Necklaces have been around for quite some time – more so than many of us are aware of. Archaeologists found samples that are around 25,000 years old. The older versions of necklaces were made from bones, shells, stone and animal teeth. As humans evolved, so did jewellery. They started making it from glass, beads and pottery.
Egyptians are responsible for creating the pendant, which gained popularity with the Romans and Greeks as well. Necklaces are a part of human history and have the ability to transform and complement any outfit. Nowadays you have a vast choice of materials, shapes, sizes and designs.
Types of Necklaces
While you might think that all necklaces are more or less the same, there is actually a great deal of diversity among them. Depending on how much attention to detail you want to give your outfit, you’ll be able to find something that perfectly fits the bill.
Chain
This is one of the simplest yet most versatile necklace types. When you go out shopping for modern chain necklaces, there are several things you need to consider. The first thing is the links the chain is made of. Some of them will twist and reshape around your neck, like the snake, herringbone and omega links. If you don’t want any movement you should go for anchor, curb, rope or Figaro links.
Make sure to ask if the chain is plated. This is important because after a while the top layer will fade, and you’ll start to see the metal underneath which is usually a different colour. You can re-plate it, but it can be costly. So, if you want to wear the chain every day, choose a non-plated one. When it comes to clasps you can choose from a ring-shaped one and a lobster clasp. The second one is easier to use and will last longer.
If you want to combine your chain neckalce with a pendant, choose a chain with medium size thickness. This way there will be a balance between the chain and the pendant. If you want to go for the cheaper option, you can buy a hollow chain which will be lighter. But these chains are not very durable and can break or dent very easily, so be careful how you handle them.
Choker
A choker is something you wear close to the neck, and it can be around 35-40cm long. You can find them in a plethora of different materials. Some of the most popular ones are gold, ribbon, leather, heavy thread and velvet. These necklaces can be upgraded, and you can create new designs by adding pendants, beads or pearls.
The fact that a choker necklace complements practically everything you wear, regardless of form or style, is one of the biggest advantages it has. Chokers work well with V-necks and scoop necks and look very attractive.
You can even find chokers that have a built-in pendant. These are usually made from several strands of metal or leather and can be very eye-catching. You can find them in many different colours, but the most popular ones are black and silver.
Collar
If you’re a fan of boat necks, V-necks, off-the-shoulder clothes and even turtlenecks, the collar necklace is the perfect choice for you. They’re usually 30-33cm long and you should wear them close to your skin positioned a centimetre above the collarbone.
They can be made of many materials, but the most stunning pieces are made of jewels, stones and pearls. If you want something more casual, something you can wear every day, you can go for gold or silver. Women often combine them with pendant necklaces, to get another layer.
Lariat
These necklaces are of medium length and are rope shaped. They’re also known as Y-shaped because of their resemblance to the letter Y. People call it rope-shaped because there’s no clasp. The chain or beads create a whole rope chain that you can’t separate. It has a gentle shape with a subtle strand falling down.
Some of these necklaces can surpass the standard length, but you can easily adjust them by wrapping them around your neck until you get the desired length. If you want to step out of your comfort zone and try something new, a lariat necklace can definitely help you with that.
Locket
This is one of the most traditional necklaces you can find. It’s usually passed down from one generation to another as memorabilia. It contains a small picture within the locket that holds a great memory. These are very intimate pieces of jewellery that never lost their popularity or beauty over the years.
Nowadays, you can find these necklaces in many chain shapes, materials and lengths. Sometimes you can even combine it with chain necklaces or chokers to create more layers. If you’re of the sentimental type and you want to keep a photo of your loved ones close to your heart, then this is the necklace you need.
Opera
Opera necklaces are perfect for deep-necked gowns or blouses because they are normally 65-90cm long. This is flexible jewellery that women wear on formal occasions. You’re not limited with its length.
You can wear it as one strand, have it wrapped around your neck, or combine it with other opera necklaces to create multiple layers. If you choose the right style and material, you can wear this necklace to the cinema and at the opera at the same time.
Things to Consider
Apart from the overall design and how well it fits in with your personal style, there are several things you need to take into account when choosing a necklace. Here are some of the most important aspects you should have at the back of your mind:
Height
One thing to take into account when picking the ideal necklace for you is your height. Necklace lengths between 40 and 50cm look best on women under 160cm. A lengthy necklace has the tendency to dwarf a petite body. Women who are between 160cm and 170cm in height can wear any necklace length. All necklace lengths are acceptable for women taller than 170cm. This is where longer necklaces look better because they draw attention to the wearer’s height.
Neck Size
Measuring your neck before buying a necklace can be a great advantage, especially if you want to get a choker. The simplest method for measuring your neck is to carefully wrap a soft measuring tape tightly around it. Whatever the circumference of your neck is, add 5cm to that figure to make a choker, and add 10cm to that figure to make a pendant necklace. People with long necks look amazing with chokers. Our advice is to avoid chokers if you have a short neck.
Body Type
Keep in mind that people’s eyes will halt at the place where your necklace stops, so avoid wearing necklaces that end in areas you want to avoid. Long and layered necklaces look great with women with smaller chests and women with a bigger bust should avoid necklaces below the bust line.
Face Shape
This is one of the accessories that frames your face. It has the ability to accent your best features and change the way people see your face. Try on different lengths and see which one suits you best. Round-faced people should avoid chokers and short necklaces.
Oval-shaped ones don’t have a problem with length and shape, they can wear anything. People with long-shape faces should avoid long necklaces because they can add to their length. The best option is short and round necklaces. If you have heart-shaped face chokers and short necklaces will balance your face perfectly.