Which necklace suits which neckline? The complete guide
Which necklace suits which neckline? The rule of thumb: the necklace either follows or contrasts the line of your neckline. With a V-neck you wear a short necklace that echoes the V, with a round neck a longer necklace (50 cm or more) that creates space, and with a turtleneck a long statement necklace that falls over the fabric. Below you will find the right length in centimetres for every neckline, a quick chart, a length guide and matching necklaces from our own collection.
The short answer
Choose the length based on where your neckline starts and ends:
- V-neck: 40 to 45 cm with a small pendant, drop or Y-necklace that ends 2 to 5 cm above the point of the V.
- Round neck: 50 cm with a pendant, so it sits just below the neckline.
- Turtleneck or high neck: a long necklace of 80 to 90 cm over the fabric.
- Strapless and off-the-shoulder: short, 38 to 42 cm, at the base of the neck.
- Boat neck: 45 cm with a small, vertical pendant on the collarbone.
- Open-collar blouse: a chain necklace of 40 to 50 cm in the opening.
Not sure? A necklace with an extender chain or a double-layer necklace works with almost any neckline.
Quick chart: which necklace for which neckline?
Find your neckline and see at a glance which length and shape look best, and what to skip.
| Neckline | Necklace length | Shape that works | Better to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| V-neck | 40–45 cm (deep V: 45–50 cm) | Drop, small pendant or Y-necklace | A pendant right on the point of the V |
| Round neck | 50–55 cm | Pendant just below the neckline | Short fine chain against the fabric |
| Turtleneck / high neck | 80–90 cm | Long necklace, bigger pendant or beads | Short fine chain |
| Strapless / bandeau | 38–42 cm | Short necklace at the base of the neck | Long necklace over the edge of the fabric |
| Off-the-shoulder | 38–45 cm | Short, or two fine layers on the collarbone | Long necklace crossing the line |
| Boat neck | 45 cm | Small, vertical pendant | Big statement necklace |
| Blouse / shirt | 40–50 cm | Chain necklace in the opening | Pendant hidden behind the buttons |
| Square neck | 40–45 cm | Flat chain or angular pendant | Long necklace cutting through the square |
| Sweetheart | 40–45 cm | Fine chain with a heart or drop | Heavy statement necklace |
| Halter / one-shoulder | No necklace | Statement earrings and a bracelet | Any necklace: the neck is already busy |
Necklace length chart
Necklace lengths have names. This is where each one falls:
| Length | Falls | Best with |
|---|---|---|
| 35–40 cm (choker/short) | Close around the base of the neck | Strapless, bandeau, off-the-shoulder |
| 40–45 cm (princess) | On the collarbone | V-neck, boat neck, blouse, round neck (subtle) |
| 45–55 cm (matinee) | Just below the collarbone | Round neck, shirt, sweater |
| 60–90 cm (opera/long) | On or below the breastbone | Turtleneck, high neck, plain dresses |
1. Round neck → 50 cm with a pendant
A round neckline (T-shirt, crew-neck dress) already fills the space up to your collarbone, so a short necklace disappears against the fabric. Go for 50 cm: the pendant falls just below the neckline, on bare skin or on the fabric, and adds length.
A pendant of 1 to 2 cm is plenty; with a high round neck you can go up to 55 cm. The classic is the Mera heart necklace (50 + 5 cm, gold or silver tone). New: the Cherie with a puffy heart and the Una with a round natural stone.
2. V-neck → short, following the V
With a V-neck one rule always works: echo the V. A short necklace with a small pendant follows the line of your neckline and ends above the lowest point of the V. Elegant, without competing with your décolletage.
What necklace to wear with a V-neck? How to choose
- Length: the pendant ends 2 to 5 cm above the point of the V. For a high V that is usually 40 to 42 cm, for a regular V 42 to 45 cm and for a deep V 45 to 50 cm.
- Shape: a drop, a small vertical pendant or a Y-necklace repeats the V. A small round stone works too.
- Thickness: fine. A chunky chain or a tight choker cuts the V off.
- Avoid: a pendant that lands right on the point of the V or on the edge of the fabric.
- Earrings: small to medium, like a huggie or a drop. The necklace is your accent.
Pictured
Monique – the pendant just above the V
A fine 39 cm chain with a 4 cm extender and a single round cubic zirconia. The pendant sits well above the point of a wrap or V-neck, exactly as it should.
View the Monique →
3. Turtleneck or high neck → long and statement
On a turtleneck or high neck a short, fine necklace does not work: it disappears into the fabric. A long necklace of 80 cm or more falls freely over the sweater and breaks up the plain surface. One piece that finishes a whole winter-knit outfit.
