Creating Illusions with Necklaces


 

Select your necklace as carefully as you choose your earrings as it will also enhance or minimize your facial features, but with the addition of your neck, bust and waist. Necklaces should complement your facial shape and the neckline of your bodice. The right necklace will flatter any neckline you choose, however the most common jewelry mistakes are the wrong necklace lengths with particular necklines. You want the focal part of the necklace to be either against your skin or contrasted against the fabric of your outfit. The last thing you want is a necklace that is partially hidden in your neckline or cleavage. Jewelry draws the eye to wherever you place it.


 

  • Most figures are flattered with necklaces that hit between the collarbone and the bust.
  • A necklace will draw attention to the neckline and bust.
  • The right necklace length, size and shape can help elongate the neck, face and torso.
  • Women with delicate features should choose smaller pieces.
  • Smaller figures can be over powered by big bold jewelry.
  • Strong facial features can carry bold jewelry closer to their face.
  • Larger figures can look even larger with small jewelry.
  • Collars and chokers will attract attention to the neck.
  • A wide choker will emphasize a short neck and minimize a long neck.
  • Chokers are most flattering on those with long necks and angular faces.
  • Necklaces that hit mid-chest make your neck appear longer and face less round.
  • Long necklaces add vertical lines to an outfit however, it emphasizes where you place it, if your chest is not a great asset, don't go here.
  • If you want to create or emphasize a taller appearance choose longer necklaces and V shapes. If you have a large bust or tummy, stick to a necklace that ends above the bust.
  • At the collar bone to 22” with a large pendant will take the focus off a large bust line.
  • At the collar bone to 24” will elongate a full figure
  • At the collar bone to 30” will elongate a petit frame.
  • Just below the neckline to 36” will minimize the look of a flat chest.
  • A necklace that falls past the bust line but above the waist will elongate while a choker style or shorter U shaped necklace resting on the breast bone will shorten your appearance.
  • Fuller figures can compliment their proportions with larger, chunkier pieces that would overwhelm an individual with a smaller frame.

     

Necklaces and facial shapes

You can match the angles in your face for impact or counterbalance them for softness but keep your jewelry choices in proportion to your body.

An oval face---any style and length will add a contrast.

An oblong/rectangle face---chokers or high necklaces will break up the vertical line and reduce the length of the face.

A round face---longer necklaces will add length to the face. You do not want to add any visual thickness to the neck.

A heart shaped face---collar bone length, multi strand and U shape necklaces will add width and minimize the point of chin. Stay away from necklaces that end in a point, a wider look balances the sharp chin.

A square face ---chokers and U shapes will soften the angles of the face but will also shorten

the length of the face, longer necklaces will add length.


 

The following chain lengths are for the average frame; you may have a smaller or larger neck so adjust to your neck size.

  • Collar---12-13" (fits snug around the middle neck)


 

  • Choker---16” (fits right at the base of the neck)
  • At the collarbone---17-18” (Princess length, this is the most popular)
  • Just below the collarbone---20”
  • At the neckline---22” (Matinee length 20-24")
  • Just below the neckline---24”
  • At the bust line---26”
  • Just below the bust line---30” (Opera length 28-34")
  • Above the navel---36”
  • Rope or Lariat---45" and over


 

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