How to Choose the Perfect Necklace
There are numerous factors to take into consideration when choosing a necklace.
Some are obvious, such as the length and the type of metal you choose, while others are less obvious, like your face shape or its placement.
Whether it be a gold necklace, a pearl choker, or a silver chain, here are some tips to remember when buying your next necklace.
Neck Size
The first thing you need to consider is your neck size. Chain lengths vary, and what is long on one person won’t be long on another.
Neck sizes also vary a lot, often by inches; it completely depends on how you are built.
This is why you should never trust a photo of someone your size or close to it wearing the necklace. They can be your height and weight but can have a bigger or smaller neck.
Face Shape
Your face shape plays a significant role in how the necklace looks once you wear it. While these aren’t rules that aren’t set in stone, they are guidelines to help steer you in the right direction.
Oval
People with oval faces have it the easiest as their face shape lends itself to all manner of necklaces, long or short, choker or not; it doesn’t matter. You can also layer necklaces if you are feeling a bit experimental.
Round
If you have a round face, you should avoid chokers and short necklaces as they will make your face seem even rounder. Instead, opt for a necklace that elongates your neck and has a v-line shape to it.
Rectangle
If you have a rectangular face, balance out the emphasis on your jawline with a chunky necklace or something with a pendant. If the necklace is too subtle, you may end up emphasizing your jawline in a way you don’t want to.
Heart
If you have a heart-shaped face, you will most likely have a narrow chin. Shorter necklaces will help widen it and balance out the rest of your face with your chin and jawline.
Height
Your height plays a big role in which necklace you should choose, especially if you are on the shorter side. Short necklaces will shorten the torso and neck and therefore make you look even shorter.
Instead, choose a v-shaped necklace that elongates your neck and extends your upper chest and torso. Combine a chain like this with a deep-v shirt, and you have a winning combination.
Shoulder Width
Surprisingly, your shoulder width also influences the type of necklace you should choose.
If you have broader shoulders, opt for a longer necklace, too; once again, lengthen your torso. If you have the opposite problem, opt for shorter necklaces.
Metal
The metal you choose is completely up to you and your personal choice.
However, silver looks better with some clothes while gold looks better with others. A classic gold combination would be to wear it with green or red.
On the other hand, a classic silver combination is wearing it with blue, white, or black. While there isn’t a rule here, it is good to understand how each metal works with different clothes.
Style
You must also consider how each type of necklace and length works with the type of clothing you are wearing.
For example, you might want a longer necklace that sits below your bust if you are wearing a turtleneck.
Some other examples will be wearing a choker if you are wearing a v-neck shirt or wearing an average-length necklace that sits just above your bust if you are wearing a scoop neck.
The goal is to either create or refine your neckline depending on the type of shirt you are wearing.
Design
Next, you have to consider the design. Do you want something simple, such as a thin chain and no pendant?
Or do you want a statement piece that has a thicker chin and has gemstones or something similar? Trends also change, so do you want something on-trend or something that is classic?
The design you choose will also impact where to wear the necklace. If you have an incredibly expensive, diamond-covered piece, you aren’t going to wear that to brunch or to work.
Jewelry and clothes are similar as there is a time and place for everything, and not everything can be worn everywhere.
Versatility
Something that is tied to the design is versatility. Do you need this necklace to do mroe than one job, or are you buying it for special occasions only?
A lot of jewelry is very versatile, while a lot of jewelry just isn’t; stud earrings can be worn anytime, but you can’t wear big hoops to run in.
A simple chain and pendant combination is great for everyday wear, but something that is more detailed or expensive will most likely just be worn on special occasions.
Price
Finally, you need to decide how much you want to spend. Sterling silver and gold are going to be expensive, no matter how simple or complex the piece is.
You must increase the cost further if you add a gemstone or pendant.
There are more options to choose from, though, each with varying prices. Metals such as titanium and platinum have both become very popular over the past few years.