The ideal placement for your chain depends entirely on its length. Different chain lengths are designed to sit at specific points on your body to complement necklines and styles.
According to Simone Walsh Jewellery, standard necklace lengths have average placements as follows:
Average Chain Placement by Length
| Necklace or Chain Length | Average Placement |
|---|---|
| Choker | Close against the base of the neck |
| Standard (or Princess) | On the collarbone |
| Matinee | Between the collarbone and the bust |
| Opera | On the bust or several centimetres below |
Understanding these typical placements helps you choose a chain that will sit where you want it to, whether that's high on the neck, resting gracefully on your collarbone, or draping lower down.
For example:
- A choker is designed to sit snugly, making it ideal for highlighting the neck itself.
- A Standard or Princess length chain (typically 18 inches) is versatile, resting perfectly on the collarbone and suiting many necklines.
- A Matinee length chain falls lower, between the collarbone and the bust, often used for layering or with lower necklines.
- An Opera length is the longest, reaching on the bust or several centimetres below, suitable for high necklines or for wrapping into a double strand.
Therefore, where your chain should sit is determined by its specific length, aligning with these common necklace length categories.
