We are living in a new, bold, and daring world. Fashion continues to evolve in remarkable ways.
Notably, men's fashion is currently redefining traditional boundaries, and one of the striking trends leading to this change is seeing more and more men wearing pearls.
Pearls have evolved into a modern, gender-inclusive statement piece that can look good on EVERYBODY.
So, whether you're a guy who’s pearl-curious or just intrigued by this fashion trend, we aim to explain why men wear pearls, who's wearing them, and how to style them if you're a guy.
But let’s be clear – we're not just talking about pearls; we've also got a collection of baroque pearl necklaces for men that we want to show off in this article.
If you’re not here for all of that, jump to a section that you’re most interested in:
Why Are Men Wearing Pearls
Men’s pearl jewelry isn’t something new.
British European Kings and Indian Maharajas wore pearl necklaces centuries ago to symbolize power and status because of their rarity.
Pearls symbolized wealth, power, royalty, and nobility in earlier times and weren’t restricted to one gender. Chinese royals and Polynesian warriors also wore pearls in the past.
Now, pearls are experiencing a revival; this time, they’re for everybody.
Here are three reasons why we think pearls are having a comeback in the 21st century and are here to stay:
1. The obvious: men's fashion continues to evolve
Over the past decade, men's fashion has changed significantly, embracing a fresh era of self-expression and daring choices. Men challenge traditional dress codes and celebrate bold fashion statements.
“There are still guideposts—we're just more willing than ever to veer outside of them.” Esquire - Jonathan Evans
One of the standout transformations is the fusion of streetwear with high fashion. Brands like Supreme and Off-White have blurred the lines, making urban, edgy looks a defining trend within men's high fashion.
Muted tones have taken a backseat, putting vibrant colours and eye-catching patterns in the driver’s seat. Check out A$AP Rocky. ✌🏾
In addition, bold accessories have allowed men to make striking fashion statements. Oversized necklaces, chunky rings, unique hats or pearl necklaces are just a few examples of how accessories push the boundaries.
2. Breaking down of gender norms
One of the most notable aspects of men’s fashion evolving is breaking down gender norms.
Iconic brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton have made bold statements by featuring gender-fluid androgynous designs on their runways.
But this shift isn't confined to the haute couture world. It's influencing everyday fashion choices, blurring the lines between what's traditionally labelled as feminine and masculine.
As Melia Robinson, a fashion enthusiast and contributor to Photobook, notes,
"The notion of being able to dress free from gender restrictions has always been around, and is now becoming a forefront in the industry as more and more luxury brands are blurring the lines between what is labeled as feminine and masculine."
It’s more than just a fad. It’s a profound shift that challenges the definitions of gender and pushes inclusivity.
And yes, men wearing pearls is part of the movement.
3. They ooze confidence
Pearls on men scream sexy, bold, and confident. Why? Because it departs from the norm.
In ancient times, men wearing pearls was a rarity and associated with power, wealth, and prestige.
Now, a man who wears pearls doesn’t care what others think. He signals to the world that he's unapologetically himself, unafraid to challenge convention, and comfortable in his skin.
Whether it’s a classic Akoya pearl necklace or a pair of Tahitian pearl-studded earrings, these lustrous gems boost self-esteem.
Celebrity Men Wearing Pearls
Well actually, we have a 4th reason for men wearing pearls, but this one deserves its own section, including photos of striking pearls in celebrity action.
Celebrities have a massive influence on fashion trends. When Kanye West wore Carhartt, a brand not commonly seen in high-fashion circles, it had the masses dripped in workwear. Or even when he wore a Givenchy leather skirt (kilt).
Mikimoto CEO Yugo Tsukikawa affirmed,
"Pearls are very popular to both men and women … Growth there has been tremendous, but also good in the United States and Europe where male celebrities are picking up pearls."
Nevertheless, countless other celebrities are helping push the ‘men wearing pearls’ movement. Celebrity men have put men in pearls in the spotlight more than you can think.
Some of your favourite male celebrities have probably rocked a pearl or two as necklaces, anklets, rings, earrings, or bracelets.
Here are some celebrities and athletes who have made confident fashion statements with pearls:
A$AP Rocky
A$AP Rocky, the fashion killa, isn’t shy about wearing pearls. He’s a true pearl advocate and has been wearing them since 2020.
He's walking proof that pearls can look hard.
