The royal-approved accessory that will transform your all-black outfits
When Demi Moore attended the Armani Privé Spring 2025 couture show in Paris last month, her outfit featured plenty of glamorous details. There was the metallic jacket with its exaggerated shoulders and structural hemline, the plush black velvet trousers, the towering Louboutin heels – and red nails to echo the shoes’ pillar-box sole. But the element most deserving of attention was a cascade of glossy, black beaded necklaces, strung triumphantly from chest to torso.
Extravagant yet chic, the look begged the simple question: why wear one necklace when you could wear many? Shifting from the decadent to the demure, the Princess of Wales recently showcased the more quietly powerful side of a multi-strand piece. While attending a ceremony at London’s Guildhall to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, Kate chose a five-strand pearl necklace by Susan Caplan, a Jewish-owned vintage-inspired jewellery brand. As well as providing a poignant tribute, the layered pearls added a touch of light to the Princess’s all-black outfit, which included wide-leg Roland Mouret trousers and a long coat by Catherine Walker.
Similar styles have since sold out on Caplan’s site. “Our pearl necklaces, in all variations, have always been popular, but interest surged worldwide when the Princess of Wales wore ours,” she says. “We’ve been flooded with emails, direct messages and phone calls from people eager to learn more about the piece.” Would-be buyers will be pleased to hear that there are plenty more of the jeweller’s unique finds to peruse, and similar creations cropping up on the high street, as well as at luxury labels including Alessandra Rich.
Of course, the royals have long embraced the power of layered jewels. A three-strand pearl necklace was a signature of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who favoured it for almost all of her daytime engagements throughout her historic 70-year reign. Multi-strand chokers are another enduring feature of the royal jewellery box, including the piece worn by Princess Diana to complete her famous “revenge dress” look, with a diamond-and-sapphire brooch (a gift from the Queen Mother) as a centrepiece.
For fashion royalty, too, layered pearls have provided a time-honoured route to subtle glamour, favoured by everyone from Coco Chanel to Jackie Kennedy. Other masters in the form include John Galliano in his Dior era – a case in point being the maison’s Spring 1998 couture collection shown at Paris’s Opera Garnier, which featured backless velvet gowns, opera coats and string upon string of pearls.
It’s this more maximalist take that seems to be taking hold now, bolstered by Moore’s jet-black beads.The key is sticking to one shade, be it black or something bolder. Opting for colourful gems can add some welcome life to a neutral palette – a useful trick for waking up workwear. For inspiration, look to Anna Wintour, who was made Companion of Honour by King Charles last week. For the ceremony at Buckingham Palace, American Vogue’s editor-in-chief added a double-strand amethyst necklace, which reportedly once belonged to Queen Mary, to a grey Prince of Wales check skirt suit by Alexander McQueen.
The ability to provide an effortless statement is just one part of the multi-strand necklace’s appeal; according to Caplan, their versatility is also key. “Depending on the length and design, they can be worn as chokers, draped loosely, or wrapped for a layered effect,” she says, adding that the drama can be similarly dialled up and down. “They pair beautifully with high-neck sweaters for a refined, contemporary look, or with off-the-shoulder dresses for an effortlessly glamorous feel.”
Of course, the more is more approach could be achieved by layering necklaces already in your collection. Different shapes and sizes can work, but to avoid a chaotically mismatched effect, it might be best to stick to the same tone or metal for each stacked strand.
