How to Choose the Perfect Necklace for Your Dress

Necklaces for Necklines: How to Choose a Necklace for Your Dress

When every dress has a different neckline, it can be hard to know which necklace to pair. Take a look at this handy guide on choosing the right necklaces for necklines and make sure you've made the right choice every time.

Keyword(s): necklaces for necklines

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American family spends around $1,700 on clothes per year. Learn how to match necklaces for necklines and look more fashionable than ever.

The average American woman owns nearly 30 outfits, each with a different neckline. By learning how to pair necklaces with necklines, you pack more power into your appearance.

You, too, can wield the power of aesthetics to your benefit.

Here's what you need to know about pairing necklaces with necklines:

Necklaces For Neckline

When choosing necklaces for necklines, you need to be conscious of the specific neckline. Different necklaces look good with different necklines. Inversely, some necklaces don't complement certain necklines.

Be mindful of the pendant when deciding what necklace to wear. The pendant's shape can make or break your look. The length and width of the necklace also draws people's attention to a certain point.

Learn about different types of necklaces for necklines:

V-Neck

V-neck necklines draw people's attention to your chest or cleavage. Your necklace should do the same.

The pendant of a V-neck necklace should be angular and match the shape of a V. The wider the V, the bigger the pendant you should choose.

Choosing a rounded necklace with a V-neck makes your appearance look mismatched. With a plunging neckline, your necklace length should be proportionate to your chest.

Stay away from necklaces that are too long. They will pull the attention away from your neckline.

Strapless

Chokers pair best with strapless necklines. Choker necklaces draw the attention to your neck and away from your stomach.

Go for shorter pendants. They'll keep the attention on your necklines and collar bones. Shorter pendants can also accentuate your neck.

If you want to de-emphasize your neck, wear a princess necklace. This will keep eyes drawn towards your shoulders.

Halter Necklines

Some people say the best necklace for a halter top is no necklace. If you think this is true, opt for some stud earrings.

Still not convinced? You have options.

Many halter tops have the same effect of a V-neck. It's best to choose shorter, narrower pendants with sharp ends for halter tops.

Wear a choker if you want to draw the attention away from your chest and towards your neck. Longer necklaces will pull the attention down towards your stomach.

Square Necklines

Angular pendants go best with square necklines. Choosing a pendant that's a literal square shape might make your neckline look too "boxed in."

The length of your necklace depends on where your neckline ends. Letting your necklace length extend beyond the neckline will make you look mismatched. It might also make you look shorter and draw attention away from your upper-body.

Matching an angular necklace with a square neckline places emphasis on your jawline. Proceed with caution.

Sweetheart

Sweetheart necklaces emphasize your neck, shoulders, and sometimes cleavage. Your necklace should contribute to this effect.

Choose a necklace with a wider pendant to balance the open space in your neckline, but not too big. Going for curves and soft angles instead of rigid, hard angles will balance the sharp angles of this neckline.

Make sure your necklace length isn't too long. Chokers and princess necklaces will keep the attention on your chest.

Turtlenecks

Chokers are not an option for turtlenecks. Period. Nobody will even see the necklace underneath the fabric.

Turtlenecks match well with medium to long-length necklaces. Opera chains go especially well with turtlenecks.

Turtlenecks draw attention away from your neck. Feel free to choose a larger pendant as a statement piece.

Scoop Necklines

Scoop necklines leave a lot of open space. The goal of your necklace should be to fill in that space. However, there's a rumor in the fashion world that you can wear a necklace of any length with scoop necklines.

Select necklaces with big beads or pendants. Go for pendants with softer angles. A simple pearl necklace can do wonders for a scooping neckline.

Button-Down/Collared Necklines

Collared necklines don't leave a lot of space to work with.

If you have a longer neck, wear a choker. For shorter necks, select a necklace with a pendant that sits above the last open button.

Necklaces with statement pieces work well with collared shirts. Try one that ends just below your shoulders.

Asymmetrical Necklines

For asymmetrical necklines, wear a necklace with its own asymmetry at work.

You can choose a necklace with a pendant of any size, but make sure it's proportionate to your neckline. Necklaces with different shaped beads contribute to the asymmetrical look.

If you want to play it safe, wear a choker. The straight line around your neck will contrast your neckline's asymmetry in a positive way.

Crew Necklines

Shorter necklaces work well with crew necklines. A choker or princess-length necklace will emphasize your neck.

Bib-style necklaces also complement crew necklines.

Select a more curved pendant for crew necklines instead of angular ones. Rounder pendants go well with this curved neckline.

Other Factors

Your necklace should be appropriate for the occasion you're attending. Wear fancier necklaces to more formal occasions.

The time of day also matters when selecting a necklace. Simple styles work best during the daytime and more elaborate styles are best suited for nighttime.

The length and width of your neck influence how good certain necklaces look on you. If you have a long neck and want to draw attention away from it, wear a choker. If you want to elongate your neck, wear a V-neck and a medium-length necklace with a shiny pendant to draw the attention downward.

The color and style of your outfit should also factor into your choice of necklace. Certain colors go well with specific colors.

Use only one "bold" piece of jewelry per outfit. Otherwise, your outfit might look more like a costume.

Quick Tip: Use an Adjustable-Length Chain

One of the most innovative solutions to hit the jewelry scene in decades are the adjustable-length chains being made in Italy.

With the ability to add a pendant, adjust to the EXACT length desired for any neckline or occasion, there is no wonder why these are the hottest chains in Italy and now the U.S. as well.

Learn more about them here.