Choosing the right necklace length is an easy and effective way to frame your face, showcase your gemstones, and augment any outfit. This guide will assist you with your next necklace purchase. First, learn how and where different necklace lengths fall on the body for women and men. Second, discover guidelines for selecting the right necklace length for your specific neck, height, face and body type.
Eighteen-inch necklaces sit at the collarbone. Even though 18-inch necklaces are longer than typical collars or chokers, they will still appear to sit quite close to the neck. Pendants attached to 18-inch necklaces will typically lie above the breastbone. Eighteen inch necklaces are the most common necklace length and are often referred to as princess necklaces. If you want a necklace that sits just below the collarbone, but above the neckline, consider a 20-inch necklace. The 20-inch necklace length is common for many chains, strands, and lockets. Twenty-inch necklaces are also known as a matinee.
Twenty-two-inch necklaces sit at or just above the top of the bust. This necklace length may also be called a matinee. In fact, a matinee necklace may range anywhere from 20 to 24 inches in length. A 24-inch matinee will typically lay at or just below the center of the bust.
Necklaces 40 inches and longer will hang at or below the navel and are often wrapped two or three times around the neck to form a shorter, layered effect. Necklaces measuring more than 48 inches long may be wrapped or knotted around the neck without a clasp.
The smallest necklace size available for men is typically 18 inches. An 18-inch necklace will sit at the base of the neck on the average male. If you are looking for a slightly longer necklace, consider a 20-inch necklace, which will lie directly on the collarbone of the average male. The 20-inch necklace is the most common necklace length for men.
If you are looking for a silver or gold necklace that falls below the collarbone, consider a 22-inch necklace. The longest necklace size for men is typically a 24-inch necklace, which will fall just above the sternum of the average man.
Like their female counterparts, men should consider clasp length when purchasing a necklace. A standard clasp size for a man’s necklace is three-fourths of an inch, although some necklaces may have significantly longer clasps, which will increase the overall length of the necklace.
If you have a full-figured body, do not wear necklaces that sit on or below the breast line, as this length necklace will not hang properly. Instead, try a necklace that sits slightly higher on the body, such as an 18- to 22-inch necklace.
The most universally flattering chain length for men is 20 inches, or a necklace that sits at the collarbone. Not surprisingly, 20 inches is also the most commonly sold necklace length for men. A slightly longer length may be selected if the necklace is to be worn with a pendant, cross, medallion, emblem or sports charm. Multiple necklace lengths may be used for a layered look.
Selecting the right necklace length is important for showcasing your jewelry, accentuating your features, and framing your face. Necklace lengths come in a variety of sizes for men and women. Women’s necklaces typically range from 10 inches to 48 inches in length, whereas men’s necklaces typically range from 18 inches to 24 inches in length. When considering which necklace size to purchase, both men and women should consider the size of their neck and the length of the necklace clasp. Women may also want to consider their body shape, height, and face type.
Necklace Lengths for Women
Necklace chains for women typically range from 10 to 48 inches and anywhere in between. Although some necklaces are sold in odd-inch lengths, most women’s necklaces are sold in even-inch lengths. The following are the most commonly sold necklace lengths and where they fall on the average female body:| Necklace Length | Position on the Body |
|---|---|
| 10 to 14 inches | Wraps closely around the neck |
| 16 inches | Wraps loosely around the neck |
| 18 inches | Sits on the collarbone |
| 20 inches | Sits just below the collarbone |
| 22 inches | Lays at or above the top of the bust |
| 24 inches | Lays at or just below the center of the bust |
| 28 to 38 inches | Hangs below the bust |
| 40 inches and above | Hangs below the navel |
Buying Short Necklaces
Depending on your neck size, 10- to 14-inch necklaces wrap very closely around the neck. These necklaces may also be referred to as collar necklaces. If you want your necklace to sit at the neck, but with a looser fit, consider purchasing a 16-inch necklace, which typically sits just above the collarbone. Sixteen-inch necklaces are sometimes referred to as chokers, chains, lockets, or strands.
Eighteen-inch necklaces sit at the collarbone. Even though 18-inch necklaces are longer than typical collars or chokers, they will still appear to sit quite close to the neck. Pendants attached to 18-inch necklaces will typically lie above the breastbone. Eighteen inch necklaces are the most common necklace length and are often referred to as princess necklaces. If you want a necklace that sits just below the collarbone, but above the neckline, consider a 20-inch necklace. The 20-inch necklace length is common for many chains, strands, and lockets. Twenty-inch necklaces are also known as a matinee.
Twenty-two-inch necklaces sit at or just above the top of the bust. This necklace length may also be called a matinee. In fact, a matinee necklace may range anywhere from 20 to 24 inches in length. A 24-inch matinee will typically lay at or just below the center of the bust.
Buying Long Necklaces
Twenty-eight to 34-inch necklaces hang at or below the bust. These necklaces may be wrapped around the neck twice to form a double strand. A necklace of 30 inches in length is commonly referred to as an opera necklace, and a necklace of 36 inches in length is commonly referred to as a rope or lariat necklace. A rope necklace is typically a long strand of beads without a clasp, whereas a lariat is simply used to describe a long necklace, beads or otherwise, with a clasp.
