|
| Women's
Standard Necklace Sizes: |
| 16" |
Choker
Length |
| 17-18" |
At
Collarbone |
| 20" |
A
few inches below collarbone |
| 22" |
At
or above neckline |
| 24" |
Below
the neckline |
*Choose
the next size up for larger neck sizes
| Men's
Standard Necklace Sizes: |
| 18" |
Base
of neck (for smaller neck
sizes) |
| 20" |
To
collarbone (most common) |
| 22" |
A
few inches below collarbone |
| 24" |
Just
above the sternum |
*Choose
the next size up for larger neck sizes
| Measuring
Your Neck Size |
| Don't
know what size your neck is? Most women do not,
while most men know their collar size. To get
the approximate measurement, you can use a sewing
(soft) measuring tape. If you have a tape measure,
that problem is solved. If you don't have a soft
measuring tape but have a yardstick, ruler or
stiff metal measuring tape, you could wrap a ribbon
around the base of your neck, mark the spot where
it meets, and then lay it against the yardstick
or metal measuring tape to determine your neck
size. |
General
Sizing for Necklaces and Chains
Once
you know your neck size, a good rule of thumb
is to choose at a minimum the second size up from
your neck size. For example, for a man with a
17 ½" collar (neck) size, a chain
length of 20" is recommended at a minimum.
An 18" chain would be too short. With women
of a neck size of 15", the minimum recommended
length would be 17-18" which is a step above
the next standard length of 16". For example,
necklaces that lie flat on the neck such as the
Omega style, a 17" should be fine. Chains
with heavy pendants on them will hang slightly
longer as well.
Choosing
Necklace Lengths for Women
The
best thing about necklaces and chains for women
is that different lengths are worn for different
occasions and seasons. So you can almost always
use a particular necklace for some occasion. If
a cowl neck or turtleneck shirt (typically worn
in the winter season) is chosen, a long necklace
works better. A choker length of 16" doesn't
work with a high neck blouse or with a larger
neck size, while an 18" necklace will hang
farther down on a petite woman. So the basic neck
measurement - whatever that is - really helps
when you are purchasing a necklace for a particular
occasion. That basic measurement is essential
when purchasing a short necklace, for both fashion
and size reasons.
Choosing
Chain Lengths for Men
Chain
lengths for men are typically chosen based on
the man's collar size and typically fall just
at the collar bone. A slightly longer length should
be chosen if it is to be worn with a pendant,
cross, medallion, emblem or sports charm of some
sort. You can also choose multiple lengths for
a layered look. The most common length sold to
men of average neck size is 20". |
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