Why I’m Embracing the Beaded Necklace Trend in Midlife

I believe any woman can wear whatever she wants, and if it brings her comfort and joy, I'm a fan. However, we grown women are at a point in life where we may or may not care about current trends, but we do care if we look like a fashion victim, a try-hard, or horribly out of touch.

Some fashion trends, for us grown women, can be more trouble than they're worth and it's chic to opt out. Others are best left to those who still have shock-resistant knees and we can enjoy from afar. But others… others may look intriguing and may really work with an existing closet and personal style aesthetic. This summer, I have been intrigued by the beaded necklace trend.

I'm Gen X; I've worn many a beaded necklace over my life. Made in summer camp, bought at music festivals, gifts from friends, souvenirs from travel, and purchases from mall stores. However, at 50 years of age and being a petite curvy woman, I feel as though beaded necklaces either look too juvenile or too mature on me. But I really love the idea of adding one to the stack chain necklaces I wear on the regular.

So I went on a deep dive of this summer's beaded necklace trend, which is actually (and of course) a trend that has been out there with the true fashionistas since 2023. Heck, Harry Styles was rocking a strand of pearls to the 2019 Met Gala. That being said, it's still considered very stylish this summer and I believe certain styles of this beaded necklace trend will remain for seasons to come.

How is the beaded necklace trend different now from the past? We've been through seed beads, beaded chokers, multi strands of graduated beads, long strands of beads knotted at the end, pop beads… I could go on. Let me share the most wearable beaded necklace styles right now that I think are fantastic for us grown-ass women.

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If shopping for beaded necklace this summer, you will often see the “candy” necklace, which is a 16″ – 18″ strand of beads separated by a spacer smaller bead or a knot in a contrast color. The closure is often gold and decorative so it if shows, it's part of the look. Some are one color, some are multicolored, and some are even color blocked with two or three different colors and/or shapes of beads.

The candy necklace is the easiest beaded necklace trend to replicate by hand. When shopping for necklace beading supplies, keep the beads looking higher end. Right now, a lot of these beaded necklaces on the market are made from crystals or gemstones, and often accented with pearl or gold. If they are not stone, they are elevated glass or look a heckuva lot like a gemstone.

The candy necklace rarely has a pendant, and is more likely to have a decorative closure, usually gold in color. Oversized ring clasps are popular, as well as pin and ring and more ornate concepts.

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The second type of beaded necklace trend this year is the same material of beads, but there aren't the spacer beads in between. These are usually 16″ – 20″ in length and vary from delicate glass seed beads to 14″ globes but all the beads are the same size on the strand. I've found the larger the beads, the more likely its kept to a single bead color. Colorblocking is popular with smaller beads closer in size to the “candy” necklaces.

Some of these beaded necklaces feature a pendant. There are also custom beaded necklaces that allow you to add a word or name in letter beads. If you're the type to wear personalized necklaces already, you are in luck. If you haven't done this before, now is not the time.

If you wish to personalize or adorn your beaded necklace, I'd stick to a pendant, and have that pendant look elevated and elegant, or elevated and a reflection of the woman you are.

For example, it can be a gold shell if you live at the beach, an ornate letter M as you're already associated with wearing monograms, a symbol fitting to your religion, spiritual or personal beliefs, and lifestyle. We're grown-ass women, it's time to add personality into our personal style, and I think this is a fashion trend where you can do that and not spend a lot or look like you're trying too hard.

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I must reiterate that unless you already have the style where these beaded necklaces are a no-brainer to add to your closet, your mantra as you shop for one is, “elevated.” You can't find this at Target or Temu, but you can find it from small businesses, artisans, thrift stores, or even your own hands and some craft supplies. But it needs to look elevated, as though it took a lot of time and/or money to create.

Length is up to you, but this isn't a long necklace (yet; I expect them to stick around and lengths be popular this fall). From choker to collarbone, choose a length that looks everyday comfortable and that, if you wear other necklaces, blends into a stack. Check out my article on necklaces for larger necks, where necklace lengths are discussed to figure out the best length for your body.

There is a trend for charm-style bead necklaces; a mix of different kinds of beads in shapes and colors separated by lengths of seed beads. IMO, this is a harder trend for grown-ass women to adopt. If you see this trend and think, omigod this is so me, I already wear things like this and own a similar concept piece of jewelry, then rock it and you'll look great. Otherwise, this can easily look juvenile and is more likely to look dated by the end of the season.

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Larger bead necklaces are also back in style, again, a length from 15-22″ and made from higher-end looking beads. Pearl necklaces this length, especially for men, have been in style for a few years now, and I feel this is an adaptation/evolution of it. This is the year to bring out your vintage beaded necklaces, though I again I stress the word “elevated” to have it read well for us grown women.

I recommend keeping the carved clay, pop beads, and anything that reads ‘crafty' or ‘cartoonish' in the jewelry box for now, unless they're already part of your regular style. If they are your style, keep rocking it, knowing that fashion is cyclical but style endures.

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When sourcing a beaded necklace this season, think tiger eye, jade, carnelian, lapis, turquoise, pearl, aquamarine, quartz, or at least spacers made of gold (or a high-quality facsimile). These larger bead necklaces can also have knots or spacers between the beads, or they can be a single, consistent strand. Personally, I think the smaller beads look more modern with these types of spacers, and bigger beads don't necessarily need them.

Even with all these suggestions, know that the beaded necklace trend this season is not exact. It embraces the general aesthetic of this decade: make it your own. There is no exact bead size, necklace length, color, or designer that is the must-have version. When adding this necklace to your wardrobe, it's a way to highlight the person in your personal style.

This is a great time to dig through your collection and start wearing a necklace you adored a couple of decades ago, that thrifted beauty, or the one you inherited. And as I have mentioned a few times, don't be afraid to D.I.Y. or even upcycle a necklace in your current collection.

This is a moment where I speak directly to my fellow white folk, whose puka shell and cowrie shell necklaces we wore in the past may still be in our jewelry boxes. Add to this list any necklaces with beads in the shape of religious or spiritual symbols or deities not part of your personal beliefs. My fellow pale sisters, it is time to donate them. We can wear so many trends, we don't have to wear all the trends. Some have historical and cultural significance that society has ignored in the name of fashion. We're older, we're wiser, and we're letting them go with respect.

If you love being crafty, head to your local craft shop or Michael's and snag some beads, sturdy thread, and a large attractive closure to make your own. I think this would be a fun project for family members or a group of friends, paired with some snacks and beverages, and plenty of laughter and in-person conversation!

If you're wondering what to do with a teenage girl, get a bead kit for necklaces and bracelets and spread it out on the dining table. Depending on their age and where they live, they may prefer bracelets and may prefer cheaper and more colorful beads, but rarely will they say no to such an activity.

Non-Amazon Places to Buy Necklace Beading Kits:

Don't be afraid to try trends, especially when you think they look fun or intriguing or accessible. We've earned the right to wear what makes us happy, and you never know, trying something new may provide you with comfort and joy!