Today, necklace styles and lengths have more to do with personal preference than fashion requirements, but choosing the length of your necklace is not as trivial as it may seem. Different necklace styles and lengths are appropriate for different occasions and different necklines. There are two primary styles ofbeaded necklaces:

• Graduated - beginning with the largest bead in the center front, the beads decrease equally in size on each side of the center bead towards the clasp at the center back. This style is of necklace is worn as a single strand in order to show off the decreasing size of the beads.

• Uniform - all beads are within .5 mm of one another, a naturally occurring variation. Uniform strands of beads are well suited to layering, doubling or being worn as single strands.

There are a variety of traditional lengths for beaded or pearl necklaces as described below.

• Collar - (not pictured) usually 12 to 13 inches long and made up of two or more strands that lie snugly in the middle of the neck. Collar style necklaces are a wonderful complement to boat-neck, v-neck and off the shoulder fashions.
• Choker - usually 14 to 16 inches long worn above the collarbone. This classic and versatile style is appropriate with anything from casual to formal eveningwear, and complements most necklines.
• Princess - usually 16 to 18 inches in length. Princess length necklaces are well suited for crew neck and high necklines as well as plunging necklines. This is an excellent choice if you are just not sure what length is appropriate.
• Matinee - 22 to 24 inches in length and Opera - 30 to 32 inches in length offer many versatile and attractive options. This length necklace can be worn as a single strand with a high neckline or doubled to be worn as a two strand choker with moderate necklines. Traditional opera length necklaces were worn with eveningwear.
• Rope or Lariat - 45 inches or longer this luxurious length can be both elegant and sexy. This length necklace can be worn as one long strand or doubled or even tripled for a stunning and versatile look. Worn knotted or slung over one shoulder can also accent a backless dress.
• Bib - this style is made from multiple strands of beads, each one longer than the strand above it.

Quick Link: Size conversion charts