Choosing the perfect necklace isn’t only about finding a design you love. The length can completely change how a necklace looks and how it works with your clothes.
A delicate necklace sitting at 16 inches can look beautiful with an open shirt or scoop neckline, while an 18-inch pendant often sits perfectly on the upper chest. A longer 20-inch necklace gives a pendant more room and can be particularly beautiful layered with shorter pieces. And at 29 inches, a long pendant creates an entirely different look — especially worn over cashmere and knitwear in autumn and winter.
But which necklace length should you choose?
At Catherine Zoraida, we design necklaces to be worn rather than saved for special occasions, so versatility is something we think about carefully. Some of our necklaces have additional loops or adjustable chains, allowing you to alter where they sit depending on your neckline or what you’re layering them with.
Here is our guide to finding your perfect necklace length.
Necklace Lengths at a Glance
As a general guide:
16 inches — sits around the base of the neck or just below it
18 inches — sits around the collarbone/upper chest and is one of the most versatile everyday lengths
20 inches — sits lower on the chest and works beautifully for pendants and layering
22–24 inches — creates a longer, more relaxed look and works particularly well with larger pendants or higher necklines
28–29 inches — a long pendant length that falls beautifully over clothing and is particularly lovely with cashmere, knitwear and roll necks
Exactly where a necklace sits will vary depending on your height, neck size and body shape, so these measurements should always be treated as a guide rather than a rule.
What Is the Most Popular Necklace Length?
For many women, 18 inches is the most versatile necklace length.
It usually falls around or just below the collarbone, giving enough space for a pendant without feeling particularly long.
It’s a wonderful everyday length because it works with so many different outfits — from an open shirt or blouse to a simple T-shirt, dress or knit.
However, there isn’t one “correct” necklace length.
The most useful necklace is often one that can adapt to what you’re wearing.
16-Inch Necklaces: Perfect for a Shorter Look
A 16-inch necklace generally sits around the base of the neck or close to the collarbone.
It’s lovely for delicate chains, gemstone and bead necklaces, smaller charms, open shirts, scoop and V-neck tops, and as the shortest necklace in a layered stack.
A shorter necklace also creates a beautiful flash of colour close to the face when made with gemstones, enamel or beads.
If you’re creating a layered look, 16 inches is often a lovely place to begin.
18-Inch Necklaces: The Everyday Favourite
If you’re unsure which necklace length to choose, 18 inches is an excellent starting point.
An 18-inch necklace tends to sit beautifully on the upper chest, making it ideal for pendants and everyday necklaces.
It works particularly well with open shirts and blouses, V-neck tops, crew-neck T-shirts, dresses and fine knits.
It also gives you plenty of room to add a shorter necklace above or a longer pendant below.
Why We Add a 16-Inch Loop to Some 18-Inch Necklaces
This is one of those tiny design details that can make a surprisingly big difference.
On some Catherine Zoraida 18-inch necklaces, we add an additional loop at 16 inches.
This means the same necklace can be worn at either 16 or 18 inches.
Why?
Because the perfect necklace length can change with your clothes.
With an open shirt, you might want the necklace sitting a little higher at 16 inches. With another neckline, you may prefer to let it fall to its full 18-inch length. And when you’re layering several necklaces, moving one by just two inches can completely change the balance of the stack.
You’ll find this added flexibility on selected Catherine Zoraida designs, including some of our Enamel Satellite Necklaces, Lapis and Opal Necklaces and Cosmic Necklaces.
Not every necklace has this feature, so always check the individual product description for its exact length and adjustability.
20-Inch Necklaces: Beautiful for Pendants & Layering
A 20-inch necklace generally falls several centimetres below the collarbone, creating a slightly more relaxed look.
We particularly love this length for a pendant.
Giving a larger charm or pendant a little extra space allows it to become the focal point of the necklace.
Twenty inches is also incredibly useful for layering.
Try:
16 inches + 18 inches + 20 inches
This creates natural spacing between three necklaces without making the overall look feel crowded.
A 20-inch pendant also works beautifully over a simple top or fine knit during autumn and winter.
29 Inch Necklaces: The Perfect Length for Knitwear
Long necklaces come into their own during autumn and winter.
At around 28–29 inches, a pendant falls much lower on the body, giving it space to sit beautifully over clothing rather than disappearing into a neckline.
We particularly love this length worn over:
- A fine cashmere jumper
- A simple roll neck
- A crew-neck knit
- A crisp shirt
- A relaxed autumn dress
Our Scallop Necklace, for example, is designed to be worn long and looks beautiful against the simplicity of cashmere or a roll neck. The longer chain allows the pendant itself to become the focus and creates an effortless way to add jewellery to autumn and winter layers.
A long necklace can also help visually lengthen an outfit, particularly when worn over a simple block of colour.
Try a gold pendant over cream, navy, charcoal, chocolate brown or burgundy knitwear — the contrast allows the jewellery to really stand out.