Necklaces 40 inches and longer will hang at or below the navel and are often wrapped two or three times around the neck to form a shorter, layered effect. Necklaces measuring more than 48 inches long may be wrapped or knotted around the neck without a clasp.
Necklace Clasps Add Length
Finally, it is important to consider the clasp length when purchasing a necklace. The clasp or connector that holds the necklace together is typically not included in necklace size measurements. A standard clasp size is three-fourths of an inch, although some necklaces may have significantly longer clasps, which will increase the overall length of the necklace.Necklace Lengths for Men
Necklace chains for men typically range from 18 to 24 inches. Like women’s necklaces, most men’s necklaces are found in even-inch lengths. The following are the most commonly sold male necklace lengths and where they fall on the average male body:| Necklace Length | Position on the Body |
|---|---|
| 18 inches | Sits at the base of the neck |
| 20 inches | Sits at the collarbone |
| 22 inches | Falls a few inches below the collarbone |
| 24 inches | Falls just above the sternum |
The smallest necklace size available for men is typically 18 inches. An 18-inch necklace will sit at the base of the neck on the average male. If you are looking for a slightly longer necklace, consider a 20-inch necklace, which will lie directly on the collarbone of the average male. The 20-inch necklace is the most common necklace length for men.
If you are looking for a silver or gold necklace that falls below the collarbone, consider a 22-inch necklace. The longest necklace size for men is typically a 24-inch necklace, which will fall just above the sternum of the average man.
Like their female counterparts, men should consider clasp length when purchasing a necklace. A standard clasp size for a man’s necklace is three-fourths of an inch, although some necklaces may have significantly longer clasps, which will increase the overall length of the necklace.
Choosing the Right Necklace Length for Your Height
It is important to consider your height when selecting necklace length. Too long of a necklace may overwhelm a petite frame, whereas too short of a necklace may be lost on a more statuesque figure. This chart details guidelines for selecting necklace length based on your height:| Height | Recommended Necklace Length |
|---|---|
| Below 5’4" | 16- to 20-inch necklace lengths will look best on your body. Additionally, a V-shaped style will help elongate your neckline and make you appear taller. |
| 5’4" to 5’7" | You can wear necklaces of any length. |
| 5’7" or taller | You can wear necklaces of any length, but you will look particularly good in longer styles, as this accentuates your tall frame. |
Right Necklace Length for Your Body Type
Varying necklace lengths are an excellent way to accentuate certain body features and minimize others. For example, if you would like to subtly accent the bust, select a necklace that is 20 to 22 inches in length, as it will draw attention just below the collarbone or above the top of the bust. Alternatively, if you are flat-chested, long, thin chains will look graceful and elegant on your body frame.
If you have a full-figured body, do not wear necklaces that sit on or below the breast line, as this length necklace will not hang properly. Instead, try a necklace that sits slightly higher on the body, such as an 18- to 22-inch necklace.
Right Necklace Length for Your Face Shape
Necklaces quite literally frame your face. Varying necklace lengths will affect how wide, narrow, long, short, angular or round your face appears. Thus, you can use your necklace length as a powerful tool to alter the way your face is perceived by others and accentuate your strongest facial features. Here are some guidelines for necklace length based on face shape:| Face Shape | Recommended Necklace Length | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Heart-shaped | 10 to 16 inches | Choker-length necklaces will soften and diminish the sharp angle of a heart-faced chin. |
| Round | 26 to 36 inches | Longer necklaces elongate the jawline. Round-faced individuals should avoid collar and choker necklaces, as these necklaces will accentuate the roundness of the face. |
| Rectangular and oblong | 10 to 14-inches | Choker-length necklaces ostensibly shorten the length of the jaw, which smooths the angles on rectangular faces. |
| Oval | Any | Oval-shaped faces can typically wear any necklace length with graceful ease. |
Right Necklace Length for the Male Body
Like their female counterparts, the most important factor for men to consider when selecting the appropriate necklace is their neck size. Men should follow the same guidelines for measuring their necks as women: using a soft measuring tape wrapped closely around the neck. To get an accurate measurement, the tape should be snug, but not tight. Once you have determined your neck size, a general rule of thumb for men is to choose the second size up from their neck measurement. For example, if you measure your neck size at 16 inches, the smallest recommended necklace length would be 20 inches.
The most universally flattering chain length for men is 20 inches, or a necklace that sits at the collarbone. Not surprisingly, 20 inches is also the most commonly sold necklace length for men. A slightly longer length may be selected if the necklace is to be worn with a pendant, cross, medallion, emblem or sports charm. Multiple necklace lengths may be used for a layered look.
Selecting the right necklace length is important for showcasing your jewelry, accentuating your features, and framing your face. Necklace lengths come in a variety of sizes for men and women. Women’s necklaces typically range from 10 inches to 48 inches in length, whereas men’s necklaces typically range from 18 inches to 24 inches in length. When considering which necklace size to purchase, both men and women should consider the size of their neck and the length of the necklace clasp. Women may also want to consider their body shape, height, and face type.
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