Oh Angie, this is the type of post I most enjoy! Thank you for these handy guidelines. I’ve gravitated to option one for most of my life simply because it felt right under my hands. But I’ve recently started branching out into longer necklaces, and this post has raised a question. I’ve been sporting the turquoise beads from the YLF store with confidence and getting plenty of positive feedback along the way, but that style flouts every possible convention you’ve set out here. What is it about that particular item, either alone or in tandem with my body, that makes it work?

That’s an excellent question, Michelle. Look at how cleverly you’re bending the guidelines and still making it work .

I think it’s because the turquoise necklace is heavy and multi-strand that it works with your your bust line. It helps it stay in place so to speak – like a paperweight. Does that makes sense?

Yup, these are great guidelines. I have come to these with trial and error. Lots of error. Thanks for making them so clear.

oh..I have some Y chains I love, but this year I’m all for long multi-strand neckllaces, I tought a longer necklace elongated the torso..can’t I wear them with a U neckline?

Like all of your guidelines, this was so helpful, Angie! (I would love to see more necklaces in the YLF store!)

Sure, Rute. All you’ve done is used guideline #2 with a slightly lower neckline. The principle stays the same. Longer necklaces can elongate your look and are especially effective over a high neckline.

My SIL is full busted and loves chunky necklaces. She also mostly wears woven buttondown shirts open at the collar. She has a problem with collar vs necklace. Any ideas? I like her beads worn around her neck beneath the shirt where they peek out but suppose that invites staring at her chest.

Wow, that’s some great advice. I tend to have trouble wearing a necklace, because I’m short from neck base to bust line. My necklaces tend to fall into my cleavage, which is hardly a flattering look :/

Angie, I can understand how the substantial construction of the necklace can anchor it on my body, and that certainly is the case here…the necklace stays in its relatively vertical formation all day long. I was always worried, though, that an item that passed between my breasts, such as a necklace like that or the strap of a cross-body bag, would only emphasize my chest more. Not so?

yes, these are the guidelines I tend to use (and like Alecia came across by much trial and error) I have found that there is a fine line between statement size and overpowering on me. I’m not sure if that has to do with bust size or just my lack of strong features in general though.

THANK YOU! Super well timed post for me since I am on the hunt for necklaces now…

My cleavage has greatly depreciated since having children but when I did have a cleavage I used to like wearing a very long pendant, past the waist, which was weighty enough to not move around. Was this a mistake Angie?

Big bust here. Y chains annoy me because they move/twist so the y is never pointing striaght down.

I like chunky necklaces to be either 18 or 20″ These are right above the bust. I do wear longers ones but I find only chain styles work. It needs to be something with weight, such as a multi chain or long chain w/charm at the end. I find other long necklaces, esp a long ring of beads, will often hook on to one of my bre*sts, not flattering.

I also find with longer necklaces that it helps to hold onto them when I walk so they don’t swing.

The 20″ length is hard to find. I have taken to making my own. It’s not hard, and in fact it’s fun. I often copy styles seen in magazines. One’s can get lost in the crafts store with this.

I also check Forever 21 regularly for up to the minute necklaces. And if I decide to take them apart or reconstruct them, it’s not a huge investment. My curren long mulit chain necklace is from F21. (At my age, it’s the only thing I buy there!)

You mean this wasn’t already obvious? I always thought I had to wear necklaces because of my combination of large bust and too-small fingers and wrists for most bracelets and rings. I use necklaces to draw the eye up near my face (ie away from my generously portioned bosoms) in lower necklines, and to create a faux-v in higher necklines. The fact that I have a long neck makes it easy I suppose.

I’m a huge necklace fan. For me, they seem to work best when they end well above the bust, or well below it. I like long layered ones just as much as short chunky ones.

I’m a huge necklace fan too and I did not know any of the rules. I just put neclaces on and probably wear too many at once in copying the ads. My bust is not big, someone who was in the past an EMT told me I have a long neck. She said she is trained to look at a neck and choose the correct size neck brace and that my neck would take a long. I know it is also big around, can of stumpy!
I hope we will learn something about placing brooches too. Or am I just making it too hard. Should I just be as cavalier with brooches as I am with necklaces?
Angie you amaze me with all of the knowledge you have.

It depends a lot on what I’m wearing for me. Your guidelines definitely match my experience. I definitely don’t look my best with a single strand long necklace.

While I do follow the above guidelines most of the time, I have come to find that I really like the elongating effect of long necklaces (ending at or just above the waist). I find myself going for longer necklaces (or scarves) with my basic scoop neck layering tees and I do really like the look. Is that a not-so-flattering look Angie?

Hmm – I’ve never given this thought before. Maybe I just try on necklaces and instictively know what works (though that seems highly unlikely!). I’ll have to compare my necklaces to these guidelines to see whether I was already following them!

I basically follow your guidelines. Trial and error has led me to break them down further…guess I have personal sub-guidelines!

