Rae Sremmurd unveils her hip hop jewelry collection

The duo Rae Sremmurd, Slim Jxmmi and Swae Lee, take GQ through their favorite chains, bracelets, and rings, including Slim's (broken) glasses (yes, glasses made from two watches).

Rae Sremmurd are huge fans of hip hop jewelry; in this video, the team unveils their immense collection of iced out jewelry.

Find a whole range of hip hop jewelry on the online jewelry store Emir ICE.

Rae Sremmurd's style: layering as a signature

This duo pushes a philosophy that few commit to fully: never wear just one piece. Chains, bracelets, and rings come in clusters, and it is the ensemble that makes the impact, not the isolated object.

This approach completely changes the criteria for selection. A piece meant to be layered does not need to be spectacular on its own; it must above all coexist well with the others.

The second marker is deliberate humor. Glasses made from two watches are less about jewelry than they are about a creative gesture. Iced out hip hop jewelry has always had this playful side.

The third is the mix of scales: a very wide piece sits alongside several thin pieces, which creates a readable hierarchy despite the quantity.

Layering multiple chains: the method to avoid clutter

Stacking chains at random almost always results in a messy look. Three principles are enough to transform accumulation into composition.

First principle: the gap. Each chain must be separated from the next by at least 8 cm, ideally 10 cm. Any less, and they touch, tangle, and read as a single mass. An effective combination holds with three lengths: 50, 60, and 70 cm.

Second principle: width variation. If all chains are the same thickness, the eye can no longer distinguish anything. Alternate: a 4 mm thin one, an 8 mm medium one, and a 12 mm wide one. The widest should be placed at the bottom, as it is also the heaviest and stabilizes the whole set.

Third principle: a single focal point. Only one chain should carry a pendant, or only one should be fully paved. The others remain neutral. Two strong points compete for attention and cancel each other out.

Layer	Length	Recommended width	Role
1	50 cm	3-5 mm	Highlights the neck, remains subtle
2	60 cm	6-9 mm	Intermediate layer, provides density
3	70 cm	10-14 mm	Dominant piece, draws the gaze
4 (option)	75 cm+	4-6 mm	Long pendant, material contrast

One mechanical detail counts: the more you stack, the more the clasps cross behind your neck. Stagger them by slightly turning each chain, otherwise they form a hard and uncomfortable knot.

How to get this look without spending a fortune on useless pieces

The good news is that a convincing layer doesn't require four expensive pieces. It requires one strong piece and two simple complements.

Start with the dominant piece: it is what sets the reference metal and the level of shine. Everything else then adapts to it.

Then, add a short, understated chain in the same metal. It fills the gap between the collar and the main piece and immediately creates the impression of a well-thought-out set.

Finish with a contrasting element: a different texture, a secondary metal color, or a distinctly longer length. It is this third piece that prevents the set from appearing monotonous.

On the wrist, apply the same logic in miniature: one wide bracelet and one thin bracelet, never two pieces of identical volume side by side.

One final adjustment often goes unnoticed: the position of the pieces relative to the garment's collar. If the dominant piece disappears under an open collar, the stack loses its anchor point and everything appears to float. Test this in front of a mirror with the actual intended outfit, never shirtless.

Also, think about the order of putting them on. Systematically put the longest one on first and the shortest one on last: if done in the other order, the chains cross as they pass over the head and knot before even being in place. This detail saves several minutes each morning and avoids unnecessary twisting of the links.

Living with multiple chains: wear, noise, and maintenance

Wearing three chains is completely different from wearing one. The pieces rub against each other constantly, and this has concrete consequences that are best anticipated.

Wear through friction is the first effect. Contact points polish and then wear down. On a plated piece, this is where the surface layer disappears first, generally on the edges of the most exposed links.

Noise is the second, often underestimated. Two metallic chains clashing against each other produce constant clinking. Offsetting the lengths reduces this significantly, as the pieces no longer overlap in the same spot.

Cumulative weight is the third. Three 60-gram chains weigh the same as one 180-gram chain, but the load is distributed differently on the neck and is felt more at the end of the day.

For maintenance, always remove the set in one motion and lay it flat, each chain in its own axis. Knots form almost exclusively at the moment of removal, not while being worn.

Finally, clean the pieces separately. A cloth wiped over a stack never touches the internal faces, which are precisely the ones that tarnish the fastest.

Staff picks

Four pieces from our catalog that combine well with each other.

To go further

If you want the complete overview of the hip-hop wardrobe, everything is gathered in the complete guide to American rapper jewelry.

• How to wear a jewelry collection in 3 steps
• Jewelry gift ideas for men
• The importance of gold chains in men's fashion
• 2 Chainz and his jewelry collection
• Hip hop jewelry sets
• Ambassador jewelry

To compose your first stack, start with a necklace and bracelet set: the proportions are already matched.

Frequently asked questions

How many chains can you wear at the same time?

Three is the comfortable limit for most people. Beyond that, the cumulative weight and tangling become difficult to manage on a daily basis.

Must all chains be made of the same metal?

No, but keep a dominant metal on at least two out of three pieces. A 50-50 mix looks indecisive.

How do you prevent chains from tangling while wearing them?

Keep lengths apart by at least 8 cm and vary the widths. Two identical, closely sized links will always catch on each other.

Do the clasps get in the way at the back of the neck?

Yes, if they stack on top of each other. Slightly rotate each chain to offset them; the comfort level changes immediately.

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