Different Types of Necklaces: How to Choose the Right Style for You

When trying to choose the right types of necklaces for your outfit, it can be a little overwhelming. There are so many types and styles of necklaces to choose from that you might not know where to start! 

Today, we’re breaking down the different types of necklaces into a handy guide to help you choose the right necklace for your look.

Keep reading to learn what you need to know! 

Necklace Lengths

Necklaces come in several standard lengths, with multiple styles falling within each category.

An online jewellery store will generally let you sort necklaces according to their length, so it’s good to be familiar with each so you can more quickly narrow your options.

Collar

These are your shortest option, falling between 12 to 14 inches long. Collar necklaces fit your neck where a t-shirt collar would sit, directly above the collarbone.

Choker

First popularized in Victorian times, chokers are 14 to 16 inches long and fit high and close on the neck. They are often made using materials other than just metals, like ribbon, and are thicker than collars.

Princess

Princess necklaces are between 16 and 18 inches long. They usually have a focal piece that rests right at the collar bones and are often more ornate. This necklace length is thought to be the most universally flattering.

Matinee

This style of necklace is 20 to 22 inches long and sits right at the bust level. They’re great for layering and daily wear and are one of the most common lengths.

Opera

Opera necklaces are long at 30 to 36 inches and are made to fall to the belly button or below when worn as a single strand.

Rope

A rope necklace is anything over 36 inches. They generally don’t have clasps. Instead, the necklace is one long piece pulled through an opening so it can be looped and adjusted as you wish.

Different Types of Necklaces

When deciding which necklace to wear with your outfit, keep these few pointers in mind.

If your shirt is low cut, choose a necklace that stays above your bust and rests above or at your collarbone. This helps balance your top out and avoids a necklace bunched into your cleavage. Chokers, collars, and some matinees work well for this.

If you’re wearing a turtleneck or higher cut top, you can get away with pairing it with a longer opera or rope style necklace that hangs lower.

Princess necklaces are best worn alone and with dressier attire, as they tend to be statement pieces.

Don’t be afraid to dress up an outfit and create depth by layering several different styles and lengths of necklaces. Collars and chokers layer well with longer necklaces, and several matinee necklaces together create layers.

The trick is to not be afraid to layer and experiment with different textures and styles while remembering to balance your necklace to the cut and style of the top you’re wearing.

Choose the Right Necklace for Your Outfit

Now that you know the different types of necklaces, you shouldn’t have any problem choosing the right one for your outfit.

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