Prefer shorter? Then layer on top of the turtleneck: a sturdy, flat chain high on the collar, like the Evelyn snake chain, with a pendant necklace of about 45 cm underneath. Thick fabric makes every necklace a few centimetres shorter, so use the extender.
4. Strapless or off-the-shoulder → short at the base of the neck
With bare shoulders your neckline is the stage. A short necklace of 38 to 40 cm that sits close to the base of the neck makes the most of it and lets your collarbones do the work.
Off-the-shoulder can be a little looser: up to 45 cm, or two fine layers on your collarbone. Avoid long necklaces; they cross the horizontal line of your top or dress. Wearing big earrings? Then skip the necklace.
5. Boat neck → mid-length on the collarbone
A boat neck runs horizontally, so you want a vertical accent to balance it. A 45 cm necklace with a small pendant ends on the collarbone and breaks up the wide line subtly: present, never too much. A rectangular or drop-shaped pendant works best.
Good to know: the necklaces in this article are waterproof and hypoallergenic, but faux pearls (like the Hilma) are not waterproof. Take them off before you shower or swim.
6. Shirt or blouse → chain necklace over the collar
On a (partly) open blouse a chain necklace works better than a fine chain with a pendant: the links add structure next to the collar. Choose 40 to 50 cm so the necklace sits in the opening and does not vanish behind the buttons. The further you unbutton, the longer the necklace can be.
7. Not sure? → a double layer solves it
Layering, two or three lengths on top of each other, works with almost any neckline because one layer always falls right. Want the effect without the fiddling? Choose a ready-made double-layer necklace: the layers stay neatly in place, even after a full day.
Pictured
Nathalie – one layer plus a Y
A fine chain with a longer Y-pendant beneath it, together in one piece. Lovely with a V-neck, an open-collar blouse or a simple round neck.
View the Nathalie →
Layering yourself? Keep at least 5 cm between the layers and combine a fine chain with a link or bead chain. All the tips are in how to layer necklaces.
More necklines: square, sweetheart, halter and one-shoulder
Square neck
A square neckline has straight lines. A short, flat necklace of 40 to 45 cm that sits inside the square finishes it off. Choose a sturdy link or a pendant with an angular shape.
Sweetheart
The heart-shaped line asks for something soft: a fine 40 to 45 cm necklace with a heart or drop that follows the curve. Your earrings can be a little bolder here.
Halter and one-shoulder
Here the neck is already busy or asymmetric. Skip the necklace and go for statement earrings and a bracelet. Complete sets per dress are in what jewelry to wear with a dress, and for festive evenings in jewelry for a gala dress.
Frequently asked questions
What necklace should I wear with a V-neck?
A fine necklace with a small pendant, drop or Y-shape that echoes the V. Choose the length so the pendant ends 2 to 5 cm above the point of the V: usually 40 to 45 cm, 45 to 50 cm for a deep V. Avoid a chunky choker and a pendant that lands right on the edge of the fabric.
What necklace length suits a round neck?
50 cm or slightly longer. The pendant then falls just below the neckline and creates vertical length. Shorter, and the necklace disappears against the fabric.
What necklace goes with a turtleneck?
A long necklace of 80 to 90 cm that falls freely over the fabric, ideally with a bigger pendant. Or layer: a sturdy, flat chain high on the turtleneck with a pendant of about 45 cm underneath. A fine short chain disappears into the collar.
What necklace goes with a strapless dress?
A short necklace of 38 to 42 cm at the base of the neck, or no necklace at all and statement earrings instead. A long necklace falls over the edge of the fabric and interrupts the line.
What is choker length?
35 to 40 cm: the necklace sits close to the base of the neck. Lovely with strapless, bandeau and off-the-shoulder.
What necklace goes with a square neckline?
A short, flat necklace or an angular pendant of 40 to 45 cm that sits inside the square of the neckline.
How do you layer necklaces without tangling?
Keep at least 5 cm between the layers and combine one fine chain with one link or bead chain. Or choose a ready-made double-layer necklace: it always stays in place.
How do I measure which necklace length suits me?
Place a shoelace or string around your neck where you want the necklace and measure it. Compare that with the product length. Many Lundholm necklaces have an extender of 4 to 7 cm, so you can wear them a little shorter or longer.
Find the right length for your outfit
All Lundholm necklaces are waterproof and hypoallergenic and arrive in a luxury gift box; order in our own webshop and you always get a free gift bag. Order before 3 pm (CET) on a working day and we ship the same day. Delivery details are on our shipping page.
