NECKLACES
Choosing your Chain Length
When choosing a chain length for your necklace, remember that your body shape and the weight of any pendants or motifs on the chain will affect the way your necklace sits on your neckline. Layering different necklace lengths and styles together will also impact the fit and fall of each necklace you wear.
| Necklace Length Conversions | |
|---|---|
| Centimeters | Inches (Rounded) |
| 30 | 12 |
| 35 | 14 |
| 40 | 16 |
| 45 | 18 |
| 50 | 20 |
| 55 | 22 |
| 60 | 24 |
| 65 | 26 |
| 70 | 28 |
| 75 | 30 |
| 80 | 32 |
| 85 | 34 |
| 90 | 36 |
| Necklace Length Styles | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Style | Where it Sits | Centimeters | Inches (Rounded) |
| Collar | High and snug on the neck | - 35 | - 14 |
| Choker | At the base of the neck | 35 - 40 | 14 - 16 |
| Princess | On the collarbone | 40 - 45 | 16 - 18 |
| Matinee | Between the collarbone and bust | 50 - 55 | 20 - 22 |
| Opera | The bust area and slightly below | 60 - 75 | 24 - 30 |
| Rope | To the waistline or longer | 80 + | 32 + |
Common Necklace Sizes
Necklaces are often sold in standardized size styles. From shortest to longest, these styles are: Collar, Choker, Princess, Matinée, Opera, and Rope.
When necklace lengths are taken in metric measurements, they are typically sized in increments of 5 centimeters. If you are using imperial measurements, necklaces are usually sized in increments of 2 inches.
Measure Another Necklace
Already have a favorite? You can measure the length of a necklace you know you love to help determine the size of your next purchase.
Choose a necklace of the same length as your favorite for a replacement style, or find a great length to layer with your current favorite by adding or subtracting a necklace size.
Measuring the Full Chain Length
Use this method to find the true length of your necklace’s chain.
All you need to get started is a ruler or tape measure, a necklace you love wearing, and a flat surface.
Unfasten your necklace and lay it down on a smooth, flat surface. Pull the two ends of your necklace as far apart as you can, making a straight line with the chain.
Measure the entire length of the chain, including the clasp and ring on either end.
If your necklace uses a chain extension, measure to the point where you usually clasp your necklace, even if that is not the end of the chain.Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.
Measuring the Necklace Drop Length
Use this method to find the wearing length of your necklace: the combined length of your chain and pendant.
All you need to get started is a ruler or tape measure, a necklace you love wearing, and a flat surface.
Fasten the clasp of your necklace and lay it down on a smooth, flat surface. Pull the clasped end and the pendant end of your necklace as far apart as you can, making a straight line with the chain.
Measure the entire length of the necklace, from the clasp to the tip of the pendant, and double the number.
Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.
Measure for a New Style
Trying out a new look? Take the guesswork out of choosing a chain length by finding an item to stand in as your new necklace.
The easiest item to use for this is one with graduated increments, like tailor’s tape or another flexible measuring tape. If you don’t have one of these on hand, feel free to use a ruler or tape measure and a necklace substitute, as long as the item is long enough and can bend but not stretch. Think of an inelastic ribbon, string, yarn, or thread; a shoelace; a charging cord; or even a pet leash.
Measuring with Tailor’s Tape
All you need to get started is tailor’s tape or another flexible measuring tape.
Place your measuring tape around the back of your neck like a necklace and pull the two sides together.
Adjust your measuring tape to your desired necklace chain length and pinch your fingers over the spot where the 0 mark meets the other end.
Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.
Measuring with a Substitute
All you need to get started is a ruler or tape measure, your substitute necklace item, and a flat surface.
Place your string or other substitute item around the back of your neck like a necklace and pull the two sides together.
Adjust the substitute item to your desired necklace chain length and pinch your fingers over the spot where the end meets the other side.
Lay the substitute item on a smooth, flat surface - keeping your fingers pinched around it. Measure from the end to the point where you pinched your desired length.
Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.
Your Neck Measurement
Finding your base neck size makes shopping for other necklace sizes much easier. Once you know your base measurement, you can increase it by 5 centimeters (or roughly 2 inches) for an additional necklace size.
The easiest item to use for this is one with graduated increments, like tailor’s tape or another flexible measuring tape. If you don’t have one of these on hand, feel free to use a ruler or tape measure and a necklace substitute, as long as the item is long enough and can bend but not stretch. Think of an inelastic ribbon, string, yarn, or thread; a shoelace; a charging cord; or even a pet leash.
Measuring with Tailor’s Tape
All you need to get started is tailor’s tape or another flexible measuring tape.
Place your measuring tape closely yet comfortably around the base of your neck, fitting neither too tight nor too loose.
Pinch your fingers over the spot where the 0 mark meets the other end. This number is your neck measurement.
Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.
Measuring with a Substitute
All you need to get started is a ruler or tape measure, your substitute necklace item, and a flat surface.
Place your string or other substitute item closely yet comfortably around the base of your neck, fitting neither too tight nor too loose.
Pinch your fingers over the spot where the end of your substitute item meets the other side.
Lay the substitute item on a smooth, flat surface - keeping your fingers pinched around it. Measure from the end to the point where you pinched. This number is your neck measurement.
Make a note of your measurement so you can have it on hand while shopping.