As the echoes of Y2K fashion ripple through TikTok and street-style feeds, one revival has captured both the spotlight and the imagination: the unexpected return of pearls, pendant necklaces, and handmade charm pieces in men’s fashion. Once the domain of boyband heartthrobs and underground style rebels, collar necklaces, pearls, and charm-laden chains are swinging back into view. This time, they’re reimagined for the fashion-forward man of 2025.

Crucially, the old notion that delicate jewelry belongs solely in women’s wardrobes has been left behind. Instead, from baroque freshwater strands to Vivienne Westwood-inspired chokers, today’s accessories embrace boldness, fluidity, and unapologetic playfulness for the modern man.

What began as a subtle nod to early 2000s nostalgia on TikTok has since evolved into a full-blown aesthetic movement. And perhaps the most captivating element is this: it’s not only about the accessories themselves, but also about the narrative they carry. Here, we’re told a story of self-expression, a quiet rebellion against convention, and a reclaiming of styles once dismissed as “too feminine” for men.

From pearls to charms, we’re witnessing a Y2K accessories comeback in 2025…

Pearls with an Edge: From Polished to Playful

Once a classic emblem of old-money refinement, pearls have transformed into something entirely different on 2025’s fashion circuit. And not just any pearls. The spotlight now falls on baroque varieties, organic and asymmetrical, that seem to embody the imperfections and contradictions of modern masculinity. Heritage houses like Mikimoto have leaned into the shift, while indie designers are stringing pearls into chokers, drop earrings, and chunky layered sets, injecting off-kilter elegance into even the most casual outfit.

No longer confined to formalwear, baroque pearls, with their irregular silhouettes and iridescent glow, are being reimagined in daring ways. They’re looped over streetwear, paired with sheer mesh tops, or worn solo against a bare collarbone. The allure lies in contrast: softness clashing with structure, delicacy standing defiantly against convention.

This shift has been amplified by cultural icons. A$AP Rocky, Timothée Chalamet, and BTS’s RM have all embraced pearls in recent years, dismantling outdated gender codes while inspiring a new generation to accessorize with similar freedom. In this new age of adornment, pearls are no longer about polish. They are about poetry.

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DIY Charm Culture: A New Kind of Sentimentality

While pearls anchor the heritage look, charms bring energy, play, and personality. They add movement. They add story. Vintage plastic combs are being reborn as necklaces. Tiny figurines dangle from silver chains. The DIY charm necklace has captured the imaginations of Gen Z creatives and nostalgic millennials alike.

On TikTok and Instagram, creators showcase their custom builds. Some use heirlooms, others rely on thrifted treasures or even 3D-printed oddities. The rules are simple: there are none. One chain might carry tokens of childhood—a LEGO piece, a Pokémon pendant, or a faded keychain. Another might feel romantic, hung with lockets, hearts, or beads spelling out inside jokes and initials.

This shift matters. For decades, men’s jewelry revolved around status—thick gold chains, luxury watches, nothing too personal. Charm culture pushes back. It reclaims sentiment in men’s fashion. Each piece feels autobiographical. Every charm is a story, a laugh, a heartbreak, or a reminder of someone who left a mark. It’s not about perfection, it’s about presence.

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Collar and Pendant Necklaces: The New Uniform of Expression

The collar necklace, close-fitting, sharp, and resting at the base of the neck, has become the go-to foundation for modern layering. It sets the stage. Pair it with longer pendants or stacked metal strands, and the effect is avant-garde yet still wearable. The pendant doesn’t need to scream for attention. Many are subtle: metal tags, dog tags, or locks that bring a clean, architectural finish.

For everyday styling, this layered mix works across worlds—high fashion and streetwear alike. Imagine a ribbed white tank, light-wash jeans, and a trio of silver chains. The look feels effortless. Cool without the performance of trying. Brands like Martine Ali and Miansai have leaned into this balance, creating unisex pieces that highlight both genderless appeal and tactile styling.

Accessibility drives this revival. You don’t need a stylist. You don’t need a deep budget. A local flea market find, a forgotten chain in a jewelry box, or a fast-fashion score can build a stack that feels luxe, layered, and entirely personal.

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Final Take: Jewelry Is No Longer a Gendered Conversation

The return of Y2K-era accessories, like pearl necklaces, isn’t just a trend. It’s a cultural reset. In an era where fluidity of identity and fashion is more widely embraced, necklaces, pearls, and charms have broken free from gendered boxes. Men are telling their style stories with more vulnerability, more honesty, and more expression. And what hangs around the neck has become part of that language.

This shift isn’t about being seen. It’s about being felt. It’s a quiet revolution stitched with luster, laughter, and legacy. A pearl choker under a leather jacket. A DIY charm necklace thrown over a crisp white tee. Each choice says less about fitting in and more about standing out—truthfully, unapologetically, and entirely on one’s own terms.

Featured image: @damsonidris/Instagram 

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