TL;DR
Get your wardrobe favorites delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Esquire published a style guide to men’s necklaces, drawing on examples of Hollywood actors and the writer’s own experience. It recommends beginning with a simple chain, often worn beneath a shirt, and adding a pendant or medallion for a more personal look. The source does not announce a new product or establish that any one style is best for everyone.
The writer says he began considering necklaces after noticing them in photographs of Robert Redford and other actors, including Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. He describes necklaces as a recurring part of their off-duty wardrobes, often visible with open-collar or Western shirts. Those observations provide the guide’s visual inspiration; they are not presented as a formal survey of celebrity fashion.
The main recommendation is to start with one chain rather than layering several pieces immediately. The writer names examples from Bloedstone, Miansai, Mejuri, Shinola and David Yurman, but does not say that readers need those specific brands. He says link style and thickness can be explored later, once someone has found a chain they like. His own Bloedstone sterling silver curb chain is described as falling nearer the sternum than the neck.
For styling, the writer favors wearing a chain under a T-shirt, or showing it with an open shirt rather than leaving it prominently over a T-shirt. He then suggests that a pendant or medallion can add another element. McQueen’s St. Christopher medallion is one reference; the article also mentions other medallions and secondhand options. The guidance is opinion from a style writer, not a rule about how necklaces should be worn.
A Low-Commitment Way to Try Jewelry
The guide offers readers who are curious about jewelry a step-by-step starting point instead of treating necklace styling as an all-or-nothing decision. A single chain can be worn by itself, hidden under clothing or paired with a pendant later, giving people room to adjust the look to their own preferences.
Its practical value is in narrowing an open-ended shopping choice: readers can begin with the type of chain and how they want it to sit, rather than trying to master every link style, length and layering trend at once. The article’s celebrity examples are references, not evidence that a particular necklace will produce a particular appearance or result.
The source also discloses that Esquire may earn a commission from links to products it features. That disclosure matters when readers assess the recommendations: the guide combines the writer’s personal experience and editorial selections with linked shopping suggestions.
Popular right now
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer, 8-in-1, Stainless Steel, SP151
Breville BES870XL Barista Express Espresso Machine, Brushed Stainless Steel
LG 55-Inch OLED evo G2 Series 4K Smart TV (OLED55G2PUA, 2022)
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From Actor References to Styling Tips
The report’s starting point is the writer’s account of gradually adopting other accessories, including a watch, bracelet, rings and an earring, before becoming interested in necklaces. He says photographs of Redford wearing necklaces prompted him to look more closely at how actors of an earlier Hollywood era styled chains and pendants.
Rather than argue that celebrity looks should be copied exactly, the writer extracts a few basic ideas: keep the first piece simple, choose a length that suits the wearer, and add a pendant only if it appeals. The article names several contemporary brands and vintage sources, including secondhand medallions, as examples readers might explore.
““So start simple and start with a chain.””
— Esquire style writer
Personal Taste, Not a Fixed Formula
The article does not establish a single ideal chain length, metal, thickness or pendant for all wearers. Its suggestions reflect the writer’s preferences and selected examples, and the source does not provide comparative testing results for the products named here.
It is also unclear from the supplied source when the article was published beyond its 2026 date reference. Product availability, prices and the status of individual vintage listings may change. The source says some Imogene + Willie vintage edits sell out quickly, but does not provide a general sales rate or guarantee that a particular item is available now.
Choose a Chain That Fits Your Style
The report sets out no scheduled follow-up or product launch. Readers interested in trying the look can use its advice as a starting point: decide whether they want a chain to sit under clothing or show at an open collar, then choose a piece they are comfortable wearing. A pendant or medallion is an optional next step, not a requirement.
Because the article includes shopping links and notes that Esquire may receive commissions, readers can compare the named examples with other options before buying. The guide leaves the final decision to individual taste rather than prescribing one definitive way to wear a necklace.
Key Questions
What is Esquire’s main advice for wearing a necklace?
Start with one simple chain, then consider a pendant or medallion if you want to add one. The article presents this as the writer’s guidance, not a universal rule.
Should a men’s necklace be worn over or under a T-shirt?
The writer prefers wearing a chain under a T-shirt, or showing it with an open shirt. He also says people can wear one as they prefer.
Does the guide recommend a particular brand?
It names examples from Bloedstone, Miansai, Mejuri, Shinola and David Yurman, among other sources. It does not identify one brand as the required or best choice.
What can be added to a chain?
The article suggests a pendant or medallion, using St. Christopher pieces and other vintage-inspired designs as examples. It also notes that a chain can be worn on its own.
Does wearing a necklace make someone look like a Hollywood actor?
No such result is established. The writer explicitly cautions that a necklace is not a shortcut to a celebrity’s appearance; the actor references are there to illustrate styling ideas.
Source: esquire.com
