EVELYSS / Guides / Accessories & Jewelry

16 vs. 18 Inch Necklace: Where Each Falls and Which to Choose

“Two inches sounds like nothing until it's the difference between a necklace that sits against your throat and one that rests on the collarbone. Don't trust a chart on its own. Grab some string and spend one minute at a mirror.”Her take

Where do 16- and 18-inch necklaces sit?

Length charts usually show a 16-inch chain at the base of the throat and an 18-inch chain on the collarbone. That's a helpful average, but the actual drop depends on your neck size, your shoulders and whether a pendant is pulling the chain down.

These are approximate positions, not fixed rules. Your bust, posture and the weight of the piece also change how a chain falls, so use this as your starting point and then test it.

• Neck about 12 to 13 inches: 16 inches sits around the collarbone, 18 inches below it.
• Neck about 14 inches: 16 inches sits at the base of the throat, 18 inches at the collarbone.
• Neck about 15 inches: 16 inches sits very close, like a choker, and 18 inches sits just above the collarbone.
• Neck about 16 inches: 16 inches won't close comfortably. Eighteen inches sits close at the base of the throat, and 20 inches reaches the collarbone.
• Neck 17 inches or more: start with 20 inches, and add an extender if you want a lower drop.

How to test the length at home

You need a piece of string, a ruler and a mirror. Cut the string to 16 inches, hold the ends at the back of your neck, and see where it falls. Do the same with an 18-inch piece. Tie a small weight, such as a ring, to mimic a pendant if you're planning on one.

To find your neck size, measure around the base of your neck. A chain about 2 inches longer than your neck measurement sits fairly close, and one about 4 inches longer sits lower and looser. To compare with a chain you already own, lay it flat and measure it end to end with the clasp closed, then check how the seller measures theirs, since listings don't always say.

Which is better for your neckline?

Face shape and neck length matter less than people suggest. If you like a chain to look delicate and close, go shorter. If you like more movement and a clearer view of the pendant, go longer.

• Crew neck: 16 inches can hide at the collar, so use 18 inches or longer.
• V-neck: 18 inches follows the V well, especially with a small pendant.
• Scoop or strapless: both work. Sixteen looks delicate, and 18 looks classic.
• Button-up shirt: 16 inches shows high in an open collar, while 18 inches sits lower in the opening. Undo one more button if the chain disappears.
• Turtleneck: neither is ideal for fine chains. Use a longer pendant worn over the knit.

What about pendants and layering?

A pendant adds visual length, so a small drop on an 18-inch chain can end well below the collarbone. For a heavier or larger pendant, the longer chain usually balances better, since a short chain can pull it up onto your throat.

To layer, keep about 2 inches between each chain: 16 and 18 inches together, or 16, 18 and 20 inches for three. Different weights help stop them from looking identical, and a heavier chain at the bottom helps keep the stack stable.

Which length should you buy as a gift?

If you don't know her neck size, 18 inches is the safer pick. It fits a wider range of necks, and it sits over most necklines. If you're choosing a delicate piece, a 16-inch chain with a 2-inch extender lets it work at either length, and that's often the best of both options.

To find out without asking, borrow a necklace she wears often and measure it flat, clasp included. Keep the gift receipt, and check whether a jeweler can adjust the chain. Most simple chains can be shortened, and many can be lengthened with a small added link or extender.

Questions people ask

The takeaway

Use the chart as a start, test with string, and when you can't measure, buy 18 inches or a 16-inch chain with an extender.

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