Timothée Chalamet
At the ‘Bones and All’ photocall event in Rome, Timothée Chalamet’s pearl necklace choker, made by Vivienne Westwood, was the standout accessory. He’s worn pearls a few more times, but these are the pictures you’ll most likely come across.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles's pearl necklaces have become famous while breaking gender fashion norms. He's worn pearls on so many occasions it wouldn't feel right not to include him on our list. His affinity for pearl necklaces, often opting for longer strands around 18-20 inches, has become a signature of his boundary-defying style.
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell Williams has been wearing pearls since 2020, opting for long dangling pearl necklaces, usually layered with other pieces.
Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes's pearl necklace looks like it has to compete with his pearly white teeth. Is there a better pearl and jawline match in Hollywood? We don't think so!
Israel Adesanya
Apart from celebrities, athletes have also influenced more men to wear pearls. The Style Bender (Israel Adesanya) doesn't just kill it in the ring; he also shines in style and inspires more men to wear pearls.
Joc Pederson
In the MLB, it’s common for star players to wear thick gold chains, but it’s refreshing to see Joc Pederson's pearl necklace take the spotlight in a male-dominated atmosphere. Justin Bieber and Machine Gun Kelly influenced him.
A few honourable mentions go to Justin Bieber, Jaden Smith, Jason Momoa, and even Pierce Brosnan, who wore a single Tahitian pearl on a leather necklace for Vanity Fair.
We're keeping an eye out for the next Pearl Don.
How to Style Pearl Necklaces for Guys
Ok. If you weren't convinced that pearls could look good on guys, how about now, after seeing those celebrity men above?
Let’s talk about how to style a pearl necklace for guys. You have many choices.
Fashion is meant to be fun, daring, and enjoyed, so guys, how you choose to wear pearls is up to you. One thing you need to know about pearls is that they are versatile.
Pearls sometimes come in colours like black, white, gold or even pink. Furthermore, there are different pearls, such as saltwater (Tahitian, Akoya pearls, South Sea) and freshwater pearls.
But if you’re new to pearls, the next section will help break down the main things you need to know about pearl styling.
Factors to Consider for Pearl Styling
Pearl styling is adaptable. Combining pearls with your outfits depends on different factors.
Here are some things to consider:
Pearl size
Pearls come in all different sizes. Our Akoya pearl necklaces have baroque pearls sized 5-5.5mm and 6.5-7mm. Both sizes look great on men.
If you’re starting to experiment with pearls, try the smaller 5-5.5mm ones.
- Smaller pearls are subtle and will complement your style without being the focal point.
- We love to see them on guys as everyday wear because they aren’t too flashy.
- You can match smaller pearls with formal and casual wear—no need to worry about them overpowering.
For the most part, men wearing pearls will go for the smaller sizes.
If you want to make a statement with your neckline, you’ll want the 6.5-7mm or larger ones.
On the other hand, larger pearl sizes are bold and speak confidence. If you wear 10 - 12 mm pearls, you want to make a statement. Grab attention with larger pearls at formal events like upscale parties.
- Larger pearls work exceptionally well to emphasize your neckline because the necklace will be your focal point.
- They also work well with fashion-forward outfits if you want to stamp a memorable impression.
Different sizes complement different outfits, but often, what to wear depends on preference. While you can wear any size, they accentuate outfits on different levels.
Pearl necklace length - 18" & 20" best for men
Pearl necklaces for men are typically 18” and 20". You can even go longer like Joc Pederson or Pharrell wears. Although strands that long mean you really want to stand out.
At Bali Perla, we have three lengths (15”, 18”, 20”) from our ‘TAKARA’ baroque akoya pearl necklace collection.
- 15" fits like a choker on women, may be too tight for some men
- 18" fits like a choker on men
- 20" is more comfortable and site above the clavicle on a man's neckline
And two lengths (18”, 20”) from our ‘CHIYO’ baroque akoya pearl necklace collection.
These are just our suggestions on what we see as most commonly bought by men, but it’s fashion, and you can style pearls in any way that makes you feel good.
While short pearl necklaces may go with most outfits, long ones may not. However, there's no hard rule to fashion, so it still boils down to your style and how creative you want to be.
Layering pearl necklaces
When you’ve decided to add pearls to your style, do you really want to take away from the lustre of an Akoya pearl necklace with other pieces? The pearl necklace is enough to make your statement.
However, we’ve seen some looks we can get behind, like a pearl necklace paired with a thin gold chain and pendant. It’s casual meets classic.
Layering multiple pearl necklaces like Israel Adesanya isn’t easy to pull off, but if you are daring enough, just go with it at a 100% confidence level.
Mixed combination pearl necklaces
Men's pearl necklaces have different design elements, like skulls, beads, dog bones, and cross pendants. The options are endless.
