Style begins with details, especially those we wear in everyday life. Stylists often recommend to choose jewellery for any outfit, and we are happy to wear watches, bracelets, earrings, but forget about such an important and most noticeable form of jewellery as neck jewellery. Frequently, it forms the whole impression of our look. So, today we will talk about carcanets and necklaces.
At first, you need to understand the difference, because these concepts are often confused. So, in fact, everything is very simple, carcanets differ from the necklace in that it has a clearly defined central part, it differs in shape of parts, in their size. All the components of necklaces are identical in all their forms and sizes, or differ only slightly.
Carcanet
Necklace
First of all, carcanets, necklaces and beads are divided according to their length. There are 6 main types with their own names. Let's have a look at each of them:
1. Collar
Collar sits flush against the skin and rests directly above the collarbone. Contemporary collar necklaces are thick and look similar to a collar on a shirt.
Average length: 14 inches (35 cm).
Body position: sits just above the collarbone.
Style tip: Thick contemporary collar necklaces look best when paired with low necklines, or off the shoulder tops. But those who have a short neck should not purchase it, as the necklace will make it look even shorter.
2. Choker
Chokers are made from a variety of materials. Velvet, gold and ribbons were common options during Victorian era. Chokers can be with pendants, beads or even with festoons. The choker necklace can either sit very high on the neck or just below the collarbone. The later style dangles more freely and is slightly longer in length than collar.
Average length: 16 inches (40 cm).
Body position: sits high on the neck or rests on collarbone.
Style tip: pair a thin choker that sits high on the neck with a longer opera length necklace for a nice contrast. Chokers look good with V-necks and scoop necks.
3. Princess
Princess Necklaces are longer than choker but shorter than matinee necklace. Any pendant or focal piece usually rests right below the collar bones. Princess necklaces have a lot of varieties. They are encrusted with glistening rhinestones and have fanciful shapes usually with one central drop.
Average length: 18 inches (46 cm).
Body position: sits just below the collarbone.
Style tip: this necklace style should be reserved for more formal attire. Pair a princess necklace with a V-neck and a blazer for work.
4. Matinee
Matinee necklace is often used in jewellery. These necklaces fall somewhere between the collarbone and the center of the bust.
Average length: 22 inches (56 cm).
Body position: sits just above or at the center of the bust.
Style tip: use this length necklace when you're layering with other jewellery, so that the only focal point isn't the center of your bust. These necklaces look best with a high neckline or turtleneck since they tend to draw the eye directly to the bust area.
5. Opera
Opera length necklaces are long and versatile. When they are worn as a single strand, the necklace should fall below the bust line.
Average length: 30 inches (76 cm).
Body position: sits just below the bust or near the bellybutton.
Style tip: since the necklace falls so low, a variety of necklines are suitable. Consider layering a long opera length necklace with a choker necklace and a V-neckline to add some contrast.
6. Rope
The rope necklaces are also known as Lariat. In terms of length, this necklace is the longest.
The rope necklaces do not have a clasp. The chain or beads form a long rope that is either tied or pulled through a circular finding like the one pictured here.
Average length: 34 inches (87 cm), can reach 180 cm.
Body position: sits at or below the belly button, but can be adjusted.
Style tip: the rope necklace is very versatile because the long rope can be fashioned in a number of ways. Depending on the exact length, the rope can be wrapped around the neck a few times and worn as a choker. They can also be tied off at any length, making them work for whatever neckline you're wearing.
Now we know exactly what kind of necklace we want when we think of this or that look. In the following articles, we will focus on each type, and, of course, share various secrets of wearing them.