How to Choose the Perfect Necklace Length: A Complete Guide to Get the Right Fit

I have worked with fashion and accessories for many years. Through my work, I’ve learned a simple fact: the right necklace can make your whole outfit look wonderful. But I have also seen what happens when you pick the wrong necklace. It can make everything look wrong. The biggest mistake I see people make is choosing the wrong necklace length. It is a small thing, but it is very important.

This full guide is here to help you with this problem for good. I will show you all the things you need to know. This will help you choose the best necklace length every time. We will look at a necklace length chart and talk about how to measure your neck. We will also see how your height, the shape of your face, and your shirt’s neckline are all part of the choice. When you finish reading this article, you will be able to choose a necklace and feel good about it. You will get the right fit for anything you’re doing.

Why is Picking the Right Necklace Length So Important?

Have you ever put on a necklace and felt that something was off? Maybe the necklace felt too tight. Or maybe the pendant was in a strange spot. This is a problem many people have. Picking the right necklace length is about more than just feeling good. The length of a necklace can change what people notice about your outfit. A good necklace tells people where to look. A shorter necklace, like a choker, will make people look at your neck and face. A longer necklace can make you look taller and thinner. The perfect necklace length will look good on your body and with your clothes.

You can think of a necklace as a frame for your face and your chest area. If you have a nice collarbone, a necklace that sits right on it will show off that good part. If you have a special pendant, you want that necklace to put the pendant in the right place so people can see and like it. The style of the necklace is a big deal, but if the length isn’t right, the necklace might not look the way you want. This is why knowing how to choose the right necklace length is the first step. It helps you get a nice set of jewelry. This guide will help you find the best necklace length for any necklace you want.

What Are the Common Necklace Lengths? (Our Necklace Length Chart)

When you look for a necklace to buy, you will see numbers like 16 inches, 18 inches, or 24 inches. These are the usual necklace lengths. It is very important to know what these lengths are. You should also know where they usually sit on a person’s body. I have found that when you know the one or two lengths that are best for you, buying a new necklace is much simpler.

Most necklaces for women are sold in a few common lengths. A 14-inch necklace is a choker. It fits very close around the neck. A 16-inch necklace is also like a choker for many people. It sits at the bottom of the throat. The most used length is 18 inches. This is called the princess length. It sits in a very nice way on the collarbone. A 20-inch necklace will hang a little bit below the collarbone. A 22- to 24-inch necklace is a matinee length. It often sits at the top of your chest. A long necklace, like a 36-inch rope necklace, gives you many style choices. Our necklace length chart below lists these common sizes. This chart can help you picture where each necklace will hang.

Necklace Length Chart

This necklace length chart is a good place to start. Just remember, where a necklace sits will be different for each person’s body. So, it is always a smart plan to measure.

How Can I Measure My Neck Size for a Necklace?

Before you can pick out the perfect necklace length, you must know your own measurements. This is very easy to do! I always tell my clients to do this first. You only need a soft tape measure that can bend. If you do not have one, you can use a piece of string and a ruler instead. This easy step will help you pick a necklace that is comfortable and makes you feel sure of yourself.

To find your neck size, softly put the tape measure around your neck. You should hold it where a comfortable choker necklace would be. Do not pull it very hard. You want to be able to slide one finger under the tape measure. Write down this number. This is your basic neck size. For a choker necklace that fits very close to the neck, you would use this same number. For a normal necklace, like a princess length necklace, you will need to add a couple of inches. A good idea is to add 2 inches to your neck size. This will give you a comfy pendant necklace that sits on your collarbone. So, if your neck is 14 inches, a 16-inch necklace is a good place to start.

How Does My Height Change the Best Necklace Length?

Your height is another important thing to think about when you choose the right necklace length. You want to find a necklace that is balanced with your body’s size. A necklace that looks wonderful on a tall person might look too big on a shorter person. It can also be the other way around. It is all about finding a good balance.

If you are a shorter person, maybe under 5 feet 4 inches, you may see that a shorter necklace looks best. A 16- to 18-inch necklace is a wonderful pick because it will not look too big for your body. A very long necklace can sometimes make a shorter person seem even shorter. If you are an average height, between 5’4” and 5’7”, then you have a lot of choices! You can wear almost any necklace length. You can try different lengths and styles to find what you like most. For people who are taller, over 5’7”, a longer necklace can look amazing. A matinee length or even a long rope necklace will look great with your height. A very short choker necklace might seem a little small, so you might like a chain that is a bit longer.

Which Necklace Chain Length Looks Good with Different Necklines?

I have always told people that your necklace and your neckline should go together well. They should not look bad next to each other. The neckline of your shirt or dress makes the frame. The necklace is like the picture inside that frame. When you pick the right necklace chain length to go with your neckline, your whole look can feel very neat and well-planned.

For instance, if you are wearing a V-neck shirt, a necklace that also makes a V-shape is a great match. A pendant necklace that is 18 or 20 inches long will pull the eyes downward. It will look good with the shape of the neckline. For a crew neck, a shorter necklace like a 16-inch choker works well. A 20- to 24-inch matinee necklace is also a good choice. The choker stays above the shirt line, and the matinee necklace hangs far below it. This helps you to avoid a messy look. With a dress that has no straps, a choker necklace is a great pick. It helps to make people notice your neck and shoulders. A simple princess length necklace with a small pendant can also add a nice, fancy touch. This chart gives some good ideas for pairs.

