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7 Necklace Types and How to Wear Each One

Necklaces are usually grouped by length and silhouette rather than material, and knowing the difference makes shopping and styling a lot easier. Here are the seven styles you will run into most often.

Choker (35-40 cm)

Sits snugly right at the base of the neck, often as a band or thin strand. Pairs well with off-shoulder or scoop necklines and low-cut tops, since it fills the space a plunging neckline leaves open.

Pendant necklace (43-48 cm)

Falls just below the collarbone, sometimes called princess length. The most versatile everyday length -- it works with crew necks, V-necks, and button-downs without competing with the neckline.

Lariat (Y-necklace)

A long, clasp-free chain that either drapes into a loose knot or threads through a ring or loop at the end, forming a Y shape down the chest. Works best on simple, unbroken necklines like a plain crew or turtleneck.

Collar

A short, close-fitting style that sits flat directly around the neck, often wider or more structured than a choker, sometimes worn as a rigid torque. Reads as a statement piece and suits necklines that leave the collarbone exposed.

Bib

Spreads wide across the upper chest with multiple strands or a clustered design, giving broad front coverage rather than a single centered drop. Best with simple, solid-color tops that will not compete with the volume.

Matinee (50-60 cm)

Falls at the top of the bust, longer than pendant length but shorter than opera. A common length for bib-style pieces, though a matinee-length necklace can just as easily be a single simple strand.

Opera (70-90 cm)

The longest common length, falling at or below the bust. Can be worn as a single long strand, doubled into a shorter loop, or knotted partway down for a completely different look from the same piece.

Length is the main variable, not the pendant

Two necklaces with the same charm or chain style can look completely different depending on where they fall, so length is usually the first thing to decide when buying -- everything else, including metal color and pendant shape, is secondary to getting the drop right for the neckline you are pairing it with.

Layering rules of thumb

When stacking multiple necklaces, a gap of at least 5 cm between lengths keeps the strands from tangling and lets each one read as a distinct layer -- for example, a choker with a pendant length, or a pendant length with an opera length, rather than two pieces of nearly identical drop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which necklace length works with almost any outfit?

Pendant/princess length (43-48 cm) is the most universally flattering, since it sits in the middle of the chest without competing with most necklines, which is why it is the most common length for everyday, single-pendant necklaces.

Is matinee the same as bib?

They overlap but are not identical -- matinee technically refers to a length, while bib refers to a silhouette that spreads wide across the chest. Many bib necklaces happen to fall at matinee length, but a matinee-length necklace is not automatically a bib style.