Yet longer necklaces can be essential for layering – a trend that’s come back in style over the past few years. To hit the right notes, consider the following factors.
Necklace Length
For most women, a long necklace is roughly 30 inches, although this length can extend up to 36 inches – known as opera length – based on height and body proportions.
Unsure what fits or looks good on you? Ideally, a long necklace worn alone or layered with shorter styles hits right at or below the bustline. With today’s cropped silhouettes, anything longer risks falling below the hemline of your shirt.
Wearing a Long Necklace
Incorporate longer necklaces into your everyday look through the following methods:
- Layering: Intended to create a tiered effect, layering necklaces can involve different lengths and elements like metal, thickness or details. If you try this look, begin with a single opera-style necklace you can double over or combine two to four individual necklaces that fall from the collarbone down to the bust area.
- Statement Styles: Length automatically draws attention, so even with a modest chain or pearls, the necklace will become the focal point of your outfit. Decrease competition by subduing colors, patterns and other embellishments.
- Lariats: Lariat necklaces shake up assumptions about length. Rather than a single string, this style meets right below the collarbone and extends downward in a Y-shape. These necklaces tend to be slightly shorter – about 24 inches in length – and may have a pendant or bar-like addition for a visual draw.
What to Wear With a Long Necklace
Along with length and styling, think about the necklace in relation to your clothing:
- Avoid Cropped Hems: Chances are, the necklace may reach or fall over the end of the crop top, hitting your midriff or the button on your pants.
- Wear Something Solid and Equally Long: For professional and casual settings, this may be a solid-color shift dress that creates a background for the necklace to stand out or a blazer over your blouse or top that helps frame the necklace’s shape.
- Pay Attention to Neckline: You want to aim for a high-low effect. As the necklace falls to the bust, have the neckline of your shirt or dress head in the opposite direction. Flattering options include turtlenecks, crewnecks and boatnecks that skim the shoulders. On the other hand, you risk having a long necklace overlap with and camouflage a V-neck.
- Avoid Oversized Clothing: Since the necklace itself is also oversized, it can potentially get lost in the folds of a sweater, voluminous T-shirt or flowy top.
- Casual or Polished: Long necklaces transcend dress codes, yet composition plays a factor. Beads, rope details and chain styles tend to pair better with T-shirts, tank tops and jeans. Meanwhile, pearls upscale the style for more professional occasions.
Interested in wearing more long necklaces? Explore our selection online, then stop by a convenient Hannoush Jewelers of Connecticut store location.