A beads and pearl necklace is usually quite colourful. While a half pearl half chain necklace is right on trend.
The pearl necklaces combined with a silver chain can appear more masculine, but we'd love to see you go full pearl!
Style Tips for Wearing Pearl Necklaces for Men
You can get styling inspirations for pearls by checking how your favourite celebrities pair theirs. Their trendsetting fashion style is one to emulate.
So, here are styling tips we have curated for you:
How to wear a pearl necklace casually for men
Pearl necklaces pop with a casual outfit like a black t-shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. Pair your new 20” Akoya pearl necklace with polo shirts and plain tees, with or without jackets.
You can also wear a plain short pearl necklace with Hawaiian shirts for a day at the pool or beach. Or you can just wear them shirtless - it doesn’t get more casual.
How men can wear a pearl necklace for formal events
Formal attire can be something other than a suit and tie. Add some flavour to the formality with a pearl necklace.
- Choose the Right Length: Go for a longer Baroque Akoya pearl necklace, ideally 20”, to add a touch of sophistication to your formal ensemble.
- Styling Techniques: Wear your necklace around the collar of your shirt, allowing it to drape over your tie gracefully for a refined appearance.
- Layering for Definition: Experiment with layered pearl necklaces to create a more defined and luxurious look. For added flair, consider incorporating pearls with a pendant or combine them with a chain, particularly suitable for round-neck inners when ties are not in play.
Remember, pearl necklaces offer a versatile accessory option for formal events, allowing you to infuse your style into even the most sophisticated occasions.
How men can make a statement with their pearl necklaces
Instead of casual or simple looks, explore options like long, more prominent pearl necklaces.
- Create a runway-worthy look by layering pearl necklaces with sleeveless round or v-neck tops.
- Don’t get shy about more accessories. Add pearl stud earrings to your ensemble.
- Get adventurous with different pearl colours for your fashion-forward statement outfit.
Check out A$AP Rocky again. Now you’re ready for the MET Gala, send us your pics!
Will Pearls for Men Be A Long-Lasting Fashion Trend?
Since men wearing pearls is a recent trend, many wonder whether it will fade out. Is this fashion trend going to pass? The comeback has been close to 3 years now.
We like to think pearls are timeless.
Even culture editor Lia McGarrigle agrees,
"Men wearing pearls isn't a fad; it's an example of how the jewelry world is finally opening up to genderless style."
She further said that pearls are fashion-forward and will soon become as common as chains for men. There is no doubt that men will wear pearls for a long time. Why?
Pearls have character and accentuate outfits for different occasions, irrespective of who wears them. They look good whether you wear them as earrings, necklaces, or bracelets.
Furthermore, pearls are very versatile and will continue to be. They can be minimal, flashy, luxurious, or statement-making. You can wear pearls to complement your outfit or personality and still look amazing.
Pearls have survived decades of fashion transformation and will continue to do so.
Conclusion
Pearls are no longer exclusively for women. Men who wear pearls display confidence through their bold, contemporary sense of style.
Looking at the searches for “pearl necklaces for men” and “men wearing pearls” on Google Trends, searches have more than doubled worldwide since October 2021.
Men can confidently wear pearls with formal and casual outfits without looking out of place. The important thing is to know your pearls, style, and how to combine both.
Explore our different pearl jewelry options to find one that suits your personality and style.
You can start small if you still need to figure out how to style your pearls. Keep things simple and consider the occasion.
Most importantly, you should have fun with fashion, so experiment with different styles. Fashion shouldn't be boring, so don't hold back!
And remember...
"Patience makes pearls."
FAQs: Pearl Necklaces for Men
Can men wear other types of pearl jewelry besides necklaces?
Yes, men can wear other types of pearl jewelry, such as pearl earrings, cufflinks, rings, bracelets, and anklets. Men can wear other types of pearl jewelry besides necklaces. Some fashionable pearl jewelry men wear these days are pearl earrings, cufflinks, rings, and bracelets.
When did men start wearing pearls?
Men started wearing pearls in 2300 BC. Noble and royal men were some of the earliest to wear pearls to show their power and status. Chinese royals, Indian Maharajas, and 16th-century English kings wore pearls, showcasing a longstanding tradition of men embracing this elegant accessory.
What does it mean when men wear pearls?
Historically, men wearing pearls indicated wisdom, power, opulence, aristocracy, and good looks. Recently, men wearing pearls is a fashion statement and showcases how confident the wearer is.
On the other hand, it can also signify wealth or power.
