A good necklace stack doesn't happen by accident. Get the chain weight, length, and pendant placement right, and your layers will sit exactly where you put them — no midnight untangling required.

Start with length, not looks

The single biggest reason necklaces tangle is that they're too close in length. When two chains sit at almost the same drop, they swing into each other with every step. Aim for at least 5cm of space between each layer — a choker at the collarbone, a mid-length piece a few centimetres below it, and a longer pendant resting lower on the chest.

Mix your chain weights

Two delicate chains of similar thickness will slide around and knot far more easily than a mix of weights. Pair a fine chain with something sturdier — a flat curb chain, a bold link, or a chunkier pendant — so each layer has its own presence and doesn't get lost in the others.

Let the pendant lead

Build your stack around one statement piece rather than three equally busy ones. A simple pendant or coin charm at the centre gives your eye somewhere to land, while plainer chains above and below quietly support it.

Anchor with a clasp trick

If you're layering two necklaces that are close in length, try clipping the clasp of the shorter one to the chain of the longer one, a few centimetres down. This keeps both pieces sitting in place and stops them sliding around your neck throughout the day.

Store them separately

Tangling often starts in the jewellery box, not around your neck. Hang necklaces individually on hooks, or lay them flat in separate compartments, so you're not starting each morning by picking apart a knot.

• Space it out — keep at least 5cm between each necklace length.
• Vary the weight — pair delicate chains with something bolder.
• Pick a focal point — one pendant, not three.
• Store flat or hung — never piled in one dish.

Once you've found a combination that works, it's worth sticking with it — a stack you don't have to think about is one you'll actually reach for every day.