What’s the Best Necklace Length?
What’s the perfect necklace length for you? The one that makes you feel the best! There are no rules. There are, however, a few things to consider as you make your choice. These include height, body type, necklace type and the clothes you plan to wear. In this guide, we’ll review various standard necklace lengths and provide some tips. Remember, however that it is truly your comfort and self confidence that should guide your selection.
General Terminology
Necklaces are usually sold in standard even numbered lengths. There are a few customary names for these common length ranges:
- Collar Generally 12-14 inches (30 – 35 cm) fitting high and snug around the neck
- Choker Generally 14-16 inches (35 – 40 cm) resting near the base of the neck at the collar bone.
- Princess Generally 16 – 18 inches (40 -45 cm) falling just below the collar bone.
- Matinee Generally 20 – 24 inches (50 – 60 cm) sitting between the collar bone and the bust
- Opera Generally 28 – 36 inches (70 – 90 cm) rests on the bust or an inch or two below.
- Rope Anything over 36 inches (70 cm).
Note that these are general guidelines. A 16-inch choker length necklace may come to rest below the collar bone for a person with a small neck while the same necklace may fit snug to the neck for a person with a larger neck.
Know your neck circumference. Whatever your neck measurement is, you should add two inches for a minimum necklace length. Adding four inches is generally the minimum length for a necklace with a pendant. (Also, unknown is why a collar necklace is shorter than a choker length necklace!)
General Tips
- The human eye will usually come to rest when your necklace ends. If you don’t want to emphasize a large neck or perhaps a small bust line, don’t select a necklace length that comes to rest at that spot. Conversely, if you to want to emphasize an area, let your necklace length draw attention to it.
- If your neck is thick, a collar or choker length necklace will tend to make your neck look shorter.
- A short choker length necklace on a person with a round face can accentuate that roundness. Conversely, that same short necklace may soften or broaden the look of a longer face.
- A short chunky necklace can help broaden the look of the upper body, offsetting a pear or teardrop shape.
- A collar or choker looks good with strapless, scoop neck, or open neck clothing.
- Matinee lengths are great for layering multiple necklaces.
- Opera length necklaces are great for casual wear but can also be beautiful with more formal wear (think a long continuous string of pearls on a black dress). Consider, however, that opera and rope length necklaces can overwhelm a small frame and short stature.
- Sometimes a rope or opera length necklace may drape awkwardly on a woman with a large bust.
- If a clasp if difficult to use, consider a longer necklace with no clasp that can be just tossed over the head.
- If you don’t know what length to choose, a princess or 18-inch necklace is generally universally appealing.
- If you are buying a gift, think about what the recipient’s go-to necklace is and select that length. If you have no idea, 18 inches in usually a safe choice.
Remember that personal preference, comfort and self-confidence should be the ultimate guiding factors, so don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you.
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