7 Popular Necklace Styles and Why You Must Have

7 Popular Necklace Styles and Why You Must Have

Necklaces have been around for thousands of years, and they are believed to be the first thing early humans created to adorn and express themselves.

As you can imagine, necklaces have evolved considerably over the last few thousand years. There are now many different types of necklaces that can be worn for separate occasions. The style you choose may depend on the outfit you are wearing it with or your personal preference. Here are seven popular necklace styles and why you must have them as part of your jewelry box.

Collar

A collar necklace is usually made of metal such as gold or silver. These necklaces sit on the collarbone, much like the collar of a shirt. They often have a solid gem in the center and a patterned design around the edge. In the olden days, most necklaces were made in this design, but styles have progressed since then. They look wonderful with off-the-shoulder or low-cut tops, and they are great to layer.

Chains

Chains are simple and elegant and work well for everyday use. You can buy a chain that already has a design on it, such as this Handmade Single Star Chain. Alternatively, opt for a plain chain and you can add your own charm to it. Your initial or birthstone are popular options. Invest in a few different charms and you can change the appearance of your necklace whenever you get bored or want to wear something different. This way, you don’t have to incur the expense of changing your whole necklace when you want to create a fresh look.

Choker

Chokers were extremely popular in Victorian times and have regularly come back into fashion ever since. They look beautiful with a low-cut neckline as they elongate the neck and will make you look elegant. They sit very high on the neck and tend to be made from a soft material such as velvet or ribbon. They can be plain or have a pendant or gem hanging from them, or they can be more detailed, like this Lily Heart Choker.

Princess

A princess necklace is a formal type of necklace that looks good if you are going somewhere classy for the evening. The standard princess necklace is 18 inches in length, but they can be slightly longer or shorter. What usually sets them apart is that they are quite fancy. The chain is quite often studded with diamonds, pearls, or other gems, and there is one central gem in the middle, usually in the form of a pendant.

Matinee

A matinee necklace is longer than a princess necklace. They sit at about 22 inches, which means that they fall between the neck and bust. Some, like this Gold Turquoise Necklace have multiple layers. This is great for layering as they stand out between either princess or opera necklaces.

A matinee necklace is an excellent choice if you are wearing a shirt with a high neck or turtleneck as they sit below the neckline and will fit comfortably over your top.

Opera

An opera necklace is a longer style of necklace. They are long and versatile and sit below the bust. Some of them reach as far as the waist. They tend to have a design that runs throughout the necklace rather than a pendant or gemstone at the bottom. A string of plain pearls has always been a popular choice for this style of necklace, and this is a fabulous length if you want to layer your necklaces or wear a straight dress.

Statement

If you want to make a bold fashion statement, opt for a bold necklace. This will attract attention to your neckline and help you to stand out from the crowd.

A bib necklace is usually collar or princess length. It has a wide part at the front, usually festooned with gemstones or beads. These create fantastic designs. The back of this type of necklace tends to be plain; a gold chain that can hold the weight of the bib is a typical example.

A bold piece of costume jewelry can make a fantastic statement piece. Opt for stones or beads that match the outfit you are wearing. Statement necklaces work well with a plain top as a detailed design will distract attention away from your necklace.

Keep a selection of these necklaces in your jewelry box and you will be ready for any occasion. Wear individually or create a layered effect using several necklaces if you can’t decide which one to choose.