When getting ready for a night out, or even a night in, you need to have some of the basics. A proper shirt, some pants to complement, and shoes to bring it all together. But there’s really only so much that you can do with these three items.

Wearing an outfit without jewelry is like frosting a cake without decorating. It’s functional for sure, but it lacks the extra kick to make it really stand out. Gold chains are an easy way to amplify your look without taking away from your carefully crafted outfit.

If you’re new to buying gold chains, or even if it’s just been a little while since you’ve draped some links around your neck, here are some of the hidden secrets you should know to get the most out of your chain buying experience.

Look in Your Closet First

Before you even think about heading to the jewelry store or booting up your laptop, it’s important to take a look inside of your closet to see what you’re working with. This is because you want to make sure your chain matches your outfits. 

When it comes to wearing solid gold chains, it’s pretty hard to go wrong. The metallic luster helps to bring out the best in almost every outfit imaginable. But it’s not the only color chain at your disposal.

We think that gold chains look best with solid colors, especially solid black or white. These colors (or lack of) really let your chain steal the show, giving off the impression that you’re a champion who can afford the finer things in life. We’ll talk more about the type of impression you want to give off in just a second.

So if you see that your closet is filled with lots of black, white, gray, or any other solid color, definitely consider this option.

However, you can also get chains in white gold. These contain 75% gold and 25% nickel and zinc. It gives them the appearance of platinum without platinum prices. If your closet is filled with graphic tees or patterned designs, white gold might be your best bet. 

White gold has a luster that is just unmatched by other gold colors, and it tends to flow more efficiently with tees that are loaded with designs or colorful patterns. Gold chains work too, but they can just look misplaced if you don’t match them with complimenting colors.

White gold is also a neutral color, which works a bit better if you have a diverse wardrobe.

Finally, there’s rose gold. Rose gold takes on a pinkish hue, giving it a completely different feel and appearance compared to the other two. Rose gold looks best over light-colored clothes. It complements lighter colors very nicely. If you tend to wear brighter and more vibrant colors, then you might want to consider grabbing a rose gold chain or two.

Think About the Impression You Want To Make

After you’ve assessed the current state of your closet, you can get into the real deal. You’ll want to really think about how you want to be perceived by everyone else. There is no right or wrong answer here, but you want to make sure that your chain aligns with your personality.

If you’re the quieter type and you want your chain to compliment your outfit without overpowering it, then go for smaller chains. This doesn’t mean shorter chains, but it does mean that its width is more narrow compared to most others.

For a nice and subtle enhancement to your outfit, go for chains that are as small as 3 mm and no larger than 5 mm. These will be just big enough for people to notice and compliment but not large enough to take control of the rest of the look.

But if you’re the bold type and you want to make some waves, larger chains are for you. Chain widths have no limit, but we recommend going upwards of 15 mm to 19 mm for that really stellar appearance. This will help you stand out among a crowd and turn some heads.

And if you’re indecisive, you can go anywhere in between. If you go with a more neutral width, like 8-12 mm, you can get a better grasp on if you want to go smaller, longer, or even stay the same.

You Might Not Need To Break the Bank

There is no denying that getting a solid gold chain is the epitome of grandeur. If you have a quality, heavy, and study gold piece hanging around your neck, people will notice. Gold is an exceptionally high-quality metal, and a solid piece will last you for years to come.

• But here’s a secret: you don’t need a solid gold piece to look like you own a solid gold piece. Thanks to the marvels of gold plating, you can obtain pieces that have that same iconic luster without the same high prices.

Gold plating involves laying a thin layer of real gold over a base metal, such as stainless steel or sterling silver. While these have the potential to fade over time, proper upkeep can keep them looking polished for a lifetime. And the best part? They only come at a fraction of the cost.

So don’t feel like you need to be a millionaire to feel like a millionaire. If you need to get a gold-plated chain instead of the real deal, you can still look like a champion.

It’s Dependent on the Pendant

Finally, you’ll want to think about whether you want to throw on a pendant to your brand new gold chain. Chains look great by themselves, but you can add your own personality by incorporating a medallion of your choice.

If you want to throw on a pendant, make sure you use a smaller width chain. This is because the bail on pendants is mostly suitable for chains that are around 3-5 mm in width. Anything larger, and it might be rendered useless.

There is really no guide to finding the best pendant -- it’s entirely reliant on your own wishes and interests. Take a look at our vast catalog, and we’re confident you’ll find something that suits your needs. 

Varsity Letter Custom Pendant

But if not, you can customize your own. From custom picture pendants to personalized words and phrases, there is really no limit. 

A Golden Opportunity

Gold chains are the best ways to enhance your outfit without taking too much effort, hands down. But you can’t go in blind. First, take a look at your wardrobe. If you see a lot of solid black or white in your closet, think about going with a traditional gold or rose gold hue. But if you’re loaded with graphic tees, white gold is probably the way to go.

And don’t be too bold if you’re not ready. There’s nothing wrong with sticking with some thinner-width chains to add some subtle enhancements. 

Finally, you don’t need to break the bank to get a million-dollar look. While solid gold pieces will bring you the highest quality, gold-plated pieces are affordable alternatives that look just as great as the real deal.

Sources:

What is white gold? | U.S. Geological Survey

How to Choose the Right Gold: 10K, 14K, 18K and 24K Compared | The Diamond Pro

13 Things You Need to Know About Gold Plating | Jewelry Shopping Guide