Style Smart: Linking Up With The Chunky Chain Trend

It’s time to embrace the chunky chain trend. Ask a trendsetting fashion minimalist about her top three, must-have jewellery pieces and she’s likely to mention “huggie” earrings, sleek gold rings and thin, sublime bangles. In recent months, however, we’ve noticed major fashion brands and influencers rocking bigger, brighter and even bolder iterations of these classic, circular beauties. 

Celebrities including actress Shay Mitchell have switched out their thin, gilded chains for heavy-duty necklaces. Meanwhile, fashion houses Bottega Veneta and Louis Vuitton have released statement purses that sport “look-at-me”, oversized chain details too. 

Bottega Veneta’s Chain Pouch and Chain Cassette bag received cult bag status when they were introduced in 2020. Fast forward to June 2021, the brand’s Wardrobe 02 collection showcased two new bag silhouettes named the Mount Envelope (as seen on fashion content creator Savina Chow @savina_chai above) and the Mount Bermuda that sported a signature chunky chain detailing as well. 

LV Twist bags presented at the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2022 show. (louisvuitton.com)

During the Louis Vuitton Cruise 2022 show, models were spotted with vibrant shoulder purses that bore the House’s LV Twist lock and hardware. What truly caught our attention, though, were the detachable, oversized chain straps that came with the purses as The LV Twist bag had previously featured either thin leather or sliding chain straps. If these designer purses are already at the top of your wish list, here are four other ways to incorporate the chunky chain trend into your ensembles. 

Above, fashion content creator Alicia Roddy @lissyroddyy gave the ‘80s power blazer a modern style upgrade by wearing it as a mini dress. She kept her accessories to the classic black and gold colour palette, which coordinated with her Balenciaga sunnies, her chunky chain belt (mini pouch included!) and even a coffee cup holder.

Style it: Go with NA-KD’s gold-coloured, oversize chain belt, which features a clasp closure and an adjustable length design. If donning an all-black uniform seems like too much of a serious business for you, try styling it with blazers in lighter colours such as peach, cream or white. Otherwise, follow Alicia’s lead and go with this oversized black outer piece from H&M.

The chunky chain trend can be easily embraced from top to toe — as seen above on Moscow-based fashion stylist @kondrateva_ksu. She went with a comfort-focused outfit and capped it off with a chain necklace that matched her chain loafers from JW Anderson. Think of these shoes as a luxe upgrade to your furry house slippers.  

JW Anderson Chain-embellished leather slides, USD529.14 (Net-A-Porter.com)

Style it: Find the same chunky gold-tone chain details from JW Anderson’s loafers in these slides, which sport the same moulded cork footbeds. Keep the look relaxed yet refined with a pair of  straight-legged pants, such as these ones from The Editor’s Market, which feature a soft, drapey look and are made from a fully lined textured fabric. 

Just when we thought tiny purses were sizzling out of fashion, Dior made us fall in love with them all over again by releasing miniature versions of their iconic bags. Speaking of tiny but mighty purses, fashion designer Natasha Alia @narrinanatasha made a bold style statement by wearing her unique coin purse with a chunky chain strap as a crossbody. Keeping the focus on her purse, she went with an all-black colour palette for the rest of her outfit. 

(Left) Published By coin purse with chunky chain, USD337 (published-by.com). (Right) GINLEE Studio ‘Liberty’ dress, SGD198 (ginleestudio.com)

Style it: Natasha’s statement coin purse is from Published By, an Austrian studio that creates sculptural accessories inspired by architecture and modern art. If silver’s more of your thing, go with the one above as it comes with a special edition aluminium chain that’s woven with soft, black leather. Then, juxtapose it with Singapore-based label GINLEE Studio’s sleeveless pleated dress, which boasts a flared hemline for easy movement. 

Two chains? Make it three. Thai actress @pimtdao’s accessory game has successfully convinced us to swap out our usual repertoire of dainty gold- and silver-toned cuffs and bangles for colourful, chunkier bracelets. Of course, her neon manicure and joyful rings deserve a mention as well. 

Style it: Cause a chain reaction by stacking several chain bracelets of varying widths just like @pimtdao’s. For the main star of the show, go with this sparkling chain bracelet from APM Monaco which features micro paved white zirconia stones. For a touch of colour, opt for neon hues. Otherwise, you can also consider more feminine pastel hues, such as Adinas Jewels’ sterling silver enamel chain link bracelets.