* I find I like above-the-bust pendants with non-collared V necks. But with collared blouses worn in such a way that they create a V neck [camisole/tank underneath] I prefer a-t-b chunky necklaces.

* When there’s more exposed skin, like with a scoop- or sweetheart-necked top worn solo, I usually gravitate to necklaces that do more to fill up the space. Somehow spiky or oblong shapes look off to me with these types of designs; if I want a lighter look, I’ll swap in a round-shaped pendant.

[I don't really like dealing with below-the-bust necklaces, so if I'm wearing a higher neckline I generally use it as an opportunity to wear some of my more interesting dangly earrings.]

My neck length is average, but bustier friends/family with shorter necks seem to have good luck with chunky, above-the-bust necklaces that have a lot of visual space. Instead of lots of chunky stones, the chunks are separated by lots of smaller beads…like this:

http://tinyurl.com/examplenecklace

I have found that when I wear a higher neck top, necklaces of 20 in or longer create an elongating “V” as effectively as a “V” neck top.

I am a 38DD or a 36DDDD depending on the bra, so I try to avoid crew necks unless I have along enough necklace, otherwise I feel I look dreadful.

Most recently I bought a tunic that has I high neck. I bought several long beaded necklaces ( over 30 in) and knotted them low. It looked good enough that my normally reticent husband even complimented how I looked.

Joy, open shirt collars and larger bust lines look great with pendant necklaces. Layered beads worn inside the shirt collar work well too.

Michelle, your multi layer necklace creates a balanced visual effect across the bust line because it’s multi layered, heavy and bold. It actually draws attention away from the bust.

Julie, wearing a chunky pendant on a long necklace past the waist can totally work if it’s heavy and stays put. This strategy is a more extreme application of guideline #3. Your instincts are great.

Vani, how do your longer necklaces stay put over the bust line – by that I mean, how do you prevent them from dangling or hooking onto the peak of the breast?

Dianne, tying low knots in long necklaces is creating the Y-chain effect which is another application of guideline #3. Well done!

So interesting – like Michelle I love these types of posts in particular. I have a small bust, so it’s not a post ‘for me’ but as ever I love the ‘why this works’ posts because it helps me understand a bit more what I’m doing and what might (or won’t!) work.

Are those guidelines for well endowed who want to draw attention away from their bust line, or for well endowed in general?

These are really great guidelines for just about anyone, full busted or not. The ‘hooked’ around look isn’t good on anyone (tehee) . And I really had not thought about the Y necklace, but now, well great idea!

Hmm… I haven’t a problem with long necklaces doing that but might that be because they are all mostly weighty – heavy glass beads or metal/chain necklaces?

A lowish neck line and a necklace is my ‘uniform’. I have a large bust and I find this look works for me especially at the office (neck line is not too low for the office of course).

I was a bit confused about your y-necklace guideline though. Someone gave me a y shaped necklace a few years ago and the bottom part of the necklace dangles in my cleavage drawing way too much attention to the boobs. Definitely not an appropriate work look – at least for me – and looks a bit trashy frankly. Is there some tip or trick I’m missing?

kat, even with Y-necklaces, getting the length is important. I prefer them a little longer with lower necklines (below the bust line). With a higher neckline (2 in above clavicle), shorter lengths look sweet.

Thanks for this, Angie.
I have avoided necklaces for most of my life because I always thought there was too much going on in that area already. Recently I have started to wear them and have discovered the trick of knotting long necklaces and enjoyed the look. I will use the guidelines above to expand my necklace repetoire!

You mean, you’re not supposed to wear necklaces that dip right into your cleavage? Just kidding!

This is a great post, and it has made me want to try out some necklaces in new ways!

love,
m!

Another great post Angie…If I had~ significant~ cleavage I would be all over this…more important it never occurred to me that this was even an issue for very busty women, you have made me much more aware!!! Thanks

Great post Angie! I’m quite pleased to note that I have (for the most part anyway!) been instinctively choosing necklaces that sit in a flattering position for my size, bustline and frame. It is also a very handy little checklist as I plan to do some accessory shopping this weekend!

Wonderful post Angie! I a not full busted at all, but some of that advice works for me to!

itari, these are necklace guidelines for the well endowed in general.

Vani, necklace weight will play a role. I’m sure that’s the reason! Conversely, for some of my busty clients, we purposely shop for less chunky necklaces because the lighter weight prevents hooking. Interesting!

High five, Tanya. Some of these guidelines work for us less endowed ladies too

This is a great guide Angie, even for the less well endowed among us!!!

Regarding this advice you provided to a commenter: “Joy, open shirt collars and larger bust lines look great with pendant necklaces. Layered beads worn inside the shirt collar work well too.”

Does this include a large busted person with a SHORT NECK as well? I fell in love with your chuncky pearls worn with an open-collared shirt in the wedding outfit post.

Carey, you should be fine sporting the look if the position and size of the necklace is just so.