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Looking to buy a new necklace and not sure which size will fit you best?
If you were to go through your jewellery box this very moment, would you find a necklace — or three — that you rarely, if ever, wear? Ever thought why?
While it may seem more often than not, that jewellery pieces are one-size-fits-all, different lengths are suitable for different purposes - and different people. It really comes done to body shape, style and preference.
Here's a bunch of handy tips that can easily make up your mind about your next piece of beautiful jewellery.
HOW NECKLACES ARE MEASURED
Have you seen this necklace length chart? Do multiple necklace sizes make more sense now?
It's true that jewellery industry has standard necklace lengths measured in inches, which are more often even numbers than odd.
FOLLOWING the STANDARDS
The jewellery industry has standard necklace lengths measured in inches, which are more often even numbers than odd.
Let's have a look at the standard list of options of necklaces length:
| LENGTH | STYLE | PLACEMENT | WORN BEST WITH ... |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 inches | Collar | Tightly around the neck | Open-neck clothing such as scoop necks, V-necks, off-the-shoulder and boat necks |
| 16 inches | Choker | Tightly against base of throat | Almost everything |
| 18 inches | Princess | On the collarbone | Almost everything |
| 20 to 24 inches | Matinee | Between the collarbone and the bust | Great for both business and casual wear |
| 28 to 36 inches | Opera | On the bust or an inch or two below | High necklines and evening wear |
| 36 to 42 inches | Rope | Wrapped to sit on or just below the centre of the bust | Elegant business and evening wear |
Note: If you have a wide neck and are considering shorter lengths, you may need to go up an inch or two in length.
WHAT'S MY NECK SIZE?
The easiest way to measure your neck, and quite frankly the fairly accurate one, is to gently take a soft measuring tape and wrap it closely around your neck. Whatever your neck measurement is, add two inches to that and that’s a comfortable length for chokers which are usually sized at 16 inches; add four inches to that and that’s a great length for a pendant or name necklace which is usually attached on an 18-inch chain for women.
Chokers work best for people with long necks while short necked individuals are better off staying away from it.
BODY. FACE. WARDROBE. WHAT NECKLACES SUIT ME
So, take a necklace that you love and looks good on you (you know your style), measure the length of the chain while clasped and double that. Voila: your magical, custom necklace length!
And be realistic, you may not think so, but your body shape and height are factors in picking a necklace. Long necklaces may look strange on people with short torsos and full-figured. Moreover, if you don't have a lot of height, stick to a shorter necklace.
As with the body type, a necklace can help you accentuate your strongest facial features and alter the way your face is perceived by others.
So, if you have a round face perhaps a good tip is to avoid short necklaces or chokers as they will accentuate the roundness of your face.
Those with oval shaped faces can take advantage of any necklace fad since they can wear almost any shape, length or type of necklace.
Heart shaped faces look great with choker necklaces.
Last but not least, your everyday wardrobe and style is another important part of your necklace length decision. Let’s stick with turtlenecks as a wardrobe example. Long ropes of chain or beads will look great with turtlenecks on most women, but if you are short or full-figured, they may not.
WHAT NECKLACES ARE IN STYLE NOW?
Style is individual and very personal so there is not one style that you should choose to wear. However, here's a few ideas on what necklaces are trending now.
So, if you've got one or more of these in your jewellery box, you would most definitely be fashionable in 2021 - gold and gold-plated vermeil necklaces, statement necklaces, personalised, and last but not least pearl necklaces.
Most of all: have a look in the mirror and decide how the necklace looks on you; and if you like it, wear it! Try on different pieces with different outfits and you will be surprised how the you will find your perfect match.
READY for SOME INSPIRATIONS?
Here's our Hot list of Nature-inspired Handcrafted Necklace Collections:
AND Don't forget to check our popular suggestions in 7 Hacks to Keep your Jewellery Efficiently Organized