5 Mistakes I Made Buying Trendy Necklaces for Men (So You Don't Have To)

I get it. You want to wear something cool. You see these awesome Goth or Punk style chains online. They look great and the price is super low. I fell into that trap. I made these mistakes so you don't have to.

I bought one of those trendy necklaces for men—the kind of black leather choker with a big O-ring, perfect for the Pastel Goth look. It looked amazing in the picture. Within a week, I knew I had messed up. Learn from me and save your money, your neck, and your style.

• Avoid the dreaded "green neck" rash.
• Buy a necklace that actually lasts more than a month.
• Get the right size the first time.

Mistake #1: Going for the Cheapest Option

I saw a necklace priced at $9.99. I thought, "What a steal!" Big mistake. I get it, we all want to save money, but jewelry is not the place to be cheap. If the price is super low, the plating is thin. That means the silver or black coating will rub off almost instantly.

My first cheap chain faded from shiny black to nasty brass in about five days. Don't make my error.

Low-Rating Review I Ignored: "Necklace turned my neck green after one sweaty day. Total waste of $12. The black color rubbed off on my shirt collar."

Action Step: Set a minimum budget. For a solid piece that won't fade instantly, you need to spend at least $25. Skip the $10 items.

Mistake #2: Ignoring Material Quality

The product description for my cheap necklace just said "Alloy." That means 'mystery metal.' If the seller doesn't list the material clearly, assume it's cheap metal that will cause skin irritation or turn your skin green.

You need specific materials, especially for trendy necklaces for men that sit close to the skin, like chokers.

Low-Rating Review I Should Have Read: "Doesn't say what metal it is. Gave me a bad rash after 3 days. Had to throw it out. My skin was totally red where the metal ring touched."

How to check the metal:

• Look for 316L Stainless Steel. This is durable and won't tarnish or cause allergic reactions.
• For leather components, check if it's "Genuine Leather" or just cheap PU (plastic) leather that cracks fast.

Verdict: If it says "Alloy," walk away. Demand 316L.

Mistake #3: Not Checking Negative Reviews (Clasps Break)

I only looked at the star rating. I saw 4 stars and clicked 'buy.' I skipped the 1-star reviews. These low reviews tell you exactly what is wrong with the product's design. The most common weak point on any necklace is the clasp or the jump rings (the small rings connecting the pieces).

If the clasp is flimsy, the whole necklace is useless.

Low-Rating Review I Missed: "The clasp broke on the second wear while I was taking off my shirt. Now the necklace is useless. Cheap junk. The leather strap itself is fine, but the metal parts are terrible."

Action Step: Filter the reviews to show only the 1-star ratings. Look for words like "clasp," "broke," or "snapped." If multiple people say the same thing, that item is badly made.

Mistake #4: Falling for Photoshopped Ads

Online stores use professional cameras and bright lighting. They make small, thin chains look thick and heavy. When you buy a rugged, edgy item—like a thick chain or a substantial O-ring choker—you need to know the width in real life.

The chain I bought looked masculine and bold in the picture. When it arrived, it was tiny. It looked like a thread.

Low-Rating Review I Should Have Believed: "The picture made this chain look rugged and substantial. When it arrived, it was thin like thread (maybe 2mm wide). Looks silly and delicate on me. Doesn't match the Goth vibe I wanted."

How to fix this:

• Step 1: Ignore the model wearing it.
• Step 2: Find the measurement in millimeters (mm). This is the chain's width.
• Step 3: Get a ruler and see what 5mm or 8mm looks like. Don't buy anything less than 4mm for a strong look.

Mistake #5: Skipping Neck Measurements

Many 'chokers' or close-fitting trendy necklaces are sold as unisex but are sized for women's necks. Men often have thicker necks, especially if you lift weights.

I bought the black leather choker and thought, "One size fits all." It did fit, but it was so tight that I felt strangled. A choker should be comfortable, not a bondage device (unless that’s what you were specifically going for, but even then, it needs to fit right).

Low-Rating Review I Overlooked: "This necklace barely fit my 17-inch neck, even on the largest setting. Felt like a dog collar, not a stylish piece. It pinched my skin and left marks."

Action Step: Before buying any necklace, especially one that is 18 inches or shorter, wrap a piece of string around your neck where you want the necklace to sit. Measure the string with a ruler. This is your needed length.

What I Should Have Done: Chosen a Reliable Retailer

My bad experiences came from buying from random, unknown sellers. The best way to avoid these five mistakes is to shop from places that specialize in accessories and offer great customer service. You need a seller who uses high-quality materials and stands behind their product.

A good seller offers clear returns and knowledgeable staff. Look at the service feedback I found for a reputable jeweler:

• Expert Help is Key: "Entered the store and was immediately greeted by Roman over in the Men’s watches department. His extensive watch knowledge and excellent customer service skills were evident throughout our entire interaction going over all the different watches they currently had. The store itself was clean and very easy to navigate, I’ll definitely be coming back for my watch and jewelry needs!"
• Smooth Returns: "We recently bought a jewelry from PNG jewelers and had it shipped to Washington. We exchanged the jewelry and it went smooth. The customer service is exceptionally good. Julie was very patient and made the entire process very easy. Happy with the product."

When customer service is excellent, it means they trust their product and they will help you if the size is wrong or if you need an exchange. This is peace of mind that a $9.99 necklace from a random site will never give you.

Lessons Learned

If you are looking for cool, trendy necklaces for men, take your time. Don't rush the purchase. You don't just buy a chain; you buy comfort, material quality, and customer support.

Use this checklist before you hit ‘Buy’:

1. Is the price over $25? (Yes/No)
2. Is the material listed as 316L Stainless Steel? (Yes/No)
3. Did I check the width (mm) and confirm the size looks right? (Yes/No)
4. Did I check the 1-star reviews for clasp failures? (Yes/No)

Remember that accessorizing goes beyond necklaces. If you are looking to finish your look with items like the perfect beanie or other headwear, check out the options in the sub_category section to complete your style.

Final Verdict: Buy quality once, not cheap junk five times.