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Last summer’s jewelry trends were a clear win for maximalists, marked by the return of pendant necklaces, playful summer camp–coded pieces, and seashell-adorned styles that leaned fully into nostalgia. This season, the accessories remain just as expressive, but that nostalgia is shifting into new territory. The standout revival is the chunky beaded necklace, reemerging in full color, scale, and statement-making force.

Equal parts Iris Apfel and childhood dress-up energy, the latest wave of beaded necklaces has grown noticeably in proportion, personality, and color palette. Think of this season’s iteration as grandma-core filtered through a summer camp lens. Where last summer’s buzziest versions tended to favor smaller, more delicate beadwork, the current direction is decisively bigger, embracing chunky silhouettes that recall the bold statement necklaces of the 2010s.

But any lingering hesitation tied to that era may not fully apply here. Today’s chunky beaded necklaces are more refined, with a noticeably polished sensibility. Designers are treating them less like costume jewelry and more like sculptural accessories. Matthieu Blazy’s debut Chanel collection reimagined the beaded statement necklace through layered colors and textures inspired by outer space. The effect was less throwback nostalgia and more elevated reinterpretation, proving that the statement necklace can be sophisticated.

Model on the runway on the runway at the Bottega Veneta fashion show as part of Spring/Summer 2026 Milan Fashion Week on September 27, 2025 in Milan, Italy. — Bottega Veneta Spring/Summer 2026 Giovanni Giannoni/WWD

Similarly, Bottega Veneta approached the accessory through texture rather than traditional beadwork with a chunky crystal iteration that pushed the limits of what a “beaded” necklace can be. The result reinforced a broader point: this new generation of statement necklaces has decidedly more range. From polished crystal formations to irregular, artisanal bead arrangements, the category is expanding beyond its former, more literal boundaries.

On the street style circuit, the revival is already fully underway. Fashion insiders are layering bright, colorful beaded necklaces over crisp shirting, tailoring, and relaxed summer staples, treating them as an easy way to inject personality into otherwise pared-back looks. Brands including Julietta, Roxanne Assoulin, and Lizzie Fortunato — long known for their playful, statement-driven approach to jewelry—have helped usher in this resurgence, offering designs that feel intentional rather than purely nostalgic.

A guest wears black Chanel sunglasses, dark orange beaded necklaces, white half buttoned long sleeve shirt, white lace shirt, gold rings, dark red black yellow pattern/print high waisted skirt, a silver watch, shiny silver metallic open toe Miu Miu mules leather shoes, outside Prada, during the Milan Fashion week Men's Spring/Summer 2026 on June 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy — Getty Images

Most importantly, these are not the early-2010s statement necklaces rehashed into coral and turquoise-hued bib designs, nor are they the DIY summer camp creations of memory. Today’s chunky beaded necklaces often incorporate semi-precious stones, sculptural beads, and unexpected pendants, giving them a more artful, elevated edge. There’s a clear emphasis on craftsmanship and styling versatility, positioning them closer to wearable design objects rather than kitschy novelty accessories.

The overall shift is undeniable: the style pendulum is undoubtedly swinging back toward maximalism, and jewelry is leading the charge. Colorful, chunky beaded necklaces layer easily over the minimalist wardrobes that have dominated back-to-back seasons, offering an accessible, effortless entry point back into a bolder, maximal way of dressing. For those willing to lean even further in, the Chanel approach offers a clear directive: layer multiple strands, mix colors, and embrace abundance. Iris Apfel would likely approve.