necklaces 101

I'm still learning about necklaces too but with cowl necks I wear a short, almost choker length necklace or none at all. With a collared shirt I wear the necklace underneath the collar if it is buttoned closed or if the shirt is left open, under the shirt.

15 years ago

Dusty

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Active Member

I think it really depends on the necklace and the person wearing it. I don't wear cowl necks (bad college choir memories - they looked bad on everyone), so I can't answer for that. With collared shirts, I wear the necklace inside the shirt if it's fairly dainty or short and under the collar if it's chunkier and longer.

As far as lengths to avoid - that's kind of a trial and error thing. You'll find the length that works for your body.

15 years ago

Frances

Active Member

Cricket, Imogen over at Inside Out Style Blog has a wonderful post on how to measure the placement of where your necklace should fall. I can't access it from my mobile right now, but will try to post the link later.

I've always heard that with a dramatic collar like a cowl neck, you should skip the necklace and let the collar take center stage (and maybe focus on other accessories such as earrings, bracelets or a belt instead). I usually adhere to this rule, but I don't see why you couldn't wear a long pendant that hangs well below the cowl neck.

15 years ago

Inge

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Moderator

Lots of factors at play here I think (bust size, how tall you are, long or shorter neck...).
With collared shirts I usually wear my necklace on the inside, but longer, chunkier necklaces often look good worn "on the outside" too.

I think cowl necks + necklaces can definitely work (either a shorter one that falls "inside the neckline" or a quite long one).

I even like pairing a scarf with a longer necklace - not ashamed to admit I got that idea from Angie. As a matter of fact: browse through some of Angie's pictures in the blog posts, she wears all kinds of pearl necklaces at different lengths. Great inspiration!

Here are a few examples:
http://youlookfab.com/2009/04/.....loral-pin/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/07/.....-3-london/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/06/.....is-season/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/10/.....k-top-pop/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/09/.....uch-boots/

http://youlookfab.com/2009/03/.....ise-scarf/

Hope this helps a little.

15 years ago

Angie

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Fashion Stylist

Thanks, Inge. You are fab.

Cricket, here's my answer:

1. Both, depending on the necklace. Short necklaces inside, long necklaces outside.

2. Yes. Again depending on the plunge of the cowl and the style of cowl. Lower cowls supply more necklace canvas on the neck.

3. Yes. Chokers. You need a long skinny neck to wear those. If you have a large bust, you need to avoid certain necklaces too.

4. Short necks look better with lower necklaces.

15 years ago

Frances

Active Member

Of course it should have occurred to me that Angie would have already posted necklace guidelines somewhere in the YLF archives! Incidentally, it was that very last link that Inge posted above that was my introduction to YLF over a year ago. I stumbled across that page of Angie modeling that turquoise scarf and necklace together and was instantly captivated. It was my portal to sound style advice and this amazing community!

Cricket, the link I referred to earlier in Imogen's blog is: http://www.insideoutstyleblog......thats.html

I found the idea that this could be measured fascinating, though truth be told, I still just rely on my eyes to judge what looks like the right spot.

15 years ago

Christie

Active Member

Thanks for all the good tips and links. I will enjoy "researching" more tonight.

I don't have a long, lean neck, so will avoid short necklaces. Thanks for the tutorial on necklace-collar placement too.

I'm wearing a sleeveless cowl in cobalt blue today, with a simple semi-precious 1 ct. sunstone (orangey-peachy colored stone) pendant on a slim silver chain that is just visible above the cowl. Its not a low cut cowl (I didn't need a cami under it). After trying on chunkier necklaces, this one seemed best.

Does a long necklace work best if it hangs between or below the chest? Maybe my long necklaces aren't long enough. I'm not busty.

I think I just don't have enough variety to know what is working, so should just go try things on at the store! Sounds like a fun dilemma.

15 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Cricket, I'd love to help get your necklace wearing sorted. Any way you can post visuals?

Frances, that was endearing. Thank you *hugs*.

15 years ago

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