What Necklace to Wear With What Neckline | GLDN
The relationship between a necklace and a neckline should be harmonious. That is, they should enhance each other without overpowering each other, and ideally bring out each other’s best qualities (total relationship goals, tbh)!
Remember: necklaces can highlight your best features, emphasize your outfit, create a focal point in your look and make a statement—quite a powerful piece of jewelry.
Use this guide as a quick reference for every neckline in your closet…and how to choose the perfect necklace for each.
Best Necklace Type for Each Neckline
Round Neckline
Piece shown: Dainty Chain
When wearing a round neckline, a necklace should ideally be rounded as well! Think chains or necklaces with small pendants and charms (anything that won’t weigh down the necklace too much). We also recommend choosing a necklace that falls shorter than your neckline, like a choker or collar-length necklace.
Our best necklaces for round necklines:
V-Neck
Pieces shown: Minimal Chain Necklace, Aura Pendant Necklace, Yuki Necklace
The flattering v-neck is a favorite for elongating your shape…so we recommend choosing a necklace with that same silhouette! Try a necklace that creates a shorter “V” shape (like a medium-size pendant necklace) to mirror the angles of your top without falling over the neckline itself.
Our best necklaces for v-necks:
Crew Neck
Pieces shown: Faun Chain, Onaro Chain
Bust out the layered necklaces for this one—a crew-neck shirt is the perfect base for shorter necklaces and longer necklaces alike, making it extremely versatile. We recommend a few shorter chains stacked with a longer pendant necklace, though you really can’t go wrong!
Our best necklaces for crew necks:
Scoop Neckline
Designed to emphasize the collarbone, the scoop neck pairs best with a necklace that does the same! We recommend an ultra-dainty pendant necklace, or a whisper of a chain—a barely-there piece that matches the simplicity of the neckline.
Our best necklaces for scoop necks:
High Neck
Pieces shown: Oval Locket Necklace, Dainty Paperclip Chain, Pleine Lune Necklace
Much like the v-neck, a high neckline elongates your shape in such a flattering way! We recommend longer necklaces for high necklines (a short necklace might look too overcrowded). Try a bold chain or pendant necklace to draw attention downwards, away from the neckline.
Our best necklaces for high necklines:
Boat Neckline
All aboard this shoulder-enhancing neckline! Boat neck tops are known to widen the shoulders, so, to balance it, we love choosing a necklace that draws the gaze inward and adds length. Try a princess-length necklace (around 17-19”) or a matinee-length necklace (around 20-24”) depending on your preferences.
Our best necklaces for boat necklines:
Keyhole Neckline
Keyhole necklines are extra in the best way—so the key is choosing a necklace that won’t distract from the intricate details on your top! For that, we either recommend a dainty choker or a minimalist pendant necklace that sits perfectly in the keyhole cutout of the neckline (tip: choose a necklace with an adjustable length to get it just right).
Our best necklace for keyhole necklines:
Cowl Neckline
Another bold favorite, the cowl neckline makes a statement (so your necklace doesn’t have to)! Really, the most important tip in choosing a necklace to pair with a cowl neck is this: just ensure it doesn’t fall over the neckline, but rather above it. For this, we love a short chain or super-simple pendant.
Our best necklaces for cowl necklines:
Button-Down Shirt
You know her, you love her—the button-down shirt is a wardrobe staple for a reason. Whether you’re sporting a dressy silk button-down or a laid-back cotton button-down, we recommend chains or pendant necklaces that fall above where the neckline begins (which is really the only rule)! Depending on the vibe you’re going for, you could stick to one piece or stack multiple necklaces.
Our best necklaces for button-downs:
Sweetheart Neckline
The feminine sweetheart neckline is all about curves (so choose a necklace to match)! A longer oval or round pendant necklace is a great choice, as are chokers and collarbone-sweeping necklaces. Since these necklines are typically low-cut, you can experiment with layered necklaces or longer necklaces than you’d typically wear with other necklines.
Our best necklaces for sweetheart necklines:
One-Shoulder Top
This is your permission to go bold. A top with a one-shoulder strap or a sleeve that drapes off the shoulder leaves ample room for a statement piece. Our only advice is to either choose something short (around 14-18”, depending on your unique body shape) so it sits above the fabric of your top or choose a longer necklace that falls well past the fabric.
Our best necklaces for one-shoulder tops:
Square Neckline
A square necklace creates angles, edginess and contrast in your look—so choose a pendant that does the same. Think rectangular pendants, square pendants or any pendant with angles! The length doesn’t really matter, but we recommend choosing a necklace that doesn’t fall past the neckline.
Our best necklaces for square necklines:
FAQs
What type of necklace goes with anything?
If you’re looking to invest in one piece, we recommend a simple chain necklace. You can wear it with any neckline, dress it up or down, pair it with other necklaces and add charms at a later date.
What’s the most universally flattering neckline?
Though it really depends on your personal preferences, many say that the v-neck is universally flattering—it elongates the neck, balances proportions and complements most face shapes!
What type of necklace makes your neck look longer?
Typically, longer pendant necklaces or v-shaped silhouettes draw the eye downward and give the illusion of a longer neck. (They’re also super elegant, too!)
May your necklaces always match your necklines,
Team GLDN ✨
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