Imagine sunlight against your skin, the salty breeze in your hair, and the soft jingle of layered chains with each step. Beach jewelry is more than just an accessory, it's a feeling, a vibe, a story you wear.
At Dorne, we create modular, water-friendly jewelry that is meant for sun-drenched adventures and starlit getaways. We create pieces that flow and move with you, even if you are lounging at the shoreline or enjoying the best seaside dinner.
In this how-to, you will learn easy-yet-elevated tips for layering necklaces, anklets, body chains and more for a beach look that is chic and uniquely your own.
Start with a Signature Piece
Every great layered look starts with a focal point. Whether it's a thin choker, chunky pendant, or statement body chain, your signature piece creates the mood for your layered look. It’s the anchor, the first whisper of your story, reflecting your mood, your destination, or even the playlist in your beach bag.
For a seamless start, Dorne’s Paperclip Chain Necklace offers the perfect foundation. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to be worn solo or stacked, giving you flexibility to build a look that’s effortless yet elevated.
Find a signature piece that speaks to you, whether it's minimal and sleek to reflect a clean, coastal style, or something more ornate, channeling your inner beach goddess. Once you have your base down, you can build with purpose from there.
Pro tip: For a streamlined look, use only one type of metal, such as sun-kissed gold, or use a mix of warm and cool tones to contrast. Either way, your signature piece is your starting point, where the fun begins.
Mix Lengths & Textures
The secret to effortless layering? Playing with length and texture to create depth, movement, and visual interest. Start by layering necklaces from collarbone to décolletage. Begin with a short chain like Dorne’s Western Charm or Coastal Charm Chain, then build downward with longer pieces that graze the neckline.
Don't shy away from using different materials. For example, a fancy gold chain used with a shell-detailed necklace or a beaded necklace provides a relaxed beachy contrast that feels both deliberate and personal. The idea is to make it feel fluid, like the waves hitting the shore.
For anklets, add more than one chain, perhaps two or three delicate chains, then add one with beads or charms, which will soften the shine when contrasted with the texture. It's also a great way to keep it lightweight and summer-y, while elevating your anklet game.
If you want to take it to another level, add a body chain, as your third layer, which drapes nicely over swimwear or under a sheer cover-up, giving depth and dimension with coastal-cool undertones.
Layer for the Elements
Saltwater, sunscreen, and summer heat are hard on jewelry, but it doesn't mean you have to forgo the sparkle! The trick is to wear pieces that are made for the beach. Dorne's water-resistant and tarnish-proof stainless steel is designed to shine through sand, surf, and sun without losing its shine.
You probably want to leave your delicate or sentimental pieces at home and grab modular jewelry that's as versatile as your vacation plans. Modular styles allow you to swap elements easily; wear a charm one day and sleek and simple the next.
This versatility will work for both minimalist packers and spontaneous beach-goers. With the right materials and mindset, your layered look can handle it all: dips at sunrise, lounging all day, and selfies at golden hour.
Don’t Forget the Anklets & Wristwear
Often overlooked, anklets are the unsung heroes of beach jewelry, adding just the right touch of magic with every step you take on the sand. Layer thin chains with a shell-accented piece like Dorne’s Shell Starter for a grounded, ocean-inspired vibe that feels dreamy yet intentional.
Wristwear deserves equal attention as well. There is something that feels effortless and chic about layering a classic, smooth gold bracelet and a pearl or beaded bracelet together. The textures of the bracelet feel relaxed, but also elegant, and easily transition from brunch to a beachside leisure day.
For both ankles and wrists, let your jewelry sit slightly loose. When able to catch the breeze, movement in wristwear adds an effortless and airy feeling to your outfit the way the ocean is intended. Noting the rhythm and feel of each layered detail with every clink and sway.
Complement Your Swimwear & Cover-Ups
Layered jewelry looks best when it echoes the tones, textures, and mood of your swimwear. Are you wearing a simple black bikini or neutral swimwear? Play with comfortably stacked gold chains in a series for contrast and drama. Are you wearing prints or colorful swimsuits? Play with natural textures, something with shells, pearls, or beads for a look that feels in sync with the ebb and flow of the ocean.
Styling your cover-up? Let jewelry do the talking. Add layered necklaces to a deep-V kaftan or dress for that easy, vacation-chic glow. Slip on a waist chain over a high-waisted bikini to highlight curves and catch the sunlight just right.
For a subtly striking touch, wear a body chain, like The Dorne Body Chain, under sheer mesh or open-knit fabrics. The peek-through shimmer adds dimension without overpowering your look. It’s all about harmony: your jewelry and swimwear working together to tell your sun-soaked style story.
Sunlit Layers, Sea-Soaked Style
Layering jewelry is an art, and at the beach, it's a vibe. It's more than just beautiful sparkling, it's a way of showing how you feel, where you are, and who you are becoming. You can be channeling full boho or the clean elevated minimalist, the right combinations can leave you glowing and inspired.
Dorne's waterproof, modular jewelry is designed around movement, sunlight, and salt-kissed skin. These pieces are what will allow you to swim, tan, and roam, worry-free, while always shining and never fading.
Ready to style your shoreline story? Shop Dorne's modular jewelry pieces and layer your own beach look, made for sun, sea and self-expression.