Necklace and Neckline Pairing Guide

Can the Shape of My Face Help Me Choose the Perfect Necklace?

Yes, it really can! Just like getting a haircut, the right necklace length can help balance and look good with the shape of your face. The main idea is to pick a necklace that helps give the look of an oval shape. Many people think an oval shape is the most balanced. A necklace is a great way to make people look where you want them to.

If you have a round face, you should choose a necklace that helps make it look longer. A longer necklace, such as a 20- to 24-inch matinee length necklace, is a very good choice. It makes a V-shape that pulls the eyes down. I would tell you to stay away from a short choker necklace. This can make a round face look even more round. For a heart-shaped face, a shorter necklace like a 14- or 16-inch choker can be perfect. This kind of necklace can help make a pointy chin look softer. For people with a square face or a strong jaw, a princess length necklace (18 inches) with round shapes or a round pendant can make the lines look softer. An oval face can work with many styles. You can wear almost any length of necklace.

What Things Should I Think About for a Pendant Necklace?

A pendant is usually the main point of interest on a necklace. When you pick a pendant necklace, you need to think about two things. You need to think about the necklace chain length and the size and shape of the pendant. You want the pendant to sit in a spot where it looks really good. For most people, this is right on the collarbone or just a little bit below the collarbone.

The weight of the pendant is a very big deal. A heavy pendant will make the necklace chain hang down more. This will make the necklace seem longer than a plain chain necklace of the same length. If you have a bigger, heavier pendant, you might want to pick a necklace chain that is a little shorter. This will make sure the pendant sits where you want it to. For a small and fine pendant, an 18-inch princess length is often the perfect necklace length. It lets the pendant sit nicely on the collarbone, where people can easily see it. The style of the pendant is important too. A long, thin pendant will look different from a round, thick one. The pendant is a very important part of the whole necklace.

How Can I Get Good at Layering Different Necklace Lengths?

Layering necklaces is a style many people like right now. I like it a lot because it lets you show off your own style. But to do it the right way, you have to use different lengths. The most important part of layering necklaces well is to have some space between each one. This stops them from getting twisted up. It also lets each necklace be seen on its own.

I suggest you begin with three necklaces that have different lengths. A great mix is a 16-inch choker, an 18-inch princess length necklace with a small pendant, and a 22- or 24-inch matinee necklace. The space of 2 to 4 inches between each necklace is just right. You can also try different feelings and styles. You can mix a plain chain necklace with a necklace with beads or a pendant necklace. To make sure everything matches, I usually say to use the same color of metal, like all gold or all silver. After you feel good with that, you can mix metals for a newer style. Don’t forget, the shortest necklace is the first one people see, so pick that one first.

Does My Own Style Matter When I Choose a Necklace?

Yes, it does! All of these rules and charts are just ideas to help you. In the end, the best necklace length for you is the one that makes you feel great. Your own personal style is the most important thing to think about. A necklace is a way to show who you are. The necklace you pick says something about you.

Are you a person with a classic style that is always popular? You might feel best in a simple 18-inch princess necklace with a pearl or diamond pendant. It is a length that can be worn with many things and looks good with almost everything. If your style is more big and eye-catching, you might like a thick choker necklace. Or you might like a very long rope necklace that you can loop around your neck a few times. If you have a relaxed or free-spirit style, you might like to layer many necklaces of different lengths and styles all at once. Do not be scared to try out different lengths. You can try a necklace you already have with different clothes to see how it feels. The perfect necklace length is the one you really enjoy wearing.

Ready to Find Your Right Fit? Use Our Necklace Size Guide!

I hope this complete guide has helped you understand how to choose the perfect necklace length. It might look like there is a lot to think about. But it is really pretty easy once you learn the main points. It all begins with knowing the common necklace lengths. And it helps to know your own measurements. After that, you can think about your height, face shape, and the neckline of your shirt to make the best choice. This guide will assist you in picking a necklace that you will be happy with for a long time.

Do not forget to use our necklace length chart when you need a quick reminder. When you are buying a new necklace, think about where you want it to sit. Do you want people to look at your neck? A choker is a good pick. Do you want to add a nice touch to a work outfit? An 18-inch princess length necklace with a pendant is a classic choice. Do you need a necklace that will look good with a sweater that has a high neck? A longer necklace chain is the right thing for that. Finding the right necklace length is a skill. With this necklace size guide, you now have all the information you need. A necklace that is chosen well can make any outfit look even better. It can become a piece you really love in your collection.

Important Things to Remember

Here is a quick list of the most important things to keep in mind when you are choosing the right necklace length:

• Measure Your Neck: Use a soft tape measure to find your basic neck size. Add 2 to 4 inches for a good fit for most normal necklaces.
• Look at the Chart: Use a necklace length chart to learn about the common necklace lengths (like Choker, Princess, Matinee) and where they usually sit.
• Think About Your Height: Shorter people often look best in shorter necklaces (16-18 inches). Taller people can easily wear longer necklaces.
• Match Your Shirt’s Neckline: Your necklace should look good with your shirt’s neckline. It shouldn’t clash with it.
• Think About the Pendant: The size and heaviness of a pendant will change how a necklace hangs. A heavier pendant will need a strong and maybe shorter necklace chain.
• Layer with Different Lengths: When you layer necklaces, pick different lengths. Make sure there is at least 2 inches of room between them so they do not get tangled.
• Follow Your Own Style: These are all just tips. The most important rule is to pick a necklace that makes you feel good and sure of yourself.