How to wear 22ct gold with modern and workwear outfits

A lot of 22ct gold gets worn twice a year: at a wedding and at Diwali. The rest of the time it sits in a box because it feels too traditional for jeans, a work shirt or a plain dress. It doesn't have to. Plenty of people in Fiji and overseas wear 22ct every day. The trick is choosing which pieces to wear together and how many.

Here's what works, based on what we see across the counter.

Start with one piece that does the work

With modern clothes, one strong piece usually looks better than a full set. If you're wearing a bold 22ct necklace, keep the earrings small and skip the bangles. If you're wearing heavy jhumkas, wear a fine chain or nothing at the neck.

Plain clothes help. A single-colour top, a simple shirt dress or a black kurta lets the gold stand out. Busy prints and heavy embroidery compete with detailed gold work.

Layering chains

Layering fine 22ct chains is one of the easiest ways to wear gold with western clothes.

• Use different lengths. Leave about 5 cm between layers so they don't tangle and each one shows. A common combination is roughly 40, 45 and 50 cm (16, 18 and 20 inches).
• Vary the texture. Pair a plain chain with a beaded or textured one, or add a small pendant to the middle or longest layer.
• Keep the thickness similar. Chains of a similar thickness sit together more neatly.
• Two strands in one piece. A multi-strand chain, like the one in the photo, gives a layered look without three clasps to manage.

Our post on 22ct minimalist chains has more on fine everyday chains, and you can see the styles we carry on our gold chains page.

Matching the necklace to the neckline

The neckline decides the length. The rule we use:

• High neckline (crew neck, polo, high-neck blouse, turtleneck): choose either a long necklace that falls well below the neckline, or a short choker that sits above it. A necklace that lands right on the edge of the collar looks cramped and catches on the fabric.
• Open or deep neckline (V-neck, scoop neck, sweetheart, off the shoulder): choose a choker or a set that sits close to the neck. It fills the open space and frames the face.
• Collared shirts: a fine chain worn inside an open collar, or tucked under a buttoned one with only the pendant showing, works well at work.

Bangles with a watch

Bangles and a watch on the same wrist can clash and knock against each other. Two easy options:

• Separate wrists. Watch on one wrist, one to three bangles on the other.
• Slim bangle beside the watch. If you prefer both on one wrist, choose a single slim bangle and wear it on the hand side of the watch.

For bangles generally, a stack of thin bangles reads as casual, while a single wide cuff or kada looks more formal.

Wearing 22ct at work

If you live in Australia, New Zealand, the USA or Canada, 22ct can sit perfectly well with office clothes. What tends to work:

• Keep it quiet. A stack of bangles jingles on a keyboard and catches on sleeves. One or two slim bangles, or none, is easier.
• Studs or small hoops. They suit any dress code and won't catch on a headset or lanyard.
• A fine chain with a small pendant. Simple enough for meetings, and still unmistakably 22ct.
• Mind safety rules. In healthcare, kitchens, labs and workshops, rings and bangles may not be allowed. Check before you wear them.

Mixing 22ct with 18ct and white gold

22ct has a deeper, warmer yellow than 18ct or 9ct. Placed right next to each other, the paler gold can look a little washed out, and the 22ct can look almost orange. Mixing works best when the difference is clearly deliberate:

• Contrast, don't near-match. 22ct yellow with white gold or silver looks intentional. 22ct with 18ct yellow can look like a mistake.
• Use a bridge piece. A two-tone bangle or chain with white gold detail ties yellow and white together.
• Separate by area. A white gold diamond ring with 22ct earrings and chain works because they aren't side by side.

Our post on white, rose and yellow gold explains why the colours differ.

Earrings and hair

• Hair up or tied back: this is when drop earrings and jhumkas look their best, because nothing hides them.
• Hair down: studs, small hoops or close-fitting earrings show better and won't tangle in long hair. Detailed earrings with lots of edges tend to catch.
• Short hair: almost anything works, and mid-length drops sit nicely at the jawline.

Rings

Wear one bold 22ct ring and keep the rest simple, or skip rings altogether if you're wearing a bangle stack on the same hand. 22ct is rich and pure, so take rings off for the gym and gardening.

Bring your outfit

If you're putting together a look for an event or a new job, bring a photo of the outfit, or wear it. We'll help you pick a length and style that sit right with it, and our care guide will help keep everyday pieces looking good.