Necklace 101: START HERE
“Ahh…which necklace chain should I buy first?” “What is a good length that I can get the most use out of?” “What the heck is a rolo chain?”
We hear all these questions that are keeping you up at night, because at one point they wracked our brain too. Whether you’re just starting out your jewelry obsession and don’t know where to begin or you’ve been collecting for quite some time, our tips will show you how there’s actually a few staples that will be essential to your necklace wardrobe and we’re here to reveal them. These are pieces you’re going to wear all the time and be the MVPs of your jewelry box.
Let’s start at the TOP:
A choker style chain. Or something that hugs closely to your neck. We like a 13,” 14″ or 15″ depending on your neck size. So don’t be shy, get that tape measure out so you know exactly what you’re looking for. You can wear it plain or add a charm.
Chain styles we recommend: something lightweight like a cable chain, light figaro, or small rolo chain
Next, a chain for charms:
Charm collecting is great but it’s the worst when you don’t have a chain to wear them all on. Let us rephrase that by saying a strong, dependable chain. Don’t settle for a lightweight chain with a janky clasp to hold your precious memories. We suggest a length that is longer for this — anything over 20″.
Chain style: something sturdy like a thick box chain, thick rolo chain, mini mariner link
Next, a good “off-setter:”
What we mean by this is a chain or necklace that is different and unique, something that can complement those very typical looking chains but also stand out. For this, exploring some chain styles with texture and negative space is a must. Length-wise we like 18-20″ for this key piece.
Chain style: trombone link, curb, heavy figaro, wheat, long oval link or paper clip chain
Last essential:
Necklaces aren’t always a simple chain. They can take on different forms and adding one or a few of these types is a great option. We actually implore you to wear a herringbone because honestly the 80s need to come back in more ways than one. Vintage styles are also another realm to explore, in any length!
Chain style: herringbone, bib necklace, lariat, y-necklace, omega, snake chain, anything fun or unique
Bonus: Add-ons like charms, lockets, engraveable keepsakes, connectors, hooks, swivels…all those little extras are ideal pieces to enhance your look. This is like the next level above necessary necklace basics, but we’ll get into these next time.
