Necklace length chart
Necklace Length and Wearing Guide
Wearing the right necklace length is as important as wearing the right colour clothing for your skin tone. I have taken a picture of chains on this small sized mannequin to illustrate the various lengths. If you are a larger person the necklace lengths shown here may be a little too short.
Generally speaking, the taller and thinner you wish to look, the longer the necklace should be. The shorter the necklace is the wider your face will appear. If you wish to draw emphasis to your face, shorter necklaces are great.
Having said that, it is important to match your jewelry to the neckline on your outfit. For example, if you are wearing an open neck shirt an 18 to 20" necklaces may be hidden.
14" - Choker - tends to bring emphasis around the face. Generally made from several strands and worn with collarless outfits. Not the best for faces that are round or wide at the jawline as it tends to add width to that area. Great for people with pointed chins, thin faces and long necks.
16" - Collar bone - Great for high set pendants. One of the best for bib-like necklaces of many strands.
18" - Princess - 1" below collar bone. This is the most often worn length. It can be worn by most people.
20" - Matinee - Looks great with high necklines.
22"- Matinee - A good length for pendants around an open shirt collar.
24" - Matinee - Lovely length for single string necklaces.
26" - 34" - Opera - All of the opera lengths are good to give the appearance of a thinner face and taller body.
36" - Rope - reminiscent of the 1920's look. Longer strands can be tied in a knot.
