m sharing my favorite summer jewelry offerings, and I tapped my sweet friend Zoe Chicco, an incredible jewelry designer with amazing taste for some tips as well. It’s a big juicy letter today so let’s get into it.

Part I: Summer Stacks

Mini pearl strand necklace // Quince gold paperclip chain + pearl charm // Etsy red string necklace (or make your own with red string and this fish charm // Thatch gold cuff bracelet (code ABBY15)// Amazon string bracelet // The Great leopard bathing suit (size 1) // vintage shorts w/ Your Stylist Says solo string as a belt

My stacking formula considers 3 things:

Style of metal: I went for gold + pearls here, but you can use 2 gold necklaces in the same stack of different weights and textures, and definitely mix metals.

Color: Use it! The time is now.

Length: Ideally the necklaces you’re stacking are different lengths so each one gets a moment - “neck mess” isn’t always a good thing.

Garnet leaf seed necklace // Eliou bead necklace // Thatch amazonite necklace

Pre-styled pairings aka “wear this with that”:

Notte fish necklace // Chan Luu bracelet stack // Khaite gold tone earrings (on sale!) // Christina Carusso tassel necklace (worn as belt) **A note on this piece** I’ve had my eye on this necklace/chain/belt (the versatility!). I didn’t get on the Moda pre-order in time, and I FOUND IT on At Present, which is basically a giant online jewelry curator for emerging designers. They have everything, so if you’re looking for something specific - look there.

Free People anklet // Treasure pendant // Quince silver bangle // LUV AJ gold necklace

Pearl thread earrings // Eliou anklet // Shell necklace // Chan Luu wrap bracelet

Part II: Let’s consult a specialist!

I reached out to my friend Zoe Chicco around Mother’s Day, because one of my core Mother’s Day memories is bringing my son in a baby carrier to her studio in Downtown LA to pick out a piece for myself (this was 8 years ago!). Not only is her jewelry gorgeous, but she’s a master stacker, and always has an enviable neck/wrist/ear situation going on, so I thought she could teach us all a thing or two.

Hi Zoe!

Abby: If someone is going to wear one piece of jewelry, what’s the most impactful?

Zoe: I’d say a signature necklace gives you the most bang for your buck. Great options could be a solitaire diamond, a meaningful medallion, a signature chain or special personalized piece. My ride or die piece is my diamond shield necklace - it’s the first thing most people notice, and it’s the base for everything else. Having one “put it on and never take it off” piece is a great jumping off point for a signature look and the option to layer.

Zoe’s current necklace stack: Mega gold chain // Gold/Diamond shield charm

A: Do you have any tips for layering jewelry? What makes a good stack?

Z: You know I am all about the stacks! For necklaces, layer different chain types, weights and lengths to create interest and help prevent tangling. We make so many of our necklaces adjustable for this reason. Another tip: I generally recommend to go from delicate to heavier links as your necklace stack gets longer. For bracelets and rings, pile them on with abandon - there’s no such thing as too many. Both my ring and pinky fingers are at max capacity. Ear stacks are another must for me. I typically wear a matched pair in my first piercing, but everything else is mismatched, and I layer in a few ear cuffs for extra oomph. Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules, so choose your own adventure, play, move things around, try different combos, and most importantly, have fun. I think jewelry is deeply personal so just do what feels and looks good to you.