Necklaces are the first
jewellery that is gifted to Indian children. Chains are gifted to newborn children by their
doting grandparents & relatives. This custom continues for boy children
while girls start receiving earrings after their ears are pierced. Necklace
lengths range from close to the neck or ‘choker’ style to ‘lariat’ length
chains that reach to the waist. Indian brides usually wear several lengths of
necklaces during their weddings to show that their parents have showered them with
enough.
What are the different
lengths of chains that can be worn as daily style? It’s very helpful to know
the lengths of necklaces, while wearing different neckline styles with them. A
stylist may advise you to wear a choker necklace with a turtleneck blouse or a
lariat length necklace with a halter necked blouse. It helps to know what
fashion models & designers are referring to, when you shop your ensembles.
Choker
Necklaces
Worn close to the neck
or around the neck, these necklaces are usually 14 inches in length. Collar
length necklaces are even shorter at 12”- 13”. These are great for wearing with
boat necklines or off- the- shoulder & strapless outfits.
Princess
Necklaces
The most common type of
necklaces – they come as sets when you buy earrings online. They’re commonly
17”- 19” in length & feature delicate pendants. The necklace length rests
on the collar bone & is visible through formals shirt collars &
outfits. Women prefer them as they’re less ostentatious & can be worn with
decent 1cm or 2cm pendants.
Matinee
Necklaces
These necklace chains
are 20” – 24” in length & lie just below the collar- bone, depending upon a
woman’s neck size, they could even reach up to slightly above the bust. Very
young girls wear matinee length chains as statement necklaces with huge
pendants. Some like the White Zircon Studded Necklace look like diamonds on
white are perfect accessories & don’t need earrings to complement them.
Opera
Necklaces
At 28”- 34” long,
they’re dramatic & can be worn as a single strand or looped twice around
the neck, forming a 2- row necklace for dramatic effect. Long Italian Necklace
with Mermaid Purple Pendants the perfect example of opera necklaces that look
great when worn with chic eveningwear.
Rope
& Lariat Necklaces
Mostly seen in natural
pearl ropes, these can be looped to form 3 or 4 rows necklace chains, giving
the illusion stacked necklaces. A Tri Color Necklace can also give the illusion
of 3 to 4 rows of chains & is great when you want to give the impression of
wearing several chains but don’t have varying lengths.
A Long Italian Necklace
with Mermaid White Pendant is a great accent for embroidered salwar suits &
dressy knee- length outfits. Choose your necklaces according to the occasion.
The general rule of thumb is that longer & heavier necklaces are worn for
festive & party occasions. More practical necklace length like the princess
is every day wear.
