EDIT: T-Bar Necklaces

The classic style with a big history. How to style it and discover 20 fabulous T bar necklaces from gold to silver, chunky to fine, vintage to new.

Today we’re talking T-Bar necklaces, the classic, elegant style with a big history. Tracing back to the Victorian era, T-bars were originally worn as an addition to a pocket watch chain, to thread through the button hole and secure it in place. The chain itself became commonly known as an Albert chain, which then evolved to the Double Albert, both named after Prince Albert who was often photographed wearing the style.

It’s said that during the First World War, men that went off to war would leave their pocket watch chains with their wives who wore them around their necks as talismans close to their hearts. This also correlated with watches starting to become more commonly worn on wrists and so in turn, the fashion for T-bar necklaces began.

I’ve put together 3 easy ways to style a T-bar necklace plus I’ve rounded up 20 of my favourite T-bar necklaces available right now.

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How To Style a T-Bar Necklace:

1. Layered with other textures and colours: create an enviable neck mess by layering up with a diamond tennis necklace like this one from Dorsey or this one from Daphine. Or take notes from Laura Vann layering her enamel T-bar from her own brand with her natural stone Column necklace. Roxanne First’s rainbow sapphire beaded necklace would be another good option or Anni Lu’s sweet Confetti gem necklace.

L-R - Caitlin Green, Jordan Foster, Tilly Sveaas, Laura Vann

2. Worn alone: let the T-bar do the talking and make maximum impact by wearing alone, I love how these chunky T-bar necklaces toughens up a summer silhouette and light linens of the outfits below. For mega chunky styles, look for vintage - A.R Ullman of Hatton Garden always have a great selection, Good Folk Jewels and Bear Brooksbank usually always has a T-bar within her vintage collection.

both wearing Tilly Sveaas

3. Layered up with more delicate chains: let the T-Bar be the heaviest component and layer it on top of other finer or smoother chains - a flat Anchor chain like this Catch Rhys one or a classic Snake Chain would be perfect or this Otiumberg Locked necklace which fits the antique aesthetic without overwhelming the layering.

L-R - Emily Hadley, Jo Whiley, Alex Steinherr, Sarah Corbett Winder

The Edit:

20 fabulous T-bar necklaces available right now; we’ve got gold, silver, fine, demi-fine, with diamonds and without, new and vintage.

Laura Vann Jeane T-bar £425 | Lucy Delius Trombone Link chain £5900 and Diamond pavé pendant £3000 | Dinny Hall My World T-bar £195 | Tilly Sveaas Small T-bar belcher £125

Otiumberg Two Chain Paperclip necklace £200 | Laura Vann Bridget brown enamel necklace £275 | Tilly Sveaas Small Tbar on Watch chain £300 | Rachel Jackson Personalised Tbar £150

Pascale Monvoisin Debbie No2 £1120 | Lucy Delius Heavy Belcher chain £4800 with Twisted Rope T-bar pendant £4200 | Robyn Smith Scatter diamond T-bar £445 | Otiumberg Vestige Moonstone Toggle £285

Ruddock Knotted T-bar £195 | Sandralexandra Pearl and Agate T bar £135 | Monika Ruggerino Antique T bar fob pendant 1000AUD | Bear Brooksbank Vintage Trombone Tbar £2500

Daisy x Estee La Londe Fine Diamond T-bar £569 | Antique Gilded Ferret Antique Love Knot and Fetter Link Albert Chain £2200 | Antique Good Folk Jewels Unicorn Double Albert £2150 | Posh Totty Sterling Silver Belcher chain Lariat £130