While shape, color, and material are crucial components of style, there’s another, less-talked-about element that can make or break a jewelry piece’s look: length.
A well-fitted necklace or bracelet can elevate an outfit’s elegance, while earrings of the right length can highlight or contour a face. Other jewelry pieces may require a size guide if, for example, you were wondering how to measure your ring size at home.
When choosing the next jewelry piece in your collection, keeping length in mind can be the key to perfectly tying your look together.
Types of Jewelry and Their Ideal Lengths
Length is a crucial component in jewelry design. Larger, bolder styles and smaller, daintier pieces can tie together an outfit, but having in-between, perfect-fit pieces are crucial to any collection..
Standard lengths and styles vary based on the type of jewelry and the part of the body it’s made to fit.
Necklaces
Necklaces come in a variety of standard lengths based on where they’re meant to fall, ranging from the throat to the navel. Choosing the perfect necklace length requires less consideration of your neck size, which our jewelry size guide can simplify, and more consideration of the overall style you prefer. Most commonly, you’ll find:
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Choker – Designed to sit at the clavicle, chokers are typically 16 inches in circumference. Sometimes, you’ll see even tighter “collar” necklaces, ranging from 11 to 15 inches long, designed to hug the throat.
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Princess – Made to fall at the center of the upper chest, princess necklaces are typically 18 inches long.
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Matinée – Ranging from 20 to 24 inches in circumference, matinée necklaces fall slightly lower on the chest.
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Opera – Falling right below the bust, opera necklaces typically reach 24 to 30 inches long.
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Rope – The longest standard necklace size, rope necklaces are designed to reach the navel at 35 inches long.
Choker and princess necklaces are typically the most popular as they can be styled to suit virtually any outfit or occasion. However, collecting and playing with necklace length is ideal for layering, and statement looks (and different lengths may suit different wearers’ proportions).
Bracelets
While a bit less standardized than necklaces in terms of sizing, bracelets come in an array of styles that vary in circumference. In general, a comfortably fitting bracelet will sit at about half an inch larger than your wrist in circumference—but there’s always room for stylistic liberty in terms of choosing a snugger or looser fit:
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Bangle – Bangles are typically meant to be worn loose. Since these bracelets are clasp-less, you should be able to slip yours onto your wrist comfortably.
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Cuff – The cuff often looks like a thick bangle, but is meant to be worn tighter (similarly to a men’s dress shirt cuff). Most don’t have clasps, but they are designed to be opened and closed around your wrist.
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Chain – Chain bracelets come in a variety of widths (some are even meant to be wrapped around the wrist twice), but they should generally sit comfortably around your wrist. Most have an adjustable clasp, too.
When choosing a bracelet size, consider which type of closure you prefer as well as other aspects of your outfit, such as your sleeve length or the overall style and fit of your clothing. This ensures your bracelet not only fits comfortably but also complements your ensemble seamlessly.
Earrings
Earring length can often be a statement in and of itself—one that changes the tone of an entire outfit. The three major earring categories include:
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Stud – A pair of studs were likely the first earrings you owned. Small and simple, studs range in size, but they rarely span beyond the earlobe.
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Hoop – Hoop earrings come in a variety of sizes, from huggies (less than an inch in diameter) to statement hoops (three inches or more).
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Drop – Sometimes featuring a pearl or other pendant and other times making a statement with just a dainty chain, “drop earrings” is a term referring to any pieces that dangle without wrapping back around into a hoop. Some sit just below the lobe, while others can reach 3 to 4 inches in length.
Several factors might influence the length of earrings you reach for on any given day, from hairstyle to your top’s neckline. If you have more than one ear piercing, you could also consider mixing different-length earrings, such as small hoop earrings with a stud.
Anklets
While anklets aren’t standardized in length, most are designed to drape comfortably around the ankle, and many come with adjustable clasps.
The same rule of thumb as bracelets applies: A comfortable anklet will likely be about ½ to ¾ inch larger than the circumference of your ankle (but you can always adjust for a snugger or looser fit based on preference).
Factors Influencing Jewelry Length Choice
When choosing jewelry pieces to suit any particular look, there are several factors to keep in mind.
Occasion
The type of occasion you’re attending holds significant influence over which jewelry length will be most appropriate and stylish.
For instance, a casual event calls for more demure, smaller pieces, while a special celebration is the perfect time to pull out the stops (aka the statement pieces).
Personal Style
Regardless of occasion, however, your personal fashion preferences may take precedence. You might prefer to wear large, statement hoops to a casual picnic, or a small, dainty collar necklace to a black tie caliber event.
Jewelry length can skew the vibe of a look in one direction or another, and the story you choose to tell is completely up to you.
Comfort and Practicality
Despite the importance of the statement your look makes, your own comfort is just as paramount when building your everyday look. Minor compromises might be necessary—like swapping out multiple heavy ear piercings for a long day at work or removing a tight bracelet to relax.
Popular Trends in Jewelry Length
The final factor that might influence your jewelry length choice? What’s currently in vogue.
In recent years, a variety of styles have risen to prominence—while tight cuffs, round studs, beaded chokers and helix jewelry have taken the stage, long drop earrings, loose anklets, and layered necklaces are also having their moment. Staying abreast of the trends (or rebelling against them) might be the tiebreaker in your styling decision.
Go the Distance With John Hardy
Your jewelry length is quite the personal choice, and length alone can add a statement to any outfit. From dainty chokers and studs to statement hoops and ropes, there’s room to experiment with size in any jewelry collection (and even explore how to layer necklaces or other pieces at once).
John Hardy is here to help you build your collection. Our innovative yet bold, sustainably handcrafted fine jewelry is available in gold, sterling silver, and rose gold, with a rainbow of gemstone adornments to choose from. From women’s gold necklaces and bracelets to men’s silver rings, we offer just about every size on the spectrum, from cuffs to chains and beyond.
Sources:
Byrdie. Necklace Lengths 101: The Most Popular Lengths and How to Style Them. https://www.byrdie.com/necklace-lengths-7503388
Harper’s BAZAAR. The Jewelry Trends Taking Over This Summer. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/trends/a61501859/summer-2024-jewelry-trends/
Refinery 29. 8 Jewelry Trends to Complete Your Outfit in 2024. https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/jewelry-trends-2024