The celebrity-approved guide to wearing a multi-layered necklace for your wedding

By Nupur Sarvaiya7 April 2020

With your bridal necklace, it pays to go extra large. So, we scoured the jewellery kits of Sonam Kapoor Ahuja and Deepika Padukone for inspiration, and rounded up the boldest satlada and panchladas on the market you can invest in

With wedding fashion this year, you are likely to see a return to the classics. Those pieces your grandmother owned and your mom had, you now want as well. This especially holds true for jewellery. And in recent times, a time-honoured bridal piece that’s taken centre stage is the satlada necklace. These layered neckpieces are as statement-making as they are stately for the biggest dress-up occasion of your life.

'Satlada' literally translates to ‘seven strings’, and are typically encrusted with pearls along with a healthy dose of diamonds, emeralds and rubies. While the seven-layered version of this necklace design remains as a bridal go-to for the wedding ceremony, panchladas (five layers) and teenladas (three layers) are its beautiful pared-down counterparts for pre-wedding celebrations.

Bollywood celebrities who have aced the layered necklace look

Whether with her sartorial choices or her discernible jewels, the maximalist memo continues to reign strong with Sonam Kapoor Ahuja. It stands to reason that she has resorted to allowed scene-stealing ladas on several occasions. One of her most memorable picks is the pearl version she reached out for with her Anamika Khanna sari. She pushed the envelope with the Birdhichand Ghanshyamdas Jaipur piece with a purple Anushree Reddy lehenga. The Zoya Factor actor even extended her affinity for the accessory during Cannes 2019, when she styled her white tuxedo with an emerald panchlada-inspired Chopard necklace—a piece that would not look out of place at a cocktail party or your wedding reception.

Deepika Padukone gave the satlada a nod of approval for her mehandi celebration back in November 2018, pairing it with her high-neck kurta in shades of blush pink and red. Natasha Poonawala took the more-is-more approach with hers, which was embedded with polkis and emeralds, for Ganesh Chaturthi 2019. More recently, Karisma Kapoor layered a choker with a pearl panchlada by Shri Paramani Jewels for cousin Armaan Jain’s wedding in February 2020.

Satlada and panchlada necklaces you can buy

Luckily, several designers today, from upcoming labels to heritage jewellery houses, have presented their take on the layered necklace. For purists, the satlada options by Kishandas & Co., Dhanvi Diamonds, and RK Jeweller, South Extension 2 will be surefire winners. Minimalist brides will lean towards the panchlada by Raniwala 1881 and the delicate creation by Jadau Jewellery by Falguni Mehta to sport during a mehandi celebration. If something unique is what you’re after, the impact-making options by Hazoorilal By Sandeep Narang, Latique, Rambhajo's or Neety Singh Jewellery make perfect picks to team with your bridal lehenga. Sabyasachi Mukherjee’s creation is flanked with uncut diamonds, pearls and Zambian emeralds. Scroll ahead to check out our gallery of satlada and panchlada necklaces you can invest in.

Satlada, Kishandas & Co.