Necklaces for different necklines
The most important detail to consider when choosing a necklace to wear isn’t color or style – it’s length. A collar necklace will get lost under a turtleneck sweater, while a rope necklace with a sweetheart neckline makes your body look droopy. To help you pair the right accessory with its matching neckline, use this handy guide. It separates types of fashion necklaces by length and then suggests flattering necklines to match:
Collar: Highlight your beautiful shoulders
People tend to use the term “choker” when what they really mean is “collar.” These necklaces are about 14 inches and sit in the middle of the throat. As such, they’re perfect for outfits that show off your bust and shoulders. If you’re wearing any of the following necklines, a collar necklace will look great:
- Strapless.
- Sweetheart.
- Boat neck.
Choker: Perfectly symmetrical
At 16 inches in length, chokers are supposed to rest at the base of the throat. While they work well with most necklines, they’re particularly suited for those that are uniform and open at least partially along the chest. Avoid necklines that stop near the neck such asymmetric, halter, jewel, Queen Anne, turtlenecks and shirts with collars; the edge of the garment competes with the necklace in a way that tends to clash. Instead, opt for the following:
- Scoop neck.
- V-neck.
- Sweetheart.
- Strapless.
Princess: A fantastically versatile option
A princess necklace is 18 inches long and falls across the collarbone. Again, these look great with many necklines, and they’re a particularly stylish way to add flair to a conservative outfit. That said, they also draw the eye upward, so they pair well with outfits that open the chest. Try these necklines for a sweet, feminine look:
- Collared.
- V-neck.
- Scoop neck.
- Low cut.
- Strapless.
Matinee: A great length for casual looks
Falling anywhere between 20 and 24 inches long, matinee necklaces end between the collarbone and the fullest part of the bust. Low-cut tops will draw attention to your cleavage, so try women’s tops with the following necklines:
- Crew.
- Scoop neck.
- Jewel.
- V-neck.
- Collared shirt.
- Turtleneck.
Opera: Great for a classic evening
Necklaces this length are all about elegance. Measuring from 24 to 32 inches, they’re designed to stop just below the bust. That said, you can loop an opera necklace to shorten the length and change your look. Choose bold, high necklines like those below:
- Turtleneck.
- High crew.
- Queen Anne.
Rope: Bringing flair to an upscale look
Anything longer than 32 inches is considered rope length. Many multistrand necklaces fall into this category. You can also layer a single-strand rope necklace with shorter jewelry for a similar look. Like opera necklaces, rope-length jewelry pairs well high necklines and upscale fashion, especially eveningwear and dress suits for women. Try matching your rope necklace to one of the options below:
- Collared shirt.
- Turtleneck.
- Scoop neck.
How to match any necklace and any neckline
If don’t know what style necklace you have, don’t worry. Matching a necklace to your neckline is primarily about achieving balance and allowing the jewelry and outfit to compliment each other, not compete against one another. With that in mind, you can still create a harmonious look even if you don’t know the exact length of your necklace – just consider where it falls on your body in contrast to the neckline. There should be some space between the two, allowing each element of your outfit to stand on its own. This is why you shouldn’t, for example, wear a collar-length necklace with a turtleneck sweater. Instead, opt for a strapless outfit with a straight or sweetheart bust. Once you understand this concept, finding the right jewelry for your outfit will be a breeze.
Comments (1)
Tammy Brown
Very helpful information.