And don’t assume long necklaces have to be worn alone. A 28–29-inch pendant can look wonderful beneath a shorter 16- or 18-inch necklace, creating a more dramatic layered look with plenty of space between the pieces.
Adjustable Chains: The Most Versatile Option
Sometimes we don’t want to dictate where a necklace should sit at all.
Certain Catherine Zoraida necklaces — including designs such as our Glitter Chain Necklace and Emerald Cut CZ Necklace — use larger chain links.
These allow you to fasten the clasp into different links along the chain, rather than having only one fixed fastening point.
That gives you much greater flexibility over the finished length.
You might wear the necklace shorter with a V-neck dress, loosen it slightly with a shirt, or change the length completely when adding another necklace.
We love this because jewellery shouldn’t dictate what you wear.
It should work with you.
What Necklace Length Works With Different Necklines?
Your neckline is one of the easiest ways to decide where your necklace should sit.
V-Neck
A pendant that follows the shape of the V can look particularly elegant.
Try an 18-inch pendant, adjusting it slightly if necessary so that the pendant sits comfortably within the open neckline rather than disappearing beneath the fabric.
Open Shirt
This is one of our favourite ways to wear jewellery.
A 16-inch necklace can sit beautifully against the skin inside an open shirt. Add an 18-inch pendant beneath it if you want a layered look.
Crew Neck
You have two lovely options.
Wear a shorter necklace so it sits clearly above the neckline, or choose a longer pendant that falls decisively over the fabric.
For autumn and winter, a 29-inch pendant can look particularly elegant over a simple crew-neck knit.
Scoop Neck
A 16- or 18-inch necklace usually works beautifully with a scoop neckline.
The open space also gives you room to layer two or three delicate necklaces.
Roll Neck or High Neck
This is where a long necklace really shines.
Rather than trying to squeeze a shorter necklace around a high neckline, use the fabric almost like a backdrop for your jewellery.
A 29-inch pendant worn over a fine cashmere or roll-neck jumper creates a beautifully relaxed autumn look. A sculptural pendant such as our Scallop Necklace works particularly well because it has plenty of space around it and becomes the focal point of the outfit.
How to Choose a Necklace Length for Layering
The secret to layering necklaces is space.
If every necklace finishes at approximately the same point, the pendants compete and the chains are more likely to tangle.
Instead, create gentle steps.
One of our favourite everyday combinations is:
16 inches — something delicate, colourful or sparkling
18 inches — a small charm or pendant
20 inches — a larger pendant or statement piece
Or create a more dramatic autumn/winter stack:
16 or 18 inches — a delicate necklace close to the neckline
28–29 inches — a long statement pendant worn over your knitwear
You can then play.
Move the shortest necklace slightly higher. Let the longest one drop lower. Mix a gemstone necklace with a fine gold chain. Combine different chain textures.
The measurements give you a starting point — they’re not rules.
How Do I Measure What Necklace Length I Need?
If you already own a necklace that sits exactly where you like it, this is the easiest method.
Lay it flat and measure it from one end to the other, including the clasp.
Alternatively, take a piece of ribbon or string and place it around your neck. Move it until it sits exactly where you would like your necklace to fall, mark the point and then measure the string.
If you’re choosing a pendant, remember to think about the size of the pendant as well as the chain length.
A larger pendant will visually extend the necklace further down the chest than a tiny charm on exactly the same chain.
Is 16 or 18 Inches Better?
Neither is better — they simply create different looks.
Choose 16 inches if you like your jewellery sitting higher around the neckline, you’re wearing an open shirt or you want the necklace to form the first layer in a stack.
Choose 18 inches if you want a versatile everyday length that sits slightly lower and works particularly well with pendants.
Or choose an adjustable design that lets you have both.
What If I’m Buying a Necklace as a Gift?
If you don’t know the recipient’s preferred necklace length, an 18-inch necklace or an adjustable design is often the safest choice.
Also think about the jewellery they already wear.
Do they favour tiny necklaces close to the neck? Longer pendants? Layered chains? Do they usually wear open shirts or high-neck jumpers?
A little observation can tell you far more than a size chart.
And if you’re unsure, we’re always happy to help you choose.
There Is No Perfect Necklace Length
Ultimately, necklace lengths are personal.
Two people can wear exactly the same 18-inch necklace and it may sit slightly differently on each of them.
That’s why we love designing flexibility into our jewellery where we can.
Whether you choose a delicate 16-inch gemstone necklace, a classic 18-inch pendant, a layered 20-inch piece or a beautiful long 28–29-inch necklace over winter cashmere, the most important thing is that it works with your clothes, your other jewellery and the way you like to wear it.
And sometimes moving a necklace by just two inches is all it takes to make everything fall perfectly into place.
Explore Catherine Zoraida Necklaces
Discover nature-inspired pendants, gemstone necklaces, colourful enamel and beautifully detailed chains designed to be worn alone, layered together and made your own.
Please check each individual product page for its exact chain length and adjustability.