DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT SIZE NECKLACE?
Necklaces have been an important part of people's beautification since ancient times. They are believed to have been in use as far back as the Stone Age, 40,000 years ago. Over the millennia and centuries, materials and methods have diversified. Today, necklaces are available for every taste and need.
The perfectly fitting necklace sits beautifully on its wearer. Then its design language, the materials used, and the size of the jewelry fit the wearer and the occasion. There is not just one suitable necklace. Depending on the situation and purpose, different types of necklaces look good. When choosing a necklace, it is good to keep the following basic rules in mind:
1) NECKLACE CHAIN LENGTH
One of the most important things about necklaces is that the chain is the right length. The correct length of a necklace is influenced by the thickness of the neck, the user's height, as well as the user's bust and body type.
NECKLACES COME IN DIFFERENT THICKNESSES
Is your neck narrow, normal, or a bit sturdier? The thickness of the neck is influenced by general body structure and weight, but age also plays an important role. As one ages, the neck generally thickens - it accumulates fluid, weight, and "helttoja".
It is important to choose the right length necklace that draws the viewer's eye to the right place. The most popular place is on the sternum, in the décolletage area. Indeed, for individuals with a relatively narrow neck, a short chain with a small pendant also looks good and proportionate.
NECKLACE STANDARD LENGTHS
Necklaces come in standard lengths. The most common necklace lengths are 40 cm, 42 cm, 45 cm, and 50 cm. For small children, it is also 38 cm. Tight collars are shorter, even 35 cm.
Medium-length necklaces are 60 cm and 70 cm. These lengths are best suited for busty individuals and/or supportive necks and larger pendants.
Long necklaces of 80 cm and 90 cm reach above the collarbone area (depending on the person's height), and slightly larger pendants are recommended for them.
First, you need to consider whether you want a short, medium, or long necklace? Here is an example of chains measuring 40 cm, 42 cm, 45 cm, and 80 cm.
SHORT AND NORMAL LENGTH NECKLACES
- 35 cm - tight necklace (collar). It's called a "choker" in English. It means "pledge". This necklace length is good if your neck is narrow and firm.
- 38 cm - length of the item. This is a good length for a small child
- 40 cm - a very short women's chain. It works well if your neck is small. For most adult women, this length is too short.
- 42 cm - short women's chain. For many "normal-necked" adults, this is a good short chain length. Often too short for older women
- 45 cm - women's standard chain length. For most women, a good chain / necklace length
- 50 cm - standard length for large necks. This necklace is the right size for you if you have a large neck. Also for normal-necked, but tall individuals
MID-LENGTH NECKLACES
- 60 cm "shorter medium-length necklace". This length beautifully falls just above the bust for most women. The necklace is clearly medium-length. The length is good when paired with a covering shirt (t-shirt, sweater, dress shirt). If the shirt is open, the pendant of the necklace may fall between the breasts
- 70 cm "longer medium-length necklace" For larger-sized women, this necklace length works as a medium-length necklace, falling above the chest. For smaller (and smaller-busted) women, this necklace length is already long, falling below the bust.
LONG NECKLACES
- 80 cm "shorter long necklace" Good length for "long chain" for most women. You can add a pendant to the necklace, and it hangs beautifully at the waist.
- 90 cm "long necklace" This length is especially good if the necklace is worn alone without a pendant. However, for a shorter woman, the length may already pose problems - that is, it may be too long. As a simple chain, this can also be used doubled, making the length 45 cm.
BODY TYPE AFFECTS CHAIN LENGTH SELECTION
Your body type also affects what kind of necklace suits you best. So are you an apple, pear, rectangular, hourglass, or cone-shaped?
BASIC RULE: Place the jewelry or pendant in the position where you want the viewer to look. You want the viewer's eye to be directed to a specific, optimal area for you. For example, an apple-shaped or O-type does not want the viewer's eyes to be drawn to the belly rolls of the midsection. Therefore, she should avoid wearing long necklaces that fall to the stomach.
BUST SIZE ALSO AFFECTS NECKLACE CHOICE
If you have large breasts, you should forget about long necklaces, as they often do not sit well on top of large breasts.
THE BASIC RULE: For most women, a necklace that gracefully falls to the décolletage area (that is, the chest, above the breasts) is the best length for a necklace. A necklace always captivates the viewer's eye. The décolletage area is often beautiful in women and does not need to be hidden.
But long chains (80cm + pendant) are also popular. If you have small or medium-sized breasts, long chains suit you well. Especially with a solid color shirt, long chains and pendants create a harmonious (and modern) whole.
2) THICKNESS OF THE NECKLACE CHAIN
The thickness of the necklace chain doesn't often attract much attention. However, it is a very decisive factor in the necklace and affects whether it looks good on you. The chain enhances the jewelry's appeal. Both the physical thickness of the chain and the shape of the chain type affect the thickness.
The same rule applies to chain thickness as it does to other jewelry usage: If you are petite (and have a small/normal neck), you can easily wear thin chains. However, the larger you are, the more important it is to choose a necklace with a thicker chain.
There are three thicknesses of necklaces.
- Thin necklaces.
- Chain thickness between 0.9 mm - 1.6 mm.
- 1.4 mm good standard thickness
- If the thin chain is very thin, 0.9 cm or even thinner, the chain has a higher risk of breaking.
- Medium-thick necklaces
- Chain thickness 1.8 mm - 4 mm
- This thickness of jewelry adds volume and appearance to the necklace.
- Notice! Chains of this thickness may not fit through all pendants.
- Thick necklaces
- Chain thickness 5 mm - 10 mm
- Chains of this thickness are usually used on their own without a pendant.
ALL EXAMPLES OF CHAIN THICKNESSES 0.9 - 5.0 MM
3) NECKLACE PENDANT SIZE
The size of the jewelry is also important when choosing the optimal necklace. The size of the jewelry is determined by both the size of the pendant and the thickness of the chain. Your own size is crucial in choosing the right sized jewelry.
- "Normal" sized woman: You have more options. You can use either small or larger jewelry.
- Small-sized woman: Small jewelry looks better on you. They highlight your delicacy. Large jewelry looks too heavy for you.
- A larger-sized (also tall) woman: You should consider wearing bigger jewelry. Small jewelry may appear modest and inexpensive when worn (even if they are not). They emphasize your size in a negative way.
The images below show examples of jewelry in various sizes. The Pisara necklace is a small piece of jewelry. The Double Heart necklace is medium-sized, while the Luoto necklace is already quite large. Please note that if you want to use a long chain (90cm), the pendant should be relatively large.
4) STYLE AND FORM LANGUAGE
Do you prefer classic, modern, or romantic style? Do you prefer a minimalist or a more elaborate style?
What about the language of form in jewelry? The shape language of the jewelry matters. Some people prefer round shapes, while others want straight and graphic lines. The second dimension is the simplicity vs diversity of the form language. Some people prefer classic simple designs. Part of a more romantically delicate design. Any type of form language is not inherently right or wrong; it is more a matter of personal preference.
Below is an example of the Lilja necklace featuring round shapes and the Rantakallio necklace showcasing graphic lines.
SUMMARY:
- The length of the necklace chain and
- thickness,
- the size of the pendant and
- the shape and style affect how the necklace looks on you.
Do you prefer
- shorter or longer chains?
- from thinner or thicker chains?
- from smaller or larger pendants?
- what type of form language? Round shapes or straight shapes?