Necklaces are excellent accessories for lots of different outfits. Depending on what you’re wearing or where you’re going, a necklace can be either a statement piece or a subtle addition that ties the whole outfit together. Keep in mind there are loads of necklace styles and designs out there – so how do you choose the right one for your outfit?
Obviously, the “perfect” necklace will vary from person to person. You won’t see any product recommendations here, but you will find three things to consider when choosing your necklaces:
First things first, how long should your necklace be? It depends on a few factors, one of which is the outfit you’re wearing. As a general recommendation, shorter necklaces work better with open-neck clothing while longer ones are great when you’ve got a high-neck top or dress on.
You’ll find necklaces for women come in multiple sizes, usually ranging from 14 inches (35 cm) all the way to 42 inches (1m). Choose a length that goes with what you’re wearing and then measure your neck. This will help you know what fits and what doesn’t fit. You could also use measuring tape to make a dummy of the necklace’s length, giving you a vague idea of where it sits.
The important thing to remember is that short necklaces work with open-neck outfits while longer ones look better layered over high-neck stuff. Keep this in mind when measuring!
Next, you should consider the material your necklace will be made out of. Most of the time, the main factor is your skin tone. Certain skin tones look better with some metals than others. For example, people with red or pink undertones suit silver necklaces. Those of you with pale undertones are better suited to gold as it brings out more colour in your skin.
There’s a very good article by Grazia Magazine that explains skin tones and jewellery extremely well. It will help you figure out what metal to opt for, so you pick something that works well with your natural appearance.
The last consideration is the style of your necklace. Will you opt for a tight choker or a long pendant? This partially depends on the necklace length you’ve picked, but it can also be influenced by your outfit and where you’re going.
If you have an open-neck outfit and you’re heading somewhere fancy, a nice diamond pendant necklace could be exactly what you need. For less formal settings or more everyday wear, you may choose just a casual loose chain necklace. We should also mention that your personal preference plays a pivotal role here. If you like dressing in a certain style, you may suit some necklaces more than others.
On that note, you’ve seen the three main things to consider when choosing the perfect necklace for your outfit. Think about the length in correlation to what you’re wearing, along with the style. Then, take your skin tone into account to pick the perfect colour. All these factors combine to help you pick the ideal option, enhancing whatever it is you’re wearing!
Full time I'm an ambitious Head of Marketing and Communications in the luxury industry. Part time, I'm an enthusiastic British Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle blogger and YouTuber from Manchester, UK. This blog has been my outlet for the past 7+ years, and as a longstanding, Award-winning blogger I take the most enjoyment from creating content I truly love and believe in. All authentic. Always.